Inconsistent milk tests

[Lee11]

Hi I'm just wondering how can milk tests(solids,tbc,scc)etc can vary so much from test to test.when nothing changes in routine or feed.is this normal or is it just me.

 

[Slippery Slope]

Are the samples taken manually or by an auto sampler on the lorry? You’ll always get the odd random sample but generally fluctuations would be minimal or at the least explainable with auto sampling. Manual samples can vary massively depending on which driver is doing it and whether or not you’ve upset them recently!

 

[Lee11]

Are the samples taken manually or by an auto sampler on the lorry? You’ll always get the odd random sample but generally fluctuations would be minimal or at the least explainable with auto sampling. Manual samples can vary massively depending on which driver is doing it and whether or not you’ve upset them recently!

Thanks for replying.its all done through the milk collections by the lorry driver I suppose.my scc would usually rise up and down with cows calving but my fats are up and down like a yoyo.my protein went from 3.27 to 2.98 and then up to 3.30 and down..and milk recordings never match the co-op tests.

 

[Slippery Slope]

Here’s 3 of my recent samples. Variations only in butterfat for me at the moment but of no real concern as the diet has changed.

REF: *********, SN: 086, SD: 06-Apr-23, BF: 4.50, P: 3.22, B: 21* (GM- 16), SC: 108* (GM- 99), U: 122, LAC: 4.55, FPD: 521, AB: Pass

REF: ********, SN: 087, SD: 08-Apr-23, CT:14:11, BF: 4.59, P: 3.23, B: - (GM- 16), SC: 84* (GM- 95), U: 150, LAC: 4.55, FPD: 521

REF: , SN: 088, SD: 10-Apr-23, BF: 4.78, P: 3.25, B: - (GM- 16), SC: 98* (GM- 96), U: 124, LAC: 4.53, FPD: 522

I find fats can vary from field to field or even from different sections of the silage pit if it’s not being fed evenly, ie- all from top of the pit one day and bottom of the pit another (we don’t do this but I’m providing an example!).

Cell counts as you say will always vary according to cow’s calving, a cow with an undetected mastitis etc.

I’m not sure what you mean by the Co-op tests? Are they different / independent to the milk collection tests?

 

[Kiss]

Fats will change pretty quick with what they’re being fed if I’m away for a few days I can usually work out if the cows haven’t quite had enough as the fats will jump,

I follow the protein much closer it’s a more stable indicator and doesn’t change so quick

I’d say your fats are high for your protein to be where it is!

 

[Lee11]

Fats will change pretty quick with what they’re being fed if I’m away for a few days I can usually work out if the cows haven’t quite had enough as the fats will jump,

I follow the protein much closer it’s a more stable indicator and doesn’t change so quick

I’d say your fats are high for your protein to be where it is!

That's the thing my fats are up and down too.it went from 4.5 to under 4 in a few days.whilst the protein was also low.i know my cows arnt blessed with solids.but its the fluctuations that's annoying me.

 

[Lee11]

Here’s 3 of my recent samples. Variations only in butterfat for me at the moment but of no real concern as the diet has changed.

REF: *********, SN: 086, SD: 06-Apr-23, BF: 4.50, P: 3.22, B: 21* (GM- 16), SC: 108* (GM- 99), U: 122, LAC: 4.55, FPD: 521, AB: Pass

REF: ********, SN: 087, SD: 08-Apr-23, CT:14:11, BF: 4.59, P: 3.23, B: - (GM- 16), SC: 84* (GM- 95), U: 150, LAC: 4.55, FPD: 521

REF: , SN: 088, SD: 10-Apr-23, BF: 4.78, P: 3.25, B: - (GM- 16), SC: 98* (GM- 96), U: 124, LAC: 4.53, FPD: 522

I find fats can vary from field to field or even from different sections of the silage pit if it’s not being fed evenly, ie- all from top of the pit one day and bottom of the pit another (we don’t do this but I’m providing an example!).

Cell counts as you say will always vary according to cow’s calving, a cow with an undetected mastitis etc.

I’m not sure what you mean by the Co-op tests? Are they different / independent to the milk collection tests?

Sorry I should be more specific.i do mean the milk collection tests.I don't be there whilst the milk is being collected.maybe the drivers being a bit slack.but the cows are at grass now so I'll just wave bye bye to the fats

 

[Agrispeed]

Same wagon? It can be quite illuminating if you note down the reg of each collection. We were always manual collection but area farms on the same round were auto and there were more problems for them, than dipping the tanks, but then I always cleaned the dipper and kept the drivers friendly!

