This article was written by Peter Maw and originally published in the August 2018 issue of the Dairy Goat Digest.
Introduction
Your milk house is the first impression visitors get of your farm. A clean and tidy milk house is important for safely storing a quality product and allowing your Bulk Tank Milk Grader (BTMG) to properly grade, sample and pump milk to the transport tank.
Hose Port
Hose Ports must be kept clean and smooth to prevent damage to hoses. The outer flap that covers the port needs to be self-closing and tight-fitting to keep pests out. Concrete or clean crushed stone should be laid on the ground under the hose port and the area kept free of all clutter.
Windows and Doors
All doors in the milk house must be tight-fitting and self-closing. At no time should doors be propped open. This keeps critters (rodents, insects) out of the milk house as well as prevents odours from the barn and outside. Windows must be closed tight or be covered with screens that are in good repair, this includes the opening for the cooling unit.
Lighting
Sufficient light is required by the BTMG to visually grade the milk and read the scale. Lighting over the tank lid must be provided and needs to have a shatter proof cover. If hydro is not available, a working flashlight must be made available to grade the milk. Keep in mind, milk that cannot be properly graded will not be picked up by the BTMG.
Hand Wash Station
BTMGs should have clean hands when taking a representative sample of the milk. Producers should provide hand soap and a clean towel or paper towels. Hand sanitizer is also acceptable.
Fly Control
“One fly in the milk is too many”. Rejecting milk that contains flies is part of a BTMG’s training. Fly control is very important and can be achieved by keeping doors and windows closed and tight-fitting as well as the use of sticky fly tapes and/or approved sprays.
Water Hose
A water hose with an attached nozzle must be available in the milk house at all times. The hose must be kept clean and stored up off the floor.
Bulk Tank
A minimum distance of 60 cm (23”) of clear space is required from all fixed objects around the bulk tank. This is to facilitate proper cleaning around the tank. Manually applied acids are best to keep your tank exterior clean and shining. Don’t forget the underside of the tank. A proper tank brush is the best tool for this job.
Rubberwear
All black rubber parts must be inspected regularly for “inking” and breakdown. Black flecks of rubber from tank gaskets can end up in the milk, causing the tank of milk to be rejected by the BTMG. Silicone replacement parts, if available, are always the best alternative.
Clean and Tidy
When your BTMG grades the goat milk, there should be no smell. Items like milk replacer are to be stored in another room or sealed containers. Engine or fuel fumes must be kept out of the milk house. Odours from feed and used milk filters can also make grading difficult. Once again, keep all doors in the milk house closed. Walls and ceilings must be covered with a washable material and kept in good condition and cleaned regularly. Cobwebs are not considered a form of fly control and need to be swept down. Keep all non-dairy items out of the milk house.
Algae, mold and mildew can be an issue in the milk house. Ventilation is key to controlling moisture. Open windows, as well as fans and dehumidifiers all help to control this problem. A chlorine solution (one part chlorine to one part water) is the best treatment for removing any growth.
In Conclusion
Goat milk producers are professionals, producing a quality product. BTMGs are trained professionals hired to properly grade, collect samples and transport that product. The milk house is your common work space. Conditions in your milk house matter, and will help promote a good working relationship. Thank you and keep up the good work.
