TANQUE SÉPTICO

O.Ondrašovičová, M. Vargová, M. Ondrašovič and J. Kottferová

University of Veterinary Medicine in Košice, Slovak Republic

Introdcution

The quality of milk and milk products is determined by the quality of the basic material, i.e. the quality of the raw milk. Harmlessness and quality of milk and milk products can be achieved only by observation of rules of correct production practice during the treatment of milk in the dairy. The inevitable preconditions of achieving the required conditions during obtaining milk on farms is manipulation with milk during the distribution, treatment and final adjustment to the respective milk products.

One of the effective ways of the control of cleaning of dairy equipment and working surfaces is the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points system. In order to create such a system, samples were taken from milk parlours focusing on different parts of the milking equipment. The overall level of hygiene on three evaluated farms was compared.

Methodology

Evaluations were carried out on three farms with different orientation: a farm with organic dairy cows, a dairy farm in conversion and a conventional dairy farm.

Organic farm

The organic farm was situated in a protected mountainous area. The farm specialised in Slovak pinzgau breed, suitable for the mountains conditions. The number of dairy cows on the farm was 162. System of housing was based on cubicles with dimensions of 2.4 x 1.2 m and with bedding and permanent access to pasture. Milking was carried out in an Alfa Laval milking parlour two times per day. Milk production per lactation was 4,000 litres. Composition of milk was as follows: fat content of 3.8 % and protein content of 3.4 %. All milk produced was processed in own processing plant on the farm.

Farm in conversion

The farm in conversion was situated in a north-east protected area. The number of dairy cows was 100. The farm worked 690 ha of agricultural soil, 152 ha of arable soil, and 520 ha of pasture. The reared breed was the Slovak spotted breed. System of housing was based on deep litter, with access to range. Milking was carried out in an Alfa Laval 2 x 8 milking parlour. Quality of milk was class Q. Milk production was 3,500 litres per lactation and feeding was based on organic rations.

Conventional farm

The conventional farm was situated in a lowland area. The number of dairy cows of Holstein breed was 400. System of housing was based on resting cubicles of dimensions 2.1 x 1.2 m. All animals had permanent access to range. Dairy cows were divided into groups according to the reproductive cycle. Milking was carried out in a fully computerised BOUMATIC milking parlour. Production of milk per lactation was 7,300 litres, with a fat content of 3.9%.

Enhancing animal health security and food safety in organic livestock production Results

Swabs for bacteriological examination were taken from the following critical points of the milking system: distributor, filter and collecting tank. These parts appeared very important, as they indicated the effectiveness of cleaning and disinfection measures.

The results of the microbiological examination of swabs of the mentioned parts of examined milking equipment (CFU/10 cm-2) in BOUMATIC and ALFA LAVAL milk parlours are summarised in Table 1. The microbial plate counts determined on the respective surfaces reflect the effect of application of disinfectants in relation to total number of micro-organisms Microbial contamination of the mammary gland is affected by its treatment with disinfectants after milking, the errors in sanitation of the milking equipment and, particularly, by selection of suitable concentration of the respective solutions, solution temperature and time of exposure.

Table 1: The hygiene level in primary milk production: microbiological evaluation of the swabs taken from different parts of the milking equipment (cfu/10cm2).

Serious problems may arise when acidic disinfectant solutions are not alternated with alkaline ones. It is necessary to consider that the sanitation measures are not effective against all micro-organisms present on surfaces.

The differences between morning and evening milking were minimal in our study. Cleaning and disinfection in the primary milk production in the BOUMATIC milk parlour was automatic by application of acidic and alkaline disinfectants. Cleaning of the milking systems was ensured by preparations with detergent properties.

Number of micro-organisms (CFU/10cm2 )

DISTRIBUTOR FILTER COLLECT. TANK

SAMPLES BACTERIA _{morning evening mornin}

g evening morning evening

CONVENTIONAL FARM BOU-MATIC (Alkaline and acidic solutions – guardian system)

TBC 3 - 2 - 1 4 I. E.Coli - - - - TBC - - - II. E.Coli - - - - TBC 11 2 - - - - III. E.Coli - - - -

FARM IN CONVERSION ALFA LAVAL (CL2 DISINFECTANTS)

TBC 12 2 23 14 7 14 I. E.Coli 2 - 3 7 2 1 TBC - - 3 5 4 - II. E.Coli - - - - TBC - - 1 - 3 5 III. E.Coli - - - - ORGANIC FARM

According to information obtained from farmers the quality of the sanitation complied with the level required by regulations.

The farm in conversion used the Alfa Laval system. Cleaning and disinfection of the milking equipment was ensured with disinfectants based on active chlorine.

Different sanitation regime was applied on the organic farm. According to the regulations, only potable water heated to 85oC, 0.5 % solution of nitric acid and 0.5 % solution of sodium hydroxide may be used.

The microbiological control of disinfection in the primary milk production is one of the most important parts of the control of application of correct disinfectants and a suitable way of sanitation. Table 2 shows that, despite very good results obtained by taking microbiological swabs after sanitation, parallel application of a ATP bioluminiscence method (Merck HY-LITE SYSTEM) pointed to the presence of residual organic matter. The ATP method is considered a more sensitive measure of the cleaning effect than the conventional microbiological method, as it indicates the hidden potential of soiling for microbial growth overlooked by microbial swabs.

Table 2: Comparison of the results from primary milk production.

Welfare of animals is affected also by the hygiene level of their environment. Table 3 indicates high level of care about the animals from all aspects, that are important not only for animal welfare but also for animal health and quality of animal products.

Table 3: comparison of environmental hygiene levels in the evaluated farms. BEFORE

SANITATION AFTER SANITATION SAMPLES RLU TBC RLU TBC TEAT HOLDERS 38 000 800 85 0 DISTRIBUTOR 49 000 2010 120 0 TANK 95 000 23 000 180 0 FARM

CRITERIA _{ORGANIC IN CONVERSION CONVENTION}

ANIMAL HOUSES HIGHLY _SATISFACTORY SATISFACTORY SATISFACTORY

YARDS AND ACCESS PATHS HIGHLY _SATISFACTORY SATISFACTORY HIGHLY _SATISFACTORY

MILKING FACILITIES HIGHLY _SATISFACTORY SATISFACTORY HIGHLY _SATISFACTORY

Enhancing animal health security and food safety in organic livestock production Conclusions

Complex sanitation in animal production is a basic prerequisite of good quality and safety of products. Evaluation of sanitation procedures should consider the method used and its impact on reliability of results. Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point System is designed to increase safety of milk production and processing by monitoring and controlling processing steps that affect biological, chemical or physical hazards associated with production.