1. What do you dislike about your present job as Dairy Clerk?
Be cautious with this answer. Do not be too specific as you may draw attention to weaknesses that will leave you open to further problems. One approach is to choose a characteristic of your present company, such as its size or slow decision-making processes etc. Give your answer with the air of someone who takes problems and frustrations in your stride as part of the job.
2. Tell me are There Pesticides In Milk?
No. Stringent government standards ensure that all milk is safe, wholesome and nutritious. Recent government testing found that all of the milk samples tested were free from pesticide residue.
3. Tell me what have your achievements been to date as Dairy Clerk?
Select an achievement that is work-related and fairly recent. Identify the skills you used in the achievement and quantify the benefit it had to the company. For example, 'my greatest achievement has been to design and implement a new sales ledger system, bringing it in ahead of time and improving our debtors' position significantly, saving the company £50,000 a month in interest'.
4. Do you know how Is Milk Pasteurized?
Pasteurization is a simple, proven and effective process, approved by the Food and Drug Administration that kills potentially harmful bacteria without affecting the taste or nutritional value of milk. During pasteurization, the temperature of milk is raised to at least 161° Fahrenheit for 16 seconds and then rapidly cooled. Pasteurization extends milk's shelf life and destroys harmful bacteria. Ultra-high temperature pasteurization, where milk is heated to 280° Fahrenheit for more than 2 seconds, is used to extend shelf life in some dairy foods.
5. Tell me how Does A Cow Produce Milk?
All cows produce milk once they deliver a calf. About 10 months after calving, the amount of milk the cow gives naturally decreases substantially and the cow undergoes "drying off." About 12 to 14 months after the birth of her previous calf, a cow will calve again, thus providing milk.
6. What are your strengths as Dairy Clerk?
This is one question that you know you are going to get so there is no excuse for being unprepared. Concentrate on discussing your main strengths. List three or four proficiencies e.g. your ability to learn quickly, determination to succeed, positive attitude, your ability to relate to people and achieve a common goal. You may be asked to give examples of the above so be prepared.
7. Do you know how Much Milk Does A Cow Give Each Day?
Most dairy cows are milked two to three times per day. On average, a cow will produce six to seven gallons of milk each day.
8. Tell me what's Your Favorite Part About Being A Dairy Farmer?
My favorite part is knowing that we do our very best to keep our animals happy and comfortable while producing a high quality, nutritious food for the public.
9. Tell me if I Buy Organic, Am I Doing More To Help Support Small Family Farms?
There are large and small farms that produce both conventional and organic types of milk. Organic farming has more to do with farm management practices than the size of the farm itself. Of the 55,000 dairy farms in America today, the majority are smaller farms with less than 200 cows. The vast majority of US farms - big and small - are family owned and operated.
A cow that is milking eats about 100 pounds each day of feed, which is a combination of hay, grain, silage and proteins (such as soybean meal), plus vitamins and minerals. Farmers employ professional animal nutritionists to develop scientifically formulated, balanced and nutritious diets for their cows. Cows also need fresh, clean water.
USDA statistics show that US dairy farmers are producing almost three times more milk with about half the number of cows compared to 1960, thereby reducing the total amount of feed, water and space needed, and resulting in less manure.
11. Explain me are There Antibiotics In Milk That Reaches The Food Supply?
All milk - both regular and organic - is tested for antibiotics both on the farm and at the processing plant. During 2014, nearly four million tests were conducted on milk samples to detect antibiotic or other drug residues with less than 0.02% testing positive, and, in accordance with government regulations, any milk testing positive for antibiotics cannot be sold to the public.
12. Tell me does Pasteurization Affect Milk Quality?
No scientific evidence shows any meaningful difference between the nutritional values of pasteurized and unpasteurized (raw) milk. In addition, vitamin D, which is not found in significant amounts in raw milk, is added to pasteurized milk, making it an even more nutritious product. It is important to understand that pasteurizing milk does not cause lactose intolerance or allergic reactions. Both raw milk and pasteurized milk can cause allergic reactions in people sensitive to milk proteins.
13. Explain me how Much Has Dairy Farming Changed In The Past 30 Or 40 Years?
Dairy farming has changed in so many ways. Technology has played a huge role in the industry, from computerized milking equipment to global positioning systems (GPS) on our tractors. Dairy farms today are much more efficient than those in the past. Nationwide, there are far fewer dairy farmers and dairy cows than there were 30 or 40 years ago, yet we produce a lot more milk.
14. Tell me do You Separate The Baby Calves From Their Mothers?
Virtually all commercial dairy farms take the baby calves away from their mothers within a few days of giving birth. Separating a mother and her baby is an extremely traumatizing experience for the mother and her newborn. The reason farmers take the baby away is so they can steal the mother's milk that was intended for her child.
Many times a mother cow will call out for days trying to find her stolen calf. The sound of a grief stricken mother cow for her calf is heart breaking. Perhaps ask the farmer about that If the farmer claims that they don't separate the mother and calf, I'd be skeptical. Ask how it is financially feasible to run a dairy farm that way.
