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==Introduction==

==Introduction==

The Bactoscan is a measurement of the '''number of bacteria present in milk''' (usually expressed as e.g. 20, meaning 20,000 bacteria/ml). High bacteria levels reduces the shelf life of liquid milk and may affect the ability to produce good quality cheese. There are also legal requirements set by the EU in order for the milk to be suitable for human consumption, currently set at a maximum of 100,000 bacteria/ml. Other targets are set by the milk buyer with financial penalties for producers that go over the predetermined level set out in their contract. This is to incentivise farmers to be as hygienic as possible and give the manufacturer an acceptable product to pass on to the consumer. However, a low Bactoscan is also desirable as it can reflect good parlour management, a clean environment and a low level of [[:Category:Mastitis|mastitis]] in the herd.

The Bactoscan is a measurement of the '''number of bacteria present in milk''' (usually expressed as e.g. 20, meaning 20,000 bacteria/ml). High bacteria levels reduces the shelf life of liquid milk and may affect the ability to produce good quality cheese. There are also legal requirements set by the EU in order for the milk to be suitable for human consumption, currently set at a maximum of 100,000 cfu/ml. Other targets are set by the milk buyer with financial penalties for producers that go over the predetermined level set out in their contract. This is to incentivise farmers to be as hygienic as possible and give the manufacturer an acceptable product to pass on to the consumer. However, a low Bactoscan is also desirable as it can reflect good parlour management, a clean environment and a low level of [[:Category:Mastitis|mastitis]] in the herd.

==Reasons for a High Bactoscan==

==Reasons for a High Bactoscan==