Dairy Plants Get Extra Time for Butterfat Test Paperwork
Published Date: 2/10/2025
Rule
Summary
Dairy plants must now keep records of butterfat tests done in-house or by approved labs and share them with USDA inspectors. This rule, meant to match current industry practices and boost efficiency, was set to start January 16, 2025, but its start date is delayed to March 21, 2025. Dairy producers and labs should get ready for this change, which won’t add extra costs but will keep things running smoothly.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Plants must keep butterfat test records
Dairy plants covered by the AMS Dairy Grading and Inspection Program must maintain records of butterfat tests and make those records available for examination by a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspector. The rule adopting this recordkeeping requirement will become effective on March 21, 2025.
In-house or approved labs may run butterfat tests
The amendment allows butterfat tests to be performed either at an in-house laboratory or by an approved third-party laboratory for plants subject to the AMS Dairy Grading and Inspection Program. The amendment is described as increasing efficiency by matching current industry practice and becomes effective March 21, 2025.
Effective date delayed to March 21, 2025
The effective date of the January 16, 2025 final rule is delayed. As of February 10, 2025, the rule will take effect on March 21, 2025 instead of January 16, 2025.
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