Information that counts.™
Advanced Animal Diagnostics presents new trial data for subclinical mastitis detection and treatment during key lactation events
Early lactation data show a 2,681-pound milk advantage and 115,000 fewer somatic cells/mL when hidden mastitis is detected and treated early based on QScout® MLD test diagnosis
DURHAM, NC — February 6, 2015 — Performing a QScout® MLD (milk leukocyte differential) test at key lactation events can help dairy producers detect subclinical mastitis early, gain a better view on udder health, and make precise treatment decisions that increase milk production, milk quality and reproductive performance, according to new trial data shared by Advanced Animal Diagnostics (AAD) at the 2015 National Mastitis Council Annual meeting.
Modeled after the blood leukocyte differential used in humans and companion animals for decades, QScout MLD is the only on-farm test that provides a differential cell count of infection-fighting leukocytes, or white blood cells. Past research shows subclinical mastitis diagnoses based on this differential index have a strong correlation with actual milk production.
“With QScout MLD, dairy producers benefit from the objective diagnostic value of the differential index in an on-farm rapid test,” said Mitch Hockett, Ph.D., Advanced Animal Diagnostics’ director of external research and technical marketing. “QScout MLD provides an improved view of udder health compared to conventional on-farm tests, and data show significant returns when using its information to guide subclinical mastitis treatments in early lactation and at dryoff.”
Trial reveals impact of testing and treatment
during early lactation
In a 14-month on-farm study in Idaho, AAD measured the impact of antibiotic treatment in quarters with subclinical mastitis in early lactation, based on QScout MLD diagnosis. Cows testing positive for subclinical mastitis at 7-14 days in milk (DIM) were split into treat and no treatment groups. The treated group showed significant advantages at projected 305d milk:
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2,681 more pounds of milk per cow on average*
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115,000 fewer somatic cells/mL per cow on average**
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18 percent fewer services per conception and 14 fewer days open**
“These results point to the critical importance of early detection to prevent losses,” Hockett said. “In fact, diagnosing and curing hidden udder infections during early lactation resulted in milk production and somatic cell counts on par with the control group testing negative at enrollment.”
Selective dry cow therapy and efficient antibiotic use
possible with accurate diagnosis
Hockett also shared the latest results from the company’s late lactation trials, demonstrating that rapid, accurate diagnosis by QScout MLD at dryoff allows producers to strategically manage treatment costs when treating only infected quarters or cows.
“Selective dry cow therapy (DCT) at the cow or quarter level offers cost- and labor-savings to dairy producers, while fostering efficient use of antibiotics,” he said.
In AAD selective DCT trials, cows testing positive at dryoff based on QScout MLD diagnosis were treated with antibiotics only if at least one quarter was infected. When cows treated via selective DCT by cow and quarter level were compared with cows that received blanket dry cow therapy, no statistical difference existed in culture positive infection rates or SCC 10 days after calving or in clinical events, culls or other health events through projected 305d milk.
In addition to reduced treatment costs and labor savings, the trial found selective DCT leads to:
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A 47 percent reduction in antibiotic use when selectively treating cows at dryoff
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A 59 percent reduction in antibiotic use when selectively treating quarters at dryoff
“Accurate data provided by QScout MLD at dryoff makes selective dry cow therapy a reality,” Hockett said. “Plus, potential savings realized by QScout MLD creates an opportunity for producers to consider more expensive mastitis treatment tubes with extra benefits.”
About QScout MLD
QScout MLD is the only rapid, on-farm test that measures and assesses the cow’s immune response to infection, providing a positive or negative diagnosis for subclinical mastitis in each quarter – in minutes per cow. Click here for a video demonstration.
About Advanced Animal Diagnostics
Advanced Animal Diagnostics (AAD), Durham, N.C., provides livestock producers with diagnostics that improve profitability and empower more precise care of animals so they live healthier, more productive lives. AAD is committed to researching, developing and commercializing the industry’s most reliable, on-farm diagnostic tests, such as QScout® MLD for early detection of subclinical mastitis in dairy cows. With its diagnostic offerings, the company aims to empower real-time management decisions that increase productivity, prevent losses, improve animal welfare and protect the food supply.
For more information, visit www.QScoutLab.com or call 1-855 Q2COUNT.
1Anderson, K. L., M. T. Correa, and R. R. Rodriguez. 2010. Fresh cow mastitis monitoring on day 3 postpartum and its relationship to subsequent milk production. J. Dairy Sci. 93(12):5673–5683.
*Trial results represent milk production data from cows diagnosed positive for subclinical mastitis at QScout setting 10-17, or those that are most likely to respond to treatment. Cows diagnosed at setting 17-18 are severe cases, and should be culture to identify the infection-causing pathogen.
**Trial results showed a reduction in SCC and improved reproductive performance for all cows tested positive using QScout setting 10.