 

[kiwi pom]

Easiest thing to do first is rule out the collection and sampling.
Can you be there when they pick up or install some cameras?

Same wagon? It can be quite illuminating if you note down the reg of each collection. We were always manual collection but area farms on the same round were auto and there were more problems for them, than dipping the tanks, but then I always cleaned the dipper and kept the drivers friendly!

That's one of the big reasons Fonterra schedule the way they do; it usually results in a different truck and/or driver every day. Rules a lot of stuff out.

 

[Dumgal farmer]

You do know you're (all) paid a 6 or even 7 figure sum based on these tests. This also applies to the accuracy of the litres measured. There was one near here who was just running his tank over one spring so it was level full. Different tankers gave different volumes!
If you're at all unsure ask you're local trading standards dept to investigate (anonymously at first if need be). If any other product was so inaccurately measured then greater regulation would be introduced.
The milk hauliers have a duty of care to do the job properly. I've seen guys bring the sample pot out their jacket pocket and the lid is already open.

 

[Lee11]

You do know you're (all) paid a 6 or even 7 figure sum based on these tests. This also applies to the accuracy of the litres measured. There was one near here who was just running his tank over one spring so it was level full. Different tankers gave different volumes!
If you're at all unsure ask you're local trading standards dept to investigate (anonymously at first if need be). If any other product was so inaccurately measured then greater regulation would be introduced.
The milk hauliers have a duty of care to do the job properly. I've seen guys bring the sample pot out their jacket pocket and the lid is already open.

Exactly.we try our best to produce the best we can with the cows we have.iv started to milk record over past 12 months and on the records my cows are doing better than the milk collection tests.

 

[Dumgal farmer]

Exactly.we try our best to produce the best we can with the cows we have.iv started to milk record over past 12 months and on the records my cows are doing better than the milk collection tests.

If you milk record take an extra bulk tank sample from the same lift that the tanker is getting and put it in with your milk recording samples. The solids and scc should be broadly similar to the bulk sample.

 

[Farmer Keith]

Exactly.we try our best to produce the best we can with the cows we have.iv started to milk record over past 12 months and on the records my cows are doing better than the milk collection tests.

Mines the other way around but only for fat. Annual average 4.70 with arla 4.5 with the cis, always assumed it was as the sampler samples from the bottom.

 

[kiwi pom]

You do know you're (all) paid a 6 or even 7 figure sum based on these tests. This also applies to the accuracy of the litres measured. There was one near here who was just running his tank over one spring so it was level full. Different tankers gave different volumes!
If you're at all unsure ask you're local trading standards dept to investigate (anonymously at first if need be). If any other product was so inaccurately measured then greater regulation would be introduced.
The milk hauliers have a duty of care to do the job properly. I've seen guys bring the sample pot out their jacket pocket and the lid is already open.

How often are the tankers that visit you calibrated?
I think I'd always have cameras in the dairy to record those not following procedure.

 

[Wee Willy]

Many years ago we noticed that we were paid 50 litres short every day on the milk statement compared with the printed docket from the lorry( if the docket read "3000" litres we were paid for "2950" litres.) When checked, this had happened for six months. Complained. The buyer explained as we were first lift , they subtracted 50 litres for filling the pipe work of the lorry. Complained to Trading Standards. They said they couldn't check meter on milk tanker as it was food stuff and they could be blamed for contamination if they put anything through the meter.
Basically milk tankers are not checked by any outside authority.

 

[kiwi pom]

Many years ago we noticed that we were paid 50 litres short every day on the milk statement compared with the printed docket from the lorry( if the docket read "3000" litres we were paid for "2950" litres.) When checked, this had happened for six months. Complained. The buyer explained as we were first lift , they subtracted 50 litres for filling the pipe work of the lorry. Complained to Trading Standards. They said they couldn't check meter on milk tanker as it was food stuff and they could be blamed for contamination if they put anything through the meter.
Basically milk tankers are not checked by any outside authority.

When I was on the tankers here, ours were calibrated regularly but it was done by a qualified employee. As I recall you don't "put anything through" them, you calibrate them with milk as that is what you are carrying. Perhaps different with you but I'd put the stuff we drove up to any inspection.
Doing things right, does come at a cost though.