Dairy Herd Tests

The main benefit of a DHHPS Metabolic Profile is to identify problems before they become apparent on the farm.

DHHPS metabolic profile handout (6.43 MB PDF)

Input forms

Please submit a Sheet 1 form with each test so our vets know a bit more about the background situation on the farm

Sheet 1 - Farm background information (required for first metabolic profile) (109.08 KB PDF)

All the individual cow details and the details of the ration should be completed on a Sheet 3

Sheet 3 - Metabolic profile cow details (116.75 KB PDF)

A Sheet 2 is not requred for a metabolic profile blood test

If it is easier then please send copies of TMR/ration formulation sheets and silage analyses.

Blood sampling should be done at key times of year, after a major change in the diet for example and samples taken from specific groups of cows.

Which cows to test

As standard metabolic profile consists of 17 cows at key stages of lactation:

• Seven cows in early lactation between 10-20 days calved
• Five cows in mid lactation between 80-120 days calved
• Five dry cows within 10 days of calving

Blood Tubes Required

Please submit two Lithium Heparin 'green' tubes and one Fluoride-Oxalate 'grey' tube from each cow.

(if the farm is a DHHPS blood testing member a single green and a grey tube is sufficient)

Information required

To get the most out of our service it is important that the correct cows are sampled and we are provided with the following information about each cow:

Failure to supply all the required information limits the interpretation of results that can be done by the vets in Edinburgh.

• Calving date. (Expected calving date for dry cows)
• Body weight and condition score
• Current and expected daily yield
• Lactation number
• Ration details, including TMR composition (where appropriate) and, if available, forage analysis.
• This information should be submitted on a 'Sheet 3' which can be download above

Analysis done

• Energy status - NEFA, BOHB, Glucose
• Protein - UreaN, Albumin, Globulin
• Minerals - Phosphate, Magnesium
• Trace Elements - Copper, GSHPx (selenium)
• Other tests are available - contact the office to enquire

Costs

Membership

A popular option to help spread the cost and allow routine monitoring of the herd is the DHHPS membership service. This allows routine testing throughout the year on payment of a quartely fee. Typically a farm will do three or four tests each year.

Dry cow testing

Sometimes it is more appropriate to tests groups of dry cows, particularly in block calving herds.

Where to send the samples