About QCS Approved Devices Auditing Guidelines    Certified Service Providers Samples Unknown Resources FAQ's Contact Us Dairy Links	In the 2002 QCS manual, there’s a $100 / year charge for submitting MUN data into the Sample Unknowns web site. Since MUN data isn’t part of the AIPL program, why is QCS charging for it? Since QCS is already collecting BF, protein, and SCC data in the Sample Unknowns web site, it makes sense to use the site to collect the MUN data there too. During the 2000 – 2001 auditing contract period, QCS created the site and allowed it to be used in this manner free of charge. Paul Sauve analyzed the data and National DHIA paid him for the analysis. While this provided National DHIA the information needed for their research of MUN comparisons, it was not fair for their members to pay for the service and provide the data to non-National DHIA members. When the latest laboratory fee structure was being developed, QCS had two goals in mind. One was to charge labs equitably based on the level of service being provided. For example, it takes more time to analyze the data from a lab with three lines of instruments than a lab with one line. Therefore, the fee should be higher. This was accomplished with the $100 / instrument analysis fee. The second goal was to arrange the fees so the laboratories receiving the service were the ones that paid for it. Rather than have National DHIA pay for the analysis without any supporting income, the decision was made to have QCS set up a fee structure whereby they could pay for the analysis and provide the data. As stated in the original question, MUN data is not submitted to AIPL and it is not required for certification. Therefore, the collection of data and distribution of results is an optional service provided by QCS. What’s happening with the TeSa meters now? In a 10-01-01 letter, Bert Jaquith confirmed that TeSa was no longer manufacturing complete Milk-o-Meter units. However, they are continuing to service units sent in for repair, are still providing replacement parts, and are selling pipe clamp mounting brackets. To contact TeSa for more information, call 954-571-1914 or write to 5261 NE 26th Avenue, Lighthouse Point, FL 33064. As for their use in certified herds, they are still National DHIA approved and are being used sporadically across the country. With the March 2002 revisions to the Uniform Data Collection Procedures regarding electronic meter calibration checks, what will be acceptable for meeting the CDCB requirements? The UDCP revision won’t become effective until June 1, 2002. Therefore, the current requirements calling for annual water tests or quarterly statistical tests for Westfalia Metatron will continue until that date. When the new UDCP become effective though, accuracy verification via statistical test methods will become acceptable for other types of electronic meters. At this point, the specifications for the reports have not been determined by the dairy records industry yet and there is likely to be some lack of uniformity until this issue is addressed. We expect this to be a primary topic at the Field Service Advisory Committee meeting in July. In the meantime, there are programs currently available through DairyComp 305 and PCDART and many of the equipment manufacturers have self-analysis software included in electronic metering systems. For the purpose of field service certification, QCS will accept documentation provided by these and other legitimate software writers. Once the dairy records industry has set the accuracy specifications though, the statistical check software must comply to be used for certification. Do all of the field technicians have to attend an annual conference to meet the continuing education requirements in the CDCB field service manual? While most field service organizations hold annual conferences and a majority of the field technicians attend, the requirement only stipulates that a training session be conducted with EACH field technician. Therefore, training sessions held in homes, dairies, or other locations meet the requirement as long as the content is documented and provided to the QCS auditor.