Comments on: How to Milk a Cow

on 1/15/2009 I don't think so, I mean, it won't affect the safety of the milk. She just might not produce as much because of the stress of traveling.

on 10/2/2008 Great Article!

on 8/20/2008 nitehunter u sexy?

on 8/20/2008 wtf??????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

on 5/31/2008 I just use my wifes double action breast pump

on 3/16/2008 We just purchased a milk cow yesterday and we have milked by hand before in the past. my question is we heard that if you transport a cow that it's best to throw out the first milking and keep the next days milking.
we just wondered if this is true.
we want to drink the milk raw. so didn't know if this might be something we needed to know.
thanks

on 7/25/2007 We just bought a Dexter abut 2 months ago and she freshened last week. We are leaving the calf on her and aren't getting much milk at all in the bucket. We had high hopes but are getting discouraged...others we talk to leave the calf on and still get a good amount of

on 6/4/2007 i may be getting a dexter cow and calf she has never been milked so can i milk her or will i have to raise her calf and milk her? If i keep the calf feeding off of her do i still have to milk twice a day?

on 5/14/2007 I have a cow. It has a mental illness. But its milk taste good!

on 1/23/2007 Beginner?- Well, I'm a rookie at this kind of stuff, but I'm showing a Black Angus Steer this year for 4-H, so I'm learning. I'm thinking about getting a Holstein dairy cow and raising it and milking it when it gets older, I realize that this is a very easy process for someone who has already done this before, but I think I'll be able to manage. So, from what I have learned here is that you need to: Get your cow to like you, wash it's teats and udder with warm soapy water, and then use a pail to collect the milk while I start milking it? And then I have to milk it twice a day, at the same time every morning and night. Is that correct? I hope so, because I'm getting one next month!
(I'm so excited! I get my own dairy cow!)

on 7/5/2006 I'm a dairy farmer, and before I rub the teat with iodine I pat the cow to let her know I'm there. Then clean the teat.

on 2/10/2006 Help the cow to relax. I always talk her milk down by saying "saww, saww, " in a low deep voice and I always feed her as I milk her. Talk to the cow and keep her calm. If you're not calm she won't be calm. Be nice to her, but make sure she knows you are the boss. If you let the cow push you around she will start pushing you more and more.

on 11/22/2005 If you start milking by just sitting down and pulling, nothing will happen. It is safer for you and the cow if you know everything you can about the cow first. Start by daily grooming. Brushing and scratching her will make her feel better around you, and you around her. You do not need to rush, you will be spending an average of 10 hours a week with your cow from feeding, cleaning and milking. Make sure you like cows. If you do not like the smell, look or feel, then maybe you should not be milking. Clean the utter and teats with warm soapy water. Again, take your time. Remember, you will be drinking what falls into your bucket, so it is best to make sure nothing but milk falls into your bucket! From my experience, it does not matter what side you milk on. I have milked on the right and on the left. Look over your barn and decide where the safest place will be to milk. Pick a area where there is a wall and do the milking on the other side. Your cow will not care. Make sure, whatever you do, you do the same thing every day. Cows like having the same events, and they will adjust to what you want. Do not let them make you do something their way. Here is a good routine to follow:
Enter the barn. Get the grain ready. Tie the cow where you are going to be doing the milking. Brush the cow. Give her the grain and start cleaning her teats. Start milking slowly at first, then pick up speed. When you are done, untie her and lead her out of the milking area. This simple way will help her know what to expect and how to react. Even the most difficult cow is able to change. Never punish your cow with pain. They remember forever and they will get even.

If you are just starting milking all you need is:
Stainless steal bucket, plastic bucket for cleaning, bleach, soap, steal toed boots, a cooler to get the milk cold, a large pot if you want to pasteurize your milk and a cow. I hope your first time is a good time.

on 11/22/2005 First, make sure all the preparations have been done, like feeding, washing and soothing the scene. If you are right handed, it might be best to milk on the right side of the cow. While keeping your right ear against her stomach (listening to what is happening inside), you can protect the bucket with your left leg. It is important that both you and the cow are relaxed during the process. If you can, rub your right knee softly along her stomach to distract her from the milking operation. If you have the jitters, you will give them to the cow resulting in her holding her milk. This may cause a chain of unwanted events. Treat the cow like she is the most important lady that you have ever had your hands on, else she will put her foot either in the milk bucket or on your foot. Do not play behavior games with your cow, she will win and you won't be able to retrain her. Talking to her in a low even toned voice is good. If you know a soft gentle song, it would be good to sing to her. Communicating with your cow while milking is as important as communication your lover - it is all about the best results for both of you. Keep a close account of how much milk she gives, and how long it takes for her to release all she has. Changes in quantity or time may be an indication of significant issues with her.

on 11/22/2005 Make sure you are relaxed while milking a cow. This will allow the cow to give more milk and be more relaxed.