Mycoplasma and Standard Culture:
A sample submitted for both Mycoplasma and standard culture will combine the procedures for aerobic and Mycoplasma culture.
Modified Mastitis Bacteria Colony Count:
Culturing dilutions and/or measured amounts of a milk sample on a series of agar media (blood agar-esculin, Edwards Modified, MacConkey and Vogel Johnson), bacteria can be identified as well as counted. This test is useful to troubleshoot herd milk quality problems and may be useful to determine the origin of high bacteria counts.
Milk Quality Panel (SPC, LPC, Coliform Count):
This service includes the Standard Plate Count (SPC), the Laboratory Pasteurized Count (LPC) and the Coliform Count (CC).
The SPC (Petri-film procedure) of bulk tank milk gives an indication of the total number of aerobic bacteria present in the milk at the time of sample collection. Bacteria counted by this method enter the tank milk from cows and a variety of other sources.
The LPC (thermoduric bacteria count) is also a valuable diagnostic procedure. Bacteria that survive pasteurization may originate and grow in different areas of the milking system if cleaning and sanitation procedures are persistently inadequate or in contamination from soiled cows.
The CC measures the number of bacteria usually associated with manure and environmental contamination. It provides an indication of both the effectiveness of cow preparation procedures during milking and the cleanliness of the cow’s environment. Coliform bacteria in milk will degrade milk quality and may pose a public health threat.
Complete Panel:
The Complete Panel consists of a quantitative bacterial analysis (Modified Mastitis Bacteria Colony Count), the milk quality panel, mycoplasma and SCC test.
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Bedding Culture
Bedding Material:
When samples of bedding are submitted for analysis, it is necessary to bring in a representative sample of bedding material such as what will fit into a ziploc-type storage bag. Samples are processed in the laboratory and streaked onto four agar media plates (blood agar-esculin, MacConkey, Edwards Modified and Vogel-Johnson). Typically, three different dilutions are plated on all four media to enable an accurate bacterial identification and count.
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SCC Testing
Quality Milk does not perform SCC testing on premises. However, to enable our customers to benefit from this important service, we do work in close collaboration with the Dairy One Laboratory in forwarding SCC samples to them for testing.
Base Service Fee:
As there is time involved in submitting the samples for SCC testing, a small service fee is charged.
SCC Test – Owner Sampled vs QMPS Sampled:
If SCC samples are taken by one of the Quality Milk technicians, the cost is higher than if the samples are taken by the owner, with a Quality Milk technician acting as a courier.
DMSCC:
Additionally, if milk samples cannot be measured electronically, the Dairy One laboratory has another rate for this service, as the samples must be handled in a more labor-intensive manner.
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Service Fees
Ambulatory Accession Fee:
This fee is charged whenever an ambulatory sample is submitted for analysis, regardless of the number of samples submitted. However, if payment by cash, check or credit card is made at the time of submission, this fee is waived.
Herd Survey
Service Fee:
The service fee is step-rated based on the number of animals sampled in the herd and is charged whenever a technician visits a farm to perform a whole herd survey. This fee helps offset the costs associated with the technician’s time to take samples, analyze the milking equipment and evaluate the milking routine. It also includes the laboratory technician’s time in diagnosing the milk cultures, the time necessary for administrative personnel to prepare reports and the veterinarian’s time in analyzing the data.
Mileage:
For farms located outside of New York State, a charge per mile one way from the New York State border is assessed.
For more information on full herd surveys, visit this link.
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Extension Survey
Service Fee:
A service fee is charged each time an extension survey is conducted. In addition, there is a charge for the first hour that the QMPS technician is on the farm, followed by each half-hour of additional time involved.
Any milk samples taken are charged at the regular aerobic rate, as are any bulk tank milk samples.
For more information on extension surveys, visit this link.
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Administrative
Cancellation Fee:
As cancellations often results in lost hours of work, a cancellation fee may be charged if the survey is not cancelled or postponed by 48 hours prior to the time of the survey. This cancellation must take into consideration only the days worked by our laboratories – 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. Extra time must be allowed for weekends or holidays.
Insufficient Funds Fee:
In the event a check is returned from the bank for insufficient funds, a charge is assessed to the account and future payments on this account must be made by cash, credit card, money order or milk authorization.
Rate Per Hour:
When additional administrative time is needed, a rate per hour will be assessed. This may occur when preparing ambulatory samples for the laboratory, preparing flat files or additional work requested by a client.
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Veterinary Consultancy Fee
Service Fee:
This fee is charged when a QMPS veterinarian visits a farm for a consultancy.
Rates:
Rates are assessed for the consultancy services of a QMPS veterinarian. These rates may be charged by the hour, by the half day and by the full day. A typical herd visit includes data analysis, report writing and communication to the producer. This usually takes approximately two working days.
Retainer:
A QMPS veterinarian can be held on retainer, which includes two visits per year and data analysis.
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Discounts
Upon receipt of 100 or greater samples at one time, there is a discount available for customers who pay at the time of service:
• 100 – 499 samples are eligible for a 10% discount,
• 500 – 999 samples are eligible for a 15% discount, and
• greater than 1,000 samples are eligible for a 20% discount.
It is necessary to have accounts paid in full before discounts can be applied.
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Payment Information
All payments are due upon receipt of your bill. Payment may be made by cash, check, credit card, money order or milk authorization.
Finance Charge:
A finance charge will be instituted if payment is not received by the 61st day of the service rendered at the rate of 1% per month, compounded monthly for an effective annual rate of 18%. The minimum charge is $.50. This finance charge does not apply when a payment plan is in place and is adhered to.
“Blanket” Charge Authorizations:
“Blanket” charge authorizations may be set up for clients, allowing automatic payment of an outstanding bill. Your credit card information will be kept in a secure location to be used for any future charges of samples submitted.
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