Procedures for Milk Sampling and Weighing.mov

Summary

The script outlines the crucial role of milk haulers in the dairy industry, emphasizing their responsibilities in ensuring milk quality and safety. It covers licensing and permitting requirements, proper milk handling procedures, and the importance of maintaining clean and sanitary equipment. The haulers' duties, from evaluating milk acceptability to sampling and weighing, directly impact dairy producers' livelihoods and public health. The script also highlights the importance of compliance with regulations and the impact of haulers' work on the dairy industry and food safety.

Takeaways

• 🔗 The mill collar is a crucial link between dairy producers and milk handlers, with responsibilities that impact dairy producers' livelihoods and public health.
• 📄 Licensing and permitting are mandatory for milk haulers in Kentucky, including obtaining a license from the University of Kentucky and a permit from the Kentucky Milk Safety Branch.
• 👔 Haulers must maintain a clean appearance and good personal hygiene, as they are highly visible representatives of the dairy industry.
• 🚚 Haulers are responsible for ensuring their truck is clean, properly identified, and meets safety and sanitation standards at all times.
• 📝 Proper documentation, including licenses, permits, and inspection stickers, must be carried by haulers during milk hauling activities.
• 📈 Haulers play a critical role in determining milk quality through sampling, weighing, and evaluating milk for safety and acceptability.
• 🚫 Rejecting questionable milk is essential to prevent spoilage and maintain the quality of dairy products.
• 📏 Accurate milk measurement and weight conversion are necessary for fair producer payment and processor accounting.
• 🧪 Sampling procedures must be thorough and representative to ensure accurate milk quality testing, with proper agitation and sample identification.
• 🛠️ Haulers need to have specific equipment for milk sampling and handling, including insulated sample cases, sanitizers, and calibrated thermometers.
• 🏭 At the milk plant, haulers must present complete and accurate paperwork, and ensure their truck is properly cleaned and sanitized after unloading.

Q & A

What is the role of a mill collar in the dairy industry?

The mill collar is a vital part of the nation's milk marketing system, acting as a link between the dairy producer and milk handlers, with responsibilities ranging from safe truck operation to performing official duties as a licensed and permitted sampler.

Why is the mill collar's job important in the dairy industry?

The mill collar's job is important because it directly impacts the dairy producer's livelihood and helps protect public health by determining if the milk is acceptable for pickup, sampling, and weighing milk, which affects producer payment, processor expenditures, and hauling expenses.

What are the licensing and permitting requirements for a Kentucky bulk milk hauler?

All individuals who sample or physically handle milk samples for payment purposes are required to be licensed by the University of Kentucky's Division of Regulatory Services. They must also obtain a permit from the Kentucky Milk Safety Branch, and their truck or tanker must be permitted by the same branch.

What is the process for a newly employed hauler to obtain a temporary license and permit?

A newly employed hauler can obtain a temporary license and permit by directly contacting the appropriate agency or a local milk inspector. These temporary documents allow the new hauler to receive on-the-job training under the supervision of a licensed person.

What is the significance of the certification process for a milk hauler?

The certification process involves having the hauler's milk sampling procedures evaluated by a local milk safety branch inspector. This work prepares the hauler to pass a written exam, after which they are issued their full license and permit.

How often does the license from UK Regulatory Services expire?

The license from UK Regulatory Services is issued annually and expires each year on June 30.

What are some of the key equipment and supplies a milk hauler needs to perform their responsibilities?

A milk hauler needs a properly insulated sample case with ice and water, a floater or rack, sample containers, a waterproof pen, a sample dipper, sanitizer fluid, test strips, a sanitizer spray bottle, single service towels, a calibrated thermometer, load tickets, and an ink pen for transcribing records.

What is the proper procedure for evaluating the acceptability of milk for pickup?

The hauler evaluates the milk for smell, appearance, and temperature. They must decide whether to accept or reject the milk based on these factors, with abnormal odors, appearance defects, or temperature outside the legal range being potential reasons for rejection.

What is the ideal method for evaluating the odor of milk?

The ideal method is to carefully open the tank lid and immediately smell the milk while it is agitating. Normal milk has no odor or smells sweet, while abnormal odors can indicate issues with the milk.

How long should a tank of milk be agitated before sampling?

Tanks smaller than a thousand gallons must be agitated for a minimum of 5 minutes, and tanks 1000 gallons or larger must be agitated for a minimum of 10 minutes to ensure proper mixing and representative sampling.

What are the legal temperature requirements for bulk milk?

Legally acceptable bulk milk is held within a temperature range of 32 degrees to 45 degrees Fahrenheit, but the optimum holding temperature is between 34 degrees and 36 degrees Fahrenheit.

What should a milk hauler do if they determine a producer's milk is unacceptable?

If a milk hauler determines a producer's milk is unacceptable, they should not pick up the milk, notify the producer, contact the handlers' field representative, and take a sample for record-keeping.

What is the importance of maintaining a clean and sanitary truck for a milk hauler?

Maintaining a clean and sanitary truck is crucial as it conveys a positive image to the public, represents the dairy industry, and ensures the safety and quality of the milk being transported.