Michigan Laws 288.535 – Farm tank; requirements
Current as of: 2023 | Check for updates
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(1) A farm tank on a dairy farm shall be installed so as to remain level at all times.
(2) A farm tank shall have an accurate indicating thermometer stored in the milkhouse which may be either an integral thermometer in the farm tank or an approved thermometer acceptable to the director.
Terms Used In Michigan Laws 288.535
- Dairy farm: means any place or premises where 1 or more dairy animals are kept for milking purposes, and from which a part or all of the milk is provided, sold, or offered for sale. See Michigan Laws 288.473
- Director: means the director of the Michigan department of agriculture or his or her designee. See Michigan Laws 288.473
- Farm tank: means the farm bulk milk tank, milk tank truck, or silo used for the storage or cooling, or both, of milk prior to pickup and transport from the farm. See Michigan Laws 288.473
- in writing: shall be construed to include printing, engraving, and lithographing; except that if the written signature of a person is required by law, the signature shall be the proper handwriting of the person or, if the person is unable to write, the person's proper mark, which may be, unless otherwise expressly prohibited by law, a clear and classifiable fingerprint of the person made with ink or another substance. See Michigan Laws 8.3q
- Milk: means the lacteal secretion, practically free from colostrum, obtained by the complete milking of 1 or more healthy cows, goats, sheep, or other dairy animals. See Michigan Laws 288.474
- Person: means an individual, partnership, company, limited liability company, cooperative, association, firm, trustee, educational institution, state or local government unit, or corporation. See Michigan Laws 288.476
- Producer: means a person that owns or operates a dairy farm and sells or distributes milk produced on that farm including a person that markets milk on behalf of a producer under a marketing agreement. See Michigan Laws 288.476
(3) A farm tank shall have a calibrated means of measurement and an accurate and legible volume to weight conversion chart unless the farm tank is mounted on an accurate scale. All measuring devices must be in compliance with the weights and measures act of 1964, 1964 PA 283, MCL 290.601 to 290.634.
(4) A conversion chart shall bear the same serial number as that found on the farm tank and measuring rod.
(5) The producer is responsible for recalibrating a farm tank that does not have an accurate conversion chart. A recalibration must be in compliance with the weights and measures act of 1964, 1964 PA 283, MCL 290.601 to 290.634. A person shall not adjust, alter, or change a conversion chart unless the change, alteration, or adjustment is made strictly according to the requirements of the weights and measures act of 1964, 1964 PA 283, MCL 290.601 to 290.634.
(6) A farm tank shall not be filled to a capacity that exceeds the calibrated limits as indicated by the conversion chart. If the producer wishes to fill the tank nearer to the top, the tank shall be calibrated to an additional height that still permits proper agitation without spillage.
(7) Milk to be offered for sale shall be cooled and stored in the farm tank equipped with cooling and agitation. Other cooling and storage vessels may be used when approved in writing by the director on a case-by-case basis.
(8) Milk production shall be of sufficient quantity so that it can be properly agitated not later than at the completion of the first milking into the farm tank.
(9) Facilities for effectively sanitizing farm tanks shall be provided by the producer.
(10) Nonelectric farms shall provide battery powered lighting for farm tanks that will adequately illuminate each farm tank opening. Fuels used for milkhouse operations shall not cause odors that may impart off-flavors.