BETTER COWS | BETTER LIFECRV4ALL.CO.NZ

TESTING OPTIONS

INDIVIDUAL A2 COW TEST

CRV has the ability to analyse Herd Test milk samples for

A1 and A2. This will result in a cow being classified into

one of three categories;

1. A2/A2: This phenotype will result in pure A2 type

beta-casein in the milk.

2. A1/A2: This phenotype will result in an equal amount

of A1 and A2 beta-casein in the milk.

3. A1/A1: This will result in a pure A1 type beta-casein in

the milk.

Farmers who herd record using CRV Insight will have the

A2 cow category automatically updated once the herd

test results have been analysed. The A2 cow category will

be available in standard CRV Insight reporting.

Farmers who don’t herd record with CRV Insight will be

provided with a report showing the A2 cow category for

each cow.

BULK A2 TEST

A bulk A2 test is also available. This test provides a

percentage indicator as to how much A1 and A2 milk is in

the vat that the sample was taken from. You don’t need to

be Herd Testing with CRV to have a bulk test.

Results will be presented for A1 content, and from there

the A2 content is calculated.

A1 content in milk

LABORATORY ID SAMPLE ID A1 CONTENT

Units %Reporting limit 0.5

18-09538-1 FLYL 78833 55.0

A1 Content in Milk Approver:

The A2% will be 45% (100 - 55 = 45)

A2 TESTINGVIA HERD TESTING

BETTER COWS | BETTER LIFECRV4ALL.CO.NZ

ORGANISING A TEST AND PRICING

HOW CAN I GET MY INDIVIDUAL COWS TESTED FOR THE A2 PHENOTYPE?

You can order an individual A2 cow test through your

Herd Tester. If you don’t currently Herd Test with us, we

can arrange this.

The individual A2 cow test is an extension of the standard

TAD or OAD CRV herd testing service. The individual milk

sample will be analysed for the Fat, Protein, Lactose

and SCC and then sent for further analysis of the A1 and

A2 phenotype.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

The individual A2 cow test is in addition to the standard

herd test costs.

An individual A2 cow test costs an additional $27.50 per

animal. A whole herd individual A2 cow test costs an

additional $19.90 per animal. A list of cow numbers will

need to be supplied for Individual cow tests.

< 250 cows $27.50 per cow

> 250 cows or whole herd $19.90 per cow

WHY WOULD I DO A BULK A2 TEST?

By doing a bulk A2 test you will know the percentage of

A1 and A2 milk being produced in your herd. Knowing this

percentage may help you decide to test the individual

cows in your herd.

Bulk A2 testing doesn’t require you to be an existing Herd

Testing client.

A bulk A2 test costs $250.

BREEDING FOR A2

CAN I BREED FOR A2?

Can cows be breed for A2? Yes, they can.

By using A2A2 sires the herd will over time have more

and more A2A2 cows. However, A1 genes are very likely

to persist in the herd, but at a reducing incidence, for

many generations.

See the table below.

IS THERE ANY WAY TO FIND OUT IF A CALF IS A2?

Yes through DNA testing. DNA test your calf to determine

if she has the A2 phenotype. Keeping as many

replacement A2 calf’s will speed up the conversion to a

full A2 herd.

Later this year we will be able to provide DNA tissue

analysis including sire verification and individual gene

testing options and A2.

SIRE A2A2

DAM

A2A2 100% A2A2 Produce 100% A2 milk

A1A250% A2A2

50% A1A2 Produce 50% A2 milk 50% A1 milk

A1A1 100% A1A2