Raw Milk Testing Frequently Asked Questions

A: For 2026, submit your sample during the highlighted week below. We suggest shipping overnight on Tuesday for Wednesday delivery.

A: Yes, you can submit samples at any time. We are here Monday – Friday 8am-5pm. Please do not ship samples on Friday or Saturday since we will not be here on the weekend to receive them.

A: Filling the 2 oz (50 mL or 1/4 cup) vials available on our website will give us plenty of milk to perform all tests. If you are using your own container, please send a minimum of 50 mL (1/4 cup).

A: We recommend testing a bulk sample monthly, but this is dependent on your needs and preferences.

A: Testing your raw milk will help give you an idea of the quality of the milk you are producing. It will also help to highlight potential issues in your milking processes and provide insight into the health of your animals.

A: We will upload your report to your account once all the requested tests are complete. If you would like a preliminary report, please indicate that with your sample submission or Contact Us.

If there are unexpected results, we may conduct additional testing which will delay your final report. Additionally, some results may be delayed over the weekend.

A: No. Your results are confidential and we do not report them out to regulatory bodies. Our goal is to support your raw milk production by providing you information on the quality of your milk.

A: We may note this on your report when the type of bacteria found in your sample is likely being introduced during the milking or sampling process (rather than due to an infection in your animal). We report this to help you troubleshoot where the contamination may be originating.

A: The following are the recommended limits provided by the Raw Milk Institute for milk to be considered “high quality”. These limits are suggestions and do not guarantee that your milk is safe to consume.

A: Yes, we can test water samples, bedding, towels, or surface swabs to help you determine a source of contamination or verify your cleaning procedures. Contact Us with questions!

A: Your sample should be packaged in a leak proof container placed in a cooler box with ice packs. Your sample should not be frozen but needs to stay cold for the duration of the shipping process. We recommend sending your sample overnight through USPS, FedEx, or UPS.

Please do not ship any samples on Friday or Saturday since we are not here on the weekend to receive them.

Find more information here: Raw milk collection & shipping instructions

A: We understand!

We have several raw milk producers that group their samples together and split the cost of shipping. If you are interested in this, please reach out to us and we can help facilitate getting you into contact with other raw milk producers near you to see if this might be an option.

Additionally, if you are within driving distance of Fort Collins, CO, you can hand deliver your sample to the lab.

A: We do not provide butter fat or protein testing right now. We are working towards being able to provide those services in the future.

A: Freezing the milk can affect the Standard Plate Count and Coliform Count tests and is generally not recommended.

A: We prefer if you send a check for the testing along with your sample. We’re a small business and saving on those credit card fees helps out!

However, if we don’t receive payment with your sample, we will send you an invoice at the end of the month that includes a link to pay by credit card.

A sample submission form is not required but you are more than welcome to include the following form: Raw Milk Sample Submission Form