osterkamp dairy milk quality program - AgWeb

Milking routine. Figure 4.
Milkers are evaluated once a month for routine compliance. This is done by the dairy manager
using a standardized evaluation form. (Figure 5) The goals of the evaluations are to detect areas
that need improvement in the routine, determine if the milkers are entitled to receive the quality
bonus offered by the dairy, and document as well as discuss areas of improvement. Results of the
evaluation are used as a basis for the subsequent milker meeting. In addition, the milkers need to
have a satisfactory evaluation in order to receive the milk quality bonus.
As an aid to stimulate parlor consistency for all the milkers, the manager keeps track of how
many cows are pulled for mastitis by each milker. This information is posted for the milkers to
see and allows management to detect differences among employees in the parlor. If large
differences exist among milkers, they are addressed in the meetings or with the particular
individual. Since we initiated this protocol, large fluctuations in bulk tank somatic cells have
drastically been reduced.
Milker meetings
Every 3 months a 1 hour milker meeting is scheduled with each shift (day/night). In each
meeting, milk quality information (SPC, LPC, Coli and SCC) is presented for the last year to
date and the previous month. The aim is to teach the milkers how to interpret the information
presented (graphs, tables, etc.) from a learning perspective and for improvement on the job. In
addition, the milkers are educated regarding the current milk quality bonus standards set by the
Co-op. In order for the dairy to receive a bonus, 25% of the milk loads are tested, in which 75%
of them need to be below the Co-op thresholds (SPC