Completed Project Report


Systematic identification and education to reduce Preliminary Incubation Counts on-farm

  • Award Amount: $32,200
  • Regional Center: Northeast Extension Risk Management Education Center
  • Grant Program: 2008 Small and Limited-Resource Producer
  • Project Director:
  • Email: ssc10@psu.edu
  • Organization: Penn State Cooperative Extension

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Project Overview

Preliminary Incubation Count (PIC) was recently instituted by several milk plants as an additional test to assess milk quality. Because the test was new, many milk inspectors and producers lacked the skills to troubleshoot and remedy cause(s). Non-electric dairies, because of the unique nature of their milking and cleaning systems seem particularly prone to high PICs.

The purpose of this project was to develop and use a systematic risk assessment to identify and study primary causes of high PIC on 30 non-electric dairies selling milk to plants incorporating PIC into their payment programs. In addition, the purpose was to educate producers to reduce PICs and improve milk quality measures to capture a higher milk price. Education of milk plant sanitarians was also an important outcome. Thirty dairies participated and benefitted economically by participating in this program. An additional 129 producers and 45 advisors attended workshops to learn about study findings.

Number of Participants: 30

Outcomes

Project Steps

PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS

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EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS

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