Milk Vat Monitoring Systems

We’re always looking for the latest technology and tools that can help you on farm, and through The Co-operative Difference we’re committed to supporting you in producing high-quality milk.

To help make farming easier, as well as to improve our Co-op’s milk collection efficiency, we’ll be installing new milk vat monitoring systems over the next couple of years.

Whether you’re in the milking shed or out in the paddock, you’ll be able to monitor your vat’s milk volume, agitation and temperature on the go (with an internet capable device and internet access).

Visibility see your vat information anywhere, anytime (with an internet capable device and internet access)

Ease of access make more informed and quicker decisions around potential milk quality issues

Flexible and simple choose your preferred approved system provider

System support providers will manage the maintenance and provide ongoing support

Milk cooling support your local Farm Source team are available to help with technical advice, support, and guidance on cooling solutions available in store

Benefits to you

More precise visibility of volume and milking times

More efficient collections, and as a result, significant cost savings

Improvements in milk quality

Greater ability to manage low-quality milk

Benefits to our Co-op

This system will alert you to cooling challenges, enabling you to rectify the issue early and meet the Ministry for Primary Industries’ milk cooling standards. By avoiding grades, you will also be a step closer to achieving recognition under The Co-operative Difference.

This milk vat monitoring system will help our Co-op improve collection efficiency as we’ll have more precise information about volume and milking times. This will also save you time as you’ll no longer need to manually update your Milking Time Window.

Milk Vat Monitoring Systems

Connectivity Mobile coverage has previously been poor and other methods trialled were too expensive or not reliable. Coverage has since been expanded significantly, and the price for coverage extending technology has also come down.

Volume Accuracy Milk volume data is important to realise the efficiency benefits in transport and milk collection. Previously, the accuracy in the data wasn’t at a suitable level, or the technology was too expensive. Technology in Lidars, Radars, and Lasers has since improved providing for more precise milk volume data.

Over the past 10 years, we also ran other milk vat monitoring trials. The two key learnings from these trials were:

What is a milk vat monitoring system? The Base Model of a milk vat monitoring system can provide you with information on milk volume, temperature and agitation.

Makes it easy with cupping on and cooling. Definitely would

recommend this system to other farmers.

Peter Hancox

We ran a pilot earlier in the year, here’s what some of the farmers on the pilot had to say:

I have been farming for 34 years and this makes life easier for

both workers and relief milkers. Especially the notifications when the vat chiller has been left off.

Adam Wainman

Really good system, good for watching temperatures. The data is very easy to see. I’m

not a computer buff but easy enough to access.

Good alarm systems for temperature, alerts.

A lot of learnings in it.

Geoff Stevenson

Milk Vat Monitoring System sensors are attached to the vat to measure the milk volume, if the agitator is on or off, the incoming temperature of milk, as well as the in-vat temperature of the milk.

Access your key information and data through a simple online dashboard via your mobile device or computer. You’ll receive texts and or email alerts to notify you of any unexpected issues with the milk in the vat, enabling you to make decisions more quickly.

The data collected by the sensors is recorded and stored by your system provider online to give you reliable and timely information about your milk and vat.

Loved it. I got the text alerts to say milk was too cold

and when the chiller wasn’t turned on. Easy install with

good communications - hardly noticed them on farm

installing. Technology and website are easy to use with

good visuals.Stuart Vanderweg

BASE MODEL

• Meets our Co-op’s needs• No extra cost

Monitors

• Temperature• Milk Volume• Agitator on/off

Alerts• Text notifications• Email notifications

• Web/Mobile access to data (App Dashboard)

Increased Service and Support

ADDITIONAL DAIRY MONITORING AND CONTROL SYSTEMS

System providers also offer additional dairy farm monitoring systems that can be added to the milk vat monitoring system, such as some listed below

Fuel, effluent, water, soil moisture, refrigeration controls and electric fence monitoring and much more

BASE MODEL PLUS EXTRAS

• Base Model features plus additional features such as listed below

• Additional monthly subscription cost for upgraded system

• On-going training and support• More alert options• Multi farm views• Additional reporting• Additional vat monitors• Additional user access

Please refer to Farm Source website for more details on the available systems and providers in your region.

