Revised August, 2010
1)
Minimum standards for raw milk quality:
SPC LPC COLI SCC
50,000 750 750 400
Members
who produce milk that exceeds these levels for three consecutive weeks are
penalized $.10/cwt for milk produced the second and third consecutive
week. Only the milk for which the
established standards are exceeded are debited.
(Note: Effective January 1, 2011 the minimum Somatic Cell Count level
has been reduced to 400,000 cells per ml.)
2)
Minimum standards for milk quality bonus payments:
SPC LPC COLI SCC
$.20
cwt 15,000 100 100 125,000 or less
$.10
cwt 15,000 100 100 126,000 - 175,000
$.05
cwt 15,000 100 100 176,000 - 225,000
The
laboratory will be directed to test samples from each dairy on a random
basis. Weekly bacteria counts are averaged and
results compared to qualify members for the bonus program. Because of the logistical complexities
involving trucking companies, courier services and laboratory personnel, the program
administrator will determine the proper number of samples to be tested during
each period such that it is consistent with the intent of the milk quality
program.
An antibiotic incident and/or two milk temperature violations (over 45° at time of pickup) during the month will disqualify a member from receiving a milk quality bonus for that month.
3)
Special Penalty Program standards:
Members with on-going milk quality problems may be
placed on a special penalty program by their district quality committees. Members
on special penalty will receive daily milk quality testing and will receive
penalties when those tests indicate milk produced exceeds the maximums established
above. The level of the penalty will be
determined by the milk quality committee for the member’s district.
Members on special penalty can have their membership terminated by
recommendation of the district quality committee if any 6 months of a
12-month period do not meet an established standard. The established standard is 80% of milk
samples tested per month must be of Grade ‘A’ quality. Counts that don’t meet this standard are
printed in red on postcards sent to the dairy.
If more than 20% of pickups tested within a calendar month exceed this
standard, this will count as one of the six qualifying months for termination
proceedings to commence.
Bacteria history will be evaluated on a monthly basis by the quality
committee and evaluated on a 12-month moving window.
If 6 months out of a 12 month period exceed the standard listed above,
the district committee will recommend termination to the Board of Directors at
their earliest meeting following this determination.
Upon termination of membership, any and all production base owned by the member will revert to CDI, i.e., the member will not be allowed to sell the production base upon exiting the Association.