How to Do a Proper Plant Inspection

You don't need a lab coat. You need eyes, hands, and a healthy distrust of anything that "looks fine."

Plant inspections aren't about ticking boxes. They're about hunting down the spots where milk, water, and bacteria don't behave the way they should.

This guide takes you step by step through the kind of inspection that actually finds problems - the kind that stops grades before they happen.

Step-by-Step Inspection Guide

1.Gear up

• Grab a torch, mirror, clean rag, gloves, and something sharp but safe to scrape with (e.g. a butter knife or coin).

• If you can, do the inspection after the hot wash when parts are soft and soil is more visible and dry.

2. Start at the cowshed and move through the system like milk does

• Walk the route milk takes: from cluster➔ milkline ➔filter➔ plate cooler➔ vat

• If you’ve got them, check both sides of swing arms

• Don't forget the wash return line

3. Look for trouble spots

Here's where to poke, prod, and pry:

Component What to Check For

Clusters Liner ends, inside claws, around air bleeds -look for film or grit

Jetter cups Do they drain fully? Is there any build-up in the cup or airline?

Milkline joints Pull seals and scrape - any slime, cheese, or wear?

Rubberware Tug and twist - any cracks, perishing, black smudges?

Plate cooler Flush and feel-milk shouldn't be in water side or vice versa

Pump & airline drains Is water sitting where it shouldn't? Any smell or slime?

Filter housing Remove filter sock and check for milk residue in the housing

Vat inlet/outlet Open them up - check the pipework inside and out

Stirrer paddles Reach under- protein build-up loves it here

Wash return Is the water flowing back fast and hot?

Grade Type What It Means How It Happens What to Check

4. Use all your senses

• Sight: Discolouration, film, black marks, residue

• Touch: Slimy, sticky, gritty= not clean

• Smell: Musty or cheesy? That's bacteria feasting.

• Sound: Water should flow strong and steady- not dribble, hiss or glug

If you find something dodgy, don't just clean it- figure out why it got like that. Is the water flow poor? Are your chemicals doing the job?

What to Touch, Smell, Scrape & Swear At

Here's a quick cheat sheet:

Final Word

Don't inspect just because you got a grade. Inspect regularly, monthly minimum, weekly in high-risk periods (start of season, wet spells, feed changes). 

It's your shed. Own it.