Background
Processors in the dairy industry face many challenges when it comes to the procurement and collection of milk. The issue extends beyond simply choosing the best route for milk lorries as there are factors other than physical distance which need to be considered.
Production at farms depends on a number of elements including calving, weather and diseases. In addition, milk quantities required at processing factories can vary.
Dairy farms can have different pumping technologies (e.g. pump, voltage) and storage capacity, all of which influence the types of milk lorries that they are able to serve. Likewise, milk lorries themselves have different capabilities for milk transportation.
Agreed collection times of farms and dairy factories also need to be considered, as well as delays from the production end or indeed traffic congestion which may result in late arrivals and customer dissatisfaction.
Many, if not all, of these concerns can be eliminated / controlled with proper route optimisation planning.