You can make your selection any time before your region’s scheduled last date for selection, after which a Base Model system will be selected on your behalf. You can find the last date for selecting your preferred provider for your farm’s region on the Farm Source website. Once installed, this will provide you with milk volume, agitation and temperature data.

To find out more information on the available providers and their systems, visit the Farm Source website and or contact our Service Centre on 0800 65 65 68.

Your OptionsWe’ve partnered with a few different system providers, which may differ depending on your region.

You can choose the type of monitoring system that best suits your farm. Your Co-op will cover the install and monthly subscription up to the value of the Base Model system. You can upgrade the Base Model to the Base Model plus extras and or add additional dairy monitoring and control systems and pay for the additional cost.

Below is an example of the choices available, noting that the exact specifications will vary by region and by provider.

What next?

We’re installing this technology region by region over the next two years. Your Farm Source team will provide information about these providers and systems available closer to the time of the rollout for your region.

Below is approximately when installations will begin in each region:

Canterbury, Tasman &

Marlborough

Otago Southland

Northland Waikato Bay of PlentyCentral

DistrictsTaranaki

Oct 2019 Feb 2020 Mar 2020 May 2020 Sep 2020 Feb 2021 Apr 2021

Base ModelBase Model plus extras

Additional dairy monitoring and control systems

Ready to useInstallation and training

Let Fonterra know your preferred

choice

Choose your preferred

system and provider

Choose your preferred

system and provider

How to select your preferred system

Base Model If your preference is the Base Model, simply login to Farm Source and complete the online form or call our Service Centre team on 0800 65 65 68 to let them know. Your preferred provider will then be in touch to arrange a convenient time to install the model.

Based Model plus extrasYou’ll need to complete the online form to let us know your preferred system, as well as your Farm Source Account details. As any additional costs associated with the ‘Base Model plus extras’ will be charged to your Farm Source account.

Once you’ve decided on your preferred system you can let us know via the following options.

12345

Installation and TrainingIf you’re within the installation period for your region, the system provider will contact you within two weeks of you completing the online form. Here’s what will happen next.

1. They’ll re-confirm your selection

• If you’ve changed your mind and would like to select a different model, the provider can update your preferences to send to the Farm Source Team.

• Fonterra has negotiated agreements with each of the approved providers. However, some providers may ask you to agree to additional terms and conditions, please read and understand these before accepting.

2. The system provider will install your preferred system

• The system provider will work with you to agree on an installation and training date for your and any on-farm staff.

• Ideally, you’ll need to be there for the system training. Please allow around 1 hour.

• The installers will walk you through the training on how to use and monitor your new system.

Let Fonterra know your preferred

choice

Installation and training

Milking Time Windows The original purpose of Milking Time Windows was to help ensure you don’t have a tanker arrive while milking. This will continue to be the case.

The new milk vat monitoring system will provide more precise information for each farm relating to milking times and volume available for collection. This means:

• You’ll no longer have to manually update Milking Time Windows as your production changes throughout the season;

• Your milk vat monitoring system will enable us to calculate a monthly milking time rolling average to which we’ll add a buffer;

• Your tanker ETA will still be available via the On-Farm app; and,

• You can continue to go to Farm Source online or call the Service Centre to let us know about any significant cycle changes or special non-collection days. For example, changing to once a day milking, 16-hour milking or stop and start collection.

One month after the system is installed on-farm, the new Milking Time Windows will be in effect as described above.

You’re ready to go!With your system installed, you’re ready to go. If you’re already meeting the Ministry for Primary Industries’ milk cooling regulations and our milk quality standards today, then this new technology shouldn’t change any of your day-to-day practices. If anything, it will help give you peace of mind, as the system will provide you with early warnings, enabling you to address any problems quickly and effectively.

There will be some changes to the way we test your milk quality and collect your milk as outlined on the next pages.

Information in the palm of your hand

Ability to make decisions more quickly

More accurate collections and time saved with automated

Milking Time Windows

Ready to use

Milk Quality Testing From September 2021, we’ll use the Milk Quality Indicator (MQI) to inform testing, enabling our Co-op to better manage low-quality milk.

