Quick answer: Most dairies in India price milk on its fat and SNF.
- Two-axis pricing: rate per litre = (Fat% × ₹ per kg fat + SNF% × ₹ per kg SNF) ÷ 100. For example, (4.2 × 400 + 8.24 × 250) ÷ 100 = ₹37.40.
- Fat-only pricing (common for buffalo milk with private buyers): rate = Fat% × ₹ per fat point. For example, 7.0 × 8.20 = ₹57.40.
If you only have the lactometer reading (CLR), SNF is usually worked out as CLR ÷ 4 + 0.21 × Fat + 0.36. Download the free Excel calculator below. It works out the rate, prints a full rate chart, and checks your 10-day dairy bill.
Key takeaways
- Rate calculator for both methods: fat & SNF, or fat only.
- SNF from CLR, with the formula constants you can change.
- A printable rate chart (fat 3.0–9.0 × SNF 7.5–9.5) made from your dairy’s ₹ per kg rates.
- A 10-day milk hisab so farmers can check their dairy bill shift by shift. Free, with no macros.
How milk rate is calculated from fat and SNF
Milk is paid for its solids: fat, and solids-not-fat (SNF: protein, lactose, minerals). Co-operative dairies announce a price per kg of fat and per kg of SNF. The rate for one litre is:
Rate = (Fat% × ₹/kg fat + SNF% × ₹/kg SNF) ÷ 100
| Milk | Fat % | SNF % | Working (₹400 / kg fat, ₹250 / kg SNF) | Rate per litre |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cow | 3.8 | 8.3 | (3.8 × 400 + 8.3 × 250) ÷ 100 | ₹35.95 |
| Cow | 4.5 | 8.6 | (4.5 × 400 + 8.6 × 250) ÷ 100 | ₹39.50 |
| Buffalo | 6.5 | 9.0 | (6.5 × 400 + 9.0 × 250) ÷ 100 | ₹48.50 |
| Buffalo | 7.5 | 9.3 | (7.5 × 400 + 9.3 × 250) ÷ 100 | ₹53.25 |
These are sample rates only. Your dairy’s ₹ per kg fat and SNF change during the year, so enter the rates from its latest notice.
Fat-only rate (₹ per fat point)
Many private buyers and village collectors in Punjab and Haryana pay buffalo milk on fat alone. Rate = Fat% × ₹ per fat point. At ₹8.20 per point, 6.5 fat gives ₹53.30 a litre and 7.5 fat gives ₹61.50. Choose “Fat only” in the calculator to use this method.
How to find SNF from the CLR (lactometer reading)
If your slip shows fat and CLR but not SNF, the widely used formula is:
SNF = CLR ÷ 4 + 0.21 × Fat + 0.36
Example: CLR 28 and fat 4.2 → 7 + 0.882 + 0.36 = 8.24%. Some dairies use slightly different constants, so all three can be changed in the template.
Milk rate chart
Collection centres put up a chart with fat down the side and SNF across the top. Enter your two rates and the template fills the whole chart, 61 fat steps × 21 SNF steps, ready to print.
Check your 10-day dairy bill (milk hisab)
Copy each shift’s slip into the Milk Hisab sheet: qty, fat and SNF or CLR. It works out every rate and the total, then subtracts cattle feed or advance. If the dairy’s bill is different, you’ll see which day doesn’t match.
Running a milk collection centre? XploreDairy – Milk Collection Centre Manager in Excel takes morning and evening entries for up to 200 farmers and makes the 10-day, 15-day or monthly bills. It deducts cattle feed and advance recovery, and sends each farmer’s bill on WhatsApp. It also compares what you collected with what the dairy paid you: quantity loss, fat loss and margin.
Download the free Milk Fat & SNF Rate Calculator
There are three sheets: Calculator, Rate Chart and Milk Hisab. Fill in the yellow cells. It works in Excel, Excel for Mac and Google Sheets.
FAQs
What is SNF in milk?
Solids-not-fat: everything in milk except water and fat, mainly protein, lactose and minerals. Buffalo milk usually has more fat and SNF than cow milk, which is why it fetches a higher rate.
What is a good fat and SNF for cow and buffalo milk?
Cow milk is commonly around 3.5–4.5% fat and 8.3–8.7% SNF. Buffalo milk is around 6–8% fat and 9–9.5% SNF. Feed, breed, season and stage of lactation all change these.
Why is my bill different from my own calculation?
Check three things. First, the rate in force on that date, because rates change. Second, whether the dairy rounds fat and SNF down to the chart step. Third, whether the quantity is in litres or kg (1 litre of milk weighs about 1.03 kg).
Does it work on mobile?
Yes. Open it in the Excel or Google Sheets app. The Milk Hisab sheet is easiest to fill on a phone.
