Miscellaneous feedback from Vets Richard has been phoning or emailing..
"One client - Homeopathic. Tried on RMT positive quarters and got vague non specific colour change, and quarters went RMT negative the following milking. Suspect false positive overfills. Farmer found it difficult to grasp instructions, though vet thought they were straightforward. Farmer found it fairly easy to use. Overall impression was that this is a very good idea and plenty of potential as a new tool."
"Post herd test. ID bugs in every cow. Some mixed inf, some staph. Took longer to turn than expected. Very positive, and had very positive comments from all farmers involved. Feels price is fair, but at that price it certainly won't be used on every cow. Some farmers will however use it on every cow. The ON provides the information they need in most cases; sensitivities no big deal; they have done many over the years. Can see it being used where there is just the odd cow coming through and they want targeted each time, or when there is a big problem and epi is needed."
""Really really great". Have been targeting high staph herds. Most farmers relate very well. The occasional one prefers to know which bug exactly. One farmer sent samples to lab as well and had perfect concordance. Many growths in high SCC (as opposed to clinicals) have been slow ie 24-30 hours. Clinicals are faster. They have grown very few streps, and have had success in screening high SCC quarters in cows leaving the colostrum mob."
"Going very well, both on farm and in terms of information gathering. Problems in past was getting farmers to culture at all. They would just treat randomly or until treatments failed and staphs in particular were getting under treated. Farmers were seeing no perceived value in milk sampling, but when they hear they can get a result in 24 hours, their eyes light up! They are using it on farm to extend treatment length if a staph is present. Vet is absolutely delighted with the test and feels it fills a real niche in their practice."
