Dairy Q & A

Question:

What is homogenization?

Answer:

Homogenization is a mechanical process that breaks up fat globules 

to a smaller size.When this process is used with milk, it distributes

 the smaller sized fat globules through out the milk producing a 

uniform consistency.  It's basically mixing the cream into the milk.

Homogenization makes the milk whiter  and more appetizing color,

 provides a more full-bodied flavor and better mouth feel and gives milk 

and other cultured milk products increased shelf stability.

Milk began being homogenized in the early 1930's when Dr.Malcolm Trout, 

a nutrition professor at Michigan State, linked the process of pasteurization

 and homogenization together. He found that homogenized milk needed

 to be pasteurized first to have an appealing taste.

While it's possible to have pasteurized milk that hasn't been homogenized and

 homogenized milk that hasn't been pasteurized, most milk found in 

 United States markets has undergone both processes.

Milk is pasteurized first to kill bacteria,

 then homogenized to give us that consistent taste.

Dairy Q&A

                                                                Question:

     What does the label "Best By" mean on top of the milk jug?

                                            Answer:

According to Midwest Dairy,"Best By","Best if Used By" and "Use-By" dates  indicate  the recommended timing for the best flavor and optimal quality of the milk or milk product.  Even if the product date expires, it may still be safe to use if handled properly. 
Discard dairy products that develop an off flavor,odor or appearance.

Dairy Q&A

                                                                     Question:

                                                              What is a heifer?

                                                             
                                                                       Answer:
                      A heifer is a young cow over one year old
                                 that has not produced a calf.
                   Heifers  become the milking cows on our farm.

                        It's always exciting to witness the birth 
                      of the first calf of these magnificent  dairy
                animals that we have watched grow and develop
                               over a  two year period of time 
                                  and   cared for  since  birth.

Dairy Q&A

                                                                       Question:

                           How long does a baby calf live in a pen with that little white building?

      Answer:

Our  newborn calves are  placed in an  individual hutch (little white building) 

within the first twelve hours after birth. We are able to monitor each calf

 closely for any feeding or  health issues and provide a more protected environment.

 In eight weeks, the calves will be removed from the hutch and taken to a small

 pasture with a group of calves of similar age and size.

Dairy Q&A

                                                Question:

                             Can I buy milk from your farm?

                                                                        Answer:

                                                   No. 

                  Our milk is transported to the Hiland plant in                             Fayetteville to be pasteurized and bottled for drinking. 
         You might be drinking our milk if you buy Hiland milk!
                           

Dairy Q&A

Question:

How much water does a dairy cow drink?

  Answer: 

At least a bathtub full every day!

It's a little more complicated than that but it does give you a picture of the amount needed for a grown cow. The complicated part is that cows not only drink water but their needs are also met by  water that is contained in their feed, as well as from metabolic water produced by the oxidation of organic nutrients.

The amount of water lost from a cow's body is influenced by the animal's activity,air temperature,humidity,respiratory rate,water intake, feed consumption, milk production and other factors.

The heat and humidity we are experiencing in Northwest Arkansas definitely makes a difference in how much water each cow will drink!

On our farm, water is provided in water tanks located in convenient locations for the cows in every pasture and inside the feed barn.

 It's our job to make sure that clean,fresh water is available everyday. 

Dairy Q&A

                                                                       Question: 

                    What kind of dairy cattle do you have on your farm?

                                                                         Answer:

Holsteins (black and white)

and 

Ayrshire (red and white)

There are 6 dairy breeds of North America: 

Jersey, Holstein, Guernsey, Ayrshire,

Milking Shorthorn and Brown Swiss

Dairy Q&A

Question:

 How long do a dairy  cow and calf stay together?

Answer:

On our farm, the calf is usually with the mother for the first 12 hours after birth. The time varies depending on the time of birth.

The mothers will join the milking herd  and the calves are placed in an individual calf hutch to be fed and closely monitored.

Calves are separated from their mothers to ensure the best individual care and monitoring of both animals, especially in the first 24 hours.

Our calves grow up to become the cows that produce milk on our farm, so we make it a priority to get them off to a healthy start.

Dairy Q&A

Question:

How many times a day do you milk your cows?

Answer:

We milk our dairy cows in the milking herd   twice a day, every day of the year.

 Some dairy farms milk three times a day. 

Milking equipment delivers milk directly from the cows to a refrigerated holding tank to preserve freshness and safety. 

Dairy Q&A

Question:

How do you use the  cow manure produced on your farm?

Answer:

We recycle the cow manure  and use it as fertilizer for crops.

Manure ( nutrient) is also useful in water conservation because it increases the water-holding capacity of soil by 20 percent, resulting in reduced ground water needed to grow crops.

We are permitted by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality to  store manure for use on our farm.

We follow a nutrient management plan specially designed  for our farm that  guides the amount,source, placement and timing of manure on fields. 

Dairy Q&A

Question:

Do you add hormones to the milk?

Answer:

No.

Bovine somatotropin (bst) is a naturally occurring protein hormone produced by a cow's pituitary gland. It regulates metabolic activities, helping young cattle grow and adult cows produce milk.

A small amount of bst is present in all milk, including organic products. 

There is a supplemental hormone called rbst (recombinant bovine somatotropin) that can be administered to the cow  by a farmer who is trying to increase the milk production to help ensure a plentiful supply of milk. Studies show that milk from cows treated with the supplemental hormone rBST is the same wholesome product that we have enjoyed for generations. This has been affirmed and reaffirmed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and other leading health organizations.

