MILK SUPPLIER GUIDE EU Directives on Dairy Hygiene, Terms & Conditions of Purchase, Grading & Payment. PUBLISHED 2012 9507 Aurivo Milk Supplier Booklet.indd 1 09/11/2012 11:30
Table of Contents // i Dairy Hygiene & Veterinary Regulations...3 ii EU Milk Quality Rejection Standards...5 iii Total Bacterial Count & Grading...5 iv Thermoduric Bacteria & Grading...6 v Somatic Cell Count (S.C.C.) & Grading...6 vi Milk Recording...7 vii Sediment...7 viii Colostrum...7 ix Antibiotic Residues...8 x Excess Water...9 xi Lactose levels in milk...9 xii Bulk Milk Tanks & Refrigeration...10 xiii Milk Collection Charges & Storage Bonus...10 xiv Chlorine/TCM Levels...11 xv Well Water Supply...11 xvi Milk Payment A+B- C...11 xvii Receiving Milk Results...12 xviii Protein Bonus...12 xix Early Milk Bonuses...12 xxi Milk Quality Awards...12 xxii Liquid Milk Payment...13 xxiii Independent Verification System...13 xxiv BVD Tag Testing...13 xxv General...14 xxvi Notes...15 xxvii Contact Numbers...16 2 9507 Aurivo Milk Supplier Booklet.indd 2 09/11/2012 11:30
Dear Milk Supplier, As a part of Aurivo Co-op, all suppliers share a commitment to the production and marketing of safe, wholesome and traceable quality food products. This booklet summarises the terms and conditions for the supply of milk to Aurivo Co-operative Society Limited. i Dairy Hygiene & Veterinary Regulations // (S I 910 / 2005) Legislation was introduced in 1994 (and updated in 2005) requiring that all dair y premises be registered under the Milk Hygiene Regulations. Compliance with this legislation is enforced by the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine. Suppliers must produce milk from healthy cows kept on holdings that comply with the milk hygiene regulations under animal welfare friendly conditions. The Directives cover the certification of dairy premises, veterinary certification, antibiotic residues,total Bacteria Counts (T.B.C.), Somatic Cell Counts (S.C.C.) and milk temperature. Standards are enforced by the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine through random audits. Production audits are necessary to verify continued compliance with S.I. 910/2005. Although usually carried out by Aurivo Milk Advisor y Staff, the Dept. of Agriculture, Food & the Marine may carry out these audits at their discretion. Aurivo customers request from time to time that they randomly audit our manufacturing facilities. Depending on the customer, this factor y audit may be extended to include a farm inspection. These audits focus on such aspects as: 1 Dairy Hygiene Standards 2 Animal Feedstuffs 3 Animal Health and Veterinary issues 4 Environmental Issues and On-Farm practices 5 Animal Welfare 6 Dairy Detergents and Agro-chemicals 3 9507 Aurivo Milk Supplier Booklet.indd 3 09/11/2012 11:30
Animal Health Certificate It is an EU requirement that a supplier produces an annual animal health certificate for his/her herd which is signed by the supplier and his/her Vet. Recommencement of Milk Collection Suppliers must give, at minimum, two days notice to the Farm Services Office of their intention to resume milk after the dry period or after a break of any kind from milk production. A health cert must be submitted for the herd prior to collection. TB/Brucellosis Reactors In the event of a supplier having a reactor animal in their herd following their test, the co-operative must be notified immediately. (See lab contact on back page) Milk produced from reactor animals cannot be presented in the bulk tank for collection. Milk Quality A milk supplier has a responsibility to ensure that all milk offered for sale: Is properly produced on his/her approved farm or farms in compliance with all relevant legislation and practices. Is fit for human consumption. Meets all relevant EU, Irish legislation and other standards relating to the production and supply of milk. Is supplied fresh and clean with its cream intact. Is free from: Taint Adulteration Excess water Blood and sediment Colostrum Antibiotics and inhibitors TCM Contamination Tanker Driver Responsibility Milk tanker drivers are instructed not to collect milk from a holding if they have reason to believe that the milk does not satisfy any of the above conditions. If necessary this will be confirmed by one of our milk advisors. 4 9507 Aurivo Milk Supplier Booklet.indd 4 09/11/2012 11:30
ii E.U. Milk Quality Rejection Standards The following are the E.U. Milk Quality Rejection Standards for milk which are calculated by means of a Geometric Rolling Average. These minimum standards are not acceptable from a commercial point of view as we strive for far higher standards which the market demands. T.B.C Total Bacterial Count 100,000 or greater per ml Geometric average over 2 months with at least 2 tests per month S.C.C Somatic Cell Count 400,000 or greater per ml Geometric average over 3 months with at least 1 test per month If these standards are not achieved, legislation states that any purchaser (including Connacht Gold) cannot collect the milk until it complies with these standards. iii Total Bacteria Count (T.B.C) It is essential that milk supplied to the Society has low T.B.C. levels to ensure the manufacture