Milk Processing: Farm to Table, It’s Quite a Journey

In 2023, the average American consumed 128 pounds of fluid milk annually. Despite its popularity, most of milk’s farm-to-table journey remains a mystery. There are a lot of misconceptions about modern agriculture, and many of them revolve around milk processing.

An Introduction to Milk Processing

Every part of the milk processing journey is designed to ensure quality, safety, and freshness before it gets to the refrigerator shelves at your local supermarket. 

Every stage—from dairy farms to processing plants—contributes to delivering a product that meets the highest standards. 

In this article, I’ll offer an overview of these stages, helping you understand where your milk comes from and how it’s processed.

Before we get into the steps of milk processing, let’s first talk about five fundamental practices: fortification, pasteurization, homogenization, antibiotic and quality testing, and SCC testing.

Fortification

Milk is nutrient-rich to begin with, but fortifying with vitamins A and D bolsters its health benefits. 

In the United States, this fortification process was introduced to address nutritional deficiencies in the general population—vitamin D was added in the 1930s, and vitamin A followed in the 1940s.

Fortification occurs throughout the processing phase, using exact measurements to ensure consistency throughout the milk supply.

Pasteurization

Pasteurization is a cornerstone of milk processing. This heat treatment eliminates harmful bacteria, such as Salmonella and E. coli, that could otherwise cause serious physical harm. 

Louis Pasteur discovered milk pasteurization in the 19th century. When milk is pasteurized, it’s heated to a specific temperature for a set time. In doing so, it effectively destroys pathogens without sacrificing the milk’s natural flavor. 

With traditional pasteurization, milk is heated to 161º F for a minimum of 15 seconds, and ultra-high temperature pasteurization heats the milk to 280º Fahrenheit for at least one to two seconds. 

Pasteurization also extends the shelf life of milk—this is what makes it possible for dairy farmers to reach consumers nationwide without compromising quality.

Homogenization

Homogenization creates that uniform texture you expect. This process breaks down fat molecules into smaller particles so they are evenly dispersed throughout the liquid. 

Without homogenization, milk would naturally separate, with cream rising to the top—a characteristic of raw milk. 

Antibiotic and Quality Testing

Antibiotics are strictly regulated in the dairy industry, and milk from cows treated with antibiotics isn’t included in the supply.

Milk is tested at farms and processing plants to confirm the absence of contaminants. 

It’s also tested for a number of quality metrics, including:

• Taste

• Texture

• Nutritional content

  
  

Somatic Cell Count

Somatic cell count (SCC) is a metric that indicates milk quality and cow health. 

High SCC levels can point to infections like mastitis in dairy cows. Keeping a close eye on SCC is a routine practice on dairy farms—lower counts reflect better animal care and milk quality. 

Some somatic cell counts are normal, and found in milk from any species.  You cannot have an SCC of zero. 

Milk Processing: Step by Step

1. Collecting Milk from Cows

   
   

Dairy cows are usually milked at least every 12 hours. This regimen keeps them comfortable and healthy while increasing their milk supply. Modern milking machines simulate the suckling behavior of calves. 

The cow’s udders and equipment are thoroughly cleansed before each milking session. Milking on a regular basis also helps to prevent conditions like mastitis, which can have an impact on both cow health and milk quality.

2. Milk is Picked Up From Farms

   
   

Milk from dairy farms is typically picked up every 24 to 48 hours, although milk from larger farms is often picked up several times a day.

Insulated tanker trucks equipped with refrigeration systems keep the milk below 40°F as it travels to the processing plant.

Before unloading, each tanker load is sampled and tested for contaminants. This process keeps the milk supply safe and fresh during its voyage.

3. Milk is Taken to the Processing Plant

   
   

The journey resumes—raw milk now undergoes several stages at the processing plant to prepare it for sale. 

After initial testing, the milk is standardized, and the fat level is changed to produce whole, low-fat, and skim milk products. This is also when milk can be used to make other dairy products such as yogurt and cheese.

It’s worth noting that while fat content varies across different types of cow’s milk, it all contains the same 13 essential nutrients, and its protein content remains consistent. 

Pasteurization, homogenization, and fortification follow. 

4. Milk Makes its Way to Grocery Store Shelves

   
   

Finally, milk is packaged and distributed to grocery stores. This is the last step of the milk processing journey.

What Role Do Dairy Farmers Play in Milk Production?

From farm to processing plant to grocery store, milk’s journey is a testament to the hard work of countless individuals. The dairy industry’s dedication to quality and safety ensures consumers can trust the products they purchase. 

There are over 36,000 dairy farm businesses in the U.S. (as of 2024), and the collaboration between farmers, transporters, and processors makes milk’s farm-to-table journey possible.

Looking for more modern dairy farm facts? You’ll find several in this article.

It won’t be a surprise to hear that dairy farmers play a starring role in milk processing. Their practices directly influence the quality of the milk supply.

Every decision a dairy farmer makes impacts the final product, whether it’s about maintaining hygienic milking equipment or providing balanced diets for cows. 

Dairy farmers are uniquely dedicated to ensuring milk processing starts with a high-quality raw ingredient.

Milk processing may be complex, but it’s a carefully orchestrated process designed to meet consumer expectations while upholding high standards. 

Connect with me on Instagram and learn about my dairy farm talks here.