Excerpts from the report Preface: The study on which this report is based was conducted and the report prepared by Paul H. Tracy, of DeLand, Fla., under a contract with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The purpose of the study was to provide dairy plant operators with data and guidelines that could be used in establishing and operating special-purpose milk plants (plants that handle and package only fluid milk and half- and-half) more efficiently. The report deals primarily with the use and benefits to be derived from automated equipment. The study is part, of a broad program of research aimed at improving market efficiency for farm products.