• Genotyping provides a record of every individual cow’s DNA.
• Bulk Tank milk contains somatic cells from every cow that contributes milk to the bulk tank, these somatic cells contain the cow’s individual DNA.
• Genocells identifies the somatic cells that originate from each cow by searching for the cow’s unique DNA in the somatic cells and then assigns a ‘cellular responsibility’ to each cow, expressed as a % contribution of the overall somatic cell DNA volume.
• Therefore, when all the cows contributing to the tank are genotyped, we can identify the cows from their DNA in the somatic cells and assign their % cellular responsibility to the bulk somatic cell count
• The % cellular responsibility can be used to calculate an algorithmic (Predicted) SCC. The algorithmic (Predicted) SCC is calculated using the % cellular responsibility, the proportion of the milk volume the cow contributed to the bulk tank and the SCC result derived from the Genocells sample.   
• After a herd has completed 4 milk recordings the lactation to date yield is used to calculate the proportion of the milk volume that the cow contributes. This will be reported as SCC bands. The SCC bands are 0-5;51-199;200-249;250-499;500-999;1000+.

• Genocells is suited to those that require extra SCC surveillance at different time points throughout the lactation to facilitate more effective bulk tank SCC management.
• Genocells is a quick, low effort method of identifying high contributing cows from a single bulk tank sample.
• Genocells can only be used in conjunction with milk recording SCC results to give more points of information throughout the lactation for minimal effort and is less disruptive to the milking process.
• This will allow more informed decisions to be made to control and manage SCC both during the lactation and at the end of lactation when choices are being made for the dry period.
• After 4 milk recordings are complete Genocells and milk recording results are combined for categorisation which leads to easy interpretation of results.

The requirements -

• All cows must be Genotyped prior to participating in the Genocells programme. Please note samples that include cows that were not genotyped at the time the bulk tank sample was taken will affect the accuracy of the results of the other cows

• The herd must be signed up to complete 4 milk recordings in the calendar year.

• At least one milk recording must be completed before a Genocells test can take place.

• Once all cows are Genotyped, contact Munster Bovine the Milk Recording department indicating the number of Genocells tests you intend to do.  A permission form allowing Munster Bovine access to the herds Genotype results will need to be completed and returned to the office. 

• When Munster Bovine have access to the herds Genotypes, bottles will be scanned and associated to the herd. The bottles, an instruction sheet for taking samples and a stamped addressed swift post envelopes will be posted to the herdowner. 

• The ICBF HerdPlus app will also need to be downloaded there is no cost associated with this. The app is required to upload the sample details prior to testing.

If there are a small number of cows that are not genotyped, these cows must be excluded from the tank that the sample is being taken from. The tank sample must only contain genotyped cows. It is possible to get individual cows Genotyped. Please contact ICBF to arrange testing.

No, as the non-genotyped cows will affect the accuracy of the results of the other cows.

The objective of this service is not to reduce the number of standard milk recordings but rather to give additional insights at different time points throughout the year. A minimum of 4 milk recordings are required.

The test is invalid.

The sample will be tested but there will be a significant delay for the herdowner receiving the results. Office personnel will need to contact the herdowner to update the app to establish cows not in the tank for the milking that the sample was taken from.

No, the lab will only be able to test samples in bottles that are bar coded and associated to a herd prior to posting.

The Genocells summary report is only available after 4 milk recordings are completed.

It is important that the bulk tank is agitated so that a representative DNA sample is collected. If the sample is not representative, this will fundamentally affect the reliability of the results.

To maximise the accuracy of the cellular responsibility, it is essential that cows contributing to the bulk tank are identified correctly. If cows are not properly identified, cellular responsibility may be falsely attributed to close relatives.

Yes, however the cow will not automatically be selected on the app and will need to be added by the herdowner.

Yes, the cows full tag number will need to be added through the app if she is to be included in the Genocells bulk sample.

It is essential that cows contributing to the bulk tank are identified correctly.  For all herd numbers, cows with a registered calving date are automatically selected on the app as being in the bulk tank. In situations where the cows registered in a herd number are being milked into more than one bulk tank, all cows not milked into the bulk tank from which the Genocells sample is taken need to be deselected on the app.

Milk recording is essential as GenoCells uses yield to calculate SCC. GenoCells cannot calculate fat and protein percentages. 
After 4 milk recordings are complete, GenoCells and milk recording results are combined for categorisation which leads to easy interpretation of results.

Genocells is a simple and convenient means of receiving additional points of information throughout the lactation allowing for more effective SCC management. 
Genocells offers herd owners the opportunity to receive additional points of information in between milk recordings with minimal effort to enable continuous surveillance.

Currently the turnaround is approximately 7 days. It is not envisaged that for 2025 a shorter turnaround time will be achieved.

Greater than 98% of somatic cells in milk are white blood cells. White blood cells are part of the immune system and so these cells increase in number in response to mastitis causing pathogens.
Somatic cells are the only milk components that contain DNA.
Milk fat and protein do not contain DNA, therefore Genocells cannot be used to measure these components. 

A cow’s yield is an essential component of the Genocells calculation for SCC. Without yield, SCC bands cannot be measured. 
So, in order to be able to avail of our Genocells service, Munster Bovine stipulate that at least one milk recording is completed before starting Genocells and the herd must be signed up for at least four milk recordings.

If your herd experiences a spike in cell count, Genocells is a simple and convenient way of identifying those high SCC cows relatively quickly with minimal effort. 
Genocells offers additional points of information at particular time points which may be of benefit to herdowners depending on what they are focusing on at any given time.

Munster Bovine charges a fee of €3.00 per cow per test for 2025. This is the only cost, with no additional charges beyond the per cow fee.

Trials have shown a very high correlation between SCC measured using Genocells and SCC measured from milk recording, in herds up to 500 animals.

You can complete a Genocells test as many times as you choose during the year.