The American dairy industry is comprised of farms, cooperatives, and businesses that produce milk, cheese and related products. There are approximately 40,000 dairy farms in the United States, ranging from small family operations to huge corporate facilities. For small-scale dairy farmers, the ability to sell not only milk but also cream, yogurt, cheese or ice cream represents an important income stream that can make the difference between surviving and thriving as a business. While a complex factory system is not required to offer a range of dairy goods, small-scale dairy farms still need to acquire specialized tanks and milk production equipment to be efficient. In the United States, raw milk is not allowed to be sold for human consumption. Therefore, farms of all sizes who plan to sell milk products to the general population must put their product through the process of pasteurization. A pasteurizer is a specialized piece of equipment designed to heat up the milk, then cool it down in order to eliminate microorganisms that can cause disease. The pasteurization process also maximizes the shelf life of dairy products. Milk pasteurizers provide a necessary service and are available in different capacities. Transforming milk into a different type of dairy product will require equipment that will perform various specialized functions – such as churning the milk to make butter, or fermenting the milk to produce yogurt.
Equipment Used in Small-Scale Milk Production Facilities
Milk tanks: Tanks are used to store liquid dairy products in order to guarantee and optimize freshness, quality and safety. These may include pre-stack tanks, milk tanks, interim tanks and mixing tanks.
Pasteurizers: Pasteurization represents the true essence of milk processing. As discussed above, milk pasteurization equipment is used to heat and maintain the milk to a certain temperature, stirring it for a specific time duration and then cooling the liquid to prepare for storage or further processing into another product.
Cream Separators: Cream separating equipment is used in the production of low-fat milk, skim milk and cream. The device separates the fat from the milk, producing two saleable products – cream and lower-fat milk. The cream separator can be adjusted to produce milk and cream of various fat percentages – such as 1%, 2% and skim.
Homogenizers: Homogenization equipment enhances the taste and texture of the milk product by squeezing it through small, pressurized holes. The process causes the cells to break apart in order to homogenize the product – in other words, to make it more uniform in consistency. These devices are often used when the dairy plant combines milk from different cows into a consistent product.
Dairy processing equipment affords small-scale dairy farmers the ability to generate more revenue from their farms. While purchasing equipment is an expense, there are significant benefits for the operation. These benefits may include:
Higher quality products: The use of homogenizers, pasteurizers, and stainless steel milk tanks help to increase the overall quality of dairy products.
Automated production: Automated dairy equipment allows dairy farmers to produce their milk, cream and butter more quickly without sacrificing quality. Machines also allow for round-the-clock production which is not possible utilizing manual processes.
Lower price points: Using automated equipment, the production of dairy products will consume less time and manual effort. This represents a tangible opportunity to reduce plant and production expenses, with savings passed along to consumers. Lower prices will provide a competitive landscape for small-scale operations.
At Zwirner Equipment Company, we specialize in providing the milk processing equipment and tanks your dairy farm needs to make your operation more efficient. Because we offer quality used and refabricated options, smaller operations can take advantage of cost-savings. Call today to learn more about our current inventory, and how we can help to not only purchase what you need – but deliver, install and maintain the equipment for you.
In the United States, raw milk is not allowed to be sold for human consumption. Therefore, farms of all sizes who plan to sell milk products to the general population must put their product through the process of pasteurization. A pasteurizer is a specialized piece of equipment designed to heat up the milk, then cool it down in order to eliminate microorganisms that can cause disease. The pasteurization process also maximizes the shelf life of dairy products. Milk pasteurizers provide a necessary service and are available in different capacities. Transforming milk into a different type of dairy product will require equipment that will perform various specialized functions – such as churning the milk to make butter, or fermenting the milk to produce yogurt.
