AGSOURCE ADDS JOHNE'S MILK ELISA TESTING TO SERVICE OFFERINGS

VERONA, Wis.-   AgSource has added Johne's milk ELISA testing to the services that it provides members and clients.  Testing will be conducted at the AgSource milk laboratory in Menomonie, Wis. and North West Labs, a division of AgSource Laboratories, in Jerome, Idaho. 

            Johne's disease is a chronic intestinal infection caused by the bacteria M. paratuberulosis.  Through ELISA testing, the laboratory can detect the antibody response to the bacteria.    Johne's milk ELISA testing can be done on samples submitted for DHI testing, making the testing process convenient and economical for AgSource members.  It can also be conducted on selected cows independent of DHI services.  The test is a useful management tool, that when used with assistance of a veterinarian, can help dairy producers make decisions on how to manage the disease. 

            Pat Baier, Vice President of DHI Operations for AgSource, stated "Offering milk ELISA testing to our members and customers is another way that we can continue to provide increased value.  By making samples easy to submit, and decreasing the turnaround time on test results, dairy producers have access to the information they need to make timely management decisions."  

            AgSource, headquartered in Verona, Wis., is a subsidiary of Cooperative Resources International and a member-owned cooperative that provides agricultural and environmental laboratory analysis and management information services to members and clients from North America and overseas from eight locations in the Midwest and Northwest.