MidAmerica Uses the "Modified Wisconsin Sugar Flotation Method" on all fecal samples sent to the lab.

This technique is the most sensitive method available for fecal testing in all animal species. All samples are centrifuged at a low rpm for 5 minutes and then left for 5 minutes before reading. This technique is excellent for worm egg recoveries from animals carrying low worm burdens and low worm egg output. It is excellent for recovering eggs from parasites that are none prolific egg-layers such as Whipworm (Trichuris) and Threadneck Worm (Nematodirus) and it is excellent for use in finding parasite eggs in animals with high fecal output such as lactating dairy cows and adult brood cows. All the eggs in a 3 gram sample (for Cattle, Bison, Equine and Swine) and 1 gm sample (sheep, goats and camelids) are identified and counted; there is no guess work or multiplication factor such as there is with dilution techniques such as the McMaster Technique.

The following points identify why MidAmerica Ag Research laboratory uses the Modified Wisconsin Sugar Flotation Technique:

1. It is the most sensitive technique available for all species of parasites.
2. It is the cheapest and quickest technique to conduct.
3. Sugar in a "super saturated solution" is neither hypotonic nor hypertonic so eggs retain their original size and shape. Egg development usually will continue unless processed samples are maintained in a cold environment.
4. It is the best technique for low-egg shedding parasites.
5. It is the best technique for animals with high manure output such as lactating dairy cows or adult beef cows.
6. It is the best technique for recovering tapeworm eggs especially in equine, cattle, dogs, cats and small ruminants.
7. This technique is excellent for coccidia oocysts recoveries and species identification when required.
8. Worm egg shedding causes parasite contamination of the animal's environment and can be measure in horses, cattle and swine by multiplying the results from a 3gm egg count by 150 and with sheep, goats and camelids by multiplying the results from a 1gm sample by 454 for determining the number of egg passing in a pound of feces or manure back into the environment of the animal.