Case Study: The Importance of Instrument Calibration Standards for the Dairy Industry
Client Problem
Proper and frequent calibration of infrared (IR) instrumentation for component testing in fluid dairy products is essential for plant efficiency and profitability. Efficient plants typically calibrate their instruments every two weeks and analyze a reference pilot sample daily during production to ensure instrument accuracy . However, irregular calibration practices can compromise the precision of milk to butterfat ratios, resulting in significant revenue losses during production.
Investigation Approach
To assess the impact of calibration practices, accuracy, and precision values from a client’s dairy production and intake plants across the United States were analyzed to see how the plants compared with each other. They were then referenced with calibration frequency. Each plant measured and reported butterfat content using IR instruments on blind samples of raw milk (for intake) and heavy cream (for production). Eurofins DQCI conducted a rigorous reference chemistry analysis on the same samples to establish benchmark values. The collected data was evaluated for:
- Accuracy: The degree of deviation from the "true" reference values established by Eurofins DQCI.
- Precision: The consistency of the plants’ readings across duplicate samples within their blind sets.
These precision and accuracy results were further analyzed in relation to the frequency of calibration of the plants’ IR instruments. This step provided critical insights into the direct correlation between calibration frequency and measurement reliability.
Results
The study revealed a clear pattern: plants that calibrated their IR instruments more frequently achieved higher levels of accuracy and precision. These practices translated into significant cost savings and improved operational efficiency, reinforcing the importance of consistent calibration.
The Eurofins Solution
Eurofins showcased the value of partnering with a trusted third-party laboratory to support Near Infrared (NIR) evaluations and calibrations. Leveraging their extensive expertise, Eurofins provided clients with crucial data and actionable best practices to optimize calibration routines, driving revenue growth for fluid dairy product sales. This partnership exemplifies Eurofins’ commitment to empowering dairy industry stakeholders to maximize quality and profitability.
Reach out today to learn why Eurofins is the name trusted in dairy excellence, partnering with customers at every stage of the industry.
Additional Resources:
Dairy Industry Testing Standards
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