News
Ayoma Finlay, VP of Business Development, was invited to make a presentation about PortaCheck products to educators, veterinarians and dairymen in Peru. The presentation was a pre-conference event organized by our Peruvian distributor, Battilana Internacional, in conjunction with a Symposium on Advances in Dairy Production sponsored by The Facultad de Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina. Ms. Finlay spoke about the use of the PortaSCC and PortaBHB milk tests in on-farm management of mastitis and ketosis.
PortaCheck launched the PortaBHB milk ketone test in January 2010. The test is sold in vials of 25 tests and uses a color chart for the estimation of Beta-hydroxybutyrate or BHB, a key indicator of sub-clinical ketosis. The test gives results in a minute that can save a producer time and money is dealing with this growing problem on dairy farms.
PortaCheck announced a new milk ketone test at the World Dairy Expo 2009 that will allow dairy producers to have a quick and affordable way to screen for sub-clinical ketosis. Visitors to the booth from all over the world indicated that this would be a valuable on-farm tool to manage this problem that not only affects herd health but also the production level of most modern dairy farms.
PortaCheck is proud to announce FH Engel S.A. as the distributor in Chile for the PortaSCC milk test products. Located in Santiago, this company has a long and successful record of importing quality products designed to improve the quality of life for the people of Chile. Agriculture is one of many areas in which the company has an interest.
We are pleased to announce that after working closely with dairy goat producers, processors, and the University of Wisconsin, PortaCheck launched the goat somatic cell test kit earlier this month. This test uses the same technology as the cow test, but has been especially adapted for goat. It is available in the U.S.A. from Nelson-Jameson and a growing network of local dealers. Many of our international dealers will soon be adding this product.
In an effort to assist dairymen with herd health management practices, PortaCheck periodically sponsors articles in various dairy publications. The most recent one dealt with Somatic Cell Management in Fresh Cows and appeared in the American Dairymen e-newsletter in January 2009.
In February 2008, Professor Alvaro Garcia of South Dakota State University made the following entry in an online mastitis detector discussion: There is also another interesting device we have tested in the field (and if I am not mistaken was tested also at the U of WI and Cornell University). The company is Portacheck, and the test involves an individual reading strips with a small well where you place one drop of milk and three drops of reagent. It allows one to read results in 45 minutes either using a colorimetric scale or a digital reader. We have found them quite reliable, easy to use, and inexpensive.
The PortaSCC milk test was introduced by Milfos International Ltd. at Fieldays 2007 in New Zealand. Milfos has recently become a distributor for the milk test throughout New Zealand.
World Wide Sires, Ltd. announces agreement to market the PortaSCC milk test in countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.