November 2011
FARM HAPPENINGS:
BACTERIA IN MILK
This is a continuation of the discussion on
milk quality. Last month, we discussed
Somatic Cell Counts. This month, we will
discuss SPC (Standard Plate Count) or
commonly referred to as the Bacteria Count.
High milk quality is directly affected by the
bacteria in the milk. The lower the bacteria
count (SPC), the better the quality.
The Bacteria Count is measured on every load
of milk leaving the farm. Bacteria are living
organisms. They grow reproduce at an
alarming rate, particularly at room
temperature where the bacteria count will
double every 20 minutes. This illustrates the
importance of good cooling or refrigeration.
If the refrigeration is not working, the bacteria
will grow (double every 20 minutes) and the
risk of a tank of milk becomes un-useable
within a few hours. If the bacteria count is
high to begin with, then the tank of milk
could be lost very quickly. Refrigeration is
checked every two hours to assure that cold
milk is not an issue.
Bacteria come from several sources. Dirty
equipment or dirty cows are the primary
sources. The bacteria that enters the milking
system will live there and grow until cleaned
out. This is a primary reason that each cow is
sanitized before attaching the milking
machine. Dirty cows need additional cleaning
because dirt cannot be sanitized.
The milking system needs cleaning after each
milking. The system is rinsed, washed, and
then sanitized prior to the next milking. If
milk is left setting in the line, bacteria will
begin to reproduce rapidly and affect quality.
For example: if a milking hose fell off a
milking machine during wash, then that unit
would miss the wash up cycle and the milk
residue would remain in the machine allowing
the bacteria to remain, grow and reproduce.
Perhaps the hot water heater failed, then the
wash cycle will not properly clean allowing
bacteria to remain in the system resulting in
poor quality milk.
Bacteria can also grow in the vacuum system.
Because the vacuum comes in contact with
the milk, the bacteria can readily enter the
milk and cause poor quality based on high
bacteria in the milk that originated in the
vacuum system.
The SPC should remain under 10,000. High
SPC are not reflective of our passion, our
reputation, or our culture. We strive to
produce high quality milk. Every cow, every
wash, every time makes a difference.
ANNOUNCEMENT
The Shenandoah Dairy Christmas Party is planned
for Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at the Spirit of
the Suwannee (the same place it was last year.)
INTERVIEW WITH JOHN CUMMINGS, ON THE
Dairy Quiz
BAGGER
1. What is a calf with parents of two
different breeds called?
2. What does the homogenization process
do?
a) sterilizes the milk b) distributes the fat
evenly throughout the milk
c) pasteurizes the milk d) makes yogurt
1. How long have you worked at
Shenandoah Dairy? 23 years
2. What is your job? Heavy equipment
operator, I run the bulldozer, excavator,
loader, & packer… to name a few.
3. What do like most about your job?
Always changing, it’s never the same. One
day I’m using the dozer, the next I’m on the
loader.
4. If you could change one thing about the
dairy what would it be? Leave it the way it
is, to see growth.
5. What is your favorite memory you
have of Shenandoah Dairy? Ted, Steve,
Brian, & I went out to California to their Ag,
Expo. It made the one in Moultrie look tiny.
We had a great time!
6. Tell me about the day you ran out of
your shoes off the silage pile. I got too
close to the edge & jumped off. I ran to the
office to get some help. It was pretty scary.
7. How many pieces of equipment does it
take to get a tree out of a sinkhole? Two
loaders & the 9100 tractor.
6. If you could vacation anywhere in the
world where would it be? Hawaii.
7. What do you do in your spare time?
Chase grandchildren.
3. Displaced abomasums are usually the
result of:
a) excess protein
b) genetic defects
c) low fiber rations
4. Colostrum contains:
a) more protein than whole milk
b) less protein than whole milk
c) the same amount of protein as whole milk
ANS: 1. crossbreed (or crossbred) 2.b) distributes the fat
evenly throughout the milk 3. c) low fiber rations 4. a) more
protein than whole milk
Source: 2010 Junior Dairy Quiz Bowl Round 1 & 2
Birthdays
1
4
5
25
Santos Perez
Francisco Quiterio
Tori Henderson
Andrew Beckner
Anniversaries
John Cummings
Jimmie Cunningham
Cyndi Skierski
Ubaldo Martinez
Carmelo Villeda
New Hires
Wendell Feagle
Rolando Moreno
Clayton Watson
23 years
4 years
2 years
2 years
2 years