WHO IS SAITL DAIRY LABORATORY?

What's in a Name?

SAITL (an acronym)  is a laboratory operated by the South Auckland Independent Testing Society Ltd to test milk samples taken from farmer suppliers by dairy companies, the results of which are used to calculate the payment to the farmers.Over 97% of New Zealand dairy farm supplier samples are tested here.

In addition to supplier testing the laboratory performs a range of chemical and microbiological raw milk testing for the member companies, non-member dairy companies and other dairy industry groups such as QCONZ, veterinarians and Dairy NZ.

Independence

The laboratory is run independent of its member dairy companies. This independence is the key foundation of the SAITL operation. Staff are free from influence that may affect the quality of their work by ensuring adequate staffing and freedom from undue pressure or time constraints. Staff will only communicate results etc, with the company who supplied the sample. For our member companies this is primarily their Milk Supply department, or where applicable third party companies (such as QCONZ) where we have been given authority to do so.  For our smaller companies, the same provision applies, we only talk with the supplier of the milk sample. In some cases, this is the farmer. Whatever the setup, we ensure at all times the privacy and security of our companies and their suppliers.

Staff

SAITL has approximately 30 staff (including the administration and management team) who process the 25,000 odd samples we receive at peak season.  Staff are provided quality training on the test procedures and methods as well as the specialised equipment and machinery we use within the laboratory.  Multi-skilling and up-skilling are an important requirement and we encourage our staff to get involved in training, the laboratory and its equipment, and projects which arise from time to time.