15. Explain are Hormones Added To Milk?
No. Hormones are naturally present in foods of plant and animal origin, including milk. Some farmers choose to supplement some of their cows with recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) to increase milk production, but science shows that there is no effect on levels in the milk it self.
16. Explain do Antibiotics Used On Farms Result In Antibiotic Resistance In Humans?
Research shows that the overall health consequences of antimicrobial resistance of dairy pathogens affecting humans appears to be small, and is likely not a human health concern, as long as the milk is pasteurized.
No matter the type of dairy farm, antibiotics are only given when they are necessary to treat and cure an animal's illness. They are only given for a prescribed time to treat the specific illness. The milk from cows undergoing treatment never reaches the food supply.
17. Tell me what's The Difference Between Organic Milk And Regular Milk?
Research can find no difference between organic and regular milk in quality, safety or nutrition. Both contain nine essential nutrients. For example, a 2008 study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association analyzed the composition of milk labeled organic, "rbST-free" and regular milk, and found that the label claims were not related to any meaningful differences in milk composition. Organic milk is one choice among many in the dairy case.
18. Tell me is It True That Cows Have Four Stomachs?
A cow has four stomachs; the first three stomachs process feed in a way that people cannot. Because of this unique digestive system, cows have the ability to convert plants that humans cannot eat into nutritious foods like milk.
19. Explain me do Dairy Farmers Care About Their Animals?
Yes. Dairy farmers are dedicated to producing high-quality milk, and that begins with taking good care of their cows. Dairy farmers work closely with veterinarians and professional nutritionists to keep their cows healthy and well-nourished. Nutritious diets, healthy living conditions, and good veterinary care are all essential when it comes to producing safe, wholesome, nutritious milk.
20. Tell me do Dairy Farms Produce A Lot Of Greenhouse Gases?
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's U.S. Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emission Report, dairy production contributes less than 1 percent of US greenhouse gas emissions. And dairy farmers and other sin the dairy community have committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2020.
Greenhouse gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone. Today, producing a pound of milk takes three times less methane than it did in 1924 because of the many efficiencies practiced by dairy farmers. Dairy farmers are continuing to find ways to further reduce methane emissions by feeding grains and high-quality forage and by continuing to use other tools such as genetic improvement and superior herd management, according to researchers.
21. Explain what Do Farms Do With All The Manure?
Dairy cow manure is always put to good use. Most of it is spread on the fields as a natural source of fertilizer. Using manure to fertilize the soil has many advantages, including water conservation.
Manure increases the water-holding capacity of soil by 20 percent, so less groundwater is needed to grow crops. Manure can also be composted and sold to local garden stores.
Some farmers dry it and use it as a bedding source similar to sawdust. There are even farmers in the US who are able to turn their manure into energy using methane digesters.
The purpose of this question is to find out what your definition of difficult is and whether you can show a logical approach to problem solving. In order to show yourself in a positive light, select a difficult work situation which was not caused by you and which can be quickly explained in a few sentences. Explain how you defined the problem, what the options were, why you selected the one you did and what the outcome was. Always end on a positive note.
23. Explain Me About A Particular Initiative You Developed To Implement Change In Your Past Role?
Sometimes in the course of the day, we come across a situation or problem that someone else has missed and could have been important if not addressed. Give an example of when you have experienced a similar circumstance or situation.
Talk about a stressful situation you have experienced.
Describe a time when you have had trouble seeing eye to eye with someone in your role on a farm.
Describe a time when you tried to persuade a person or group to do something they didn't want to do.
24. Explain is Raw Milk Better For Those With Lactose Intolerance?
No. The enzyme required to break down lactose, known as lactase, is produced in the human body and is not present in either raw or pasteurized milk. People with lactose intolerance lack this enzyme. Whether milk is raw or pasteurized is irrelevant to lactose digestibility.
25. Explain me what About Claims That Organic Milk Contains No Pesticides, Antibiotics Or Hormones?
The definition of organic milk refers to farm management practices, not to the milk itself. Stringent government standards ensure that both organic milk and regular milk are wholesome, safe and nutritious. The same rigorous testing is done for all milk.
26. Do you know how Long Do Cows Live?
The life of a dairy cow varies from farm to farm and from cow to cow; some can live for as long as 20 years while others may have a much shorter life. Dairy farmers work hard to keep cows healthy for a long productive life. However, removing cows from the dairy herd is a common practice that allows farmers to bring in new, more productive cows, thus ensuring a steady supply of milk. Meat from cows that are no longer milking is a valuable source of safe and nutritious food.
27. Explain is Raw Milk Safe To Drink?
No. The word "raw milk" might sound natural and good, but raw milk is not safe. According to the Food and Drug Administration, raw milk can harbor dangerous microorganisms that can pose serious health risks to those who drink it.
Why? Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized. Pasteurization is a process that kills harmful bacteria potentially found in raw milk by heating milk until it reaches 161 degrees Fahrenheit for more than 15 seconds and then rapidly cooled. This simple process is extremely effective at killing bacteria, while maintaining milk's nutritional value. Pasteurization is just one step dairy farmers take to ensure the dairy foods you love are safe.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, along with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), recommend pasteurized milk and dairy products as the safe choice, especially for infants. It's a matter of food safety.
