Where is the best place to milk a dairy cow? 

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We are in love with our family milk cow and her little calf. The learning curve has been steep the past couple of weeks – but I’m so happy to say that we’ve been smooth sailing ever since! One of the main questions that I was wracking my brain over was: Where can I milk our cow daily? What is the best spot? Do I need to bring her indoors? Build a stanchion? Or can I just tie her to the fence and milk anywhere? 

While I definitely don’t have all the answers figured out (yet) I have learned a lot about the best milking practices and put the questions I had at the beginning to rest. 

In this post, I’ll tell you all about where to milk a family cow, what equipment you need, and what you can definitely go without. 

What’s a family milk cow? 

It’s exactly what the name says. A milk cow kept in a family setting – no large operations like we see in the dairy industry. This makes for happy cows and happy farm life. Generally, it is much easier for family cows to be fed nutritious diets, kept on green pastures, and to nurse their newborn calf (newborn calves generally get removed almost immediately after birth from their mothers in large-scale dairy farms). Providing optimal conditions like these in turn yields high-quality milk, unlike anything you can buy at the grocery store. 

Keeping a family milking cow usually provides enough pounds of milk to make all sorts of milk products for the family as well. Cheese, yogurt, sour cream, ice cream, and kefir are all relatively easy to make, taste so much better when homemade, and are much more affordable thanks to the fresh milk the family milk cow provides. 

What breed is best? 

The question of what dairy breeds are best for your own cow depends on several factors. 

Milk Production

First and foremost, your milk consumption – how many gallons of milk do you need per day? This will depend on how many people are in your household, and what you’re using the raw milk for. Is it just for drinking or do you also make yogurt, kefir, or cheese? Once you get an idea of how many gallons a day would be sufficient, this will help you narrow down your choices. 

Popular Dairy Cow Breeds

1. Holstein: Holsteins produce an average of 22 to 23 gallons (83 to 87 liters) of milk per day.
2. Brown Swiss: Brown Swiss cows produce an average of 16 to 23 gallons (60 to 87 liters) of milk per day.
3. Jersey Cow: Jerseys produce an average of 13 to 17 gallons (49 to 64 liters) of milk per day.
4. Guernsey: Guernsey cows produce an average of 14 to 16 gallons (53 to 61 liters) of milk per day.
5. Ayrshire: Ayrshire cows produce an average of 14 to 15 gallons (53 to 57 liters) of milk per day.
6. Milking Shorthorn: Milking Shorthorns produce an average of 13 to 14 gallons (49 to 53 liters) of milk per day.
7. Dutch Belted: Dutch Belted cows produce an average of 12 to 14 gallons (45 to 53 liters) of milk per day.
8. Milking Devon: Milking Devons produce an average of 10 to 12 gallons (38 to 45 liters) of milk per day.

These figures are approximate and can vary depending on factors such as individual genetics, health, diet, and management practices.

We did not want a giant milk production right off the bat. We are a relatively small household, and I didn’t want to start off our milking journey by having to figure out what to do with gallons of milk every day – or even worse, let some of it go to waste. This was a big consideration for us when we were picking which cow breed to go for. 

It is also important to note here, that the fat content & milk taste differ from breed to breed. It might be a good idea to taste some dairy products from a selection of breeds before you commit to it. 

Climate

Next, you should consider the climate you’re in, and whether your cow will be out all year round. Some breeds are more suitable for colder temperatures, others for the heat of summer. 

Dairy cow breeds best adapted to cold climates: 

1. Ayrshire: Ayrshire cows have a good tolerance for cold climates and adapt well to colder regions.
2. Holstein: Holsteins are known for their adaptability to various climates, including colder regions.
3. Brown Swiss: Brown Swiss cows have a thick, durable coat that helps them withstand cold weather conditions.
4. Milking Shorthorn: Milking Shorthorns are hardy and can tolerate colder temperatures, making them suitable for colder climates.
5. Canadian Holstein: Canadian Holsteins are specifically bred for cold climates and have adaptations to thrive in colder regions.

