CRV Herd Testing

Herd testing is a valuable way of identifying the high and low performers in your herd.

For individual cows, Herd testing information can recognise:

• Low producers (for culling or drying off)
• High producers (for breeding)
• Mastitis (for treatment or culling)
• Animals requiring veterinary treatment (if herd testing regularly)
• Beta-Casein type status (A2/A2)

For the herd, herd testing information is used to:

• Gain an overall picture of production
• Monitor mastitis status

Fully-trained CRV Ambreed herd testing technicians attend every herd test to set-up meters, record volumes and take samples, which ensures the accuracy of data collected. Using the latest technology also allows the technician to send the farmer a full herd test report on the spot, providing their herd records are up to date.

Extra technician service

For very large sheds or herds an extra herd tester may be required. This will be dependent upon shed size, but generally 26-28 cups is the maximum for one Herd Tester.

Colour coded reports

CRV Ambreed’s herd test reports are colour-coded, allowing you to see high and low results at a glance.

Text message service

There is also a text service available which can provide you with information needed to address any urgent issues (e.g. highest cell count cows).

HERD TEST OPTIONS

Full herd test

A full herd test is carried our during afternoon and morning milkings within a 24-hour period. All cows in-milk must be tested and must be fully identified and recorded.

Contemporary group test

This allows you to herd test all lactating animals within a contemporary group, for example a group of cows of similar age and season of calving that are managed in the same herd.

Once-a-day test

This option is for herds that are being milked once in a 24-hour period. This is a popular option at the end of the season.

Test day model (single sample herd test)

This is a single-sample option for a herd milking twice-a-day. The herd is tested at either the morning or afternoon milking and the sample is then calculated into a 24-hour test result.

Somatic Cell Count test only

A SCC test can be performed over the whole herd or selected cows at either morning or afternoon milkings. No volumes are recorded. Results will be received within 48 hours.

16 Hour Milking

This option is for herds milking three times in a 48-hour period. A single sample is taken and a standard formula is then applied to convert the 16-hour milking into a 24-hour result.

BVD test

As part of our herd testing service we can now test both bulk and individual samples for BVD.

INDIVIDUAL A2/A2 BETA-CASEIN TYPE COW TEST

CRV has the ability to analyse Herd Test milk samples for beta-casein types. This will result in a cow being classified into one of three categories;
1. A2/A2: This phenotype will result in only A2 type beta-casein in the milk.
2. A1/A2: This phenotype will result in an equal amount of A1 and A2 type beta-casein in the milk.
3. A1/A1: This will result in an onlyA1 type beta-casein in the milk.