Raw-milk cooling and quality premiums: assess with records

Link milking, cooling, collection and laboratory data to one lot. Confirm quality grades and premium calculation with the buyer in writing.

16 October 2023Updated 23 September 2026

Short answer

For each milking/lot, track milking time, quantity, cooling start, temperature record, collection and delivery times. Link laboratory results to the same lot and buyer terms. Confirm price premium or acceptance conditions in writing with the buyer; do not assume a universal two-hour, temperature or payment rule.

Time after milking alone does not indicate raw-milk quality or price. Link producer, collector and buyer records by lot.

Milking and cooling record

Record lot ID, quantity, milking time, cooling start, equipment/measurement location and temperature data over time.

Collection and delivery

Log churn or tank ID, movement time, arrival and delivery times, receiving person and observed condition.

Link the quality result

Match sample ID to the lot. Check laboratory parameters and sampling method against the buyer's specification.

Confirm price terms. Get quality grade, premium calculation, rejection and dispute process from the buyer in writing. Do not generalise price results or cooling targets.

Turn records into action

For a delay or quality deviation, send records to the responsible person and track process changes using new lot data. Decide acceptance under current product and quality procedures.

Sources and correction policy for this article

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