A2 milk testing

genebo · #1 09/01/10, 03:24 PM

As you may already know, A2 milk testing is now available in the US. It is offered by the Veterinary Genetics laboratory at University of California, Davis. The cost is $25 for testing a tail hair sample. You can get a form to attach your tail hair samples to at:

https://www.vgl.ucdavis.edu/myvgl/login.html

If you have Dexter cattle, the Legacy Dexter Cattle Group has a special rate through September and October of $40 for a genotype (parentage verification) and A2 milk test when both are requested at the same time. Get the forms for these tests as well as reduced price tests for chondro, color and dun at:

http://legacydextercattleregistry.com/testform.php

It took a lot of work to make this test available to us as small holders and the test may not always be available. Take advantage of it while it's offered.

Genebo
Paradise Farm

Callieslamb · #2 09/01/10, 09:42 PM

I sent mine off to New Zealand in June. Still haven't heard. Glad it's here now though.

genebo · #3 09/02/10, 08:32 PM

You should have gotten your results from New Zealand long ago. My last results from New Zealand only took two weeks.

However, the A2 Corporation told us that the New Zealand tests were mistakenly offered to US citizens, and that they would cease after testing became available in the US.

If I were you, I'd email the New Zealand lab to find out the status of your samples.

If you don't have a good email address for the New Zealand lab, you can go to my web site to get my email address. Email me and I'll give you a name and email address to contact about your samples.

http://paradisedexters.com

Genebo
Paradise Farm

Callieslamb · #4 09/02/10, 09:04 PM

I called them yesterday. Actually it was a lab here from the a2 testing website. emineral.com or something like that. They sent my sample to NZ. They collece several at a time and just sent them in like they were testing an entire herd. My results were "Inconclusive"......Alas. I am going to send a new sample to the lab in CA. They say they can have the results back in 7-10 working days - rather than the 4-6 weeks for NZ.

Thanks for posting the CA lab!!!! Now to start pulling hairs from that cow again!

genebo · #5 09/02/10, 10:03 PM

I'm sorry you got no results from your first tests.

In order to get good results, this is how I do it:

Wash your hands and carry some zip-lock bags. Wrap a thin strand of hair from the tail switch around your finger and yank, hard.

Make sure you have at least 40 hairs with roots attached. The roots are the little bulb at one end of the hair. If there is any manure on you sample, discard it and try again.

Put the sample in a zip-lock bag and seal it.

Rinse your hands, make sure there are no hairs from the first sample on your hands. Then pull the second sample.

The most important things are to make sure you have the roots attached to the hair and don't cross-contaminate the samples.

Sending more hairs than needed is a good idea, too. If the results are inconclusive, maybe they can test a second time.

Good luck, not only in getting results, but in getting the results you want.

Genebo
Paradise Farm

Callieslamb · #6 09/03/10, 07:55 AM

Thanks Gene. My cow and I were new to each other when I did the first samples and I couldn't get any tail hairs out without upsetting her. They told me to use mane hair....obviously that didn't work. Alas. they tested 4 times with no results. Totally my fault. I think we are on a much better level of understanding now. I will try combing her tail tonight. I only have the one to test. I have the paper to tape them to. can't wait to get it done.

Another $25 please!! LOL!!!