791-016 Milk Harvesting and Milk Quality

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Management Elective - Dairying.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

The objective of this subject is to enable students to:

• identify the components of the milk harvesting process and outline their effects on milk quality;

• explain how individual cow Cell Count and Bulk Milk Cell Count tests can be used to monitor mastitis, analyse and interpret test results and formulate control strategies;

• describe the effects of various contaminants on the quality of milk;

• analyse and interpret tests for milk quality and formulate control strategies.

The content includes: An overview of the components of milk harvesting and the benefits to farms, consumers and industry of improving milk quality through better milk harvesting practices and the skills to interpret test results and formulate strategies to achieve this; provides an understanding of the operation and testing of milking plant and the skills to test a milking plant to industry standards, to interpret the data and to make appropriate recommendations as to the suitability of a plant for a particular farm.

Assessment

Two assignments (15% each); case study of 3000 words (70%).

Prescribed Texts

• Bramley A J, Dodd F H, Mein G A and Bramley J A (1992), Machine Milking and Lactation. Berkshire UK: Insight Books.