Best for Hot Climates:

1. Sahiwal: Sahiwal cows are well-suited to hot climates and have good heat tolerance, originally hailing from the Indian subcontinent.
2. Gir: Gir cows are indigenous to India and are renowned for their ability to withstand heat and adapt to hot climates.
3. Red Sindhi: Red Sindhi cows, originating from Pakistan, are heat-tolerant and well-adapted to hot and humid conditions.
4. Guzerat: Guzerat cows, native to India, have a high heat tolerance and are known for their ability to withstand hot climates.
5. Brahman: Although primarily a beef breed, Brahman cows are famous for their heat tolerance and adaptability to hot and humid environments.

The Czech Republic has steamy days in the summer, but mostly it has a pretty rough, long winter. We are not planning on bringing our dairy cow indoors in the wintertime. Just like our hoses, she will live out in the field. I wanted a breed that’s adapted to colder climates, and that won’t suffer during the winter, or fall ill. 

Aesthetic 

This might be a silly one – but I think it’s still important! How do you want your cow to look? This is all based on personal preference. We absolutely fell in love with the Scottish Highland cow’s cute face and long horns. Those reminded us of longhorn cows back in Texas – the other place we call home. Highlanders are resilient, with thick coats for the winter and a very agreeable temperament. Browse the internet for pictures of dairy cows you’re considering, and see what you like best! 

We ended up going with a cow that is 75% Scottish Highland and 25% Jersey. This felt like the perfect combination for us. We love the taste of Jersey milk, but we didn’t want to deal with so many gallons of milk daily. We love that our girl looks like a highlander, but has a higher milk yield potential for the future.

What is the best place to milk a dairy cow? 

On a farm, there are various areas or types of barn setups where you can milk a cow. These setups provide a dedicated space for the milking process and ensure the comfort and well-being of both the cow and the milker. Here are a few common areas or types of barn setups for milking cows:

1. Milking Parlor: A milking parlor is a designated area within a barn or separate structure specifically designed for milking cows. It typically consists of individual stalls or stations where cows are brought in for milking. The parlor may include a platform or pit for the milker to work at a comfortable height and access to milking equipment such as a pipeline system or milking machines. Milking parlors are often used in larger-scale dairy operations to streamline the milking process and accommodate multiple cows simultaneously.
2. Tie-Stall Barn: A tie-stall barn is a traditional barn setup where cows are individually tied in their stalls for milking. The stalls provide enough space for the cow to stand or lie down comfortably while being milked. The milking equipment, such as a bucket or milking machine, is brought to each cow in her stall. This setup is commonly used in smaller-scale dairy operations and allows for individual attention and care during the milking process.
3. Free-Stall Barn: In a free-stall barn, cows have access to individual stalls or resting areas throughout the barn. These stalls are designed to provide freedom of movement and allow cows to lie down, stand up, and move around comfortably. Within the free-stall barn, there is usually a designated milking area where cows are brought for milking. This area may have a milking parlor setup or individual stations with milking equipment.
4. Mobile Milking Unit: A mobile milking unit offers flexibility in milking cows on the farm. It can be set up in various locations, such as a field or pasture, where the cows are grazing. The mobile unit typically consists of a portable milking machine, storage containers for milk, and all necessary equipment mounted on a cart or trailer. This setup allows for milking cows wherever they are located on the farm.

The choice of barn setup depends on factors such as the size of the operation, the number of cows, available space, and the desired milking process efficiency. Whatever setup you choose, make sure you have plenty of space to walk around the cow, from one side. This can be either the left or right, depending on your preferred milking set-up and what the cow is used to. More on that later! 

Our Summer Milking Setup 

After we brought our cow home, we quickly realized we will have to figure out a milking setup. Our cow still nurses her calf – so we needed a calf-sharing setup. If you want to know more about calf-sharing, check out this post. 

