Milk grader certifications
Learn about milk graders and how you can become a certified bulk tank milk grader or plant milk grader.
Overview
Certified milk graders help to maintain the standard which has made Ontario milk and dairy products among the best in the world.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA) requires all raw milk in Ontario to be graded prior to:
- transfer to a tank-truck
- receipt at a processing plant
All raw milk must be graded by both bulk tank milk graders and plant milk graders prior to receipt at a processing plant.
This summary is for information only. Learn more about the specific details set out in the Milk Act and section 51 of Regulation 761: Milk and Milk Products.
Bulk tank milk grader responsibilities
Certified bulk tank milk graders (BTMG) are responsible for the grading, sampling, measuring and transportation of an acceptable raw milk product to Ontario processing plants.
A BTMG:
- determines the volume and temperature of milk in farm bulk tanks
- grades the milk by sight and smell
- determines if the milk is acceptable and if not, it is rejected
- collects a representative sample from the bulk tank
- is responsible for transferring the milk from the farm bulk tank to the tank truck if the milk is acceptable
- is responsible for delivery to processors
A BTMG must reject milk that:
- is not clean
- has an objectionable flavour or odour
- shows evidence of being watery, flaky, stringy, bloody, thick or adulterated
- shows evidence of melted or churned fat floating on the surface of the milk
- contains any foreign substance
- has a temperature higher than 10°C (only applies to cow milk)
A BTMG must also reject milk if they are unable to:
- carry out an adequate visual inspection of the milk
- properly assess the flavour or odour of the milk
A BTMG is also responsible for regulatory milk sample delivery to designated sample depots.
Bulk tank milk grader certification
Cow milk
To become a certified bulk milk tank grader (BTMG) for cow milk, you must pass an OMAFA-approved certification process. The Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) administers this certification.
The certificate is valid for 5 years. If you become a BTMG, you must complete a refresher course before renewing your certificate every five years.
To renew your certificate, you must complete a refresher course prior to your certificate expiring.
Goat milk
To become a certified bulk tank milk grader (BTMG) for goat milk, you must become an apprentice first.
Apprentice bulk milk tank grader
To become an apprentice BTMG for goat milk, you need to:
- Submit a completed Application for an Apprentice Goat Bulk Tank Milk Grader Certificate form to OMAFA.
- Complete an apprentice BTMG performance evaluation, which is conducted by an OMAFA food safety inspector.
- Register for the next available BTMG course with Dairy Farmers of Ontario.
Once you have successfully completed the steps, the OMAFA director under the Milk Act will issue you an Apprentice Goat Bulk Tank Milk Grader Certificate, which allows you to perform the duties of an apprentice BTMG.
Certified bulk milk tank grader
To become a certified BTMG for goat milk, you must:
- Complete the Dairy Farmers of Ontario BTMG course and receive a letter of achievement.
- Submit the following to OMAFA:
- a completed Application for a New Goat Bulk Tank Milk Grader Certificate form
- a copy of your letter of achievement
- Complete a BTMG performance evaluation conducted by an OMAFA food safety inspector.
Once you have completed the steps above, the OMAFA director under the Milk Act will issue you a goat BTMG certificate.
The certificate is valid for 5 years. It is your responsibility to complete a refresher course and reapply for a renewal certification before your certificate expires.
Performance evaluation reports
OMAFA food safety inspectors conduct routine evaluations of a bulk tank milk grader’s performance as it relates to their duties and responsibilities. This includes:
- performing spot checks
- conducting evaluations prior to a certificate renewal
- responding to complaints
When a performance evaluation is complete, OMAFA will provide you with a dated and signed Performance Evaluation Report for director review.
Plant milk grader responsibilities
Certified plant milk graders (PMG) grade and receive cow milk and goat milk delivered to dairy processing plants in Ontario.
Only certified PMGs have the authority to accept or reject raw milk at a licensed dairy plant, according to section 50 of Reg. 761 under the Milk Act.
A PMG:
- determines the temperature of milk in a tank-truck
- grades the milk by sight and smell
- determines whether the milk is acceptable according to the requirements under Regulation 761
A PMG must reject milk that:
- is not clean
- has an objectionable flavour or odour
- shows evidence of being watery, flaky, stringy, bloody, thick or adulterated
- shows evidence of melted or churned fat floating on the surface of the milk
- contains any foreign substance or contains an inhibitor when tested by an official method at a laboratory approved by the director under the Milk Act
PMGs may also reject milk with a temperature higher than 6°C.
Plant milk grader certification
To become a certified plant milk grader (PMG) you must:
- Complete the Ontario Dairy Council PMG training program and receive a proof of passing examination letter.
- Submit the following to OMAFA:
- a completed application for a PMG certificate
- a copy of your proof of passing examination letter
Once you have successfully completed the steps above, the OMAFA director under the Milk Act will issue you a PMG certificate. You should have your certificate available to show to food safety inspectors and bulk tank milk graders if requested.
The certificate is valid for up to 5 years from the effective date. It is your responsibility to complete a refresher course and reapply for a renewal certification before your certificate expires.