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UWI Spotlights Production of its High-Quality Field Station Milk for World Quality Week

For Release Upon Receipt - December 2, 2025

St. Augustine


St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago – December 2nd 2025 - The UWI St Augustine Faculty of Food and Agriculture (FFA) joined global 2025 World Quality Week Celebrations with a special digital publication which highlighted the faculty’s very own fresh and high-quality milk that is produced at the University Field Station in Valsayn.

 

 A University Field Station stockman delivers attentive, hands-on care as part of the daily routine to ensure the health and well-being of each animal.

 Commemorated annually, World Quality Week is described as a celebration of quality and the people who champion it across organisations, teams and communities.

This year’s commemorations were held from November 10 to 14 and themed ‘Quality: Think Differently.

In its special publication, the FFA said it chose to highlight its freshly produced milk for this year’s commemorations, as the milk embodies the theme, given it is produced through a meticulous process from farm to table with the end goal being fresh, high-quality milk.

The entire production process – from the health of the grass that herds feed on to the bottled milk – is managed by FFA Deputy Dean of Farms, Dr Martin Hughes.

For the FFA, the foundation of the high quality of its milk is rooted in the health and well-being of their dairy herd, which is managed by skilled stockmen.

 

 The University Field Station’s Foreman meticulously monitors the precision pasteurisation process, ensuring the highest standards of safety and consistency in every batch of milk.

The FFA’s special publication said, “Our quality commitment to quality starts from the ground up – literally.

“Our cows graze on the lush, open pastures at the Field Station, where they thrive on a diet of nutritious Mulato grass.

“This specific, high-quality forage is rich in the nutrients needed for their health and well-being, forming the essential foundation for producing the wholesome, great-tasting milk.”

Understanding that stressed or unhealthy animals cannot produce high-quality milk, the FFA also has its dairy herd living in clean conditions and regularly monitored by veterinarians.

Hygienic milking practices are another important step in ensuring the University Field Station milk is high-quality.

Before milking, the stockmen ensure udders as well as milking equipment are thoroughly cleaned and sanitised.

The focus on hygiene is a direct application of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).

 

 The University Field Station’s Foreman conducts a quality test on freshly pasteurised milk before it is dispatched to the Field Station’s Sales Office and local supermarkets.

Once the cows are milked, the milk is then transported to a dedicated pasteurisation unit, with consumer safety being the unit’s core mission.

Describing the pasteurisation process, the FFA publication said, “The milk is heated to a precise temperature for a set time in a carefully calibrated process that eliminates harmful bacteria without compromising the taste or nutrition.

“But we don’t just trust the process; we verify it. Samples regularly go for lab testing to confirm the pasteurisation was effective and to check on the fat and protein content.”

Once pasteurised and cooled, the milk is filled into clean, sanitised bottles in a process which is designed to prevent recontamination.

The filled bottles are then immediately moved to a refrigerated storage room that maintains freshness until they are ready to be distributed.

The FFA said quality is a culture at the Faculty and not just something to tick off a checkbox.

 

 The UWI’s fresh pasteurised milk, available in 625 ml and 1.8 L bottles, ready for purchase at the Field Station’s Sales Office and select local supermarkets.

 The special publication added, “The journey of milk at the UWI Field Station is more than a procedure; it’s a demonstration of a quality culture.

“For World Quality Week, our milk serves as a powerful reminder that quality is preventative, continuous, data-driven, and everyone’s responsibility.

“When you pick up a bottle, you’re not just buying milk; you’re taking home a product of genuine care and expert oversight, which is a true taste of UWI’s dedication to quality, straight from farm to fridge.”

Interested individuals can purchase the University Field Station milk at the UWI Field Station sales offices and local supermarkets where it is supplied.

END

 

About The University of the West Indies

The University of the West Indies (The UWI) is the Caribbean’s premier higher education institution and one of only two regional universities in the world. With five campuses across the English-speaking Caribbean and global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe, The UWI continues to be a beacon of academic excellence, research innovation, and societal impact. Consistently ranked among the world’s best by Times Higher Education (THE), The UWI is a global leader in addressing critical challenges, including climate change, sustainability, and development.

As The UWI St. Augustine Campus celebrates its 65th anniversary in 2025 under the theme Beyond 65: From the Caribbean, For the World, it pays tribute to its Caribbean roots while highlighting its contributions to solving global challenges. This milestone underscores the campus's significant role in producing ground-breaking research and fostering talent that transcends regional boundaries to shape a better world. The UWI St. Augustine’s researchers, academics, and graduates continue to make an international impact, exemplifying the university’s mission to serve the region while influencing the world.

Learn more at www.uwi.edu  

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