Rhythm and Moos Bring Safe Food to You « Back

Swish-swoosh, swish-swoosh — it’s the rhythmic sound I hear as I enter the specialized area within the milk barn, known as the milking parlor. Milking the cows is serious business because it plays a larger role in meeting the challenge to make certain that a safe, wholesome product leaves the farm. All dairy farmers follow strict milking protocols to insure sanitary collection of the milk.

On our farm, 300 cows are milked twice daily. Our herringbone style parlor allows 16 cows to be milked in each group. As eight cows enter on each side from the back of the barn, I stand in the walk way below them, looking at their udders at eye level. Latex gloves are worn by the person milking the cow to prevent transfer of any pathogens that might be present on human hands. After entering the parlor, a sanitizing solution is gently sprayed on each cow’s teats to reduce any bacteria that might be present.

The milking machine is attached after the udder is washed and dried. Electronic milking machines use a pulsating vacuum that simulates the suckling calf and collects the milk without being touched by human hands. Most cows will milk out in four to six minutes. When the cow is finished milking, the equipment is removed and the cow’s teats are again gently sprayed with a sanitizer. When all cows are finished being milked, the entire milking system will be cleaned and sanitized.

As I stand watching the milk flow from the cow and hear the rhythmic swish-swoosh of the milking machine, I believe I am listening to the special heart-felt melody the dairy farmer hears when the cows are in the parlor producing a healthy, safe and nutritious product for you and your family!