IDEXX Partners with Milk Laboratories to Help


Dairy Industry Improve Reproductive Efficiency



IDEXXIDEXX is partnering with laboratories worldwide to offer confirmatory pregnancy testing using milk samples with the new IDEXX Milk Pregnancy Test. This unique test will help dairy producers and their veterinarians optimize reproductive efficiency in dairy herds. Dairy farmers now can get early, accurate identification of open cows by simply requesting the IDEXX Milk Pregnancy Test for samples they already submitted for milk-quality testing, or by sending milk samples directly to participating laboratories.

According to Jere High, CEO of Lancaster Dairy Herd Improvement Association, identifying open cows with the IDEXX Milk Pregnancy Test, "has become crucial. When you consider that 9.1% of pregnancies are lost between day 56 and calving, confirming pregnancy saves producers time and money."1 High says, "Too many farmers are drying off open cows and then having to feed them for two months before being able to sell them."

The IDEXX Milk Pregnancy Test uses trusted ELISA technology to detect pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) and determine pregnancy status. The test is highly sensitive and specific as early as 35 days postbreeding. It provides accuracy similar to that of palpation and ultrasound, with the advantage of minimizing animal handling.

"Our producer clients are really seeing the benefits of getting a pregnancy test milk sample in the parlor without the extra efforts of having to lock up or sort cows," explains Bruce Hoffman, DVM, and president of Animal Profiling International, Inc. "The process is efficient and eliminates potential delays in breeding programs, which saves valuable time."

Dairy producers interested in the IDEXX Milk Pregnancy Test should contact their local milk laboratory or visit idexx.com/milkpregnancy for a list of participating laboratories. Laboratories interested in offering the test should contact their IDEXX sales representative, their local IDEXX distributor or visit idexx.com/reproduction. IDEXX recommends that dairy farmers work closely with their veterinarian to develop a reproductive program.

About IDEXX Livestock, Poultry and Dairy
Livestock and poultry producers, laboratories, veterinarians and dairy processors depend on IDEXX diagnostic technologies to make confident decisions about animal health, disease management and reproductive efficiency, and to ensure consumers have access to safe, healthy food and milk. Reproducibility, reliability and accuracy are three of the reasons why more than 1 billion IDEXX tests- including dairy residue tests and milk-based diagnostics-have been run worldwide since 1985.

About IDEXX Laboratories
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. is a leader in pet healthcare innovation, serving practicing veterinarians around the world with a broad range of diagnostic and information technology-based products and services. IDEXX products enhance the ability of veterinarians to provide advanced medical care, improve staff efficiency and to build more economically successful practices. IDEXX is also a worldwide leader in providing livestock and poultry diagnostic tests and tests for the quality and safety of water and milk. Headquartered in Maine, IDEXX Laboratories employs approximately 5,400 people and offers products to customers in more than 175 countries.
Return to Industry Buzz.


6.13.2013