Milk quality is an essential element of the Australian dairy industry’s competitive edge. Bulk Milk Cell Counts are a measure of milk quality and industry is keen to demonstrate to international customers that our cell count status ranks as one of the world’s best.

It is therefore an honour to have the opportunity to reward dairy farmers who are producing milk of very high quality.

This year the inaugural national Milk Quality Award, sponsored by the Weekly Times and Countdown Downunder, was held to identify the 5% of herds across Australia with the lowest Bulk Milk Cell Counts.

To be eligible for the award, suppliers had to have BMCC data for at least nine months of the year. Dairy companies submitted data for their suppliers to the Australian Dairy Herd Improvement Scheme for analysis.

Winners of the Weekly Times Countdown Downunder Milk Quality Award came from all states and companies. The names of the winning suppliers are posted on the Countdown Downunder website at www.countdown.org.au and all will receive a diamond-shaped metal plaque to hang on their farm gate.

Tassie currently holds “the ashes” for the best performing state – it has the highest proportion of winners compared to other dairying regions.

Was this a one-off result or are Tassie farmers generally better managers? The challenge is set and may be countered when the award is run again next year.

And the winner is…. the Australian dairy industry.

Image and caption

Milk quality award plaque

Countdown Downunder Farm Guideline or Technote
Farm Guidelines page 2 – the two national goals

Keywords
BMCC, milk quality, award

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