John Fritzler
MMPA Director of Transportation and Logistics
Passing Grade A surveys is far more than a regulatory requirement. For dairy farms, it is the key to market access and longevity. A passing inspection ensures compliance with Grade A standards, protects consumer confidence and allows milk to continue moving through the
supply chain.
The stakes are higher today than ever before. Dairy producers have fewer alternative markets available (non-Grade A facilities), and a limited pool of milk haulers. When a farm loses Grade A status, even temporarily, it loses access to the Grade A market and faces hauling disruptions that create financial losses for the association and the membership.
The scarcity of diverse processing options places additional strain on dairy farms. Farms often have limited viable buyers for non-Grade A milk within a feasible hauling distance. When disruptions occur, additional transportation equipment and labor to keep milk moving through the supply chain will be needed.
The decline of non-Grade A processing facilities has eliminated many safety nets farms once relied upon. A successful inspection in Grade A survey is not merely a compliance achievement, but it is a critical safeguard for marketing our members milk to the greatest advantage possible.
Ben Chapin
MMPA Member Services Director
Passing Grade A Surveys and Federal Check Ratings has been an important part of marketing your milk for decades. The goal behind surveys and check ratings is to ensure that state dairy and inspection programs are conducted effectively and ensure PMO compliance across dairy facilities.
Failed Surveys and Check Ratings can be disruptive and costly to the cooperative and entire membership. Once failed, not only is the milk unable to be marketed as Grade A but can lead to hauling the milk more miles to get the milk to a processing plant. These are added costs and loss of revenue to the cooperative, to you the member.
Your field staff are industry certified to complete Grade A farm inspections, and these are conducted a minimum of twice per year. These inspections are done for an added layer and touch point, (outside of your state regulatory inspections) to help ensure the marketability of your milk. Despite seasonal demands like planting, harvest and winter challenges, it remains vital to not lose focus on the milking facility and being Grade A every day.
Joe Packard
MMPA Area Supervisor
The Grade A survey process is a critical part of the role of MMPA field staff. Bulk Tank Units (BTUs) are designated groups of farms, typically
grouped by hauler, location and cumulative volume, that are due for survey at the same time. Every Grade A farm in the U.S. is part of a BTU and must pass a Grade A survey at least every 24 months. Often, surveys are conducted earlier than their scheduled due date. Because of this, our preparation process begins seven months ahead of the deadline. Starting with an initial letter notifying members of the upcoming survey, member reps conduct monthly survey prep write-ups for every farm on that BTU until the survey is completed. These highlight debits that could potentially be marked by a rating officer. While correcting every debit is the ultimate goal, we stress resolving higher-point items. Clean milk contact surfaces and milking equipment, clean milkhouse and parlor spaces, compliant bathrooms and clean cows are among the highest priorities. Keeping these items on a routine checklist helps ensure your farm remains Grade A compliant every day.
This article was originally published in the September/October 2026 issue of the Milk Messenger. Subscribe »