In-Specification Milk Quality Standards. The base milk quality standard is the lowest quality of milk that Norco will accept as in-specification milk. Milk that does not meet this standard will either be graded as second grade milk and / or rejected, and may result in suspended collection. Milk will be in-specification if it meets the minimum milk components and standards identified in this Section 6 and is not classifiable as Out of specification according to the following table. The Standard column in the table identifies Norco’s preferred milk standards: COMPONENT STANDARD OUT OF SPECIFICATION TESTING REGIME Fat At least 3.95% Less than 2.70% Tested each collection Protein At least 3.20% Less than 2.60% Tested each collection Bulk milk cell count (BMCC) Less than 200,000 cells/mL Greater than 400,000 for conventional milk and greater than 500,000 for organic milk Tested each collection Standard Plate Count Less than 20,000 cfu/mL Greater than 40,000 cfu/mL Test conducted every 7 days Thermodurics Less than 2,000 cfu/mL Greater than 5,000 cfu/mL Not being tested at present Temperature 4.0°C or less within 1½ hours after last cups removed Milk will not be collected above 4.0°C unless approved Measured each collection Freezing point Less than -0.517°C Warmer than -0.506°C Random checks pH (probe) Between 6.60 and 6.90 Below 6.60 or above 6.90 Sensory fail, random checks on tankers Acidity (titration) Between 0.12 and 0.16 Below 0.12 or above 0.16 Sensory fail, random checks on tankers Antibiotics Clear of antibiotics Contains antibiotics Each tanker tested at factory Blood in milk No blood in milk Contains traces of blood Sensory check at each collection; each tanker tested at factory Sour milk Clear Smells sour Sensory check at each collection; each tanker tested at factory Extraneous Matter Clear Contains extraneous matter Random checks Colostrum Clear Contains colostrum Sensory check at each collection; each tanker tested at factory Iodine 500 mg/L Higher than 500 mg/L Random checks Other inhibitory substances Clear of foreign matter, unacceptable odours and/or taints Contains inhibitory substances Sensory check at each collection; each tanker tested at factory Animal feedstuffs Feedstuffs must meet regulatory requirements for cattle, and where reasonably possible be free from genetically modified organisms (GMO’s), pesticides, chemical residues and animal material. Contains pesticides, chemical residues, GMO animal material, animal material On-farm audits Colour Yellowish-white Opaque, dark, ...
