8/2/2019 CLESSY

1/7

Jump to main content.

Ag 101

Contact UsSearch: All EPA This Area

You are here:EPA Home Agriculture Ag 101 Dairy Production Milking Parlors

Milking Parlors

Cows are milked twice per day on most farms. However, 10% increased milk production can be

obtained by milking the cows 3 times per day, and many dairy farms are beginning to do so.Some operations even milk a portion of their cows 4 times per day. Cows housed in tiestall barns

are often milked in their stalls. A number of dairy farms, primarily those whose owners are

members of religious denominations that do not utilize electricity, stillmilk cows by handratherthan with milking equipment. These are not common and usually involve only a few cows. The

milk from such operations does not enter thefresh milkmarket and is utilized only for

manufacturing purposes. Most cows milked in tiestall barns are either milked withbucketmilkers orpipelinemilking systems. Milking cows in tiestall barns is extremely labor intensive

http://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairymilking.html#contenthttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairymilking.html#contenthttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/contact.htmlhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/contact.htmlhttp://www.epa.gov/http://www.epa.gov/http://www.epa.gov/http://www.epa.gov/agriculture/index.htmlhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/index.htmlhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/index.htmlhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/index.htmlhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairy.htmlhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairy.htmlhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#handhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#handhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#handhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#freshhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#freshhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#freshhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#buckhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#buckhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#buckhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#pipehttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#pipehttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#pipehttp://www.epa.gov/http://www.epa.gov/http://www.epa.gov/http://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#pipehttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#buckhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#freshhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#handhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairy.htmlhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/index.htmlhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/index.htmlhttp://www.epa.gov/http://www.epa.gov/agriculture/contact.htmlhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairymilking.html#content

8/2/2019 CLESSY

2/7

and requires much stooping and bending. The desire to reduce this type of labor has led to many

types of milkingparlordesigns, in which the milker need not bend to be at the level of the cowsudder.

Source: Gennex, CRI

Some cows in the Midwest and Northeast are milked in Tie Stall Barns.

Hand Milking (Amish) Bucket Milkers Pipelines

Walk-through Parlor

Walk-throughorstep-up parlorsare often installed or retrofitted into existing tiestall barns as a

cost effective way of alleviating the demands of the milking chore. In these parlors cows enter

http://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#parlorhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#parlorhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#parlorhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#udderhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#udderhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#walkhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#walkhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#stephttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#stephttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#stephttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#stephttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#walkhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#udderhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#parlor

8/2/2019 CLESSY

3/7

from the rear, step up onto an elevated platform for milking, and then exit forward through a

headgate. Walk through parlors are inexpensive, but labor demands are still relatively high.

Step-up Parlor

Herringbone Parlor

Source: Midwest Plan Service

One of the most popular types of parlors is theherringbone, so named because the cows enterand stand next to each other, but face away from the operator'spitat an angle. Milkers attach the

milking clusters to theteatsfrom the side of the cow, and to have better visual contact with the

cow's udder while she is being milked. It is usually easier to keep the milker positioned properlybeneath the cow's udder.

http://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#herrhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#herrhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#herrhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#mpithttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#mpithttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#mpithttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#teathttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#teathttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#teathttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#teathttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#mpithttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#herr

8/2/2019 CLESSY

4/7

Parallel Parlor

Source: Midwest Plan Service

Parallel parlorsare similar to the herringbone parlors except that cows stand perpendicular to theoperator pit and the cows are milked from the rear, between the cow's hind legs. Advantages are

that the cows stand closer together so the worker has to walk less between cows that are beingmilked. Disadvantages are that the cow's tail is often in the way and it may be a long reach for

some milkers to reach the cow's front teats.

Rotary Parlor

Rotary parlorsare gaining in popularity. Some older styles of rotary parlors were not veryefficient or dependable. New ones, however, have proven to be a viable alternative for large

dairy farms. With the rotary parlor, the platform on which the cows stand moves around, while

the cleaners and milkers stand in one location. Milking cows is still a demanding task, however,

because the cows come by so quickly that each task must be performed in about 10 to 12 secondswith no break between cows.

http://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#parahttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#parahttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#rotaryhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#rotaryhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#rotaryhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#para

8/2/2019 CLESSY

5/7

No matter what kind of parlor is used, there are some key components ofmilking proceduresthatare followed in each. Namely, the cow's teats must be thoroughly cleaned and dried, the milking

equipment must be working properly and attached properly, and the teats must be disinfected

with an approvedteat dipfollowing milking. This is to prevent possible spread of mastitis from

cow to cow. Similarly, the milk must behandled properlyafter it leaves the cow. It must becooled to under 45 degrees Fahrenheit within 2 hours of milking.Plate coolersare often more

efficient at cooling milk thanbulk tanksand are used on most farms. Bulk tanks manufactured

after January 1, 2000 must be equipped with a recording thermometer so that the temperaturehistory of the milk can be monitored. A sample of milk from each bulk tank accompanies the

milk truck to the receiving plant. The milk undergoes a battery of tests to assure that it is safe and

of high quality before it is accepted for processing. Dairy producers must meet specificrequirements for bacteria counts andsomatic cells(white blood cells) in milk; and they are paid a

premium for high quality milk. No added water orantibioticresidues are allowed, under penalty

of losing one's permit to sell milk.

