P9b Monitoring heat load in milk
Dairy UP’s P9b project is researching the value of a modified ELISA test using milk samples to monitor heat load in dairy cows.
This would be less invasive than testing through traditional methods of blood and saliva. There’s also less room for error or subjectiveness compared to visually accessing a herd for heat load.
Additionally, it has the potential for remote monitoring and could be a service offered by milk processors. Early results show the test can monitor heat load but the accuracy at individual cow level is yet to be determined. This project involves researchers at the University of Sydney, NSW DPI and a PhD student.
About Dairy UP
Dairy UP is a collaborative research, development and extension program for the NSW dairy industry. It aims to unlock the potential of pastures, cows, water and milk to increase productivity and profitability, and de-risk the industry and develop new markets.