The University of the West Indies (UWI) St. Augustine’s Faculty of Food and Agriculture (FFA) has showcased its advanced dairy production system through a special digital publication released during World Quality Week 2025 (November 10-14). The publication highlights the institution’s commitment to agricultural excellence through its vertically integrated milk production process at the Valsayn Field Station.
Under the guidance of Dr. Martin Hughes, Deputy Dean of Farms, the FFA maintains complete oversight of the production chain—from pasture management to bottled milk distribution. The operation begins with carefully nurtured mulato grass, specifically cultivated for its nutritional richness, which forms the primary diet for the dairy herd. The faculty recognizes that animal welfare directly impacts product quality, implementing comprehensive veterinary monitoring and maintaining pristine living conditions for the cattle.
The milking process incorporates rigorous hygiene protocols aligned with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs). Stockmen meticulously sanitize both udders and equipment before each milking session. Following extraction, milk undergoes immediate pasteurization in a dedicated facility where precise temperature controls eliminate pathogens while preserving nutritional integrity and flavor profiles.
Quality verification continues with laboratory testing that confirms both pasteurization effectiveness and nutritional composition. The bottling process occurs in sanitized environments designed to prevent contamination, with finished products rapidly moving to refrigerated storage until distribution.
The FFA’s publication emphasizes that quality represents an institutional culture rather than mere compliance. This philosophy aligns with the 2025 World Quality Week theme ‘Quality: Think Differently,’ positioning the milk as an exemplar of preventive, data-driven agricultural science. Consumers can purchase the premium dairy product at UWI Field Station sales offices and select local supermarkets.