E Is For Explanation

I'm taking you on a journey from A to Z throughout June Dairy Month.

So come on in...the barn doors are open!

  E Is For Explanation

"Hey Farmer John! You can stay a little longer. Just skip milking tonight." 

This is one of the biggest misconceptions of dairy farming. We cannot, and will not, skip a milking session.

"We need you Farmer John."

Cows are creatures of habit. Cows love being on a schedule. Actually, cows need a schedule. If we deviate from their milking routine, it can harm their health and milk production. A cows milk supply is dependent on demand. If a farmer doesn't milk the cows, less milk is produced. 

 At each milking we try to remove all the milk from the udder. Without being milked, she will get extremely uncomfortable, full, and even down right crabby. She is also at risk to develop infections, which could possibly end milk production in one or more teats. If cows aren't milked, cows quit producing milk all together, or in farmer terms, "dry up."

 "Come on. It's milking time."

We milk our cows twice daily at 6 AM and 6 PM. Even a few minutes late, and we are greeted with lots of moos, and the girls waiting eagerly at the gate to enter the milking parlor. 

  You may also want to read my previous years posts for June Dairy Month...
E Is For Environment 
and
E Is For Every