Classic cultural techniques employed by the National Mastitis Council are performed to enumerate and characterize mastitis causing organisms and assess bulk milk quality.
Test Parameters:
- Ruminant Quarter/Half Culture
- Bulk tank culture
- Somatic cell (leukocyte) count
Please note:
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Culture samples must be received at the lab by 2pm on Wednesdays. Samples received later than 2pm on Wednesday will be frozen and tested the following week
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Somatic Cell Count samples must be received by by 4pm on Wednesdays.
Mastitis Culture
Ruminant Quarter/Half Sampling & Submission:
Note: Composite samples are not recommended.
- Using permanent marker, label sterile tubes/vials (Animal ID and quarter - e.g. Bessie RF)
- Prelabel tubes for all animals to be sampled
- Do thorough udder preparation
- Dry Udder with paper towels or individual clean cloths
- Wash hands
- Scrub each teat end with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol (for each teat use a fresh cotton ball)
- Dry teat end with dry cotton ball (for each teat use a fresh cotton ball)
- Discard first squirt of milk
- Deposit 2nd squirt of milk in sample tube (do not touch inside of cap or sample tube)
- Tightly recap tube before sampling next quarter, place tube in a clean place
- Place all tubes/vials in a rack or styrofoam floater for transport, keep cold
- Freeze samples, if it is not possible to deliver them to the lab the day of sampling
- Samples should be accompanied by completed submission forms (below), please include your email address and phone number
- Results will be distributed via email
SUBMISSION FORM - Mastitis Quarter Culture
Bulk Tank Culture
Bulk Tank Sampling & Submission:
- Using permanent marker, label sterile vials
- Aseptically sample bulk tank, if possible have a licensed sampler take the sample
- Place vials in styrofoam floater for transport, keep cold
- Freeze samples, if it is not possible to deliver them to the lab the day of sampling
- Samples should be accompanied by completed submission forms (below), please include your email address and phone number
- Results will be distributed via email
SUBMISSION FORM - Bulk Tank Culture
Questions? Contact: Sam Beck 802-522-3303 sam.beck@vermont.gov