Compliance & Quality

Farm dairy assessments

Annual farm dairy assessments are well under way this season. At least five per cent of assessments are either unannounced or same-day notification is provided. If you are still to have a visit, here’s a checklist to help ensure a successful audit:

• Quality manuals are up to date and available, especially monthly checks, water and silo temperature recordings and drug reconciliations

• All scripts and feed declarations and treatment records are available

• The drug cabinet is locked, and treatments are stored as prescribed

• Storage of agrichemicals is at a minimum 45m from the dairy. Only MPI-approved maintenance compounds (such as detergents, sanitisers, hand soap etc.) can be kept in the milking, milk receiving or milk storage areas

• The annual machine test is complete or booked in with a confirmed date.

• A lid is on the washtub and the rubbish bin. No unsecured firearms or ammo are in the dairy shed.

Thirty days is provided to rectify any non-conformance.

Self monitoring - monthly check procedure

Suppliers are required to undertake monthly checks as part of the registered Risk Management Programme. The farm dairy inspectors will check your monthly check list at your annual audit.

These tips can help you turn the monthly check procedure into a positive experience that can help save you from a bigger hassle down the track:

• Your farm management programme manual in your dairy shed has a handy checksheet

• Have equipment available to support these checks:

  • An electronic thermometer (not glass) to check hot water temperatures

  • A stainless-steel trier to check the condition of your rubberware

  • A small torch to check stainless for signs of milkstone or rainbow sheens.

• Use montlhy checks as a training exercise for staff – both old and new

• Don’t stop when a problem is found – there may be others

• If it’s not written down – it didn’t happen! So write it all down.

Refrigeration

Suppliers are responsible for the daily checking of the refrigeration unit to ensure that it is working adequately. Ideally the FHT temperature should be checked before milking starts.

If you find an issue, quickly run through the refridgeration troubleshooting list that should be attached to the wall of the dairy shed (or check out page 37 of the Suppliers Guide).

If things are still not right after this, call DTS on 0800 500 387. The call will be answered by a customer service team who are available 24 hours/seven days a week and will advise you of the next steps.