Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks to identify the activities that are part of the initial milk collection and reception operation at a dairy plant or collection center. This stage is focused on receiving raw milk from farmers or tankers.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The typical workflow at a milk reception dock is as follows:
A. Unloading and Grading: When a milk can or tanker arrives, it is unloaded. An operator then grades the milk, usually by sensory evaluation (smell, appearance) to check for any obvious defects before it is pooled with other milk.
B. Sampling: A representative sample is taken from the consignment. This sample is used for quality control tests (like fat, SNF, acidity, platform tests) which are linked to payment and quality assessment.
C. Weighing: The milk is then poured into a weigh bowl or passed through a flow meter to accurately determine the quantity of milk received. This is essential for record-keeping and payment.
D. Packaging: This is a step in milk processing, not collection. Packaging occurs much later in the process, after the milk has been chilled, clarified, pasteurized, homogenized, etc.
Therefore, unloading/grading, sampling, and weighing are the core activities of the milk collection operation.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct components of the milk collection operation are A, B, and C.