Bulk Milk Handling in 1955

Excerpts from the report: Data summarized in this report depicted the extent and nature of the adoption of bulk methods of farm-to-plant transportation of milk as of March 1955. The nationwide mail survey which was the source of information for this summary followed a similar survey conducted in May 1953. Results of the 1953 survey were summarized and discussed in considerable detail in FCS Circular 8, Progress in Farm-to-Plant Bulk Milk Handling issued in November 1954 by Farmer Cooperative Service. The principal change occurring between the dates of the two surveys was in the numbers of plants and producers using bulk handling methods. Except for the numbers of plants, trucks and producers involved, the description and discussion of methods and practices presented in Circular 8 were largely applicable to this later survey. Accordingly, this report is limited to a presentation of statistical data with brief comments on important characteristics of the development. The survey covered the entire country except California and Florida. We made no attempt to obtain data from dairy firms in California due to the known extensive use of the bulk system in that State and the fact that production conditions prevailing there are not comparable with those in other Pacific Coast States or in other dairy production areas.