Testing & Sampling Guidelines


Please refer to the relevant disease pages specific instructions for each disease. Please call Biobest Herdcare if you have any questions.
  • Samples must be collected by your veterinary surgeon, and be accompanied by a sample submission form (including cover sheet) and membership declaration. Please ensure both vet and farmer complete the appropriate sections.
  • Red top tubes (clotted) are suitable for all blood tests including BVD virus (antigen).
  • Milk samples may replace blood samples for some tests in dairy herds. Please contact Biobest Herdcare to discuss your circumstances.

Table 1: Statistical Sampling for IBR and Leptospirosis Testing:

Table 1 provides the sample size required for each separately managed group within the herd, e.g. for a 100 cow herd with 20 followers, 38 cows should be sampled and 19 of the followers. For numbers of cattle which fall between those in the table, use either the next highest figure in the table, or all the animals in the group, whichever is lower. Note that all breeding bulls should also be tested.

Group Size Sample Size
10 10
20 19
30 24
40 28
50 31
70 34
100 38
150 40
200 42
300 43
500 45
800 45


BVD Ear Tissue Sampling