Quality Milk Production Services (QMPS) offers a Bulk Tank Monitoring Program.

Bulk milk analysis is a convenient and informative way to monitor herd health. A single bulk tank sample can provide a snapshot of current milk quality and animal health. Evaluation of multiple bulk milk samples collected over many months can be even more informative, providing an alert to the presence of new, recurrent and periodic herd infections.

What does the program cost?

A one-time fee of $250 ($350 for non-NYS farms) is paid per year which entitles you to six bulk tank samples during a 12-month period.

How do my samples get to the laboratory?

QMPS provides a convenient method of moving samples from the farm to the laboratory for testing. Samples are collected through the hauler or milk cooperative, eliminating the need for the producer to obtain and send the sample to our laboratory.

What information do I receive from my bulk tank?

Reports and an analysis of the results are sent to you, and anyone else you designate to receive this information. We will report to you the detection of Strep agalactiae, Staph aureus, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, E coli, T pyogenes, Serratia, Yeast and Mycoplasma, along with total levels of streps, staphs and coliforms. If you enrolled in DHI and have a herd code, that data may also be incorporated when possible. (There may be an additional charge for some data analysis programs).

What is the benefit to me?

The enrollment fee is less expensive than shipping six individual bulk tank samples. You only need to spend a short amount of time answering a few questions at the beginning of your enrollment and your bulk tanks are automatically collected and reported back to you. You then receive regular culture reports of the bulk tank with an analysis to help you better manage your milk quality and animal health.

Who else can receive reports?

You designate the recipients of your reports when you enroll in the program. They can be your herd or NYSCHAP veterinarian, milk inspector, herdsman or anyone else that you feel would be helpful to you by having this information.

How do I enroll?

To enroll, contact Chelsea Koelbl at 518-255-5681 or ccb82@cornell.edu.