AFI Dairy Farmers SUMMARY NOTES 2016

From Syllabus: (Bold = directly linked to Dairy Farmers or

DF; the rest is indirectly linked)

describe the activities carried out in ONE organisation within the food
industry
evaluate the impact of the operation of an organisation on individuals,
society and the environment
explain career opportunities and working conditions, including gender
issues within the Australian food industry
identify significant government policies and legislation and explain their impact upon the
Australian food industry

Aspects of the Australian food industry

operation of organisations within the Australian food industry with particular attention
to:
levels of operation and mechanization, including household, small business, large
companies, multinationals
research and development
quality assurance
consumer influences such as value added foods
impact on the
environment including waste management, packaging practices, production
techniques, and transportation
economy, e.g. generation of profit and changes in employment
society including lifestyle changes,
career opportunities and working conditions

Policy and legislation

advisory groups that have a role in formulating and implementing policy and legislation
government policies and legislation (local, state, federal) that impact on the Australian food
industry including legislative requirements for labelling

Our organisation is Dairy Farmers: (DF)

I will use (as far as possible) the syllabus dot points (and the
dash points!) as headings!

DF is in the Manufacturing Sector (note NOT Agriculture!!)

It is a LARGE company (not a small business or
multinational)
Its main aim is to manufacture - process, package, label, (and in some cases preserve),
distribute and market milk and a wide range of dairy foods. This is done for profit
and the aim is to ensure safe, high quality and regular supply to consumers of this
perishable food.
List of products

Milks, flavoured milks, creams, custards, buttermilk, cottage cheese and yoghurts.
(Plus line extensions of the majority of these)

Important Processes
Separation, pasteurisation, homogenisation, and ultra-heat treating are used, as is a
cold chain distribution system. Note: More on these processes in Food Manufacture
Unit.
DF has a high level of mechanisation and computerisation. Use technical terms, e.g.
silos, vats, auger, incubation vessel, chiller, spiroflow pasteuriser, homogeniser.

Also, the Quality Assurance system is very important. DF uses a HACCP based system
called Proven Perfect.
Make sure you know about HACCP!! Related to DF this means:
1. Ensuring the cold chain operation throughout the plant and during
distribution
2. Testing the raw milk for bacterial count and total fat content. Testing for
antibiotics. If any trace of antibiotics is detected, the milk is rejected and doesnt
enter the plant. Antibiotics would indicate sick cows, and some people are
allergic to penicillin etc.
3. Ensuring the correct temperature and time for Pasteurisation and UHT
processes. This temperature is monitored automatically and constantly and
recorded as a running temperature log on a chart. There is a DIVERT VALVE for
milk that misses the correct temperature and time, so that the whole production
run is not lost.
4. The cooling time after pasteurisation is also considered critical and has to be fast.
5. Ensuring cleanliness of equipment. The level of caustic cleaning product has
critical limits and so does the sanitising solution used at the end of the cleaning
process. These are monitored manually
6. Ensuring correct sealing of packages
7. Ensuring correct training and hygiene standard of workers
8. Random sampling of products
9. X ray equipment to check for metals in final product

As part of the Verification at the end of the HACCP process, Mock recalls may be
used. Scenarios of faults or problems are presented and the whole organisation ensures
that procedures are followed and that they are adequate.

Impact of the operation of DF on individuals

Individuals are provided with safe and nutritious dairy products. Milk contains most
nutrients. Also line extensions cater for more specific needs e.g. low fat, high calcium
etc.
 Individuals are provided with a reliable supply of fresh milk and dairy foods,
despite them being highly perishable.
Individuals benefit from having increased job opportunities at local plants or as
regional distributors.

Individuals benefit indirectly from the contribution that DF makes to the economy

Individuals benefit from the wide range of products in terms of the flavours, textures and
ability to be used in cooking other dishes
Individuals benefit from the convenience provided by many of DFs products e.g. individual
serves, re-sealable containers.

Impact of the operation of DF on society

As above PLUS:
o DF sponsorship of sport Little As, DF stadium etc.
o DF community initiatives
o DF R&D
o DF commitment to the environment recyclable packages etc.
o DF contributing to competition , hence keeping prices low
o DF contribute to Agricultural Shows in Australia including
the Royal Easter Show.
o DF support charities
o DF support other organisations e.g. Heart Foundation Tick program
o DF run some consumer competitions/free offers

Impact of the operation of DF on the environment

DF must comply with several Acts relating top protection of the environment
waste water, smoke, particles etc.
DF participates in the Advanced Manufacturing Centres waste minimization
project
DF has a milk crate recovery system
Most DF packaging is well suited to kerb-side recycling systems
DF does not over-package its products
DF has a school carton re-use system with benefits for participating schools
DF makes buttermilk which is a by-product from the making of butter. This
helps avoid waste.
BUT.
DF has a high carbon footprint due to delivery needing to be daily as milk is so
perishable.
DF tankers and trucks must carry large, very heavy refrigeration units which
add to petrol consumption considerably.
Cattle need to be in rural farming areas (not cities!) so increasing transport costs.
Dairy products are not light weight (e.g. compare to cornflakes!)
The need for cleanliness requires DF to use a lot of water, steam etc.
Dairy herds produce methane a greenhouse gas, and their hoofs can cause
erosion and other problems.
 Impact of the operation of DF on the economy

DF provides jobs to tens of thousands of Australians

People in employment are able to spend more money, thereby further
stimulating the economy.
DF exports are good for the Australian economy especially as they use locally
produced products from our own agriculture sector.
DF makes many value-added products as well as basic products. These value-
added products benefit the government by incurring GST
DF products help create income for regional distributors, corner store,
supermarkets, milk bars etc.