of high value, quality milk products. High T.B.C levels are an indication of poor milking plant hygiene and/or milk storage and adversely affect the type of product that the society can manufacture from milk. Low T.B.C levels increase the shelf life of milk and allow the society manufacture the highest quality product for our customers. The test period will be the calendar month and analysis for T.B.C. will be frequent with at least 2 tests per month. All T.B.C. results will be geometrically averaged to calculate milk grades for payment. T.B.C Grading scheme to take effect from 1st October 2012 Average Monthly T.B.C. Per MI Grade Cent per Litre < 50,000 1 Base Price 51,000-75,000 2-0.56 c/l penalty 76,000 100,000 3-1.4 c/l penalty 101,000 150,000 4-2.1 c/l penalty More than 150,000 5-4.2 c/l 5 9507 Aurivo Milk Supplier Booklet.indd 5 09/11/2012 11:30
iv Thermoduric Bacteria Levels Liquid Milk is tested for heat activated bacteria known as thermoduric bacteria. Thermoduric s dramatically reduce the shelf life of milk and milk containing high levels cannot be used for liquid milk supply. Thermoduric testing will be carried out routinely on all liquid supply and payment will be based on single test result. The current grading scheme for Thermoduric in Liquid milk is the following Thermos per ml Grade Cent per Litre 0-1950 Standard N/A 1951-5950 1-0.28 cent 5951-9950 2-0.56 cent 9951-20,000 3-0.84 cent Over 20,000 4-1 cent v Somatic Cell Count (S.C.C.) Having low SCC is desirable to ensure milk is produced from healthy cows free from mastitis infection. All suppliers should aim to have SCC levels less than 200,000 to achieve the highest level of milk quality. The test period for SCC will be the calendar month and analysis for SCC will be frequent. All SCC results will be geometrically averaged to calculate milk grades for payment. SCC Grading to take effect from 1st October 2012 Average monthly S.C.C. per ml Grade Cent per Litre < 250K 1 Base Price 251K - 300K 2-0.14 c/l 301K - 400K 3-0.28 c/l 401K - 500K 4-0.84 c/l 501K - 600K 5-1.4 c/l > 600K + 6-2.8 c/l 6 9507 Aurivo Milk Supplier Booklet.indd 6 09/11/2012 11:30
Cell Check Programme The co-op are fully behind the Cell Check programme run by Animal Health Ireland. All suppliers are expected to participate in this programme. vi Milk Recording The co-op offers a milk recording service, both traditional and DIY, in conjunction with Progressive Genetics. Milk recording gives valuable information on the performance of each cow from total milk solids to individual butterfats, proteins, milk yields and most importantly, their SCC. It traces the progress of the cow at different stages of lactation, as well as identifying problem cows and their effect on your herd performance overall. Should you wish to enquire more about this service, I would encourage you to contact : Louise Knight (Progressive Genetics) 087 2505723 Individual SCC Testing Herd recording is strongly recommended by the co-op as the most accurate and efficient way of monitoring SCC in your herd. However, in cases where herd recording is not an option, the co-op offers a service for individual SCC testing where suppliers can send in a cow sample to our lab in Ballaghaderreen (SCC result only).this service is charged per sample at the same rate as milk recording currently i.e. 1.80 per sample plus vat. The charge for individual SCC testing will be deducted from the monthly milk cheque. vii Sediment Random inspections on sediment will be carried out. Filter socks must be used at all times and must only be USED ONCE. They must also be removed before the wash cycle begins in the milking machine. viii Colostrum Under no circumstances should Colostrum be included in the milk supply. It is recommended that milk is withheld for at least 4 days after calving. 7 9507 Aurivo Milk Supplier Booklet.indd 7 09/11/2012 11:30
ix Antibiotic/Inhibitors Residues It is an offence to supply milk containing antibiotic/ inhibitor residues. Ever y load of milk is tested for the presence of antibiotics/inhibitors. If a load fails, each individual sample on the truck will be tested. The contaminated milk will be disposed of and the positive supplier will not be paid for their milk that day. The individual whose sample tests positive will also be responsible for all costs associated with the contaminated load and its disposal. In addition to load testing each supplier is tested on a regular basis throughout the month for the presence of antibiotics/inhibitors. In the event of a failed test, the Department of Agriculture will not allow further milk collection until a negative result is achieved. If there is a second offence in the same milk collection period collection will be suspended until a negative result is achieved and from that date ever y collection will be tested for the next 30 days. If a 3rd test fails collection will be suspended until a negative result is achieved and tests will be required prior to collection for the next 6 months. Milk testing positive cannot be offered for sale/ processing and must be discarded. Insurance Cover It is strongly recommended that suppliers ensure they have adequate insurance in the event of contamination with antibiotics to cover public and product liability. Antibiotics Testing Assistance If there is any doubt about a tank of milk being contaminated, do not present that tank for collection until it has been checked and cleared. Samples are tested for antibiotics at our processing site in Ballaghaderreen free of charge. Please ensure, when testing individual cows for antibiotic residue, that she has been calved for a sufficient period of time before the sample is submitted to the lab. Colostrum will not be tested. 8 9507 Aurivo Milk Supplier Booklet.indd 8 09/11/2012 11:30
