Milk quality notes for May

Checklist for Milk Collection in May

• What’s on your whiteboard this month? A whiteboard is a brilliant idea as it lets all milkers easily see which cows need close observation for breeding (especially at this time of year) or have been treated. Use it to record:
  • cow ID
  • date of treatment
  • type of treatment
  • length of withdrawal period
• Is milk safe to go back into the bulk tank? Always DOUBLE CHECK THE CORRECT MILK WITHDRAWAL DATES when using any medicinal products which may have changed. With later calving cows, double check their dry period and that the milk has been withheld long enough post calving.
• Use a clean filter for every milking: This keeps dirt out of the bulk tank, protects the plate cooler and minimises TBC and Thermoduric levels. Sediment testing is on-going and there should be NO SEDIMENT appearing on milk discs.
• Milk tanker access and dairy cleanliness: Tanker drivers must have access to a clean area in your yard when collecting milk - please ensure that the front of the dairy is tidy and clear.
• Vaccum lines: check that the vacuum line is free from any build up weekly. This can often harbour bacteria and lead to high thermoduric levels.
• TCM levels: Minimise TCM levels in milk by ensuring you are using plenty of rinse water for both the milking machine and the bulk tank. Only use recommended products with low chlorine levels and ensure that all products are in date. DO NOT USE chlorine for cluster dipping or in the final tank rinse - use peracetic acid instead.
• Iodine teat dips: GII and Glanbia Agri Stores have been advised to phase iodine teat dips out of use this season as there may be a residue risk associated with them - if they are used on farms that do not wash teats before each and every milking. Newer and more effective products are available and used on many farms already.

Should you have any further enquiries please talk to your GII Milk Quality Manager today.

First Published 26th April 2016