Where is the quality of milk largely determined?

The quality of milk is largely determined at the farm where it is produced. This stage is critical because the handling, environment, and health of the dairy cows all significantly influence the milk's quality before it is processed. Factors such as feed, water quality, milk handling techniques, and general farm sanitation practices play a major role in the composition and safety of the milk collected.

Once the milk leaves the farm, it is subject to processing and distribution, which are important but cannot fundamentally change the quality that has been established at the farm level. The initial quality affects everything from taste to nutritional value and safety, making the farm the key location for determining the quality of milk.