Milk Hauling & Bulk Transport Category Guide

Getting Milk to Market

Most dairy farms rely on milk haulers to transport raw milk to processing plants. This critical link in the dairy chain must maintain milk quality through proper temperature control and sanitary handling while meeting pickup schedules that align with farm milking times and processing plant needs.

How Milk Hauling Works

Pickup Process

1. Hauler arrives on scheduled route
2. Temperature and observation check
3. Sample collection for testing
4. Volume measurement (dipstick or meter)
5. Milk pumped to tanker
6. Paperwork completed and tank washed

Pickup Frequency

• Most farms: every other day pickup
• Large operations: daily or multiple daily
• Organic or specialty: may have different schedules

Service Providers

Cooperative Hauling

Most milk cooperatives arrange hauling for members, either with owned trucks or contracted carriers. Costs are typically deducted from milk checks.

Processor Arranged

Some processors arrange pickup for their suppliers, similar to co-op arrangements.

Independent Haulers

Some farms, especially those shipping to specialty markets, may arrange their own hauling services.

Quality Considerations

• Temperature: Milk must be cooled to 40°F or below before pickup
• Tank cleanliness: Proper CIP (clean-in-place) systems
• Sample integrity: Proper sampling represents your milk quality
• Contamination prevention: Clean pump and hose connections

Farm Responsibilities

• Proper bulk tank sizing for pickup intervals
• Adequate cooling capacity
• All-weather road access for tanker trucks
• Safe, accessible milk house facilities
• Timely communication about production changes

Cost Considerations

Hauling costs are typically $0.20-0.60 per hundredweight (cwt) depending on location, volume, and distance to plant. Farms in remote areas or with small volumes may pay premium rates. Some arrangements include hauling in the milk price; others itemize it separately.