Milking Systems and Milk Quality

Introduction

The demand for milk and milk products is increasing rapidly, especially in developing countries. At the same time consumers, the dairy industry and authorities are setting higher standards for raw milk quality. Many dairy farmers have difficulty producing sufficiently high quality milk at competitive prices to earn a (good) living from the farm. Farmers and their advisors need to know how to develop/operate the milking, feeding and housing systems on their farm to ensure the production of good quality milk. This course will provide participants with the knowledge, skills and insight to select, give advice on, and implement best farming practices for profitably producing quality milk.

For whom it is intended

• Private dairy farmers, dairy farm managers or advisors


• Dairy farm advisors employed by dairy industries, milk procurement officers


• Extension officers, trainers and lecturers in dairy farming and milk processing

Your final destination

At the end of the course, participants will have developed the knowledge, skills and insight to enable them to select, give advice on, and implement best milking related practices for the production of high quality milk.

Content of training/course

Quality of milk; selection of milking systems; construction, operation and maintenance of milking equipment; milking techniques and the storage of milk; effects of housing systems, feed quality and hygiene on the quality of milk; analysis of critical control points and developing/utilising a milk quality control system on the farm.

Method
The training is based on the concept of 'learning by doing', providing for the exchange of experience, theory and practice on improved working methods, experimentation, excursions, analysis, formulation of advice and assignments. The assignments are focused on planning improvements in the work situation of each participant. During practical lessons the group size is kept small with a maximum of four to eight participants. PTC+ has experienced dairy farm management trainers and specialists.
This training is executed at our training centre in Oenkerk (Friesland). We use our own commercially operated training farms and model laboratories for analysing raw milk as training tools during the course.

Duration of study, minimum number of participants and prices

The total course fees for the course Milking Systems and Milk Quality are € 1,205.-.
Fees exclude international travel expenses and out of pocket expenses.

Accomodation is available at PTC+. Our on-site hostel offers single rooms with kitchen facilities and a meal allowance of € 11.50/day. Total costs for accomodation € 721.-

For this training programme, a full fellowship can be applied for from the Netherlands Fellowship Programmes for professionals from 57 countries (see www.nuffic.nl for details). The number of fellowships is limited.

Date, location and route description

From 29 October - 9 November 2012.

Download route description:
Oenkerk

Would you like to learn more about this training/course?

Are you interested? Or would you like to have further information. Write to:

PTC+ International Office
P.O. Box 64
3770 AB BARNEVELD
the Netherlands

T +31 (0)342 406950
F +31 (0)342 406969
E internationaloffice@ptcplus.com