AgSource Cooperative Services is a producer-owned cooperative dedicated to providing comprehensive agricultural testing and information services. AgSource operates three divisions: Agronomy, Dairy Herd Improvement (DHI) and Food and Environmental Services. AgSource Laboratories are the industry leaders in broad-based testing services. With seven locations throughout the Midwest and the Northwest, their laboratories serve a diverse client base across all 50 states and in nearly 40 different countries.
In their mid-western laboratory located in Stratford, WI, AgSource focuses on pathogen testing of cheeses, powdered cheese, finished powder products, sponges, and manure. They test 800 samples per month for Salmonella and 1,200 samples per month for Listeria; with sample sizes ranging from 25g to 375g.
With this volume of testing, AgSource was continuously making Buffered Peptone Water in a 3L flask. The process involved adding powder, shaking by hand, pouring into a plastic bottle to then be autoclaved. The autoclave required frequent supervision and the 30 minutes needed for cooling limited daily production capabilities. Meeting the regular demand for BPW was time-consuming, labor-intensive and expensive. The need for an alternative solution was paramount.
AgSource chose the Systec MediaPrepTM, EZ-Media Pouches and MediaBoxTM Sterile Liquids to alleviate their media-making frustrations. They receive custom EZ-Media Pouches of 600g BPW ISO, already pre-weighed. Their new BPW production process consists of pouring the pouch contents into the MediaPrepTM, pressing start and walking away. The lab staff is no-longer playing catch-up making media and the MediaPrepTM allows them to be prepared for the next day's media needs. MediaPrepTM, paired with the EZ-Media Pouches, saves time, money, and frees up laboratory staff.
While their MediaPrepTM is busy making BPW, AgSource relies on MediaBoxTM Sterile Liquids for Butterfields. MediaBoxTM provides an easy solution for sterile, ready-to-use media in convenient box packaging. MediaBoxTM Butterfields quickly connects to AgSource's gravimetric diluters for a closed, automated process for weighing and diluting samples. They enjoy a streamlined process and reduction of consumables kept in stock.
With the help of these Microbiology International products, AgSource was able to dramatically abbreviate their media-making and sample preparation processes and benefit from quality, reproducible results.