Dairy News february 26, 2013
machinery & products // 37
Simple test detects antibiotics in milk THE PRESENCE of antibiotics in milk is reliably detected by a broadspectrum test called Cowside 2, marketed by Food Tech Solutions, Auckland. Typically, the cause may be adulteration of vat milk (sabotage) or milking of cows during a drug withholding period. Either way, knowing the antibiotic status of the milk is required and is of value, the company points out. The key information for a farmer is whether the milk contains antibiotic levels that may result in a penalty grading. Time is a critical issue, says Food Tech Solutions. But if there is doubt about the milk quality and at least three hours before the next collection then Cowside 2 will detect any antibiotics present in a
milk sample. It will detect a range of drug families at or near to the allowable residue levels as set down for grading purposes. Cowside 2 allows a farmer to confirm: That the cows coming off withholding (as per the recommendations from a vet and dairy company) have antibiotic concentrations below allowable levels (a single or line of cows is milked and the milk tested). That the new cows have antibiotic concentrations below allowable levels (a single or line of cows is milked and the milk tested). That the vat or silo has antibiotic concentrations below allowable levels. The product is a simple-to-use microbial inhibition test, the company says. If there are antibiotics in the milk over a cer-
tain concentration then when a Cowside 2 vial has milk added to it the bacteria in the agar in the vial will not grow . The agar will remain purple in colour (positive). If there are no antibiotics present or they are present under a certain concentration the bacteria
in the vial can grow. The agar will turn yellow (negative). A starter kit for Cowside 2 contains all the necessary equipment and test vials plus instructions for use. 09 576 7326 peterb@foodtechsolutions.co.nz
The key information for a farmer is whether the milk contains antibiotic levels that may result in penalty grading.
Platinum for Kia in NZ
A ‘PLATINUM award’ to Kia
Motors in New Zealand recognises the company’s standout sales. The company says it was a star performer last year in the Kia group, achieving the number one sales position on a key-per-
formance-indicators basis among countries that sell under 20,000 vehicles annually. 2012 was the fourth year in a row of record sales for Kia Motors New Zealand. And it recorded one of the highest increases for any Kia
operation anywhere; sales were up 22%, compared to an overall increase of 9.3% globally for the brand. “It was an extraordinary result in a competitive market,” says Kia Motors New Zealand general manager, Todd McDonald.
It’s not the first time Kia Motors New Zealand has won an international award for its sales efforts. Back in 2007, it was presented with the Zenith Award for achieving the highest market share in any international market outside Korea.
A starter pack for Cowside 2 contains equipment and test vials.
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