The Milk Makers

Many farmers raise cows on their farm for their milk. This milk is used to make dairy products. That's why these cows are called dairy cows.

Many farmers raise cows on their farm for their milk. This milk is used to make dairy products. That's why these cows are called dairy cows.

When cows eat grass, hay, corn, and oats some of the food goes to giving the cow energy and making it healthy, and part goes to making milk in the cow.A dairy cow eats about 50 pounds of food and

drinks about 50 gallons of water a day!

When cows eat grass, hay, corn, and oats some of the food goes to giving the cow energy and making it healthy, and part goes to making milk in the cow.A dairy cow eats about 50 pounds of food and

drinks about 50 gallons of water a day!

A cow is able to make milk when she is two years old and has given birth to a calf. Her milk is food for her baby.

A cow has an udder that hangs down near its back legs where the milk is made and stored.

The calf drinks milk from its mom's udder.

A cow is able to make milk when she is two years old and has given birth to a calf. Her milk is food for her baby.

A cow has an udder that hangs down near its back legs where the milk is made and stored.

The calf drinks milk from its mom's udder.

She makes more than her calf will ever need so we use the extra milk. To get the milk a farmer must milk the cow.

Farmers with only a few cows can milk by hand.

She makes more than her calf will ever need so we use the extra milk. To get the milk a farmer must milk the cow.

Farmers with only a few cows can milk by hand.

Some dairy farms have hundreds of cows and use milking machines to get milk from their cows. This helps collect more milk more quickly.

Cows can make up to 10 gallons of milk each day!

Some dairy farms have hundreds of cows and use milking machines to get milk from their cows. This helps collect more milk more quickly.

Cows can make up to 10 gallons of milk each day!

After milking, farmers store the fresh milk in special tanks to keep the milk cold so it doesn't spoil.

Next, a big shiny truck comes to the farm. The milk is pumped into the truck to be taken to the dairy factory.

After milking, farmers store the fresh milk in special tanks to keep the milk cold so it doesn't spoil.

Next, a big shiny truck comes to the farm. The milk is pumped into the truck to be taken to the dairy factory.

Once at the factory, the milk is put through a machine to be cleaned so it is safe for us to drink. Then, other machines put the milk into paper cartons or plastic jugs.

Once at the factory, the milk is put through a machine to be cleaned so it is safe for us to drink. Then, other machines put the milk into paper cartons or plastic jugs.

Some of the milk is made into other products, such as cheese and butter.

The dairy products are put into cases and kept in a big refrigerated room until they can be picked up. After a truck is loaded up they make deliveries to many stores.

Some of the milk is made into other products, such as cheese and butter.

The dairy products are put into cases and kept in a big refrigerated room until they can be picked up. After a truck is loaded up they make deliveries to many stores.

Then, the dairy is placed in coolers,

ready for us to buy and enjoy!

Then, the dairy is placed in coolers,

ready for us to buy and enjoy!