increase font size
Dairy operators must have records to confirm that milk cooling requirements are being met.
Farmers must assess the milk cooling systems on a regular basis to ensure it meets requirements set out by the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI).
It says dairy operators must have records to confirm that milk cooling requirements are being met to confirm the capability of milk cooling equipment.
“Milk cooling performance should be monitored monthly, but as a minimum must be monitored and recorded about the time of expected peak milk production and in February,” it says.
Each performance check must cover at least two consecutive milkings, and the records must include the temperature of milk in each bulk milk tank immediately prior to the start of milking.
The time milking starts and ends, temperature of milk in the bulk milk tank at the completion of milking and the time that the milk is confirmed to meet the requirements of new milking regulations must also be recorded.
MPI says temperature measurements and recording can be accomplished using any of the following: electronic monitoring system, a chart recorder, a “tiny tag” or similar temperature logging device, manual measurements using an electronic thermometer or any other equivalent method.
The accuracy of the temperature measurement device must be known as the data collected is an official record, it says.
Action must be taken to correct milk cooling performance should the information collected show that milk is not being cooled within the required parameters.
In such cases the milk cooling performance checks described above must be repeated to confirm compliance with the milk cooling requirements.
Milk that has not been cooled in accordance with milk cooling regulations must be withheld from supply, unless the milk has been assessed and confirmed as fit for intended purpose by the dairy company.
Disposal of milk
There must be a procedure in place for the disposal of milk, says MPI.
For a variety of reasons processors may not always be able to collect milk.
Farmers can face prosecution, under the Resource Management Act 1991, if they discharge milk directly into water or if they allow milk to flow into water.
“Milk is a potent pollutant, being 1000 times more potent than farm dairy effluent. As such, intrusion into waterways will have a serious impact.”
Farmers should check with their regional authority before disposing of milk onto land.
A blockbuster year and an exciting performance: that's how Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Director General, Ray Smith is describing the massive upsurge in the fortunes of the primary sector exports for the year ended June 2025.
A group of meat processing companies, directors and managers have been fined a total of $1.6 million for deliberately and illegally altering exported tallow for profit.
Movement controls have been lifted from Mainland Poultry’s Hillgrove Farm in Otago, after the successful eradication of H7N6 strain of high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
The recent East Coast Farming Expo, held over two days at Wairoa, offered an insight into the current state of agriculture on the east of the North Island, at a time when the locals are remembering the second anniversary of Cyclone Gabrielle.
OPINION: At last, a serious effort to better connect farmers and scientists.
Reuters reports that giant food company Wilmar Group has announced it had handed over 11.8 trillion rupiah (US$725 million) to Indonesia's Attorney General's Office as a "security deposit" in relation to a case in court about alleged misconduct in obtaining palm oil export permits.
DairyNZ is celebrating 60 years of the Economic Survey, reflecting on the evolution of New Zealand's dairy sector over time.
As electricity prices soar, farmers appear to be looking for alternative energy sources.
There is an appeal to New Zealanders to buy local citrus fruit.
Avocado growers are reporting a successful season, but some are struggling to keep their operations afloat following years of bad weather.
It's time to start talking up science again, especially as a career for young people. That's one of the key messages from the Prime Minister's new chief science advisor, Dr John Roche.
