A good starting point is reviewing previous milk hygiene results. Looking at your milk quality report for last season and paying particular attention to alerts and grades will highlight areas that might need attention.
A grade-free season is everyone’s target – consistently producing high-quality milk. The adage that the farm dairy is a food-processing factory is correct. Fonterra suppliers will be familiar with the tanker entrance sign tag-line “it all starts here”. This could not be more apt.
Milk processors do not impose milk quality specifications on a whim. Milk is processed into a wide variety of food products for human consumption. To safeguard the wellbeing of consumers, raw milk supplied for processing has to sit within a narrow quality specification spectrum.
Bacteria build-up can affect milk quality by breaking down the components in milk, ultimately reducing the shelf life of dairy products and affecting the flavour of cheeses and milk powders. Milk supplied out of specification has limited use.
Without milking pressure, winter is a good time to service the plate cooler.
The specifications are largely set by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) in NZCP1: Code of Practice for the Design and Operation of Farm Dairies. Under the Code, all farm dairy operators are required to have an onfarm quality management system in place to demonstrate conformance to milk company, New Zealand, and overseas market specific requirements.
Milk-processing companies generally have an audit process to ensure the NZCP1 conditions – and other market requirements – are met. While this is often an annual visit, it can also be a useful tool to cover off for a pre-season checklist on the farm dairy and the associated infrastructure.
For example, Fonterra’s annual Farm Dairy and Environmental Assessment (FDEA) is designed to firstly help farmers by highlighting “problem areas”, and to ensure quality milk is produced to customers’ requirements.
The assessment also covers your farm dairy structures and facilities – equally important for milk hygiene as well as a safe working environment. This aspect will reflect on the safety/productivity of your staff, contractors, and vets etc.
The Fonterra Farmers’ Handbook is explicit – farmers must “ensure Fonterra’s reputation is not compromised as a result of poor farming practices or inadequate infrastructure”.
While your dairy and its surrounds are a familiar sight to you, by using the FDEA as a template you will be aware of aspects that you might not normally notice and which includes aspects you would expect of an environment that produces food for human consumption.
For Fonterra suppliers, “high-quality” milk has bactoscan results of less than 3000cfu/ml. Achieving a low bactoscan is an indicator of a clean milking machine/vat and effective milk cooling. Additionally, high-quality milk is indicated by having a monthly average Somatic Cell Count (SCC) of less than 150,000 cells/ml, and presenting milk free of grades and any residues.
Based on your review of milk quality from past seasons, have these objectives for high-quality milk been met? If not, this is a good opportunity for a discussion with your detergent supplier to review cleaning procedures (including post-detergent rinsing). Looking at quality management, plant hygiene, cleanliness of premises, and farm dairy water in a critical manner may reveal aspects you have neglected.
Don’t assume policies are the same as last season. For example, in the Fonterra Handbook clause “6.1 Milk Storage” has been amended in regard to milk volumes. Farmers are now required to apply for “twice-a-day” pick-up if volumes exceed your vat capacity. If the vat does exceed its stated capacity, you will be liable for all costs and losses arising from any damage incurred.
Correcting issues after they arise can be costly, and demanding of time. Having robust systems in place and ensuring the team is adequately trained in regard to maintaining the milking plant and infrastructure to the required standard can save time and money.
Hot spots
Residue testing: Now an entrenched procedure, residue testing has identified some post-milking teat sprays can cause positive residue tests. Check the concentration and volume of the teat spray applied.
Water supply: Compliant water supply is just that – “compliant”. It is possible to use water that is non-compliant, with the appropriate addition of chlorine, but it is a temporary measure and requires an exclusion plan approved by an assessor until the water meets the required standard. Milk produced from farms using non-compliant water undergo a more stringent testing regime for the presence of added water. There is a cost recovery mechanism in place to cover this, deducted from milk payments.
Exclusion policy: Along with your milking plant and infrastructure this is also a good time to review your policy in regard to sick or diseased animals. Is the identification and separation procedure working?
Housekeeping: Calving will be a busy time so now is the time to ensure that the yards/races, milking and storage areas, vat area, as well as the tanker loop are clean and tidy.
• For more information contact your milk processor supply services team. It’s a real opportunity for you to approach the new season with the confidence to supply quality milk.
