Industry News

Published on Wed, 02/21/2018 - 9:14am

 New research confirms AccuMast® is the most accurate on-farm mastitis diagnostic kit

 Article provided by AccuMast®

A University of Illinois research study by Ferreira et al. (2018)* evaluated four commercial on-farm culture methods used to identify clinical mastitis-associated pathogens. Results showed AccuMast® had the highest overall accuracy, plus AccuMast was the only on-farm system capable of detecting Staphylococcus aureus. Other culture plates involved in the study included Minnesota Easy System Tri-Plate, Mastitis SSGN Quad Plate and Mastitis SSGNC Quad Plate. The results were presented at the American Dairy Science Association’s 2017 annual meeting.
AccuMast, from FERA Animal Health, utilizes color to identify multiple mastitis pathogens. It diagnoses all of the treatable mastitis pathogens in only 16 hours, making selective therapy possible, significantly reducing the overall cost of mastitis and improving cure rates, cow health and profitability.

“While mastitis diagnosis is critical for targeted therapy, this study was the first to compare these on-farm culture systems for accuracy in identifying specific pathogens,” says Rodrigo Bicalho, chief executive officer of FERA Animal Health. “AccuMast had the highest sensitivity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and overall accuracy. Plus it was the only test with almost perfect agreement as measured by Cohen-K value.”
The study used 299 milk samples from two commercial dairy herds. The four on-farm systems, along with two reference laboratories, cultured the samples. See Table 1 for the results.
FERA Animal Health is dedicated to improving the lives of dairy cattle and farmers by producing easy-to-use products that improve animal health through accurate diagnostics and disease prevention.
Contact Info
For more information, call  (585) 465-2218, visit  www.FeraAnimalHealth.com or email  feraanimalhealth@gmail.com.  

*Evaluation of four on-farm culture plates to identify pathogens associated with mastitis in dairy cows. J. C. Ferreira, M. S. Gomes, E. C. R. Bonsaglia, I. F. Canisso, E. F. Garrett, J. S. Stewart, Z. Zhou, F. S. Lima


Coburn introduces Udder Hair Removers
EXPRESS Udder Hair Removers are available for sale

Article provided by The Coburn Company, Inc.

Coburn introduces new Udder Hair Removers for 2018. Express Udder Hair Removers, distributed by The Coburn Company, Inc., provide an easy, fast, economical and safe alternative for removing udder hair.
Express Udder Hair Removers are a great option for udder hair removal to combat mastitis. Removing udder hair helps reduce the spread of germs and allows for faster, more thorough udder preparation prior to milking. Robotic milkers identify teats easier once udder hair has been removed. Udder hair may have to be removed more frequently during winter months due to quicker hair growth in the colder temperatures.
Express Udder Hair Removers are set-up in less than two minutes and hair removal is quick and easy. The soft flame provides a sensation of warmth and is painless to the animal. Hair removal is done by drawing a figure-8 pattern, 4-7” below the udder for two to four seconds. Units come in two designs – straight and angled – making them useful for every operation. Units come complete with hose, fuel regulator for 14 oz. propane cylinder (cylinder not included) and flint striker. Item numbers shown below:
• 572-5655 Express Udder Hair Remover with Angled Wand
o Ideal for stanchion barns
• 572-5656 Express Udder Hair Remover with Straight Wand
o Ideal for milking parlors

The Coburn Company, Inc., founded in 1925, is a leading manufacturer and distributor of quality agricultural supplies and milking equipment. The Coburn Company, Inc. is dedicated to customer service and our products are found throughout the US and in over sixty countries. For more information visit www.coburn.com or call (800)776-7042. 


DeLaval introduces 2-in-1 acid sanitizer AcidiShine
The unique PAA-based solution helps dairies sustainably save time, money

Article provided by DeLaval

DeLaval recently launched AcidiShine™, a solution which combines the acid and sanitizing cycles in the washdown process, helping dairy farms save time, money and resources without having to compromise the quality of their milk.
Its unique formulation, containing peracetic acid (PAA), hydrogen peroxide and a proprietary acid, provides broad spectrum sanitizing with antimicrobial efficacy against bacterial pathogens. AcidiShine also provides excellent descaling of surfaces not usually associated with this class of sanitizers. It can be used to sanitize clean in place (CIP) conventional milking systems and bulk tanks, DeLaval Voluntary milking system VMS™ and calf hutches.

“There are typically four steps in the washdown process: warm water rinse, chlorinated or alkaline rinse, acid rinse, and finally, a sanitizer,” said Jami Raymond, DeLaval Aftermarket Solution Manager. “With AcidiShine, producers can combine the acid and sanitizing cycles, helping them save money by using one product and reduce time by eliminating a step.”
AcidiShine is part of DeLaval’s expanding portfolio of sustainable milk quality solutions. It was first introduced to processors through DeLaval Cleaning Solutions in 2017. Not only does it help save water by eliminating a wash cycle, but it also breaks down to vinegar and water, leaving no residue or negative impact on the environment. AcidiShine is completely free of Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NPE’s).

For more information about AcidiShine, and other DeLaval acid detergents, visit our website.

About DeLaval
DeLaval is a worldwide leader in milking equipment and solutions for dairy farmers, which make sustainable food production possible, warranting milk quality and animal health. Our solutions are used by millions of dairy farmers around the globe every day.
DeLaval was founded more than 130 years ago in Sweden, when the visionary Gustaf de Laval patented the cream separator. Today, DeLaval has 4,500 employees and operates in more than 100 markets.