You will begin to see the MQI on your system provider’s app after the system has been installed. The MQI will help you spot and address any issues with your system that may be impacting the quality of your milk. The MQI will inform our milk quality testing but the results will be for your information only until September 2021.

The MQI is an estimate of the bacterial level in the vat based on the milking time and temperature data. Other important information is:

• We’ll use an algorithm to calculate the Indicator using the volume, agitation and temperature profile. This Indicator is an estimate, not the actual data. The algorithm has been developed using real NZ milk data, so while it’s only an estimate, it will be an accurate estimate.

• The subsequent Bactoscan tests will be advisory only from the time your system is installed until September 2021. We’ll use this information to support our discussions with you to improve your milk vat system(s) and milk quality where necessary.

• During this time, we’ll also work with the system providers to calibrate the systems and minmise any discrepancies.

•

Milk Quality Alerts As we roll out the new technology, we’ll adjust the way we refer to milk cooling alerts. These alerts will range from low through to critical. The table below outlines the alert type, what it will trigger, as well as things to look out for to fix the issue going forward.

*Advisory tests will not incur demerits.

*Three Bactoscan tests per month will still occur in accordance with Terms of Supply.

*The above actions are suggestions only.

*Milk Vat Monitoring system is not an indicator/monitor for all contamination incidents (hygiene practices may still grade for Bactoscan).

Milk Cooling alerts appears on your provider’s app

ActionsBefore 1 September 2021

After 1 September 2021

No milk cooling riskNo milk cooling risk detected. Everything’s working as it should be.

Milk cooling alert low • Check the temperature of your milk

entering the vat. • Ensure the chiller and agitator are on and

working correctly.• Higher risk milk is likely to grade if sent

to Fonterra.

Refer to our Milk Cooling Factsheet for more information on possible causes and solutions (available online or contact our Service Centre on 0800 65 65 68 for a copy)

Milk Cooling alert medium

Advisory Bactoscan test. Bactoscan Test.

Milk Cooling alert high

Advisory Bactoscan test. Bactoscan Test.

Milk Cooling alert critical

You have had a significant refrigeration issue and should contact your refrigeration engineer if not already done so.

Your milk will likely grade if sent to Fonterra. This is likely to be equivalent to a R Bactoscan result.

We recommended that you don’t send this milk and dispose of it.

Advisory Bactoscan test.We recommend making alternative arrangements for this milk.

This milk will not be collected.

You will need to make alternative arrangements for the milk before next milking.

Milk Quality Indicator What to look out for on farmAlert sent to Fonterra to testing milk

collection sample

How much is this going to cost me?

The system provider’s costs for the Base Model will be covered by the Co-op, but if you would like any additional features or extras over and above the Base Model, you’ll need to pay for these. If you choose a Base Model plus extras, you’ll need to sign a separate contract with the system provider for those added features and pay any additional cost over and above the cost of the Base Model.

How much is this going to save our Co-op?

The savings achieved through this initiative will fully cover the cost of the technology once all regions have been installed.In addition to the benefits on farm such as alerts to help you avoid lost milk, grades and demerits, our Co-op will benefit from on-going collection efficiencies.

By knowing the precise volume available and the milking times, we’ll be able to improve the accuracy of collection routing. Over time, through natural attrition, we’ll also be able to reduce the tanker fleet. In addition, our Co-op will benefit from improved milk quality and a greater ability to make products that meet our customers specifications.

What milk vat monitoring technology providers and systems will be available?

We’ve now confirmed three providers who will be available nationwide, and we’re currently working to finalise arrangements with several additional providers. We’ll share the most up to date information with you ahead of your region’s installation period. Note that not every system provider will be available in every region, but we’re planning to have at least two options for each region. Find more information on the latest available providers on nzfarmsource.co.nz.

What if I already have a monitoring system on my vat?

If you already have a milk vat monitoring system by TagIt (HALO), Levno or DTS (Tru-Test), your provider would have contacted you to discuss what, if any, upgrades may be needed and when this will happen.

If you have a system by another provider (e.g. Coolsense, My Farmer World or JK JBrooks), we’re working with them to understand whether their solutions will be compatible. If the system is not compatible, we’ll be in touch with you to let you know next steps.

