Bulk Tank Milk Culture (includes Prototheca and Mycoplasma Culture)
3-5 milk samples, minimum of 6 ml milk each sample in a tube 1/4 to 3/4 full. Samples may be string samples, bulk tank samples, or other bulk milk. To ensure a representative test, collect a milk sample at the same time each day for 3-5 consecutive days. Freeze immediately; samples must remain cold or preferably frozen throughout shipping. Samples will be commingled and tested as one unless it is requested that each sample be tested separately. See Best Practice: Milk Samples for detailed instructions.
Bulk tank milk cultures are used to screen for the presence of contagious pathogens, and to monitor hygiene practices on the farm that may impact bulk milk bacteria counts. For more information, see Using Bulk Tank Milk Cultures in a Dairy Practice.
Results reported: cfu/ml Strep agalactiae, Staph aureus, Environmental Streps (Non-ag Strep), Coliforms, Staph species