Mastitis in cows: This rapid test saves farmers money.

Can a few drops of milk determine antibiotic use? New tests provide surprising answers - in just a few hours.

Rapid tests promise dairy farmers more certainty when mastitis is suspected - and that in just a few hours. Instead of hastily using antibiotics, farmers should be able to treat more effectively thanks to an initial assessment. Initial studies show that antibiotics are not necessary in many cases. The tests differentiate between different types of pathogens and help reduce medication use - this not only saves money but also prevents resistance. In practice, however, precision is required: from sample collection to evaluation, it requires care and technical tools. But how reliable are the results really - and are they sufficient to make a safe treatment decision? One thing is clear: the tests have potential. Whether they will prevail in practice and can improve animal health in the long term, you can read in the current issue of agrarheute Rind.

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