Prime Time Winter 2020

paying for the tests, Heath said, “Go ahead and spend the money on a good ship- ping container.” His steps for shipping blood and tissue samples include: Step 1: Prepare a rigid outer package that will contain the secondary packaging. Use a cold pack if the specimen must remain at a refrigerated temperature, and especially if the weather temperature dur- ing shipping will be hot. If the

SUCCESSFUL SAMPLING Continued from page 19

that gives producers results in parentage verification, genetic selection tools and BVD diagnostics. Taken from an animal’s ear, tis- sue samples can generally be collected in a matter of seconds with the aid of a head catch for restraint. Tissue sampling technology through the use of a hand- held tissue-sampling appli- cator allows for a clean and

Heath recommends mailing samples in a Styrofoam container packed inside a cardboard box.

uncontaminated sample that is kept in a specifically designed preservative, contain- ing a large quantity of high-quality DNA that aids in excellent lab results. Individual tissue-sampling units can be identified with a pre-printed barcode. A tutorial about how to use this tissue sampling unit can be found at http://www.allflexusa.com/as- sets/Videos/Allflex%20Tissue%20Sampling %20Tutorial%20NO%20AAA%20REF%20 (Updt%2001.2017).mp4. A good, old-fashioned ear notch can be used for collecting samples strictly for BDV testing. A skin biopsy, approximately one- quarter to one-half inch in size, should be immediately placed in formalin, then sent for testing. Heath emphasized that tissue samples should not be frozen, and if there is a tattoo in the ear, producers should avoid collecting from that spot because the tattoo ink may interfere with the test, and taking tissue out of the tattoo may make it illegible in the future. Shipping Samples Given the effort put into collecting blood or tissue samples and the investment made

weather includes freezing temperatures, Heath suggested waiting to mail the pack- age until the cold spell has passed. A Sty- rofoam cooler placed snugly inside a card- board box works well for mailing samples, he added. Step 2: To prevent damage to speci- mens in transit, ensure blood tubes have adequate cushioning and are bagged to prevent leakage. Add a layer of filler, like newspaper or bubble wrap, between cold packs and specimens. Keep paperwork dry by packaging it in a separate zip-lock bag. Step 3: Add filler to decrease empty space within the secondary packaging. Se- cure the entire package with tape. Step 4: Work with the shipper to label the package in accordance to the speci- men’s classification; typically, identifying the package as “biological substance” is required. Using these tips, blood and tissue samples can be collected and shipped successfully, helping producers arm themselves with information to make decisions about their herd. PT The Bentkes have been valuable support- ers and promoters of Akaushi cattle and Akaushi beef. Rockin’ B Cattle Company and the entire Bentke family – Mark, Sher- ri, Corey and Colleen – thank you for your passion and excitement for the Akaushi breed. Your commitment and contributions to the breed have not gone unnoticed. PT

LEGACY AWARD Continued from page 18

to commercial and registered bulls to pro- duce replacement heifers and herd bulls. Using Akaushi genetics, they are still able to raise valuable replacement females, while gaining extra premiums with their terminal cattle.

Akaushi Prime Time • Winter 2020

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