Milk Quality

Milk Quality Monitor includes the range of tests which can be carried out on spare bulk milk samples that include: Bactoscan, SCC, Butterfat, Protein and Urea.

This involves a traditional culture technique whereby any live microbes in the milk are grown under a range of conditions. We then count the number of microbial colonies to determine the level and presence of:
Psychrotrophs, Thermodurics, Coliforms and a Total Viable Count (TVC).

The BactoBreakdown service is a combination of both the Parlour Hygiene Suite and Mastitis ID. The test is useful for identifying the cause of Bactoscan or SCC problems (or both).

Thermoduric bacteria are organisms that can survive pasteurisation and carry over into dairy products causing defects in the final product, such as reduced shelf life for milk or spoilage of cheese and butter.

Mastitis ID is PCR test to determine the presence and quantity of the most common contagious and environmental mastitis-causing pathogens.

Selective dry cow therapy (SDCT) is now at the forefront for dairy herds, largely because of the positive steps taken by milk buyers and vets to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use.

Checking for bacterial contamination of water is becoming increasingly important for managing hygiene standards on farm.