(For more in-depth information, studies, & research visit Raw Milk Institute here)
Yes, we do a random testing of our raw milk in our on-site laboratory every 5 days. This is not required, but we do it anyway to produce the best product possible. Every batch is tested for:
In addition, we send out milk samples to be third party tested by a Texas Certified Laboratory periodically for:
In the milk world, CC is the abbreviation for Coliform and SPC for Standard Plate Count.
CT Ranch has chosen to voluntarily go beyond requirements for testing of raw milk. For licensed Grade A Raw Milk dairies, Texas Department of Agriculture requires milk testing only once per quarter.
We have chosen to test our raw milk, in our own on-site lab, multiple times per week. We do this extra testing for your peace of mind, the safety of your families and out of abundance of caution. Testing is tedious and expensive. It would be easier and cheaper to only test at the state required minimum.
To our knowledge, we are the only Texas dairy, raw or pasteurized, which tests in the final retail-ready container at this frequency. We are currently working with the team at The Raw Milk Institute to get our current food safety plan and operating procedures written down and will make these available here once finalized.
As members of RAWMI, we receive training, advice and learn from other raw milk farmers all across the country about improving raw milk safety methods and providing our members with the highest quality raw milk.
When it comes to your family’s safety, it’s not the government’s standards that we are trying to live up to… it’s yours.
Whether to pasteurize or not is truly a personal choice. You can learn more about raw milk at www.realmilk.com and www.rawmilkinstitute.org.