News Releases

Enhanced Mastitis Test Available From DHI

Guelph, ON – November 29, 2009

CanWest DHI is pleased to announce the introduction of the new Mastitis 3 testing service. Building on the success of the Staph. aureus mastitis test introduced earlier this year, the enhanced test identifies the presence of the three major mastitis pathogens commonly referred to as the “contagious” pathogens, specifically Staph. aureus, Strep. agalactiae and Mycoplasma bovis. In addition, where Staph. aureus is detected the presence or absence of the ßlactamase gene, which conveys penicillin resistance, will be reported. As a note, Mycoplasma analysis will not be available until the spring of 2010, when the full test enhancement is completed.

The convenience, reliability and rapid turn around of results of the Mastitis 3 test offers significant improvements in mastitis management. The test, based on Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technology, identifies the DNA of mastitis causing pathogens.

According to Richard Cantin, DHI’s Manager of Marketing and Customer Services,“The ability to use this test on the same composite preserved cow milk sample currently collected by DHI, as well as the easy integration of test results with current and historical SCC information, which has not previously been possible with traditional tests, is proving to be an excellent information package for mastitis management.” Cantin adds, “Producers have the ability to test the entire herd, selected cows, such as newly purchased cows and cows displaying clinical signs of mastitis, or test for cows that exceed a certain producer selected SCC level, where those samples will be redirected from the SCC analyzer to the Mastitis 3 test. The testing choices are very flexible and it is up to each producer and their veterinarian to decide which testing options best meets their needs.”

The Mastitis 3 test will be available at the same price as the Staph. aureus only test, which will be discontinued. Herd owners should work closely with their veterinarian for test results’ interpretation and action plan for test positive cows.

For more information on the Mastitis 3 test, talk to your veterinarian, contact your local DHI field service representative or call DHI at 1-800-549-4373.

DHI Reduces Price of Johne’s Milk Test

Guelph, ON – October 9, 2009

CanWest DHI is pleased to announce that its’ price for the Johne’s milk Elisa test is being reduced by 11% to $8 per sample effective November 1st, 2009. This price reduction comes 4½ years after the service was introduced by DHI and at a time when Ontario prepares to launch an industry lead province wide Johne’s control program.

According to Richard Cantin, DHI’s Manager of Marketing and Customer Services, “We are extremely pleased by the response of producers and veterinarians towards the Johne’s milk test. Within a month or two we will achieved the milestone of 100,000 Johne’s milk samples analyzed since the launch of the service. Because of those high volumes and the anticipated continued strong demand for the milk test, efficiencies are being realized and we are passing those savings on to customers.” Cantin adds, “In a world where costs and prices of things are usually increasing, this is a good news story. We are pleased to help the dairy industry tackle this important disease with a convenient, reliable and now more then ever, cost effective test”.

Johne’s disease is a contagious, non treatable, progressive bacterial infection
that causes abnormal thickening of the lining of the intestinal tract in infected
animals, thus restricting the absorption of nutrients. It is a disease that can have
a significant financial impact in a dairy herd through reduced milk production and
increased involuntary culling. Herd owners should work closely with their
veterinarian for test results’ interpretation and best management practices for
controlling the disease.

For more information on the Johne’s milk Elisa test, talk to your veterinarian,
contact your local DHI field service representative or call DHI at 1-800-549-4373.

DHI Lab Receives USDA Certification
for Johne's Testing

Guelph, ON, July 7, 2009

CanWest DHI is pleased to announce that its Guelph laboratory has received certification under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Johne's Disease Milk ELISA Proficiency Test. This annual certification program allows laboratories to evaluate their performance by testing unknown samples provided by a third party, in this case the USDA. The Guelph DHI lab passed the proficiency test with flying colours with a result of 100% correct on the test panel. A minimum 90% accurate result is required to achieve certification.

Laboratory Director, Deb van de Water states, “The Lab has been accredited for the Johne's Milk ELISA test with Standards Council of Canada since 2005 and when the USDA Proficiency Test program recently became available to us, we immediately took the opportunity to participate. The results clearly demonstrate our competence to perform the work we do. Participating in these third party test schemes means our results are evaluated alongside other labs in North America and around the world. A passing score means we are performing the test correctly and delivering the most accurate results possible.”

