The NMC Research Committee is aware that the Ropey (or Ropy) Milk Test is used by some receiving milk shipments as a quality assessment test. The Committee believes it important that milk producers and processors be aware that this is an archaic test originating from 1847 that has not been included in any quality assessment manuals for 50 years. At best the test can be a subjective assessment of pre-pasteurization milk that has not been refrigerated. The test is inaccurate and not standardized. It is unnecessary as milk vat and tanker temperature loggers, and the standard plate count, already carried out on milk supplies are proven to be accurate, sensitive and objective measures. The advice of NMC is that the Ropey Milk Test is not an appropriate test of milk quality.
Browsing Posts published in August, 2007
Guidelines for Evaluating Teat Skin Condition
August 6, 2007
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The NMC Research Committee recently developed “Guidelines for Evaluating Teat Skin Condition”, a document that describes procedures for determing the effects on teat skin condition of products applied as a disinfectant or a teat treatment.
Included are methods for making teat skin condition observations (when and how); what parameters to check (color, dryness, chapping, hyperkeratosis and cutaneous damage); and trial design and evaluation. Some examples of teat condition (full color photos) are included.
Click here to view or download the document [file size 500k].
