Improved antibiotic resistance test for dairy

The test is important for preventing the spread of antibiotic resistance to mastitis treatments in cows. 

Bayer improved its DairyAntibiogram (DAB) antibiotic resistance test by adding more antibiotics and more concentrations to the list. 

Launched last year, DAB involves the testing of bulk milk supply for resistance to antibiotics that treat mastitis. If resistant bacteria are present, then a veterinarian can prescribe a more effective antibiotic. 

Following requests from veterinarians, Bayer has broadened the DAB test to include four extra antibiotics – Cefuroxime, Oxytetracycline, Lincomycin and Neomycin -- and at different concentrations. This is in addition to the six antibiotics already tested: Penicillin, Cloxacillin, Ampicillin, Cefazolin, Tylosin and Amoxycillin.  

DAB can now assess 10 different antibiotics for resistance and collect twice as much data.

 Dairy veterinarian Grant Fraser, of Matamata Veterinary Services, says the DairyAntibiogram has been successful especially for farmers who don’t realise they have an issue.

 “We can now adjust usage and get better cure rates; it’s technology that enables us to do our jobs better,” he says.  

“It’s helped drive mindset changes with our farmers and simplify treatment plans; we’ve also been able to grow our clinic ancillary services, like in-house cultures, which guide how you apply DAB data and adds value.”  

Bayer dairy veterinarian Dr Ray Castle says the upgrade to DAB is important as it now covers all antibiotics used to treat mastitis. 

“Mastitis infects 10-20% of the national dairy herd. As a veterinarian, you want to make sure you’re using the right antibiotics in the most responsible and effective way possible, which this improved test will allow.” 

Bayer has also made submitting test requests and managing the results easier and faster with the launch of the DairyAntibiogram website (www.dab.bayer.co.nz).

 “The original DAB test was paper-based and quite admin-heavy. We’ve now streamlined the test request process by putting everything online, making it cleaner and easier to get right first time,” says Castle.  

“A vet can now log in, request a test and view its progress. Once the results are back, the website has a farm summary report tool that assists the vet in making a decision or recommendation on how to manage mastitis and the appropriate treatment to use on a particular farm. 

“A personalised farm summary report can be created and all results are stored on the website. Also a farmer can access the website, initiate a DairyAntibiogram test request, select their vet clinic and find out more information.”

About DairyAntibiogram 

DairyAntibiogram is a new test that shows how sensitive bacteria are to different mastitis treatments. The test is easy to have done as it is performed on bulk milk samples taken from milk processors. 

For more information about DairyAntibiogram, farmers should consult with their veterinarian or visit www.dab.bayer.co.nz