With my husband being a former dairy farmer, he usually had to work all the time. Cows could not go without being milked for a day. They started milking cows in the morning before most anyone was awake and again about 4 p.m. each day. The three brothers did have a system worked out where every third Sunday one was off for that day.
There are so many things to learn about cows and milking. The first things the guys would do was turn all the lights on, prep the machines, sanitize, and turn the pumps on, and make sure they called the cows to the barn. Many times they were ready and waiting because it was their routine and they were full and uncomfortable. A few times when the guys, usually two milking, were late to start milking, the cows were mooing letting them know they were late.
The cows knew to line up in two rows because there were two rows of milkers. The guys would stand in the middle and on a lower level of floor than the two milker rows of 4 on each side. They separated each cow by moving a handle to close feeding door stalls so each cow was fed during each session. These feeders were kept full for each cow after the first was finished. Eight cows in total were milked in each session. They first had to wash then sanitize the tits to be sure the milk was not contaminated. That was a high priority.
The tits were then placed into the tit suction cups that would pump the tits by use of air pressure. The milk would travel through cleaned and sanitized tubes into a separate room where it was kept cold in a milk tank until a milk tanker semi came to transport it. The temperature in these tanks were constantly checked for proper gauging and the whole tank was tested by authority as well. Bacteria levels were checked for impurities to also ensure healthy and pure milk.
If there was a cow with only 3 or less tits, the tit cups used were plugged to keep air from sucking into the tank. These were also kept sanitized before and after use. When the cow was pumped completely, the tit apparatus would automatically release from the tits. Some cows would finish earlier than others and you would have the opportunity to prepare for the next cow by again dipping to sanitize the tits and so forth. However, the cow that was finished had to remain in its stall until the whole row was finished. Once the whole row was done, you opened the row of stalls and cows exited; one row to the left and one row to the right.
Most of the wives did not milk cows, but right before my husband went on to another job, I and our kids did help milk. I was so much shorter than my husband and kids and I had to be very careful when reaching in to wipe and clean the tits. Cows can be sensitive and I needed my head! Plus, cows can detect nervousness just like a dog or animal and you had to act like you were the boss.
Years before the 3 brothers milked and we married, my husband’s whole family milked. His sisters were a huge part of milking and farming. I gained much respect for the dairy farmer and the hours and effort it took to farm and milk cows.
Breeds of cows are important to ensure the best outcome of amount and quality of milk. Not only did they milk cows, but they also raised the proper bulls to ensure this process. Some bulls had a mean temperament and had to be watched closely.
Unfortunate for my father-in-law, he was taken down by a bull long before I was married to my husband. I was in grade school with my husband’s sister when one day they came to school to tell her and get her. He had many internal injuries and lost an ear. He was strong and made it through thank The Lord!
There is a lot to a dairy farm and now days the small dairy farms seem to be fading because the huge mass productive dairies are taking over. Our dairy farm averaged about 100 or so whereas these massive dairies have 1000’s. If you ever get a chance, go see a small dairy. And, go see the massive dairies to see the difference. God’s gifts to us are amazing!
