Evaluation of a Proportionate Sampling Device to Collect Samples for Milkfat Analysis from Farm Bulk Milk Tanks1

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Abstract
Samples of farm bulk tank milk for milkfat analysis were obtained by conventional methods (following 5–10 min of agitation) and, 2 to 3 h later, by means of a prototype vehicle-mounted proportionate sampler (maximum of 15 sec pre-agitation). Two preliminary series of proportionate samples (40 and 80 ml) were tested in duplicate for milkfat content and the mean of each sample compared with the mean milkfat content of the respective conventional sample. Ninety-seven percent and 98.1% (40- and 80-ml samples, respectively) of the paired comparisons were within ± 0.10% milkfat. Statistical analyses of both series of paired comparisons revealed that there was no significant difference between the mean milkfat content of proportionate and conventional samples, ie, the milkfat content of milk samples obtained by the proportionate sampling device accurately represented the milkfat content of milk samples obtained by the conventional method of sampling. An increase in volume of the proportionate sample from 40 to 80 ml did not significantly improve the representativeness of the proportionate sample.

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