Factors influencing bacterial transfer into bulk tank milk on Irish dairy farms.

摘要

The manufacture of premium value added dairy products such as infant milk formula necessitates the supply of raw milk with minimal bacterial contamination. Thus, the expansion of this lucrative market in Ireland is reliant on the sustainable supply of high quality milk. The overall objective of this thesis was to evaluate the farm management factors that influence bulk tank milk quality. The chapters within this thesis examined current trends in milk quality, factors that influence the presence of potential food-borne pathogens in milk and the effect of extended storage on farm on the microbial and composition quality of bulk tank milk.