Milk payment and quality

Abstract

This booklet has been produced in conjunction with a workshop which was convened to help South Island dairy farmers to understand the new milk payment system and to consider means for coping with it. The text is set out in three major sections which deal separately with the effects of the new payment scheme, factors affecting milk quality and managemental influences on the composition and yield of milk. Hopefully this information will equip dairy farmers with knowledge of the scope for manipulating milk protein levels and of the means by which they can avoid penalty payments. Much of this comes back to on-farm practices such as milking plant hygiene, pasture management and herd health. It is without apology that these topics are re-examined here. Nevertheless there are changes afoot in terms of technological advances in processing and on the farm. The latter include improved methods of milk harvesting, breeding of cows for increased yield and of forage species suited to different seasonal and climatic constraints. This information thus goes beyond the South Island dairy farmer concerned with the new payment system as it has messages for a wider readership. All authors are thanked for their co-operation in providing material and for participating in the workshop. Staff of Lincoln College who contributed to the organisation and running of the workshop and who helped with the production of this booklet are thanked for their special efforts.