IDEXX Bovine Laboratory Services
Fast, next-day results† driven by prompt, free sample pickup and reliable overnight service.
Learn moreAbout the service
IDEXX Bovine Laboratory Services is a sample-to-solution testing service for all bovine operations. It brings together a growing bovine diagnostic menu, convenient sample pickup, reliable laboratory testing, results delivery, and expert support in one connected workflow.
The right test for the decision ahead.
Choose from a growing menu of bovine diagnostic services and sample types built around the needs of your animals and operation.
Alertys Milk Pregnancy Service
Turn routine milk samples into reproductive insights that help maximize pregnancy rates and herd profitability.
Alertys Blood Pregnancy Service
Detect pregnancies early and identify open animals sooner to support more efficient breeding programs.
BVDV PI Service
Uncover hidden BVDV carriers and take action to reduce disease risk across the herd.
M. paratuberculosis (MAP) Testing Service
Detect Johne's disease infection with IDEXX MAP testing to support herd health management, biosecurity efforts, and long-term productivity.
Neospora Testing Service
Identify exposure to Neospora caninum, a leading infectious cause of abortion in cattle, to help inform reproductive and herd management decisions.
IDEXX Bovine Chemistry Services
What can chemistry testing reveal about your herd? Chemistry profiles help identify health and metabolic challenges earlier, providing actionable information to support treatment and management decisions.
Designed to fit your workflow, not slow it down.
Increased efficiency and confidence. Streamlined scanning can match the sample ID to the animal ID so results flow into supported herd management software.
Supplies when you need them. Sample collection and shipping supplies are easy to order online or by telephone.
Experienced experts you can rely on. Laboratory technicians, technical service professionals, and diagnostic consultants support all bovine operations.
From sample to results in three steps.
Test on your schedule with minimal effort or training while keeping animals and employees moving throughout the day.
1. Collect a sample.
Collect milk, blood/serum, or an ear-notch sample, depending on the service.
2. Ship with UPS.
Use the supplied materials and prompt, free pickup for reliable overnight service.
3. Read your results.
Receive next-day results by email and, where supported, directly in your herd management system.
Proof from the field.
“Put the samples on UPS and the following day, we have results. It can't get much easier. Not only do we have the results, they are automatically entered in our herd management system. It doesn't even take any effort on our part to get that done.”
Case VanderMeulen
Coulee Flats Dairy • Mesa, Washington
Continue the conversation.
IDEXX Bovine Laboratory Services Brochure
Review workflow benefits, featured services, customer proof, and contact information.
Driving BVDV out of the herd
Explore the role of PI animals, screening, biosecurity, follow-up testing, and available IDEXX options.
Sample and shipping supplies
Order the supplies your team needs to collect, identify, and ship samples.
Technical services
1-800-548-9997, option 2
- Request a copy of sample results and answer your result questions.
- Check the status of a sample submission if results seem delayed.
- Help you integrate the IDEXX service with a new HMS if you change software.
- Answer questions about available services.
Frequently asked questions
No, IDEXX Bovine Laboratory Services works with your herd management software, or HMS. We currently support VAS, PCDART, and BoviSync.
IDEXX Bovine Laboratory Services integrates with your HMS to identify samples accurately and efficiently. IDEXX Bovine Laboratory Services is currently only available for operations with integrated HMS.
IDEXX Bovine Laboratory Services' procedure relies on your HMS and requires an output with the sample barcode number and animal identification for the sample you have collected that day. Depending on your HMS, the output in a file will need to be emailed or sent via your HMS’s web-based connectivity. In the case of the email, you’ll need to use cellular or internet to send a small file to IDEXX. In the case of the web-based interaction, your HMS is set up on the web anyway, so you are ready to go.
IDEXX Bovine Laboratory Services requires RFID ear tags, an ear tag reader or wand, and a handheld with ability to scan barcodes. Some phones, Android compatible, that run your HMS software can be used with a Bluetooth-enabled barcode scanner as well. Each HMS has recommendation and compatibility requirements.
We will be offering Alertys pregnancy tests for milk and blood, MAP (Johne’s) Ab, BVDV Ag, and Neospora Ab.
Yes, samples are picked up via the UPS placard system with scheduled pickups and shipped overnight to our laboratory in Louisville, Kentucky. Results will be returned to you as a PDF via email as well as integrated into your HMS.
Our bovine diagnostic and technical services consultants will schedule a time to review your needs and get you set up within a week.
Yes, we have volume-based pricing and panels when you request disease testing with pregnancy testing or multiple diseases on one sample.
Multiple services can be performed on a single sample, if requested via your HMS. The number of services allowed per sample depends on the sample type. For example:
Single milk sample
Alertys Milk Pregnancy, MAP Ab (Johne’s)
Single blood sample
Alertys Blood Pregnancy, MAP Ab, BVDV Ag, Neospora Ab
Yes, if the average monthly sample volume is above 50 per week, shipping is free of charge.
Yes, all sample, barcode, and shipping supplies are provided free of charge.
- It is essential to ensure that the correct tube is used for the correct animal. Failure to do so may result in an incorrect status being assigned to the cow.
- Using wet wipes or towel, remove dirt and detritus from the teats. Ensure udder is clean and dry prior to starting sample collection.
- Samples may be collected from individual quarters or as a composite sample of all four quarters.
- Discard a few streams of milk and remove the cap from the tube or vial. Angle tube at 45º to the teat end.
- Fill the tube or vial three-quarters full from one or multiple quarters and replace the cap.
- Place samples in a refrigerator prior to shipping to the laboratory.
- Samples should be well-packaged and kept cool during shipping (especially if preservative has not been used).
- Restrain the cow; clean the underside of the cow’s tail with a paper towel.
- Lift the cow’s tail straight up and measure up about 2 inches (7.5 cm) from the base of the tail, staying within the groove between the two bony ridges. This is the collection site.
- Insert the external needle into the underside of the tail, at the collection site, about 1/2 inch deep, keeping the needle perpendicular to the tail.
IMPORTANT: The external needle must be perpendicular to the tail. Do not angle the needle up, down, or to the side. - Push the tube in gently until the internal needle punctures the tube stopper. The vacuum will draw the blood into the tube. Note: If no blood appears, pull the external needle back slightly (without withdrawing it from the skin), and reinsert it in a different direction until you puncture the vein.
- When the tube is at least half full, withdraw the needle from the vein and remove the tube from the needle holder.
- Discard the needle and yellow/gray caps into a sharps container. The needle holder can be reused if undamaged.
Find out if IDEXX Bovine Laboratory Services is right for you.
Our dedicated team will help you find the solution that is best for you and support you through setup, integration, and as needed.
†Customers will receive results on Monday for samples shipped on Saturday.