AMS’ Laboratory Approval Service (LAS) approves, or accredits, Federal Milk Market Administrator (MMA) laboratories to perform testing to determine the value of the milk. Specifically, these laboratories perform chemical analyses, mid-infrared analysis and electronic somatic cell counts in raw milk. Program requirements for milk payment testing include good laboratory, quality assurance and control practices, proficiency testing, established methods and accepted equipment, and on-site audits.
Milk Market Administrator laboratories perform testing to establish and verify the price paid to dairy farmers for their milk. They also oversee the milk component testing of commercial laboratories. There are 10 Federal Milk Marketing Orders in the United States, as authorized by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937. Federal Milk Marketing Orders establish rules for dairy processors purchasing fresh milk from dairy farmers supplying a marketing area.
For more information, contact:
Scott Lough, Ph.D., Program Manager
Laboratory Approval Service
Laboratory Approval and Testing Division
Science & Technology Program
1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 3533-S
Washington, DC 20250-0272
Phone: (202) 260-8949
Scott.Lough@ams.usda.gov