Chicken Life Cycle"The Egg" by Jack Prelutsky

If you listen very carefully, you'll hear the chicken hatching.At first there scarcely was a sound, but now a steady scratching.

And now the egg begins to crack the scratching starts to quicken,As anxiously we all await the exit of the chicken.

And now a head emerges from the darkness of the egg,And now a bit of fluff appears, and now a tiny leg,

And now the chicken's out at last, he's shaking himself loose,But, wait a minute that's no chicken...

Goodness, it's a goose.

What is a bird?

A bird is the only animal that has feathers. Also, all birds have bills, have wings,and lay eggs.

What are the stages of the chicken's life cycle?

http://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairymilking.html#concepthttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairymilking.html#concepthttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairymilking.html#concepthttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#diphttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#diphttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#diphttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairymilking.html#concepthttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairymilking.html#concepthttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairymilking.html#concepthttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#platehttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#platehttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#platehttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#bulkhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#bulkhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#bulkhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#somatichttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#somatichttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#somatichttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#antihttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#antihttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#antihttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#antihttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#somatichttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#bulkhttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#platehttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairymilking.html#concepthttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairyglossary.html#diphttp://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairymilking.html#concept

8/2/2019 CLESSY

6/7

Eggs: A hen lays eggs in a nest. Some eggshave an embryo inside. An embryo willgrow into a chick in 21 days. The motherhen must keep the egg warm. The egg's

hard shell protects it while it grows. Thebaby bird will use an egg tooth on it's beakto hatch out of the egg. This can take a fullday!

Chick: The chick is wet when it hatchesfrom its egg. It has feathers called down.The down will dry fast. Also, chicks canwalk right away. They like to eat seeds,bugs, and worms. Chicks grow morefeathers in about 4 weeks. A comb grows onthe chick's head and a wattle grows underthe chick's beak. Chicks resemble theirparents from the time they hatch and asthey grow.

Chicken: Chicks are fully grown intochickens in six months. Female chicks growup to be hens. Male chicks grow up to beroosters. The hens will lay more eggs.

8/2/2019 CLESSY

7/7

Video: To learn more about a bird's life

cycle, watch this video.(Only accessible from school)

Websites: Visit these websites for more information about chickens.

All About Chickens What is a Chicken? Embryology: The 21-day Chick Life Cycle

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/birds/info/chicken.shtmlhttp://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/birds/info/chicken.shtmlhttp://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/eggs/res08-whatis.htmlhttp://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/eggs/res08-whatis.htmlhttp://chickscope.beckman.uiuc.edu/explore/embryology/http://chickscope.beckman.uiuc.edu/explore/embryology/http://tcw10/classes/SMiller/capstone/4Birds.asfhttp://tcw10/classes/SMiller/capstone/4Birds.asfhttp://gets.gc.k12.va.us/elementary/lifecycles/images/chcikenposter.jpghttp://tcw10/classes/SMiller/capstone/4Birds.asfhttp://tcw10/classes/SMiller/capstone/4Birds.asfhttp://gets.gc.k12.va.us/elementary/lifecycles/images/chcikenposter.jpghttp://tcw10/classes/SMiller/capstone/4Birds.asfhttp://tcw10/classes/SMiller/capstone/4Birds.asfhttp://gets.gc.k12.va.us/elementary/lifecycles/images/chcikenposter.jpghttp://tcw10/classes/SMiller/capstone/4Birds.asfhttp://tcw10/classes/SMiller/capstone/4Birds.asfhttp://gets.gc.k12.va.us/elementary/lifecycles/images/chcikenposter.jpghttp://tcw10/classes/SMiller/capstone/4Birds.asfhttp://tcw10/classes/SMiller/capstone/4Birds.asfhttp://gets.gc.k12.va.us/elementary/lifecycles/images/chcikenposter.jpghttp://chickscope.beckman.uiuc.edu/explore/embryology/http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/eggs/res08-whatis.htmlhttp://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/birds/info/chicken.shtml