Dairy Sheep Symposium - the Department of Animal Sciences ...

Monthly Quality Tests
A licensed sampler must collect a representative sample of a producer’s milk every month on
a random basis. This sample is analyzed for SCC, SPC and antibiotics. Any 2 out 4 months of
violative samples for SPC and SCC will generate a warning letter to the producer. If the violations
continue to 3 out of 5 months, the grade A permit is suspended.
Any positive result for antibiotics requires that the plant reject all shipments of milk until the
milk is found clear of antibiotics. The producer must than complete a drug residue prevention
protocol within 21 days for grade A producers and 45 days for grade B producers or suffer permit
suspension and/or license revocation.
Immediate Response
The immediate response level for sheep milk is 1,000,000 SPC per ml, 1,500,000 SCC per
ml. If the immediate response levels are reached by a producer, the plant has 14 days to obtain a
sample of less than 1,000,000 SPC per ml. or 1,500,000 SCC. If this cannot be accomplished, the
plant must reject all future shipments of milk. Any positive drug residue requires that the plant
reject milk shipments immediately.
SHEEP
SHEEP MILK PRODUCER GUIDELINES
These guidelines generally follow the items listed on the DATCP Dairy Producer Farm
Inspection form FD-11 (Rev. 9/97)
1. Abnormal Milk
(a) Milk which is ropy, stringy, clotted, thick or abnormal in any way. It includes milk
containing pesticides, insecticides or medicinal agents. Regular equipment may be used
but not until all other animals are milked.
(b) Abnormal milk must not be squirted on the floor, on the platform or in the producer’s
hand.
(c) Milking equipment used for handling abnormal milk must be washed and sanitized
after such use. Producer should also wash his hands after handling such equipment and
handling the teats and udders of animals producing abnormal milk.
MILKING PARLOR/AREA
2. Construction
(a) Floors shall be constructed of concrete or equally impervious material. Ramps and
platforms used to elevate the sheep for milking must be constructed of an impervious
material such as steel (wooden platforms and ramps are not allowed). Rubber cow mats
may be used as long as they are not placed over a wooden platform.
(b) Walls and ceilings must be reasonably smooth and be painted or whitewashed or have
other acceptable finish; shall be kept in good repair and surfaces shall be refinished
whenever wear or discoloration is evident. Ceilings must be dust tight. Hay or straw
chutes must have dust-tight doors which must be kept closed during milking.