Table I lists the various courses of action to follow once the results are returned from the testing center. Table I. Interpretation and recommended action for bulk tank Staph. Retest in 3 months. Culture cows with high somatic cell counts for the presence of other contagious organisms or other environmental streptococci or coliforms. Greater than 200,000 Herd may have problem with other types of microorganisms.
Culture cows with high somatic cell counts or cows with clinical mastitis.
High Indicates Staph. Test all cows in herd and implement a Staph. If the bulk tank test indicates that the entire herd or a portion of the herd should be tested, collect samples from each cow. When results are returned, evaluate which management practices will reduce the chance of spreading the organism from infected to non-infected cows or from other vectors, such as man, flies, or faulty milking equipment. The following procedures should be rigorously followed to alleviate the problem.