hair samples

[Deleted]

I have always sent mine in in individual envelopes. I have several I need to get sent in. does anyone put more than one in an envelope if so how do you keep the samples from contaminating each other.

 

[lakeportfarms]

Mike, I have two letter envelopes for each hair sample. One for the lab, and one for us. When we do our samples, Sheril writes the name, the 840 tag number, and the tests that we wish to perform right on the envelope. Then we fold the UCDavis paper with the hair inside and put in the envelope and tape it shut. For ours, we do the same only we just use a blank piece of paper. When I request the tests, I write down the total for each sample on the envelope, then run the next test. At the end I total it up and make the PayPal payment.

I then take all of the individual envelopes and send via Priority Mail to UCDavis, with tracking.

For individual samples I just send the envelope with regular first class postage. I was just e mailing Judy about a sample yesterday...we ran the tests and I mailed it, individually, several weeks ago. I never received a notification that it arrived at the lab. Judy confirmed they didn't have it at the lab. So apparently the envelope is lost in the mail somewhere. Fortunately I have another hair sample to send off today with a re-printed form, and Judy is going to notify Davis not to run the other sample if it happens to show up late in the mail.

[lakeportfarms]

I should add that we put all the non-mail related information on the back side of the envelope, so it doesn't confuse the Post Office. If you're really inclined to be fancy you could pre-print a bunch of envelopes with the UCDavis address and your return address on them, and then set them aside for when you're running samples. Fill in each individual animal by hand on the back side.

Oh, and we tape it shut so I'm not licking an envelope.  Not only do I hate licking envelopes, but I'm confident I'm non-chondro and non-PHA.  I'm not red or dun, and I hope I wouldn't be culled if I happen to be A1/A1.

[jamshundred]

I place my tail hairs in a seperate small white mailing envelope, and on the outside of the envelope I write the name of the animal, and the BARCODE ( the $ plus last numerical digits), and then I tape or staple this envelope to the test form.

ONE sample to an envelope.   The samples CAN contaminate the DNA results if more than one are touching, or even if you touch the roots of the sample your DNA can be transferred to the sample.  

Last summer I bought a box of coin envelopes at a yard sale, and they are just perfect for the samples.   I can tape them right in the space below the barcode on the form.

Judy

[jamshundred]

Hans, at least you never have to fear being culled for a bad udder.      

[Deleted]

I will have to see if I can find some coin envelopes now. Wonder how many you can send in one letter envelope without paying additional postage.

[wvdexters]

The coin envelopes are a great idea Judy. Am I understanding it that you tape the envelope (with the hairs inside) in the space on the form? If so, that would be so much easier, especially for these brand new calves. Not a lot of length to work with there. And this last time it took a long time and tweezers to get them organized right and taped down on the form.

[genebo]

I still send mine in individual envelopes, to avoid cross contamination.

I wash my hands in between collecting samples.

Twice I had the lab respond that the sample could not be tested. Once it was because of manure on the sample (obviously not hers). The other time it was because I collected the sample just minutes after birth and it was contaminated with the mother's DNA.

Both times I collected a new sample and all went well. UC Davis didn't charge me extra for this.

[jamshundred]

Karrie,

I take scissors and cut the non-root off about two inches or less from the roots, and depending on the size of the sample, I will put some tape around it at the cut and then stick it in the coin envelope.

With the baby calves. . . . . . take a pair of needle-nose pliers, grab a patch of hair on the tail and pull.  You will get a fantastic sample every time and drop it into the envelope.

If you pull the hairs and keep the roots from touching anything after you pull, you should not contaminate the sample.

Karrie,  With a small size mailing envelope I just staple it to the form lengthwise.   With the coin envelope I just put it on the area below the barcode and the clear packaging tape secures it to the form.  


 Mike, two can get you regular postage. .. . .sometimes the third one gets you an extra stamp.  Depends on if you tape directly to form or include the sample in additional packaging.   I just mail with a standard size 10 business envelope, first class,  and I've never had a sample lost in the mail.  Any envelope larger than a size 10 or card size will get you additonal postage anyway.

[Deleted]

Kerrie, before you pull the hair twist the hair that you are going to pull all into one bundle so it stays together and then pull it all out as one. I then take a piece of tape and tape all those int eh bundle together. keep the tape away from the roots.
 Gene, I have wondered about contamination from the mother. I try to get the hair the first or second day but always wait until baby is licked dry. not that that removes DNA but so far no problems. I pull with pliers and use alcohol swabs to clean the pliers between samples. 
I will have to order those coin envelopes from amazon the next time I order something so I dont have to pay shipping on it. 

[jamshundred]

One thing that rarely gets mentioned about pulling tail hairs.    They do not have to come from the tail.  Anywhere you can get a good hold, ( this is where pliers come in handy) you can pull the sample. Sometimes it is easier to get them from the hair around tje forehead or along the shoulders.  It doe not matter where they are pulled.....just that the follicles are attached.

Judy

[wvdexters]

Oh my Gosh Judy - I never thought about that All the times I've tried to grab the tail, and I could've got them from anywhere. That is so funny.

OK I've got it now. The trick is in taping the bunch together BEFORE going into the envelope. It's amazing what a jumble they were getting into in there in just the few minutes it took to get back to the house. LOL Looked like a party.

Now I just have to catch Cora Lynn. She's quick!