MAINTENANCE OF GRADE A MILK 



A Study of the Factors Affecting Quality, Returns and 



Premium Losses* 



By E. H. RINEAR, Research Specialist in Marketing, and 

 H. C. MOORE, Assistant Dairy Husbandman 



Grade A milk is being produced and sold quite generally throughout the 

 State. There are four wholesale Grade A receiving stations and eight local 

 markets where Grade A milk is sold in New Hampshire. The factors which 

 cause the loss of Grade A premiums are, therefore, of considerable impor- 

 tance to the dairymen. 



The quality of the milk supply is dependent to a large extent upon the 

 care it receives before it leaves the farm. In this study the milk marketing 

 functions are considered from the time the milk is drawn until it is deliv- 

 ered to the receiving station. The effectiveness of the dairyman's methods 

 in handling and caring for Grade A milk determines whether or not first 

 premiums are paid. 



There is a definite trend toward more uniform regulation and standard- 

 ization of all milk shipped into consuming centers. Under these conditions, 

 all dairymen are interested in controlling the factors which affect the quality 

 of milk, whether Grade A or B. 



Method and Procedure 



Survey records were obtained through personal interviews with 82 Grade 

 A and 20 Grade B producers shipping milk to Boston through the Pattee 

 receiving station at West Canaan, N. H. Detailed information regarding 

 stable, milkhouse, milking and cooling practices, sterilizing equipment, cur- 

 rent expense and labor was collected through these contacts. Comparative 

 analysis of these records showed few differences existing in the majority 

 of cases between the A and B shippers at this station. The influence of the 

 quality program and resulting premiums paid had caused the B producers 

 to exercise about the same care in handling milk. Also, most of the B pro- 

 ducers were anxious to be shifted over to A grade. It was, therefore, neces- 

 sary to survey some other section which was not subjected so strongly to 

 the Grade A influence, and which might be used as a basis of comparison. 

 Consequently records were obtained from 24 producers in Monroe, N. H., 

 as only B Grade milk was being shipped from this area. 



Many producers were unable to understand why they had low counts 

 one day and high counts on another. The Experiment Station endeavored 

 to solve this problem by working with them, observing the milking prac- 

 tices, the cooling of the milk, and the washing and sterilizing of the equip- 

 ment. Samples of milk were taken from the cows, milking pails and milk 

 cans during evening and morning milkings, just before the cans were loaded 

 onto the truck and when they were emptied at the station. The condition 

 of the equipment and cans was checked by using sterile water and taking 

 samples before each milking period. All samples were identified by num- 



* The writers wish to express their appreciation of the cooperation given by the dairymen, by the 

 officials of H. P. Hood and Company, and by Mr. Ralph C. Downie, former manager of the Grade A 

 Station at West Canaan, N. H. 



