According to Data Intelo (2025), the biological oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand of dairy waste are typically 15 to 20 times higher than domestic sewage. In 2025, liquid dairy waste accounted for the dominant waste-type share at 61.5% (Data Intelo, 2025). But in Texas, one Corsicana FFA Member is working to combat milk waste through her FFA Supervised Agriculture Experience (SAE).

“One in six pints of milk is wasted,” Savannah Swanson said. “I wanted to research ways to reduce that waste, especially with the rising cost of food.”

Swanson’s research project was developed over two years and studies how refrigerator placement affects the spoilage rate in milk products. In the first year of the project, she studied pasteurized milk using Braum’s A2 whole milk. Braum’s is a dairy and fast-food chain based in Oklahoma that has their own private dairy herd. During year two, she examined raw, unpasteurized milk in partnership with a local dairy operated by the Dretel family.

“I was able to experience the milking process firsthand,” the student said. “That helped me better understand where milk comes from and how it is handled before it reaches consumers.”

For her experiments, Swanson placed 400 milliliters of milk into glass jars. Jars were placed throughout the refrigerator to examine where milk spoils the slowest and fastest.

Over 20 days, she recorded the pH and temperature of each jar every night using a calibrated pH meter and thermometer to determine the rate of milk spoilage in each location.

“Learning about milk safety helped me understand how important proper handling and storage are,” Swanson said.

The fridge door has been found to be the worst place to store milk, as it is the warmest and opening the door can cause temperature fluctuations. The back of the refrigerator is the most stable and consistent temperature for storing dairy products.

Her research not only helps consumers with food safety and waste but helps dairy processors combat milk waste and proper milk handling.

Swanson’s project was recognized as a Star Chapter Agriscience at the 2025 Texas FFA State Convention in Fort Worth, Texas.