A bulk milk sample is taken when farm milk is collected on the dairy farm by the driver of the milk truck. To assure the intake of farm milk and sampling is done correctly, truck drivers must follow a course and be certified.
The bulk milk samples taken are assessed for composition and quality parameters. The analysis frequency varies for each parameter, from once every three days to once a month.
Composition
- Fat
- Protein
- Lactose
- Fatty acids
- Phosphor
- Urea
Quality
- Somatic cell count
- Bacterial count
- Butyric acid
- Sediment
- Freezing point
- Antibiotics
- Chloroform
Based on the results, recipients of farm milk make deductions on the milk payment to the dairy farmer. Better quality of delivered farm milk can also lead to an extra bonus. General rules for payment of farm milk are laid down in the Dutch Regulation for Animal Products (Regeling dierlijke producten).
Dairy farmers can request additional research from the regular bulk milk sample on the online platform Z-Net.
After each milk supply the dairy farmer receives the analysis results. This is an important source of information for dairy farmers for their daily business operations.