x Excess Water Excess water reduces the concentration of the milk solids, thus reducing a supplier s direct milk price. Excess water in milk is determined by the freezing point using a Cryoscope. Where milk is found to contain excess water, greater than 1%, the following procedures will apply: 5c/ litre penalty on the day s litres: If a supplier s milk is found to contain excess water for the 1st or 2nd time in a quarter of the year, they will be penalised 5c/l on the litres supplied the day the water was found. 2c/litre penalty on the month s milk supply: If a supplier s milk is found to contain excess water more than twice in that quarter, a 2 c/litre fine is applied to the entire month s milk. If a supplier persists in supplying milk containing excess water, they will be suspended from supplying pending resolution of the issue. xi Lactose Lactose is an important quality parameter, especially in late lactation milk. It is essential that lactose levels in milk remain above 4.30%. If they drop below 4.2%, a penalty will be incurred. Lower levels cause processing issues and significantly reduce revenues at manufacturing level. The test period is the calendar month and lactose levels will be analysed frequently. If lactose levels in a single test fall below 4%, collection will be immediately suspended and it will not resume until the supplier shows that the lactose levels have recovered. Grading Scheme for Lactose Average monthly Lactose % Greater than 4.20% Cent per Litre Base Price 4-4.2% - 5 cent Less than 4 % No collection 9 9507 Aurivo Milk Supplier Booklet.indd 9 09/11/2012 11:30
xii Bulk Milk Tanks and Refrigeration All milk stored on farms for human consumption must be stored in a refrigerated milk tank designed and equipped to avoid contamination. The milk in the tank must be immediately cooled and held after milking at a temperature of between 2 C - 4 C. Tanks must have adequate agitation which is a minimum agitation of 90 seconds ever y 15 minutes. Aurivo will not collect milk from tanks/vessels that do not conform to these regulations. Ever y supplier must ensure his/her dairy and bulk tank is free from obstructions and both the farm entrance and the dairy are safely and easily accessible by milk tankers and drivers. Suppliers must also ensure that there is a clean concrete apron outside at the dairy door to allow hygienic collection and sampling of milk The following are the grade standards for temperature: Average monthly temperature Cent per Litre 0-5 C Base Price 5-6 C - 0.28c/l 6 C + - 0.98c/l xiii Milk Collection - collection charges A minimum collection charge of 30 per collection applies to collections where the monthly volume is less than 1000 litres from 1st Nov to 1st March. Depending on the time of year, but especially between 1st Nov & 28th Feb, minimum volume of milk required to ensure continued collection is 500 litres after 4 days. xiii Storage Bonus and 3 Day Collection A storage bonus is available to suppliers with a minimum annual supply of 160,000 litres who have sufficient refrigerated storage capacity to cover 7 milking s at peak production. A condition of this bonus is that milk can be collected at any time in the 24 hour period. The bonus is equivalent to 0.44c/litre ex vat. 10 9507 Aurivo Milk Supplier Booklet.indd 10 09/11/2012 11:30
xiv Chlorine - TCM Levels Excessive chlorine traces in milk constitute a serious health risk. Suppliers must not use any chlorine based products in their wash routine as this can lead to excessive TCM levels in butter. Milk will not be collected if a supplier is found to have excessively high TCM levels in their milk. Routine testing for TCM residue in milk is carried out on a regular basis and is closely monitored by Aurivo. xv Well Water - Own Source supply Under Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine regulations, suppliers who use their own well/source water for washing milking plants are required to have a microbiological analysis done on an annual basis to ensure it is suitable for use. Aurivo personnel are available to take water samples where suppliers are using their own well water to wash the milking machine. All samples analysed for water quality must be lifted by the advisor y staff as this test can be carried out by a Aurivo laboratory. It is vital that any water used for washing milking machines and tanks is tested to ensure it is of sufficient quality. xvi Milk Payment (A + B ) - C Payment is based on milk solids i.e. the quantity of protein and butterfat supplied. There is a processing charge on the volume component of the milk to reflect the cost of the water component. Payment is based on an A+ B-C formula plus any bonuses or penalties. A = Protein B = Butterfat C = Volume Charge The formula for payment is the following (A x Protein % + B x Butterfat %) - C, plus any bonuses or penalties, VAT will then be added to the gross figure. Current VAT rate is 5.2 /o Milk is tested for protein and butterfat levels in our accredited lab facility in Ballaghaderreen. The test period is the calendar month. Protein and butterfat levels will be analysed at least 4 times in the month during peak collections and as often as is possible during off peak collection times. Payment by post is normally by the 22nd of each month. Payment directly to a bank account is a recommended available option. 