Practical steps to improve milk quality

Abstract

The provision of premium quality milk is in the interest of all sectors. The detail of the milk production process necessary to achieve these standards is particularly important now due to new pressures from the necessary expansion of herds and the reality of reduced labour supply. There is a general consensus that the quality of milk with respect to SCC, TBC and residues, such as antibiotics, iodine and trichloromethane needs to be addressed immediately.The overall objective of this booklet is to provide guidelines and recommendations for the on-farm milk production process such that the milk produced may achieve increasingly stringent milk hygiene and processing quality standards. It is intended that the genuine problem areas in relation to milk quality will be targeted and an increased awareness and perception of milk quality be provided.