Ensuring milk is free from antibiotic residues is one of the most important quality and compliance responsibilities in dairy production. As Australian dairy operations scale, automate, and integrate digital systems across the supply chain, detecting antibiotic contamination quickly and accurately is critical — not only for regulatory compliance but also for herd health, product integrity, and processor confidence. For producers searching for a trusted Dairy Testing kit Australia can rely on, accuracy and speed are non-negotiable.
The Eclipse FARM-4G & COMET4, available through Vendart, delivers the most advanced rapid antibiotic screening system on the market. With over 50 antibiotic substances detected, real-time connected reporting, and an exceptionally simple workflow, this solution is setting a new standard for dairy quality testing across Australia
This article explores how the technology works, why it matters for modern dairy operations, and what makes Eclipse FARM-4G & COMET4 a game-changing investment for farms and processors.
Antibiotic Residue: Why Rapid, Reliable Screening Matters
Antibiotic contamination in milk can arise from:
- Treated cows returning to the milking line too early
- Incomplete withdrawal periods
- Mismanaged medical treatments
- Cross-contamination in milking equipment or tanks
Globally—and increasingly within Australia—dairy processors enforce strict requirements on antibiotic-free supply because residues can:
- Disrupt fermentation in dairy processing
- Lead to costly batch rejection or waste
- Jeopardise export certifications
- Pose potential health concerns
- Damage producer reputation and processor relationships
Traditional testing methods can be manual, slow, or prone to subjective interpretation. The Eclipse FARM-4G & COMET4 system addresses these limitations with automation, speed and digital precision.
One Drop, One Minute: Automated Testing Has Never Been Simpler
The workflow is intentionally straightforward:
- Add one drop of milk into the Eclipse test tube.
- Place the tube in the Comet4 incubator and reader.
- The system automatically performs the entire process—no technician oversight required.
- Results are delivered to your smartphone, email, or cloud platform in real time.
This means even small farms without dedicated lab staff can now run high-quality antibiotic screening consistently and confidently.
The First Fully Connected Antibiotic Screening System
Eclipse FARM-4G & COMET4 is the first diagnostic platform globally that integrates:
- Automatic reading
- Real-time data transfer (WiFi / Bluetooth / 4G)
- Portable battery-powered testing
- Two-way connectivity with cloud and mobile devices
This connectivity is crucial for modern dairy operations.
Real-time benefits include:
Instant compliance verification before milk leaves the farm
Centralised control for large or multi-site farming operations
Cloud-based traceability for audits and processor requirements
Immediate notification of adverse results
Historical test tracking for herd management and risk analysis
In an industry where a single contaminated tank can mean thousands of litres lost, minutes matter—and Eclipse FARM-4G & COMET4 ensures you never wait for results.
The Science Behind the Eclipse Test: Proven, Reliable, Validated
The Eclipse test uses a well-established microbiological inhibition principle.
Test Principle Explained
- The system uses Geobacillus stearothermophilus, a thermophilic bacterium widely used in residue detection due to its high sensitivity to antibiotics.
- In normal conditions, its spores germinate and multiply, acidifying the culture medium and causing a colour change from blue → yellow.
- If antibiotics are present above the detection limit, bacterial growth is inhibited and no colour change occurs.
This binary visual system is automated by COMET4 for objective interpretation and digital result reporting.
Why Geobacillus stearothermophilus?
- High sensitivity to multiple antibiotic groups
- Reliable growth at elevated temperature (63°C)
- Well-studied and widely validated for dairy applications
- Used internationally in residue-monitoring programs
Broad Detection: Over 50 Substances Across 8 Antibiotic Groups
The system detects:
- Beta-lactams
- Tetracyclines
- Sulfonamides
- Macrolides
- Aminoglycosides
- Lincosamides
- Quinolones
- Others aligned with European MRLs
This makes it one of the most comprehensive antibiotic residue screening tools available worldwide.
Technical Performance Designed for Dairy Demands
Key Technical Data
- Assay time: ~2.5 hours
- Format: 25 or 50 tubes
- Portable: 4-hour battery life
- Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, 4G
- Outputs: Numerical results with automatic reading
- Temperature control: Incubation at 63°C
- Sensitivity: Adapted to European MRLs (Maximum Residue Limits)
- Scope: Simultaneous detection of 8 antibiotic groups
The system’s performance has also been validated through one of the world’s most respected certification programs.
Trusted and Validated: AOAC-RI PTM Certification
Eclipse FARM-4G & COMET4 has been approved by the AOAC Research Institute Performance Tested Methods Program for 29 antibiotics (PTM License 022101).
This certification demonstrates:
- Exceptional accuracy
- Reproducible results
- Compliance with international testing standards
- Suitability for routine screening in milk across global markets
For producers exporting dairy products or complying with international quality frameworks, this validation is a major advantage.
Portable, Durable and Ideal for On-Farm Conditions
Designed for real-life farm environments, the system delivers:
- Robust field-ready design
- 4-hour internal battery for remote areas or unreliable power
- Compact footprint for transport between sheds or sites
- Minimal operator training required
This makes it equally valuable for:
- Dairy farms of all sizes
- Milk collection centres
- Mobile testing units
- Small processors and co-ops
- Veterinary and herd health teams
A Smarter, Faster, More Connected Dairy Industry
The Australian dairy sector is rapidly modernising, with farms adopting IoT devices, real-time analytics, and centralised cloud platforms. For producers searching for a Dairy Testing kit Australia can depend on, the need for connected, automated, on-site screening has never been stronger. Eclipse FARM-4G & COMET4 aligns perfectly with this shift.
By enabling automated, cloud-connected antibiotic screening directly at the farm or collection point, it reduces risk, improves traceability, strengthens processor relationships, and supports evidence-based herd health decisions — all while meeting the rising expectations of a digitally driven dairy supply chain.
For Further Enquiry Contact: sales@vendart.com.au
