Opinion survey of Wisconsin dairy professionals about milk quality
2004
Rodrigues, Ana C.O. | Ruegg, Pamela L.
Wisconsin dairy professionals (n = 165) were surveyed during late 200 I, using a mailed questionnaire. The survey was composed of questions regarding personal work characteristics, impression of a team-based milk quality improvement program (Milk Money) and opinions about milk quality issues. The response rate was high (78.8%), and respondents comprised veterinarians (n = 42), extension agents (n = 35),dairy plant field representatives (n = 21), vocational agricultural instructors (n = 17) and others (n = 15). Responders were experienced and worked with herds that were representative of Wisconsin dairies. Most (66.7%) dairy plant field representatives spent more than 50% of their professional time working on milk quality issues, whereas the majority of other responders spent < 10% of their professional time working with this issue. Most responders (88.3%) agreed that working with other consultants is an effective way to improve milk quality. Common barriers to improvement of milk quality on farm were the existence of too many other problems (54.6%) and few incentives for production of high quality milk (47.7%). Additional on-farm training programs (23.9%) and "more time" (21.5%) were cited as resources needed for implementation of farm-based milk quality programs. All responders agreed that bulk milk somatic cell counts (BMSCC) and milk quality premiums were important for dairy farm profitability. Most (78.5%) responders agreed that the current U.S. BMSCC regulatory limit was too high. Responder groups differed in their opinions regarding critical issues for improvement in milk quality and the willingness of farmers to pay for specific milk quality services.
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