Accuracy and reliability

Overall accuracy

Data on the amount of milk deviled to the dairy has a high quality since it is mandatory for dairies to register this, but it also provides the basis for the settlement to the milk supplier (farmer). Production on dairies is statutory to register. The calculation of prices and values is based both on actual a conto prices and partly on estimates of the anticipated down payment paid by the cooperatives and only after the end of the dairy year and can thus cause uncertainty about the accrual. When the post-payment is available, the prices are adjusted. The calculation of milk consumption by producers and consumption for feed are estimated after consultation with the Dairy Association.

Sampling error

Not relevant for this statistics.

Non-sampling error

There is an uncertainty in the estimate of milk consumption in the producers since it is calculated based on an average consideration of how much milk a suckling calf drinks and how much milk is used on the farm for human consumption. This estimate has been determined after consultation with an expert in milk production, so the uncertainty is small.

Quality management

Statistics Denmark follows the recommendations on organisation and management of quality given in the Code of Practice for European Statistics (CoP) and the implementation guidelines given in the Quality Assurance Framework of the European Statistical System (QAF). A Working Group on Quality and a central quality assurance function have been established to continuously carry through control of products and processes.

Quality assurance

Statistics Denmark follows the principles in the Code of Practice for European Statistics (CoP) and uses the Quality Assurance Framework of the European Statistical System (QAF) for the implementation of the principles. This involves continuous decentralized and central control of products and processes based on documentation following international standards. The central quality assurance function reports to the Working Group on Quality. Reports include suggestions for improvement that are assessed, decided and subsequently implemented.

Quality assessment

The calculation of the amount of milk weighed on dairies is of high quality as it is compulsory for dairies to register this and report it to the central livestock register, as owner of the Ministry of Environment and Food. The information is also the basis for the settlement to the milk supplier (farmer).

Data revision - policy

Statistics Denmark revises published figures in accordance with the Revision Policy for Statistics Denmark. The common procedures and principles of the Revision Policy are for some statistics supplemented by a specific revision practice.

Data revision practice

The last 3 months' data will always be preliminary, as there are a few dairies that take a long time to report final figures on dairy production. But there is an insignificant difference between preliminary and final figures, which are published 3 months after the first ones. Once a year, the milk prices are adjusted to the actual after-payment, this happens in the spring. Normally, the last year's overpayment is used until the actual overpayment is available.