Pricing for Herd Testing

805 Views 18 Replies 4 Participants Last post by DDFN, 10 mo ago

Goatastic43

Discussion Starter · 10 mo ago

I may have to test my herd for this first time for fall breeding (I know, I know, I knew nothing about testing when buying them, so that’s why they weren’t tested before now). Out of curiosity, how much would y’all estimate it would be to test 4 goats for CAE, Johnes, and CL (including cost of supplies, shipping etc.)? I’ve heard it’s only $6 for the CAE test, but I know nothing about the others. I’m wondering if it’s even worth testing for CL and Johnes with how unreliable it is.

Side question, what are some of the better labs to use? I live in Tennessee.

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DDFN

· #2 · 10 mo ago

Use the state lab and CAE testing is free. You just pull the blood send it on ice packs and it's free. Or at least used to be free other than your tubes and shipping. You can contact KORD lab in Nashville for more information. If a vet pulls it they charge.

Reactions: 3

Goatastic43

Discussion Starter · #3 · 10 mo ago

DDFN said:
Use the state lab and CAE testing is free. You just pull the blood send it on ice packs and it's free. Or at least used to be free other than your tubes and shipping. You can contact KORD lab in Nashville for more information. If a vet pulls it they charge.

Really? That’s pretty cool! I’ll look them up. I’m all for free stuff

DDFN

· #4 · 10 mo ago

Goatastic43 said:
Really? That’s pretty cool! I’ll look them up. I’m all for free stuff

Me too! I stopped testing after having my closed herd for a few years with neg results and all from neg herds. I normally just dropped off samples in person instead of doing over night shipping. Used it as excuse to visit my uncle up that way lol. Multitasking. That's were most vets send theirs too lol.

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Goatastic43

Discussion Starter · #5 · 10 mo ago (Edited)

DDFN said:
Me too! I stopped testing after having my closed herd for a few years with neg results and all from neg herds. I normally just dropped off samples in person instead of doing over night shipping. Used it as excuse to visit my uncle up that way lol. Multitasking. That's were most vets send theirs too lol.

Awesome! It says free for “fiber and meat animals” not sure our pet Nigerians qualify lol, but I’ll figure out. Now I just need to find blood tubes. Everyone sells them in hundreds! I just need like ten lol.

Morning Myst

· #6 · 10 mo ago

Goatastic43 said:
Awesome! It says free for “fiber and meat animals” not sure our pet Nigerians quality lol, but I’ll figure out. Now I just need to find blood tubes. Everyone sells them in hundreds! I just need like ten lol.

Nigerian are considered meat animals...... just FYI

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Goatastic43

Discussion Starter · #7 · 10 mo ago

@DDFN do you have to go through a vet for them to verify you have livestock? I was hoping to do this myself.

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DDFN

· #8 · 10 mo ago

Goatastic43 said:
@DDFN do you have to go through a vet for them to verify you have livestock? I was hoping to do this myself.

My Nubians were free. I went through myself but still had my tech stuff back then and they were used to me dropping off for the vet clinic too. Should still be able to go through yourself.

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Goatastic43

Discussion Starter · #9 · 10 mo ago

DDFN said:
My Nubians were free. I went through myself but still had my tech stuff back then and they were used to me dropping off for the vet clinic too. Should still be able to go through yourself.

Sounds good! Thanks for your help. I’ll definitely have to mail it, so hopefully that doesn’t make a difference.

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ksalvagno

· #10 · 10 mo ago

Morning Myst said:
Nigerian are considered meat animals...... just FYI

Actually Nigerian Dwarfs are considered dairy. Pygmy are considered meat.

Reactions: 2

DDFN

· #11 · 10 mo ago

Goatastic43 said:
Sounds good! Thanks for your help. I’ll definitely have to mail it, so hopefully that doesn’t make a difference.

You're welcome. Just be sure to over night it. The over night coat is still cheaper than having a vet pull and send them. Sometimes it helps to shave a little fur when pulling blood if you have a hard time locating the vein.

Reactions: 1

Morning Myst

· #12 · 10 mo ago

For those still following. I just got off the phone with the TN state testing facility. Here is what I was told:
*They only test for CL with a swab from an abscess.
*I only asked about CL, CAE and Johne's
*As a resident of TN, there is no charge.
*Blood needed is 1.5cc per goat in the red top tubes. (Naturally mark each tube with the same ID/Name listed on the paperwork.)
*Pack securely in a BOX with ice packs.

UPS or FedEx overnight to -
C.E.Kord Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory
Ellington Agricultural Center
436 Hogan Road
Nashville, TN 37220

The form needed is the General Lab Submission form found here:
General Lab Submission form

To ask more questions you can call them here:
Animal Health reception desk at 615-837-5125.

I'm offering this information as it took me several days to find it on my own and I'm hoping to save someone else the legwork

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Goatastic43

Discussion Starter · #13 · 10 mo ago

Oh that’s very helpful! Thanks Morning Myst!

So it’s free for CL, Johnes, and CAE? I thought it was only free for CAE. I guess I may as well test for Johnes too then lol. Most other places I’ve looked seem to cost $20 per goat for Johnes!

The only thing is, it doesn’t look like they do ELISA tests for CAE. They do AGID, which I’ve never heard of before. I wonder if it’s as accurate.

Reactions: 1

Goatastic43

Discussion Starter · #14 · 10 mo ago

@Morning Myst did they say it HAS to be overnight shipping? Or can it be 2-3 day? Because according to what I can find it would be about $90 for overnight. 😳 At that point I might as well do it at another lab that doesn’t need overnight.

Morning Myst

· #15 · 10 mo ago

She did specify overnight...
I haven't checked prices yet, but for me, at that price, may as well make a road trip of it 😳

Reactions: 2

Goatastic43

Discussion Starter · #16 · 10 mo ago

Morning Myst said:
She did specify overnight...
I haven't checked prices yet, but for me, at that price, may as well make a road trip of it 😳

Hmm that’s a bummer. Thanks for your help!

Reactions: 1

DDFN

· #17 · 10 mo ago

It is over night. That's why I drive mine there. Goatastic remind me are you farther east than me or near my uncle's place ? I keep getting you and FizzyGoats mixed up location wise I think.

Reactions: 2

Goatastic43

Discussion Starter · #18 · 10 mo ago

I’m further east. Near Morristown

DDFN

· #19 · 10 mo ago

Goatastic43 said:
I’m further east. Near Morristown

Oh ok. My brother in law used to live in Morristown but now moved towards greenback instead big difference

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