Product Quality

Find comprehensive resources and advice on dairy production, milk quality, processing, and standards. Learn the best milking practices, cow milk assessment, as well as dairy health and nutrition facts. Make the most out of this dairy producers’ knowledge hub on increasing cows’ milk production.

Dairy Production

A major factor in the volatility of the dairy industry is the fact that the quantity and quality of milk produced over time cannot be guaranteed. Advice on best milking practices and frequency can help dairy farmers improve the quality of their products and increase profit. Learn how to best monitor and control factors such as cow health, nutrition, and milking procedures.

Cows must be in excellent health to provide high-quality milk, and Penn State Extension provides comprehensive resources on the topic of dairy herd health. An efficient level of milk production will ensure that your dairy cattle are comfortable and promote udder health. At the same time, cows with healthy udders generally produce the desired volume of high-quality milk. Indicators such as high somatic cell counts (SCC) or high total bacteria count (TBC) simultaneously affect cattle health and milk quality standards. For additional information, look up our Dairy Cow Health and Diseases resources section.

High-quality milk comes from managing health and nutrition in your herd. Find resources on feed management, fat supplementation, and more. We also encourage you to explore the Dairy Cow Nutrition and Feeding resources for a deep-dive into nutritional and feeding factors that can impact your milk production strategy.

Milk Quality, Pasteurization, and Raw Milk

Whether you are using a pasteurization process, supply your milk to a third-party processor, or sell raw milk, you can get up-to-date advice on all the processes involved in preserving milk’s freshness, flavor, and quality.

Milk component levels are important factors in herd management – not only are they indicators of cow health and nutrition, but they can also directly impact dairy farm income. Browse our resources for more information on milk components and strategies to improve component production.

A solid understanding of the pasteurization process and milk sanitation requirements is necessary for the production of both saleable and waste milk. Operators can learn the steps of pasteurization as well as sterilization measures for associated equipment.

Dairy Standards and Regulation

For successful dairy farm management, you can access Penn State Extension resources on dairy product standards and regulations. Information on Grade "A" pasteurized Milk Ordinance, Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) compliance, and USDA Dairy Product Grades and Standards is available and regularly updated.