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FERA Diagnostics and Biologicals is excited to introduce AccuStaph®, an on-farm mastitis culture test found 99% sensitive for Staphylococcus aureus detection. Producers now can test four cows for staph aureus using one plate, making on-farm screening reliable, affordable and convenient.

“Staph aureus can haunt producers and wipe out a herd,” says Dr. Rodrigo Bicalho, FERA chief executive officer and founder. “For the first time, producers have an accurate and affordable way to screen specifically for this nasty bug, identifying problem cows and detecting chronic cows with mixed infections that otherwise often go undetected as staph cows. Producers also can benefit from its use in their fresh cow screening programs. The potential gains of being able to take action against staph aureus dwarf the test cost of about $1.75 per cow.”

AccuStaph builds on the innovation of FERA’s original AccuMast® system and uses the same proven lab-grade precision and convenience. A 2018 study conducted at the University of Illinois found AccuMast to be the most accurate out of four on-farm sampling systems for diagnosing specific mastitis-causing pathogens. It was also more reliable for overall predictive factors and significantly similar to in-lab results.

“During this study, researchers determined that AccuMast was the only on-farm system to correctly identify staph aureus,” adds Dr. Bicalho. “While AccuMast screens for multiple pathogens, AccuStaph uses the same technology to test milk samples for the identification of staph aureus, making it much more affordable and convenient, and quicker than sending out samples.”

To learn more about AccuStaph and to purchase product, visit www.feraah.com/large-animal/accustaph.

FERA Diagnostics and Biologicals combines innovation and science to bring practical products to the animal health field that will enhance the health, productivity and welfare of pets and production animals. The company’s products improve the lives of dairy producers and their animals with easy-to-use and accurate diagnostics. For more information, call (979) 213-6470, visit feraah.com or email marcela@feraah.com.