Understanding My Results

Milk

Fat

The fat content of cow’s milk averages about 3.7% but varies from less than 3 to over 6 percent, depending on breed, stage of lactation, and a number of environmental conditions.

Protein

Fluid milk has about 3.5% protein. Amount vary according to breed, stage of lactation, and certain environmental situations.

Somatic Cell Count (SCC)

The somatic cell count (SCC) is commonly used as a measure of milk quality. Somatic cells are simply animal body cells present at low levels in normal milk. High levels of these cells in milk indicate abnormal, reduced-quality milk that is caused by a intra mammary bacterial infection (mastitis). The cell count for "normal" milk is nearly always less than 200,000 cells/ml. Higher counts are considered abnormal and indicate probable infection.

Lactose

Milk sugar. Lactose content of milk averages about 5%.

Other Solids

Lactose plus Ash (The residue remaining after complete combustion at -500 to -600 C of a feed or feed product during proximate analysis.)

Milk Urea Nitrogen (MUN)

Normal values are considered to be between 12 to 16 mg/dl. High MUN levels can be due to an excess of dietary and/or soluble protein, stress (including disease, exercise from grazing or extreme cold), or too little rumen available energy in the diet. Low MUN may be a result of an insufficient level of protein, too little degradable protein, or insufficient energy in the diet. As the non-fiber carbohydrate (NFC), crude protein ratio increases, MUN decreases. MUN also decreases as lactation progresses.


Johnes, MAP (Mycobacterium Avium Paratuberculosis)

Johnes is the chronic infection of the small intestine by the Mycobacterium Avium Paratuberculosi. This chronic infection can result in poor absorption of nutrient material, thus resulting in diarrhea and eventually emaciation of the cow. Death can occur in some instances.

All results for Johne's testing will come directly from the laboratory until further updates are made to reporting systems. Results can also be sent to your veterinarian for further applications.

Johne's is a reportable disease , so all results must be reported to the oard of Animal Health and the University of Minnesota for statistical and research purposes only. There will be no public record of results and no follow up on herds based on milk ELISA or serum results.

Stearns DHIA Laboratories
825 12th Street South, PO Box 227
Sauk Centre, MN 56378-0227
320.352.2028 · 800.369.2697
Fax 320.352.6163 · Email