Find the real causes of mastitis — fast
Snapshot® is a powerful testing service to get on top of mastitis and hygiene challenges by identifying their root causes. It takes the pulse of your farm and delivers a clear roadmap, with expert support, so you can fix what matters, faster
Actionable and supported
Lab-grade technology
Fast problem resolution
Actionable and supported
Mastitis is costly and every herd is different
You can see the problem, high SCC, clinical cases, but you can’t fix what you don’t know
Even with good routines and years of experience, the real causes of high cell count or mastitis aren’t always obvious.
Is it hygiene, equipment, staff practice, or a contagious pathogen circulating silently? Without a clear answer, well-intended fixes can waste time, money and milk if they don’t target the root cause.
The good news? knowing the cause turns expensive guesswork into simple, high-return fixes.
Symptoms you commonly see
- Bulk tank SCC reflects the average udder health of the herd, but doesn’t pinpoint the reasons behind high counts.
- Clinical mastitis cases are obvious problems, but they don’t always reveal what’s causing them.
- Hygiene concerns are flagged on your milk docket, without identifying the source.
Snapshot turns dairy challenges into clear solutions
Snapshot is a rapid, hands-off bulk tank milk test that pinpoints what’s actually causing mastitis and hygiene problems on your farm.
Snapshot gives you the full farm picture. By identifying pathogens and linking them to your farm’s systems, routines, and environment, Snapshot targets the real causes, not the symptoms.
Snapshot helps you-
Spot issues early, before they cost you milk, cows, or profit.
Focus on fixes that matter, prioritising low-cost, high-impact improvements.
Improve your farm performance while cutting repeat problems and unnecessary treatments.
Snapshot is more than a lab result, it’s a revolutionary way to turn your experience into action, backed by science and expert support.
How it works
A simple process from start to finish
Sample collection
Lab analysis
Results
Plan
1. Information collection
Quick with no disruption to milking.
Bulk tank milk sampling - We work with accredited partners and MilkTestNZ to ensure aseptic, high-integrity sample collection.
Farm data collection - A 15-minute conversation or on-farm visit helps us understand your unique context, including shed setup, milking routines, and herd details.
Bulk tank milk sampling - We work with accredited partners and MilkTestNZ to ensure aseptic, high-integrity sample collection.
Farm data collection - A 15-minute conversation or on-farm visit helps us understand your unique context, including shed setup, milking routines, and herd details.
2. Lab analysis
Advanced gold-standard culture testing by our microbiologists for high accuracy results.
3. Clear results
In as little as 36 hours, you get a simple report with farm and herd-level actionable insights:
- Detected pathogens in order of priority, with risk levels.
- Hygiene & mastitis risk factors.
- Priority actions tailored to your goals.
4. Plan together
Your vet, farm team, and Farm Medix accredited specialists target the identified root causes with a strategy that fits your farm and herd.
- Sarah Smart, Farm Manager
Snapshot® Surveillance -
Monitoring & Performance Improvement
Snapshot Surveillance® is our continuous monitoring and improvement service for proactive farming. With four tests per year, whether you’re calving, mating, drying off, or peaking, regular testing helps you address problems early before they hit your bulk tank or treatment log, and impact your bottom line.
“Snapshot showed us exactly what was driving the high cell counts — and once we knew, we fixed it quickly.”
Jim van der Poel - 800 cows, Ohaupo, Waikato
Real farmers, real results
Used and trusted by dairy farmers nationwide
"Mastitis doesn’t have to be stressful. With Farm Medix, we’ve reduced our mastitis levels to less than 5%, reclaimed time, and improved efficiency"
- Longburn Farm - 900 cows, Manawatu, Palmerston North
“Farm Medix empowers us to farm confidently, make informed decisions, and achieve greater efficiency across the farm."
- Holly & Aaron Jackson - 380 cows, Culverden, Canterbury
“With Farm Medix, we can identify exactly what bugs we’re dealing with, treat cows proactively, and use fewer antibiotics. It’s given us control!"
- Jim van der Poel - Owner of multiple farms in NZ and in the USA
"Choose Farm Medix, the peace of mind and savings you gain
from knowing exactly what you’re dealing
with, combined with 7 day support
is invaluable!"
- Jenny Buckley & Dave van den Beuken - 370 cows, Cambridge, Waikato
"We are so happy! Working with Farm Medix, we are on top of things and looking forward to next season!" Mastitis doesn't stress us now.
- Phil and Jenny Taylor - 440 cows, Morrinsville, Waikato
“Doing the Herdscreen® wasn’t hard — what’s hard work is mastitis. Thanks to Farm Medix, we finally took control.”
- Tony Hollinshead - 300 cows, Matamata, Waikato
“With Farm Medix, we have the tools and resources to control mastitis. The support they provide makes all the difference!”
- Sian & Logan Dawson - 840 cows, Ohaupo, Waikato
"Farm Medix turned our mastitis worries into confidence — now we manage with knowledge, ease, and better results!"