Consumer Influences on DF also called

trends, drivers, driving forces etc.
Consumers main needs are for healthier options in terms
of:
Prevention of some of the diseases of affluence
such as CHD, obesity, hypertension, diabetes etc
low fat line extensions such as Lite white,
Shape/skim, Heart active
Fortified foods such as high calcium milks,
Nutritionally Modified Kids omega-3 enriched milk
with probiotics
A2 Milk add a brief summary here!

In the future.

X Allergies and intolerances some people have lactose intolerance, (where they
lack the enzyme lactase which is needed to digest the sugar lactose). DF does
NOT (yet) produce a lactose-free milk.
X Organic (pesticide and artificial fertiliser-free). DF does NOT (yet) produce an
organic certified milk.
Consumers also desire convenience in terms of:
Ability to see contents and re-seal the milk

Individual serves with easy access

Shelf stability long life

Also milk for airlines enough for a breakfast cereal in 1

serve with a pull-off lid

Consumers also desire gourmet/ethnic foods in terms of:

Quality
Cultural foods/ingredients
Frothy coffee so extra frothy
Milk Crema is made for baristas
(not sure if it is still available!)

Aging population requires:

High calcium foods to help prevent osteoporosis
Individual serves for those living alone
Easy to open containers
Ready to eat foods
Traditional foods
Soft foods for those with dentures
(DF provides all of these)

Consumers demand that companies have an environmental concern:

See other notes on recyclable containers, over packaging etc. (Fair-trade, rainforest and
free-range eggs issues do not apply to DF, but care of cattle could be an issue to be
raised.)

Career Opportunities at DF

Farm services
Food Processing
Research and development
Engineering
Marketing and advertising
Logistics and transport
 Food technology and science
Accounting
Information Technology
Customer Services
Sales
Human Resources

DF are also committed to:

Treating their people fairly
Encouraging participation and teamwork
Provide career growth opportunities
Providing rewards consistent with skills and business performance
Providing a zero harm workplace

Generally, job opportunities are lost as technology improves particularly in the

unskilled sectors. HOWEVER, in the case of DF (a large company), the development of
which has included many mergers and takeovers, there has been a consistent increase
in job opportunities due largely to the expansion of the company. Technological
developments have helped in this as the company has made good use of them. This is
the advantage that large companies have the ability to invest in new technologies
thereby creating jobs.

Working Conditions at DF

DF is a 24 hour operation so shift work may well be needed.

DF has a cold chain operations so many workers will be working in
temperatures between 1 & 5 oC. They then have extra &/or longer breaks, and are
provided with warm clothing.
DF requires a high standard of hygiene and many workers must wear
overalls/aprons, hair nets, boots, rubber gloves, or even face masks.
DF must abide by legislation that affects working conditions, including
contracts, minimum wage, superannuation, holiday pay, workers
compensation, leave conditions, equal opportunity legislation etc.

Gender Issues at DF
Dairy Farmers is an Equal Opportunity Employer. (It has to be by law!) It cannot
discriminate on the basis of sex.
It does not provide crche facilities or facilities for new mothers.
Only one female is on the board out of 8 and only 3 females out of 8 executives.
Some jobs are male dominated such as warehouse/delivery workers; some
female dominated such as quality assurance.
Paid parental leave is currently under review by the Government and DF will
need to provide maternity leave now and paternity leave as required in future.
Carers leave can be a gender issue as more females than males tend to take leave
to care for children
New Technologies related to DF

In cattle production (indirect link to DF):

Breeding programs for high milk yield in Dairy cows
Artificial insemination (AI)
Refrigeration on farms
Rotary milking
Removal of disease risks e.g. tuberculin testing
Fertilisers, pesticides. Irrigation

At DF plant:
Improved cold chain, pasteurisers, homogenisers, micro-biological testing procedures
Computerisation from farm to retailer etc.

Industry Organisations

DAIRY INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA

The DIAA is an industry forum for members to network, exchange technical
knowledge and undertake professional development. Product competitions and
professional achievement awards acknowledge and celebrate excellence in the
Australian dairy industry. www.diaa.asn.au

Dairy Australia is the industry organisation that assists DF.

http://www.dairyaustralia.com.au/

They will lobby on behalf of dairy companies, carry out R&D, provide advice &
investment, provide publications etc. Visit their websites.

DF Question from Specimen Paper

Question 23 (5 marks)

Name a food organisation that you have studied.

Name of organisation: .............................................................................................

(a) Identify TWO quality assurance procedures used by this organisation. (2)
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(b) Explain how the identified organisation has responded to consumer influences,
using relevant examples. (3)
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Criteria Marks
Correctly recognises and names TWO quality assurance procedures used 2
Correctly recognises and names ONE quality assurance procedure used 1

Criteria Marks
Makes a relationship between the organisation and how it has responded 3
to consumer influences, using relevant examples
Provides characteristics and features of how the organisation has 2
responded to consumer influences, using limited examples
Provides general information on how the organisation has responded to 1
consumer influences

2015 HSC Paper

Question 22 (9 marks)

(a) Answer the following questions in relation to an organisation that you have studied.

Name of organisation

(i) Outline a research and development activity carried out by the organisation. 2
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(ii) Explain the impact of the organisation on the environment. 4

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(b) What are the benefits of ecologically sustainable food production methods?
This part has no link to Dairy Farmers. You would tie yourself in knots trying
to make it relate!
Take note re exam technique!!

Question 22 (a) (i)

file:///C:/Users/jcathers/Documents/12%20Food%20Tech%2015/Dairy%20Farmers/201
5-hsc-mg-food-tech.pdf