Farms

Do dairy farmers live with their cows?
Most dairy farmers in New York State either live on or very near their farm
Is dairy farming regulated?

Absolutely! Dairy farms are inspected regularly by their milk co-ops, the state and the FDA. There is a comprehensive set of requirements for Grade A milk safety during on-farm handling, shipping and processing.

Cows

Brown cows make chocolate milk, right?
No, silly! Brown cows are mostly Jersey cows with richer, creamier milk.
How do you tell cows apart?
Just like every animal, cows have different characteristics and personalities, too. A Holstein (the white cows with the block spots) has unique markings. Those black spots are like fingerprints; no two are exactly the same.
How much milk does a cow give each day?
Most dairy cows are milked 2-3 times per day and on average will produce 6-7 gallons of milk each day.
What do cows eat?

Most dairy farmers feed what is called a Total Mixed Ration (TMR) that combines multiple ingredients into one perfectly balanced meal for the cows.

How much does a cow eat?
A cow that is producing milk can eat 100 pounds of feed per day.
What do you call male and female dairy animals?
Males are called bulls. Females, prior to giving birth, are called heifers. After they give birth, female dairy animals are called cows.
Are dairy animals with horns bulls?
The majority of dairy animals – male and female – grow horns. Farmers humanely remove the horns from calves before they are large enough to cause injury to humans or other cows.
How does a cow produce milk?
Like all mammals, cows produce milk once they give birth. About 10 months after calving, the amount of milk the cow gives naturally decreases substantially, and the cow undergoes a “drying off” period before having another calf.
Why would farmers treat a cow with antibiotics?
When illness requires that a cow be treated, antibiotics are administered according to strict FDA guidelines, which include withholding milk from sale until her milk tests free of antibiotics.
Why can you see a dairy cow’s bones?
Dairy cows can be compared to long distance runners: they are built lean and use their energy to produce milk, in contrast to beef cows, who could be compared to bodybuilders and use all their energy to build muscle.
Are dairy cows mistreated on farms?
No! A good dairy farmer knows that “cow comfort” affects his or her bottom line. If a cow isn’t happy and comfortable, she won’t give a good supply of milk.
Why are calves separated from their mothers?
When calves are first born, they need protection from being stepped on by bigger cows and from sharing germs with each other, so farmers put them in individual pens, just like people put human babies in playpens for protection. When the calves get a little bigger, they’ll socialize with other cows their age, and later they’ll join their moms in the adult herd.

Milk

Why does milk have sugar?
No sugar is added to regular white milk, regardless of fat content. The approximately 12 grams of sugar in an 8-ounce serving of milk comes from a naturally occurring carbohydrate called lactose.
True or false? People who are sensitive to lactose should avoid milk and all dairy foods.
  • False
  • Lactose intolerance doesn’t mean dairy intolerance. Hard cheeses and cultured dairy products like yogurt have little or no lactose. Lactose-free dairy milk is also a good choice.
True or false? Flavored milk isn’t good for you due to added sugar.
  • False
  • Research shows children who drink flavored milk meet more of their nutrient needs, do not consume more added sugar, fat or calories, and are not heavier in weight than non-milk drinkers. Milk, whether it’s flavored or plain white, contains nine essential vitamins and minerals, including protein and calcium.
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Videos

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