BTMG Certification
How To Become at Bulk Tank Milk Grader
The Bulk Tank Milk Grader (BTMG) plays a critical role within Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) and in the dairy supply chain. In carrying out their responsibilities, the BTMG operates impartially, serving as a third party when grading, measuring and sampling the raw milk at the farm.
To be eligible for a BTMG certificate, an individual must be employed by a DFO transporter agent. The BTMG certification process starts with the applicants successfully completing a DFO apprentice performance evaluation. Full certification is achieved after successful completion of DFO’s BTMG training course.
Apprentice Performance Evaluation
The mandatory apprentice performance evaluation is conducted by a DFO Transportation Officer who assesses the applicants understanding of milk grading, measuring and sampling procedures, and delivery duties and responsibilities. Apprentices are required to attend the next available BTMG course. The apprentice certificate expires 30 days after the last day of the next available training course.
BTMG Course
The BTMG training course is a comprehensive two-and-a-half-day session that provides both practical and theoretical instruction on the duties and responsibilities of a BTMG. The course includes hands-on milk grading experience, an overview of milk quality and composition, use of hand-held computers, the tank truck inspection program and the role of the Plant Milk Grader (PMG). Further information on the PMG training program may be obtained from the Ontario Dairy Council website.
To successfully complete the BTMG course, the participant is tested on their ability to grade milk and their understanding of the responsibilities and duties of a BTMG and must achieve a minimum score of 70% on both a written and a practical milk grading exam.
Upon successful completion of the training course and exams, the apprentice driver will be issued a BTMG certificate by the Director of Regulatory Compliance. This certificate expires on the date specified on the certificate, which is no longer than five years.
Individuals who are not employed by a DFO transporter agent may also attend a BTMG course; however, they will be issued a Letter of Achievement. A Letter of Achievement does not entitle the individual to perform the duties of a BTMG. If the individual becomes employed by a DFO transporter agent within twelve months of receiving the Letter of Achievement and successfully completes an apprentice performance evaluation, they may then be issued a BTMG Certificate.
Goat milk drivers attending the BTMG course as part of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA) goat milk certification process will receive a Letter of Achievement upon successful completion of the DFO course. A Letter of Achievement does not entitle the person to perform the duties of a BTMG for cow milk. Further information on the OMAFA certification process can be obtained from the OMAFA website.
BTMG Course Registration
For further information on the BTMG Program or the dates and locations of upcoming BTMG courses, please email btmg@milk.org.
BTMG Certificate Renewal
BTMG certificates are valid for five years and must be renewed. BTMGs wishing to renew their certification are required to successfully complete a performance evaluation during their five-year period and successfully complete a mandatory refresher course in their last year of certification. Successful completion of the refresher course requires obtaining a minimum 70% on both a written exam and a practical milk grading exam.
BTMG Certification
How To Become at Bulk Tank Milk Grader
The Bulk Tank Milk Grader (BTMG) plays a critical role within Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) and in the dairy supply chain. In carrying out their responsibilities, the BTMG operates impartially, serving as a third party when grading, measuring and sampling the raw milk at the farm.
To be eligible for a BTMG certificate, an individual must be employed by a DFO transporter agent. The BTMG certification process starts with the applicants successfully completing a DFO apprentice performance evaluation. Full certification is achieved after successful completion of DFO’s BTMG training course.
Apprentice Performance Evaluation
The mandatory apprentice performance evaluation is conducted by a DFO Transportation Officer who assesses the applicants understanding of milk grading, measuring and sampling procedures, and delivery duties and responsibilities. Apprentices are required to attend the next available BTMG course. The apprentice certificate expires 30 days after the last day of the next available training course.
BTMG Course
The BTMG training course is a comprehensive two-and-a-half-day session that provides both practical and theoretical instruction on the duties and responsibilities of a BTMG. The course includes hands-on milk grading experience, an overview of milk quality and composition, use of hand-held computers, the tank truck inspection program and the role of the Plant Milk Grader (PMG). Further information on the PMG training program may be obtained from the Ontario Dairy Council website.
To successfully complete the BTMG course, the participant is tested on their ability to grade milk and their understanding of the responsibilities and duties of a BTMG and must achieve a minimum score of 70% on both a written and a practical milk grading exam.
Upon successful completion of the training course and exams, the apprentice driver will be issued a BTMG certificate by the Director of Regulatory Compliance. This certificate expires on the date specified on the certificate, which is no longer than five years.
Individuals who are not employed by a DFO transporter agent may also attend a BTMG course; however, they will be issued a Letter of Achievement. A Letter of Achievement does not entitle the individual to perform the duties of a BTMG. If the individual becomes employed by a DFO transporter agent within twelve months of receiving the Letter of Achievement and successfully completes an apprentice performance evaluation, they may then be issued a BTMG Certificate.
Goat milk drivers attending the BTMG course as part of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA) goat milk certification process will receive a Letter of Achievement upon successful completion of the DFO course. A Letter of Achievement does not entitle the person to perform the duties of a BTMG for cow milk. Further information on the OMAFA certification process can be obtained from the OMAFA website.
BTMG Course Registration
For further information on the BTMG Program or the dates and locations of upcoming BTMG courses, please email btmg@milk.org.
BTMG Certificate Renewal
BTMG certificates are valid for five years and must be renewed. BTMGs wishing to renew their certification are required to successfully complete a performance evaluation during their five-year period and successfully complete a mandatory refresher course in their last year of certification. Successful completion of the refresher course requires obtaining a minimum 70% on both a written exam and a practical milk grading exam.