11 9507 Aurivo Milk Supplier Booklet.indd 11 09/11/2012 11:30
xvii Receiving Milk Results PLEASE MAKE SURE THE CO-OP HAS YOUR MOBILE PHONE NUMBER FOR QUICKEST RESULT NOTIFICATION VIA TEXT MESSAGE. Milk Results are also available online free of charge. You will require a username and password to access them online, both of which are unique to you and are available from the farm ser vices office on request. This option is highly recommended where access to internet is available. xviii Protein Bonus An incentive bonus of 0.22 c/litre is paid for ever y 0.05% protein achieved above the Co-Op average protein % in an individual month. xix Early Milk Bonuses Early milk bonuses are usually paid on manufacturing milk for the months of February and March. This is an incentive to calve cows early in the season. The bonuses are as follows Early Milk Bonus Cent per Litre February +1.5 March +1.4 xxi Milk Quality Awards An annual milk quality awards ceremony is hosted by the co-op to reward suppliers who have achieved very high standards in milk quality and production among both manufacturing and liquid suppliers. There are several different categories where awards can be achieved and these vary from year to year. Last year, we marked the hard work of farmers in the following areas: Lowest Liquid TBC of the year Lowest Manufacturing TBC Overall Donegal Milk Quality Best Performing New Entrant Highest % Milk Solids Lowest Somatic Cell Count Overall Northern Ireland Milk Quality Most Improved SCC 12 9507 Aurivo Milk Supplier Booklet.indd 12 09/11/2012 11:30
xxii Liquid Milk Payment Liquid milk payment is as per the conditions set out in the liquid milk contract and supplement agreements. xxiii Independent Verification System A supplier can seek to have a split sample of his/her milk independently tested by the Dairy Product Research Centre in Moorepark. There is a set procedure followed and details can be obtained from Milk Advisor y or the Aurivo Laboratory in Ballaghaderreen. xxiv BVD Tag Testing Testing of animals for BVD, through tissue tags, is available through the co-op in conjunction with an external laboratory: Enfer Labs (045) 983800 Charges for the testing can be deducted from your milk cheque if you wish to avail of this service or, alternatively, the external lab can be paid directly. If you would like to find out more about this service, please do not hesitate to contact us on (094) 9860143. 13 9507 Aurivo Milk Supplier Booklet.indd 13 09/11/2012 11:30
xxv General Care has been taken in the production of this booklet as a best-practice guide in the production of top quality milk and a general guide to current Department of Agriculture Regulations, standards, audits, etc. It is not a legally binding document. Any changes which may occur in our general terms of purchasing milk will be communicated through the Co-op newsletter or directly to suppliers and will be applicable as and from the effective date stated. Legislation determines the overall compliance standards for milk supply and Aurivo may amend any of the terms and conditions as deemed necessary from time to time. Please be aware it will be a requirement that all Aurivo suppliers must par take in any national sustainability & quality assurance schemes which may be introduced in the future. Your opinion counts Please contact us with any questions you may have on the contents of this guide, as well as any suggestions that would enable Aurivo to better serve you as a supplier. Aurivo Laboratory Dairy Ingredients Dublin Road Ballaghaderreen County Roscommon Tel. No.: 094 9860143 Fax. No.: 094 9860698 14 9507 Aurivo Milk Supplier Booklet.indd 14 09/11/2012 11:30
xxvi Notes 15 9507 Aurivo Milk Supplier Booklet.indd 15 09/11/2012 11:30
9507 Aurivo Milk Supplier Booklet.indd 16 09/11/2012 11:30 xxvii CONTACT NUMBERS Aurivo Lab // Aurivo Milk Advisory... 094 986 0143 Paul Cullinan // Advisor (Mayo / Sligo / Galway)... 087 247 0803 Solan Kelly // Advisor (Roscommon / Galway / Midlands).. 087 950 5416 Simona Ciorita // Liquid Advisor... 087 298 2051 Milking Machine Repairs // Sean McDonagh... 087 686 0684 Kevin Hannon... 087 254 9812 KK Refrigeration..1890 252 065 Aurivo Dairy Ingredients... 094 986 0114 Sligo Dairies... 071 911 0900 Sligo Dairies Lab 071 911 0964 Head Office // Aurivo... 071 918 6500 Paddy Coyle // Killygordon Lab (Donegal)... 074 914 9127 David Nesbitt // Advisor (Donegal / NI)... 00 44 7979 498840