R70-320-4. Farm Inspections and Compliance

(1) A compliance officer must inspect each dairy farm and assign a passing score before the farm may ship milk for manufacturing purposes. (2) The department inspects each dairy farm producing milk for manufacturing purposes at least once every six months. (3) A producer must maintain a farm in substantial compliance with the following standards: (a) a bacterial estimate not exceeding 500,000 per mL; (b) a somatic cell counts not exceeding 750,000 per mL; (c) a sediment classification of No. 3 or better; and (d) a cooling temperature of 45°F or lower within two hours after milking. (4) The department issues a written notice of intent to suspend a permit when two of the last four consecutive bacterial estimates, somatic cell counts, or cooling temperatures exceed the standards listed in this rule. (5) The department may suspend a permit if: (a) three of the last five bacterial estimates or cooling temperatures exceed the limit; (b) two of the last four somatic cell counts exceed the limit; or (c) the farm fails a re-inspection after having a reasonable amount of time to correct identified deficiencies. (6) The department may charge the producer for the time and mileage incurred for any visit required after an initial re-inspection. (7) A producer may not offer for sale milk that is abnormal, which includes milk that is bloody, stringy, off-color, thick, or contains clots. (8) A dairy farm water supply shall: (a) be properly protected and of safe, sanitary quality; and (b) include an automatic pressure-type hot water storage tank with a minimum 30-gallon capacity that maintains a temperature of at least 140°F. (9) A producer must immediately stop all milk shipments upon a positive drug residue finding and may only resume shipment after a state-certified laboratory, approved by the department, provides a subsequent milking negative test.