In areas where milk quality is not 100% sure, the golden rule will always be : the milk must be chilled at 4°c in less than two hours after the cow has been milked by the farmer.

We see a trend for dairies to go for bigger size chilling centre, even up to 6000 litre.

According to what we hear, the reasons behind this seems to be as follows :

1°) Low supply of electricity require to systematically install electricity generators. Those generators become then the highest investment cost in the whole chilling center operation. And pricing of those generators makes it cheaper to buy bigger ones.

2°) Local manufacturers of dairy processing equipment push toward using specifically designed big bulk milk coolers, as they can't compete (price and quality) with standard bulk milk coolers.


We would like here to get back to basic and explain why dairies should be using smaller size milk coolers. It allows :

1°) a better (finer) land coverage

Smaller distances for milk producers, securing procurement zone from competitors, less middlemen involved.

2°) a better control of milk input

Knowing the origin of quantity variations, anticipation of quantity variation, milk adulteration control : on a smaller scale you know who has how many cows and who does what.

3°) light civil eng. work

No need for big buildings and special cranes.

4°) more flexibility

Smaller size tanks are easy and quick to move to other places. Up to 2000 litre tanks weight when empty less than 400 kg.

5°) less spillage risk

When technical issues with tanks and replacement is easier.

6°) resale value

Time will come when farmers will have their own BMC. What will then be the use (and value) of those big tanks ?


If you still want to go for big size chilling center, instead of having of one big milk cooling tank of 5000 litre, it is smarter to use 3 smaller tanks of 1700 litres.

On top of all advantage mentionned above, you can also afford :

- not to mix morning and evening milk,

- not to mix cow and buffalo milk,

- not to mix good quality and average quality milk.

Dernière modification par charriau (2009-12-24 10:09)