What if my farm has connectivity issues?

We’ll check a farm’s connectivity before installation. The system providers all have systems to help with connectivity, such as connectivity boosting antennas and signal repeaters etc. They’ll work with you to find the best system for your farm. Any cost of improving the connectivity will be covered by the agreement between the system provider and your Co-op.

What if I want a milk vat monitoring system sooner than my region is scheduled for installation? Or I have multiple farms and want a system added to all vats at the same time?

Please contact your Area Manager and let them know this is your preference and we’ll work with you to try and accommodate your request.

When will this milk vat monitoring system be installed by?

To realise the efficiencies and cost savings, our goal is to have milk vat monitoring systems installed on all supplying farms by the end of July 2021. You’ll be asked to choose a Base Model as early as possible when we come to rolling out in your region.

Who will pay for the on-going maintenance of the system?

Servicing and on-going maintenance will be covered by the system provider. However, if the system is significantly damaged, our Co-op may recover damage costs on behalf of the provider. You may need to review your insurance policy to ensure this is covered.

Who owns the data?

The milk vat monitoring data belongs to you. It will be collected by your chosen system provider. We’ve been careful to ensure that, for the Base Model, this data can only be used by the system provider to provide the milk vat monitoring services to you. This data will also enable the provider to develop new products and services for farmers related to on- farm monitoring. Any further use of your data by the system provider will require your express consent.

Frequently Asked Questions

What data will Fonterra get?

The Co-op will have limited access to data. We’ll receive the volume and milking time information as well as a Milk Quality Indicator (farms will also receive this).

This Indicator is an estimate, not the actual data. It will support our discussions with you to improve milk vat systems and milk quality where necessary. Fonterra is permitted to use the data as outlined in section 4.3 of the Terms of Supply. Any changes would be reflected in future Terms of Supply.

What research has been done to support this initiative?

We undertook a pilot programme with approximately 80 farms in the Waikato and Canterbury for three months in 2019. The data and farmer feedback received has been used to help validate our assumptions about the benefits that could be realised. More information about the pilot programme can be found on the Farm Source website.

Are the Terms of Supply or MPI’s milk cooling requirements changing?

No, the Terms of Supply and the Ministry for Primary Industries milk cooling requirements remain the same as outlined in the Terms of Supply in section 8.1. For more information, also see the Farmer Handbook.

Will you use the Milk Quality Indicator to determine grades/demerits?

No. Grades/demerits will only be determined after testing through an MPI accredited laboratory – as they are today. From the time of installation until September 2021, this Indicator will be for advisory purposes. Essentially, it’s information to help you make any necessary system changes.

Starting September 2021, this Indicator will help inform testing, but the grade/demerits will only be applied based on the testing – as it is today.

Will you use the temperature data on the vat to decide milk cooling grades/demerits?

No. The temperature on the tanker at time of collection will continue to inform milk cooling grades/demerits.

How can the Co-op support me if I need to improve my milk cooling?

Smart Finance is available through Farm Source until 31 March 2020 to support you to meet your milk cooling requirements (this may be extended).

You can contact an approved vendor (Snapchill, Varicool or Tru-Test Milk Cooling) to discuss a solution and get a

quote which will include a Farm Source discount. For more information contact 0800 731 266.

Is this going to help reduce late off-farms or partial collections close to a manufacturing site?

Yes, late off-farms and partial collections will be reduced because we’ll have more precise milking times and volume information.

Will I get paid based on the data on the tanker or on the milk vat monitoring system?

Payment will continue to be made based on the tanker collection readings.

Don’t you already have this information?

We only get this information at time of collection. We currently have no information between milking and collection which is where quality can be affected.

Can I use my Farm Source Reward Dollars to upgrade my service?

No, you are unable to use Farm Source Reward Dollars to upgrade your Base Model system service.

My vat needs replacing or changing – is that possible?

Please contact the Service Centre on 0800 65 65 68 and ask to speak to your On-Farm Vat Assets team. If it does require replacement, we’ll aim to get this completed before this new technology is installed to save additional callout costs in the future.

For more information contact our Service Centre 0800 65 65 68