28. Explain what Is Bst Or Bgh (bovine Somatotropin Or Bovine Growth Hormone)?
Cows naturally produce bovine somatotropin (bST) in their pituitary gland; it directs how energy and nutrients are used for growth in young cattle and for milk production in lactating cows. Dairy farmers may choose to use rbST to help cows produce more milk. In either situation - whether bovine somatotropin (bST) produced by the cow or by recombinant DNA technology (rbST) - no differences can be detected in the animal or the milk produced by that animal.
29. Tell me what should be the qualities of dairy clerk?
In order to score well in this interview question, an efficient way is to give a list of qualities and skills that are in alignment with the respective position. You can start with:
☛ First, one must understand the methods required to succeed in this position
☛ Secondly, indicate that the job will be your #1 priority
☛ Third, indicate that you understand the importance of working as a team
☛ Remember that regardless of position, self awareness is listed time and again as one of the number one things an employer looks for. Beyond this, staples such as:
☛ Good communication
☛ Confidence
☛ Trustworthiness
☛ Passion
☛ Preparedness
Are always great qualities to mention.
Raw milk has not been pasteurized. Raw milk is not the same as organic milk.
31. Tell me is My Milk From Local Dairy Farms?
Milk comes from family farms in local communities across the country. There are about 55,000 dairy farms located throughout the US and more than 500 fluid milk processing establishments. There are dairy farms in all 50 states, 98 percent of which are family owned. The other two percent include farms which are university-owned, company-owned (such as Purina and Hoard's Dairyman) and corporately-owned (such as Horizon Organics).
An extensive research study found that it takes about 48 hours (2 days) for milk to travel from the farm to the grocery store. The Midwest is home to more than 9,500 dairy farms and 200 dairy food processing plants. Dairy farm families are committed to producing wholesome, nutritious milk and dairy foods. They depend on US and international markets for the milk they produce. Besides grocery stores, milk from Midwest dairy farms can be found at convenience stores and restaurant such as 7-Eleven, McDonald's, Domino's, and Pizza Ranch.
32. Tell me what Do You Do When A Cow's Milk Production Slows Down?
Most dairy farmers will slaughter cows after four years, or when their milk production begins to drop. Farmers want the most profitable animals possible and therefore don't wish to keep around cows that produce less milk. Dairy cows are usually sold to slaughterhouses and are ground up into hamburger meat at four years old, even though many can easily live longer than 20 years. If a farmer claims they keep all their older cows and/or bulls, they must have a tremendous amount of money and land, since keeping nonproductive animals is extremely costly, as any farm sanctuary can confirm.
Ultimately what it comes down to is the fact that cows don't produce milk for humans to drink; they make milk for their babies, just as every other mammal does. Dairy farming is inherently an abusive industry because it imprisons animals and forcibly takes what does not belong to us.
Drinking cows' milk is also a rather perverse act when thought about. Drinking the lactation of another species is strange enough. But to drink the milk of a 1,000 lb, non-primate animal, completely covered in hair and who eats grass, is even stranger. Any claim that drinking cows' milk is "natural" should be met with great suspicion.
33. Tell me what If My Family Is On A Tight Budget?
While food budgets are tight for many, dairy foods remain a solid value for their great taste and nutrition. Dollar for dollar, no other food offers as much nutrition as milk. At about .25 cents per 8-ounce glass, on a gallon basis, milk is a bargain when you think of all the liquid assets inside. It provides nine essential nutrients, including calcium and vitamin D, which are so important for overall health.
34. Tell me why Can't Farming Look Like It Did 40 Years Ago?
Farming:- also referred to as production agriculture - is about feeding the world. According to US Census Bureau data, the world population in 1961 was about 3 billion people; today it exceeds 6.9 billion. By 2050, it is estimated that more than 9 billion people will inhabit the planet. In 1961, the US population was about 184 million people. In 2010, it was more than 308 million, a 67 percent increase.
If agriculture today were no more productive than it was in1961, it would require expanding farm land by more than 60 percent, or the food supply per person would be that much smaller. Today, it takes less than half as much land on a per person basis to produce our meat, dairy and poultry supply compared to 45 years ago. Increases in agricultural productivity have made this possible.
American farmers provide people with more high-quality food than ever before. In fact, one farmer now supplies food for more than 150 people in the US and abroad compared with just 25.8 people in1960 - and on less land every year. Production of food worldwide rose in the past half century, with the World Bank estimating that between 70 and 90 percent of the increase resulted from modern farming practices rather than more acres cultivated. Efficiency is one of the core elements of sustainability.
35. Explain me do Dairy Farmers Really Care About The Environment?
Yes. Dairy farmers live and work on their farms, so it's important for them to protect the land, water and air for their families, their surrounding communities and future generations.
All dairy farms must meet the standards for manure storage, handling and recycling set out for them by their state and by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Caring for the environment is a responsibility dairy farmers share with their local community.
Good environmental practices are essential to a dairy farm's success and leave a positive legacy for future generations.
