ICAR Technical Series no. 7 - Nitra Proc.

Kirchnerová & FoltysParticipation of Research Institute forAnimal Production Nitra in theinterlaboratory proficiency studies of ICARK. Kirchnerová & V. FoltysResearch Institute for Animal Production, Hlohovská 2,949 92 Nitra, SlovakiaE-mail: kvalita@vuzv.skThe laboratory for milk quality of Research Institute for Animal Production(RIAP) as a member of ICAR Reference Laboratory Network every yeartakes part in Interlaboratory proficiency studies, also called internationalring tests, with determination of fat, protein, lactose and somatic cellcounting. Improving analytical practice shows the last differences betweenreference mean and laboratory mean (∆), which are for every method nothigher than 0.5 g/kg for milk composition and 20x10 3 /ml for somatic cellscount.SummaryKey words: Milk, analysis, interlaboratory studyThe laboratory for milk quality of Research Institute for Animal Production(RIAP) as a member of ICAR Reference Laboratory Network every yeartakes part in Interlaboratory proficiency studies, also called internationalring tests. This laboratory works as a national ring test organiser andreference material supplier since it has been authorised as a masterlaboratory for centralised calibration of infrared milk analysers byMinisterium of Agriculture of Slovakia.IntroductionICAR (International Committee for Animal Recording) laboratory networkwas created in 1996 and from this year the number of members has grownup to 33 from 28 countries. The participation in interlaboratory studyprogramme is the occasion to favour and generalise good analyticalpractices. International network constitutes an effective tool to developQuality Assurance and harmonise analytical practices in milk recordinglaboratories.ICAR Technical Series - No 7249