Our family cow is still fairly young and is not as patient with the milking as a more experienced dairy cow. Just tying her to the field fence and milking her on the spot was not working for us. We are primarily set up for horses on our farm, so we don’t have a designated milking barn. Our animals live out in the field year-round. While we do have horse stables, and we also have a covered barn for storing hay – neither one of these seemed convenient. We considered building a stanchion, where we could lead her to every day and secure her for the duration of the milking process. If you want to know more about milking stanchions, this is a great video. 

But before we could start our construction project, we figured out a great solution – that works for now – and is a lot easier to set up. As I mentioned before, we calf-share, and one of the things I needed to figure out was how to secure the calf at nighttime. I purchased a set of cattle fence panels – panels with metal bars running across that are easy to move, can be set up anywhere, but are durable. 

Our calf was very fast to learn this is her home for the nighttime – and to my pleasant surprise, his mother would follow her in whenever she could. Getting hay and cow feed inside definitely helped! And so our very simple summer milking setup was born. I simply tie her to the fencing, where she is standing in the corner. Her calf is right next to her, and she’s very happy munching on her hay. In this simple setup, she is calm and very willing to be milked. 

Milking setup for different seasons 

Whether a setup like this would work for you or not depends on what you have to work with. A covered milk barn is great because you can use it year-round. It stays warmer in the winter, and cooler in the summer. You can pretty much convert any type of barn into a milk barn. 

We are still deciding on the setup for colder months. We might start by building a roofed area out in the field, that we will use for milking but where our cow and calf can find shelter during bad weather. As the temperatures get cooler, I might start taking her indoors to the horse stable barn and figuring out a setup there. The calf will be weaned by then, and we’ll have more flexibility. 

As with most farm & homestead-related things, I try not to worry about things that are far off in the future, and take it one day at a time. Often new solutions present themselves that I hadn’t thought of previously. And all I needed to do was give them some time.

Best Place to Milk a Dairy Cow FAQ

What other equipment do I need to milk a cow? 

If you want to know how we milk our cow and all the equipment we use, check out this post. I go into detail on all the essentials and best practices. 

Do you use a milk machine?

We do not. As we only have one dairy cow so far, which doesn’t yield large amounts of milk, we have no need for any upgrades to our setup. However, if we added another cow, or had a couple of high milk-yielding cows, the milking experience would definitely be a lot faster and we would save ourselves a lot of extra effort if we invested in a portable milk machine.  I do however nostalgically really enjoy the old-fashioned hand-milking process. 

Can you milk a cow all year long? 

Almost. It depends on the breeding cycle that you’re on. In order for a dairy cow to keep giving milk, she needs to be pregnant & have a calf every year. About two months before calving, milk production generally stops. Many dairy farmers choose to wait a couple weeks after the calf is born for the cow to start a fresh lactation cycle, before milking again, in order for the baby to get a full dose of colostrum. 

When the calf is still little, and if following a calf-sharing schedule, milking only happens once a day. You can choose whether to milk in the morning or evening – we do the morning. Once the calf is weaned, we will move on to twice-per-day milking. While this will be more work, I’m excited about the extra milk so that I can start making cheese! 

How did you train the cow to cooperate during the milking process? 

This is something we are definitely still working on, however, we have made giant strides forward recently. The biggest factor that has helped us was setting up our fencing so that the cow & calf can stand right next to each other. This alone made her so much calmer than when the calf was even just on the other side of the fence. 

Next, we discovered that our cow prefers to be milked from the left-hand side, rather than the conventional right side. I’m not sure why this is. While she was milked a handful of times at her previous owners, she did not come in for regular milking. But this discovery made things a lot calmer for us too. 

We always offer her feed & hay. She loves coming in for her treats and stands there pretty peacefully throughout the process, eating her food. 

Lastly, it’s important to give everyone time. With repetition, our cow learned our patterns, what happens where, and when. She seems so comfortable now within this familiar structure, she’s already waiting for us when we come to get her for the morning milking.