The decision to not use a supplemental hormone on our cows is a decision due to consumer demand and is not related to any health or safety issue. 

You can rest assured,milk is wholesome,safe and nutritious.

Dairy Q&A

Question:

What is one of the dairy farmer's most important jobs?

Answer:

Animal care is one of the most important aspects of a dairy farmer's job. We spend the majority of our time everyday feeding our dairy cows and calves and monitoring the amount that is consumed.

From my front porch, I often  enjoy watching the soon to be mama cows cleaning up the grain mixture in the feed wagons. 

Even though these pregnant cows receive a special designed diet  daily  and have access to hay at all times, they never turn away a good meal or a tasty treat! 

Dairy Q&A

                                                                      Question:

               Do dairy farms produce a lot of greenhouse gases?

                                               Answer:

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's US Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emission Report, dairy production contributes less than 1 percent of US greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gases include water vapor,carbon dioxide and ozone.

Today, producing a pound of milk takes three times less methane than it did in 1924 because of the many efficiencies  practiced by dairy farmers everyday such as  feeding grains and high-quality forage and by continuing to use other tools such as genetic improvement and superior herd management.

More information can be found at US Environmental Protection Agency or Midwestdairy.

Dairy Q&A

                                                                      Question:

                                                                  What is whey?

                                            

Answer:

Whey is one of two major proteins found in cow's milk. Whey protein is produced during the process of making cheese, which begins when special enzymes are added to milk causing it to separate. The curd are used to make cheese, leaving behind whey protein in the liquid portion. This liquid whey is then pasteurized and dried into a powder for various uses.

National Dairy Council

Kraft opened a cheese plant in Bentonville,Arkansas in the 1940's. At that time, the whey from cheese production was taken to local farmers and fed to dairy and beef cattle.

Thanks to dairy research and development of food products, whey protein can be found in powders,drink mixes, energy bars,yogurt, and other foods.Whey protein powder is very convenient and can be added to smoothies,oatmeal,soups,sauces,dips,baked goods, or other common foods.

Dairy Makes Sense

Dairy Q&A

                                                                     Question:

                     What do you feed your milking cows?

           

Answer:

Our dairy cows in the milking herd enjoy a mixture of grain,hay and silage everyday of the year. This feed mixture is known as a total mixed ration and  is designed by our dairy nutritionist. 

A measured amount of each ingredient is mixed in the wagon to ensure that each cow will have at least 100 pounds of the  feed mixture.

We raise hay and silage on our farm but we purchase corn and other grain by-products from other farmers.

Our commitment to providing high-quality milk begins with taking good care of our cows by providing a nutritious diet.

             

Dairy Q&A

                                                                      Question:

                                Do you pasteurize the  milk on your farm?

                                                               
                                                                     Answer:

No, milking equipment delivers milk directly from the cows to a refrigerated holding tank to preserve freshness and safety. The milk is then quickly transported to processing plants for continued freshness and safety. 

A dedicated "milk hauler" picks up our milk on the farm every other day, regardless of the weather or holiday,  and transports it to the Hiland milk plant in Fayetteville for pasteurization,packaging and delivering to consumers in our area.

                                    

                                                       
        

Dairy Q&A

                                                                  Question:

                           Are dairy farms closed on holidays?

Answer:

Dairy farms are never closed!

We milk our cows every day of the year--even weekends and holidays!

Our commitment to providing high-quality milk begins with taking good care of our cows everyday.

On Christmas Day, like every day, we'll milk our dairy cows twice a day,

                                     
                                 

make sure the milking cows have plenty of nutritious feed to eat,

provide hay and grain to our soon-to-calve dairy cows, 

keep a close eye on any cows giving birth,

and feed our baby calves in the hutches and pastures.

Dairy Q&A

Question:

How do I know which milk or dairy product is antibiotic free?

                                                   
                                                                      Answer:
           All milk is tested for antibiotics when it leaves the farm
                                   and before it is pasteurized.

                                                In fact,
 it is illegal for a dairy farmer to sell milk that contains antibiotics. 

Healthy animals are the foundation of a safe and abundant food supply. We use antibiotics under  the advice of our veterinarian  to treat a cow that is sick.  The milk from a cow being treated with antibiotics is separated to ensure it does not go into the milk supply.
You can find  more detailed information about antibiotic use on the farm at Dairy Makes Sense. 

Dairy Q&A

Question: 

Is it painful for the dairy  cow when being milked?

Answer:

No.

Milking a cow actually provides relief from the pressure of being full of milk. 

The milking machine applies a very gentle pressure on each teat in an alternating pattern.

Although every dairy farm may have a different type of milking equipment, milking the cow provides relief and comfort for the cow. Dairy farmers make sure their cows in the milking herd  are milked at least  twice a day, the same time every day, everyday of the year.

Dairy Q&A

                                                                     Question:
                       How does a calf stay warm in the winter?

     Answer: 

 For the first three months, our calves live in a clean, dry individual pen called a calf hutch. Our hutches are made from fiberglass that  provides protection from wind and bad weather, allows ample space for the calf to move freely and protects them from other calves in the herd.

When the weather gets really cold , like this past week when temperatures dipped into the teens, we add sawdust shavings or straw inside the hutch for extra warmth and comfort.

Twice a day  each calf receives a measured amount

 of warm milk and grain and is  monitored closely for any signs or symptoms of illness.