Milk Producer - March 2009 - (Page 51)

NEW’N’NOTED Mastitis testing just got easier New Hayslide eases large bale feeding Bacterial cells of Staphylococcus Bacterial cells of Staphylococcus aureus magnified 50,000 times. aureus magnified 50,000 times. A new A new test can detect DNA from this mastitis-causing bacteria this mastitis-causing bacteria in your your DHI milk samples. (Photo courtesy USDA) (Photo courtesy USDA) T Hayslide SRB Feeding large round and square bales in feeders will become much easier for producers thanks to three new products from an Ontario inventor, Eric Robinson of Wiarton, Ont. Up to three round bales can be loaded onto the gravity-fed Hayslide RB, a sloping platform made of strong tubular steel. It sits just above the feeder and, as animals eat, gravity slowly allows the bales to slide down the slippery high-density polyethylene plastic liner. The Hayslide RB can be positioned to allow animals free access around the feeder. Robinson has also invented another version, the Hayslide SRB. It feeds up to four square, round or corn silage bales at one time. When positioned near a fence and combined with a third invention, the Twine Catcher, the Hayslide SRB lets the operator load and cut twine without leaving the tractor cab. Twine Catcher is the first loader attachment designed to remove twine from large square bales. It features hydraulic-powered arms that trap and hold the twine as the bales pass over a knife of the Hayslide SRB. For more information, visit www.hayslide.com, or phone 519-534-5050. Note: Descriptions of products and services are for the information of our readers only. Publication of this information does not constitute endorsement by The Milk Producer. hrough the use of emerging technology, CanWest DHI has introduced a new test for mastitis. The convenience, high accuracy and rapid turnaround of results of this new test offer significant improvements in mastitis management. The new test, based on PCR technology, identifies the DNA of mastitiscausing pathogens. Initially, a Staph ID service will be available, focusing on the identification of Staphylococcus aureus, a contagious, mastitis-causing bacteria often associated with elevated herd somatic cell count (SCC) levels. The PCR technology allows the identification of different mastitis-causing pathogens. DHI intends to explore the possibility of offering such a service later in 2009. A key benefit of the new test is that it can be performed using the same milk sample currently collected by DHI, not previously possible with the traditional tests. Convenience will be a key selling point of this new service, according to Richard Cantin, DHI’s director of customer service. “Sample collection for mastitis testing has always been time-consuming and inconvenient, which means it often didn’t get done. The fact that the DHI sample can now be used makes it incredibly convenient.” You can test your entire herd, selected animals (such as newly purchased cows or those displaying clinical mastitis signs) or test for cows that exceed a certain selected SCC level, where those samples will be redirected from the SCC analyser to the Staph ID test. “The testing choices are very flexible, and it will be up to each producer and their veterinarian to decide which testing options will best meet their needs,” says Cantin. Early detection of subclinical infections is important, especially when dealing with a contagious pathogen such as Staph aureus. The ability to fully integrate SCC and Staph ID test information will enhance decision-making at the farm and improve udder health, milk quality and profitability. Due to initial laboratory capacity limitations, the new Staph ID test will be made available gradually by regions and to all CanWest customers as soon as possible. For more information and test availability in your area, contact your local DHI field service representative or call DHI at 1-800-549-4373. MilkPRODUCER | March 2009 | 51 http://www.hayslide.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Milk Producer - March 2009

Milk Producer - March 2009
Contents
Editor's Notes
DFO Chair's Message
Dairy Update
DFC Promotion
Farm Finance
P5Pool Update
Issues Update
Weathering the Storm
Research
Applied Science
Ruminations
Markets
New 'N' Noted
Back Forty

Milk Producer - March 2009