How to Milk a Dairy Cow

Generally docile and peaceful, cows are relatively simple livestock to keep. Properly fed and cared for, a good dairy cow can provide up to 10 gallons of fresh milk each day. Milking your cow, however, can be a laborious process, if done incorrectly. Proper grip and milking action will allow you to expel larger amounts of milk from the teats on the cow's udder more quickly and with less effort. With proper milking technique, clean equipment and a good dairy cow, you can produce fresh, raw milk for your table or for making cheese, yogurt, butter or other dairy products.

Things You'll Need

  • Bucket of warm water
  • Wash rag
  • Towel
  • Stool
  • Milk bucket
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Instructions

    • 1

      Walk the cow into the stall. Place the stool next to the cow, near the udder. Wash the udder thoroughly with the warm water and rag. Dry the udder with the towel. Place the milking bucket under the cow's udder.

    • 2

      Wrap your thumb and forefinger around the point where the teat meets the udder and squeeze to trap the milk in the teat.

    • 3

      Pull down, slightly, to force the milk from the end of the teat. As you pull down, wrap your middle finger, then your ring and little fingers around the teat to express the milk. Aim the stream of milk into the milk bucket.

    • 4

      Release your grip on the teat slightly to allow more milk to flow down into the teat. Repeat the milking action. Continue to alternate between milking and pausing to allow the teat to refill.

    • 5

      Repeat the milking action with your other hand on one of the other teats, alternating between each hand to speed up the process. Continue to milk until little milk flows and the teat is soft. Switch to another teat and repeat the process.