- Sarah Smart - Farm Manager, 645 cows, North Otago
“With Farm Medix help, we’ve reduced antibiotic treatments from 109 cows to just 12 — and production is up 6%.”
- Andrew Hardie & Helen Long - 430 cows, Manawatu, Whanganui
Snapshot FAQs
We’ve pulled together the most common questions farmers have about Snapshot
What is Snapshot?
What does Snapshot detect?
How fast are the results?
How is Snapshot different from SCC testing?
How is Snapshot® different from antibiogram, other mastitis tests, or PCR systems?
What is Snapshot Surveillance Programme ?
When should I book a Snapshot test?
How often should I test?
What support comes with Snapshot?
How does Snapshot improve profitability?
How does Snapshot fit with Farm Medix’s other tools?
Snapshot® is a bulk tank milk testing service that identifies the causes of mastitis and hygiene problems on your farm. Snapshot® detects mastitis pathogens and hygiene indicators using gold-standard culture methods — the same approach is trusted and used by diagnostic labs and hospitals.
Unlike simple SCC readings, Snapshot® detects the actual bacteria or hygiene factors responsible and pinpoints root causes, so you can act with precision.
Snapshot identifies the full range of mastitis pathogens and hygiene organisms found in herds. This broad scope ensures even minor or hidden contributors to mastitis, high SCC, or hygiene issues are detected early.
Results are typically available within 36 hours of sample receipt at the lab. This rapid turnaround allows you and your vet to take immediate, informed action.
Somatic Cell Count (SCC) measures udder inflammation, not its cause.
A high SCC could result from multiple factors — different bacteria, milking routines, or environmental hygiene — all requiring different responses.
Snapshot® identifies why SCC is rising by revealing the actual pathogens and hygiene issues behind the inflammation.
Snapshot® is unique and only provided by Farm Medix. It is a comprehensive assessment of the herd and farm. It uncovers root causes and allows your team to prevent mastitis, fix issues and improve your performance.
Antibiogram is an indication of the resistance profile of current subclinical pathogens to antibiotics in your herd and may be recommend by your Veterinarian in conjunction with a Snapshot® test to give a complete subclinical analysis along with resistance information. Generally, an antibiogram considers only small number of common mastitis pathogens.
Other tests typically provide pathogens present without supporting information about corrective actions. PCR systems use specific probes which don’t include a wide range of organisms and are unable to discern contamination.
Snapshot® uses culture-based diagnostics, the international gold standard, providing high sensitivity and accurate identification of the microorganisms present.
Snapshot Surveillance® is a continuous monitoring programme that runs four times a year to track changes in udder health and hygiene across the season.
It helps you-
- Detect emerging problems before they escalate.
- Align farm staff and vets with clear, independent data.
- Turn seasonal results into long-term improvements in herd performance and profitability.
Snapshot® should be your starting point whenever you face mastitis or hygiene challenges — or simply want to benchmark or improve herd health and milk quality.
It is especially valuable at key transition or stress points such as-
Many farms run quarterly tests as part of Snapshot Surveillance®, providing consistent oversight and measurable progress toward better performance year after year.
It is especially valuable at key transition or stress points such as-
- Rising bulk tank SCC or recurring clinical cases.
- Post-calving, mating, or mid-season performance checks.
- After major changes, such as new stock, new milking equipment or new staff.
- Whenever hygiene alerts appear on your milk docket.
Many farms run quarterly tests as part of Snapshot Surveillance®, providing consistent oversight and measurable progress toward better performance year after year.
For proactive control and continuous improvement, quarterly testing (every 2–3 months) is recommended.
This schedule tracks the herd’s microbiological profile through calving, peak production, mating, and drying-off, helping prevent outbreaks and unnecessary treatments.
Every Snapshot® test includes-
- Expert interpretation from Farm Medix microbiologists.
- A clear, actionable report. Collaboration with your vet and herd advisor to tailor responses
- You’re not left with lab data — you receive insight, context, and a plan.
By identifying the true causes of mastitis and hygiene issues,
Snapshot® helps-
Snapshot® helps-
- Cut milk losses and penalties from high SCC.
- Reduce antibiotic use through targeted interventions.
- Prevent costly recurrence and culling.
- Improve milk quality premiums and herd longevity.
Snapshot® provides the diagnostic foundation that guides use of other Farm Medix solutions-
Together, these tools form a data-driven, low-antibiotic approach to whole-herd health management.
- Fresh Cow Dry Cow® – On-farm cow-level mastitis testing to define best corrective actions for clinical mastitis and high SCC cows. Supports diagnosis and treatment decision-making around calving and drying off. Complement Snapshot herd-level findings.
- Herdscreen® – Whole-herd cow-by-cow testing. Identifies Staph. aureus cows and other pathogens. Used as a reset point as part of a Staph. aureus management plan.
- Stride-On™ Bovine – Hoof leg band to support hoof health in cattle.
Together, these tools form a data-driven, low-antibiotic approach to whole-herd health management.
Get to the root.
Act with confidence.
Get clear results and a plan to improve farm health, herd health and profitability