Since launching the Johne's milk testing service in March 2005, over 90,000 milk samples from Ontario and Western Canada have been processed through the Guelph lab. Producers and veterinarians have been able to make better decisions with regards to on-farm Johne's control based on the results of the convenient and cost effective milk test.

Johne's disease is a non-treatable contagious bacterial disease of the intestinal tract and is estimated to be present in 20 to 40 per cent of Canadian dairy herds. Increased awareness of the disease and its financial impact, namely through reduced milk production and premature culling, is leading producers to implement on farm best management practices, in particular around the calving area and the management of new born calves which is the group most susceptible to contracting the disease.

Van de Water concludes, “Producers and veterinarians now have even more assurance that the Johne's test results they receive from DHI are not only cost effective and convenient, but are also being conducted at the highest possible level of accuracy. This is another example of our ongoing commitment to quality and integrity in laboratory testing.”

CanWest DHI is a producer owned and operated milk recording organization, providing profitable dairy management solutions to dairy producers across Ontario and Western Canada.

New Mastitis test available from DHI

Guelph, ON, February 10, 2009

Through the use of emerging technology, CanWest DHI announces the introduction of a new test for mastitis. The convenience, high accuracy and rapid turn around of results of this new test will offer significant improvements in mastitis management.

The new test, based on PCR technology, identifies the DNA of mastitis causing pathogens. Initially , a Staph ID service will be available, which focuses on the identification of the Staphylococcus aureus , a contagious, mastitis causing bacteria often associated with elevated herd somatic cell count (SCC) levels. The PCR technology allows for the identification of the different mastitis causing pathogens and DHI intends on exploring the possibility of offering such a service, later in 2009.

A key benefit of the new test is that it can be performed using the same milk sample currently collected by DHI, which has previously not been possible with the traditional tests. According to Richard Cantin, Director of Customer Service for DHI, convenience will be a key selling point of this new service. "Sample collection for mastitis testing has always been time consuming and inconvenient which means it often didn't get done. The fact that the DHI sample can now be used makes it incredibly convenient."

Producers will have the ability to test the entire herd, selected cows, (such as newly purchased cows or cows displaying clinical signs of mastitis), or test for cows that exceed a certain producer selected SCC level, where those samples will be redirected from the SCC analyzer to the Staph ID test. "The testing choices are very flexible and it will be up to each producer and their veterinarian to decide which testing options will best meet their needs" said Cantin.

Early detection of subclinical infections is important, especially when dealing with a contagious pathogen such as Staph aureus. The ability to fully integrate SCC and Staph ID test information will enhance decision making at the farm and improve udder health, milk quality and profitability.

Due to initial lab capacity limitations, the new Staph ID test will be made available gradually by regions and to all CanWest customers as soon as possible. For more information and test availability in your area, contact your local DHI field service representative or call DHI at 1-800-549-4373.

CanWest DHI elects Board Chair
and Vice-Chair

Guelph, ON, February 1, 2009
John Bongers was re-elected Chairman of the Board of Directors and Gordon Ell was re-elected Vice-Chairman at a regularly scheduled Board Meeting of CanWest DHI held January 13th, 2009 in Toronto, following the 28th Annual Meeting.

Gordon Ell, a milk producer from Kronau, Saskatchewan begins his fifth year with the CanWest DHI Board and has served previously on the Holstein Canada Board.

Joining John Bongers and Gordon Ell on the CanWest Executive Committee are Directors Michael Hall of Mountain, Ontario, and Ed Friesen of Kleefeld, Manitoba.

Lyle Martin was re-elected by acclamation as Director, Zone 1, which encompasses the counties of Lambton, Middlesex, Elgin, Huron, Perth, Kent and Essex Counties.

John Bongers was re-elected by acclamation as Director, Zone 4, which encompasses Victoria, Peterborough, Hastings, Northumberland, Prince Edward, Lennox and Addington, Frontenac, Renfrew, Lanark and Leeds Counties.

Ken Schwaerzle was elected as Director for a three-year term by the British Columbia Milk Producers Association as Director for British Columbia.