University Herd Studies

Each Valiant teat dip has been tested thoroughly in University herds. Scientists tested Valiant Barrier and Valiant Pre/Post for effectiveness against contagious and environmental pathogens. Since pre-dips are designed to help prevent environmental mastitis infections, Streptococcus uberis, an environmental bacteria, was used in both studies for Valiant Pre. Testing for contagious mastitis efficacy followed National Mastitis Council (NMC) Experimental Challenge protocol. In the absence of a NMC Experimental Challenge for environmental organisms, testing for environmental mastitis efficacy followed the NMC protocol for contagious Experimental Challenge as modified by Dr. Dave Galton, Cornell University.

What is an Experimental Challenge Study? 
 NMC protocol for Experimental Challenge studies call for challenging cows' teats with specific mastitis causing organisms. One-half of all teats are dipped with teat dip, the others are not dipped. Undipped teats serve as the control group. Weekly culturing detects the number of infections that occur in dipped versus undipped teats. Refer to the enclosed reports for specific information relating to the graphs below.

Valiant Testing Protocols 
 Experimental Challenge Contagious Bacteria: A set number of lactating dairy cows are determined free from infection prior to starting the multiple week tests. Following milking, all four teats of all test animals are submersed in a suspension of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae bacteria. Two teats are then dipped in the test product; the other teats are not dipped. Weekly quarter culturing identifies new infections during the test period.

Experimental Challenge Environmental Bacteria: A set number of lactating dairy cows are determined free from infection prior to starting the multiple week test. 
For Pre-Dip Testing: one hour before milking, all four teats of test animals are submersed in a suspension of Streptococcus uberis bacteria. At milking, two teats are pre-dipped with the test product; the other teats are not pre-dipped.

For Post-Dip Testing: after milking, two teats are post-dipped with the test product and the other two are not. One hour before milking, all four teats are submersed in a suspension of Streptococcus uberis bacteria. Weekly quarter culturing identifies new infections during the test period.

Valiant barrier vs no post dipping chart 1

Valiant Barrier vs. No Post-Dipping

Reduction of New Contagious IMI*, Resulting From the Use of Valiant, Experimental Challenge; 60 cows, 9 weeks. Investigator: Dr. David Galton, Department of Animal Science, Cornell University

Valiant barrier vs no post dipping chart 2

Valiant Barrier vs. No Post-Dipping

Reduction of New Contagious IMI*, Resulting From the Use of Valiant, Experimental Challenge; 60 cows, 9 weeks. Investigator: Dr. David Galton, Department of Animal Science, Cornell University

Valiant pre-post vs no dipping chart 01

Valiant Pre/Post vs. No Post-Dipping

Reduction of New Contagious IMI*, Resulting From the Use of Valiant, Experimental Challenge; 60 cows, 9 weeks. Investigator: Dr. David Galton, Department of Animal Science, Cornell University

Valiant pre-post vs no dipping chart 02

Valiant Pre/Post vs. No Post-Dipping

Reduction of New Contagious IMI*, Resulting From the Use of Valiant, Experimental Challenge; 60 cows, 9 weeks. Investigator: Dr. David Galton, Department of Animal Science, Cornell University

valiant pre vs no pre dipping 1

Valiant Pre vs. No Pre-Dipping

Reduction of New Contagious IMI*, Resulting From the Use of Valiant, Experimental Challenge; 60 cows, 9 weeks. Investigator: Dr. David Galton, Department of Animal Science, Cornell University

valiant pre vs no pre dipping 2

Valiant Pre vs. No Pre-Dipping

Reduction of New Contagious IMI*, Resulting From the Use of Valiant, Experimental Challenge; 60 cows, 9 weeks. Investigator: Dr. David Galton, Department of Animal Science, Cornell University