Filtration or separation of the milk or just sorting cows in groups! Various ways of on farm optimization of the milk delivery to the dairy constantly are presented. There is a big economical potential in these solutions but a part from ensuring they work properly there is also a job in monitoring the quality(ies) of the milk!
As farms gets bigger and bigger it certainly becomes interesting (and affordable) to invest in such solutions and other initiatives published lately is the in-lab analyses of coagulation properties used already in Italy to breed for higher cheese production and maybe sort cows in group. And lately a large research project in Denmark was mentioned where they look into on farm filtration in order to remove some of the water from the milk before it is transported to the dairy plant.
It will be relevant to analyze for more specific components within the fat, protein as well as lactose fraction, and if any of the other components normally present in milk has changed or in which tank they end up.
It may be relevant to analyze if any components has been added or removed during the process.
It will also be important to develop payment models to pay for the “new milk” in order to ensure that the benefit of the operation is of interest to both farmer and dairy!
Tove Asmussen
Master of Sci. Milk Production
Dipl. Business Innovation
Consultant & Business Owner, Raw Milk Connect
email: tove.asmussen@rawmilkconnect.dk
www.rawmilkconnect.dk/ToveAsmussen.htm