1. Lactation

2. A few dairy facts... Man first used milk about 9,000 BC
The average cow produces enough milk each day to fill six one-gallon jugs, about 55 pounds of milk.
All 50 states in the United States have dairy farms.
The natural yellow color of butter comes mainly from the bets-carotene found in the grass cows eat.
There are approximately squirts in a gallon of milk.

3. Milk Production Dairy cows produce >80% of world’s milk supply
Goats, buffalo, sheep, yaks, camel
U.S. by far the leading producer
One cow at an avg. of 18,200 lbs. can provide enough milk for 40 people for a year

4. Trends in the dairy industry
Fewer, but larger, herds
More milk production out West
More milk per cow
More specialized equipment and services

5. The Ideal Lactation Cycle

6. 60 Days after calf was born
Calf Born
Dry Period
60 Days Before Calving
Breed Cow
60 Days after calf was born
Cattle gestation is 283 days
Up to a 60 day dry period
Production levels peak at around 40 to 60 days after calving.[17] The cow is then bred. Production declines steadily afterwards, until, at about 305 days after calving, the cow is 'dried off', and milking ceases. About sixty days later, one year after the birth of her previous calf, a cow will calve again. 
Cow’s Lactation Period

7. Where milk comes from Environment Genetics Stage of production
Feed, facilities, health, weather, management
Genetics
Stage of production
Age of cow
Feeding – What the cow eats is the largest factor affecting production. If she isn’t eating enough energy or protein her milk production will decline. Changing feed sources will also affect the cow’s milk production. Any change in her daily meal will affect milk production until the cows re-adjusts to the new feed.
Weather – Sudden weather changes can stress the cows causing a decrease in milk production. Hot weather will also stress the cows out mostly because the cows will eat less. Eating less feed causes the cows to drop in milk production, so farmers emphasize keeping cows comfortable and cool during summer months
Genetic Potential – The genetics of the cow plays a role in how much milk she can produce. If the cow is the daughter of a high producing cow, she will be more likely to produce a lot of milk due to her genetic predisposition towards milk production.
Stage of Production – When the cow has her calf, she will begin to produce milk. Over time, the cow’s milk production will peak, then slowly drop off. Eventually, the cow will dry up.
Age of the cow – As a cow gets older, they become much better at producing milk. Most cows reach their maximum milk production after they finished growing. A cow will keep growing until she is 3-4 years old.

8. Producing quality milk
Keep healthy animals
Handle milk carefully
Maintain clean equipment

9. Milk Components Water 87% Lactose 5% Fat 3.8% Caseins 2.8%
Albumin & globulin 0.7%
Minerals/Vitamins/Enzymes 0.7%
Proteins
~3.3% protein
Casein and Whey are the two main milk proteins
Vitamins
A, B, C, and D are available in milk
Minerals
Good sources of Ca, P, and Zn

10. Milk Products in the U.S. Fluid milk Cream
>92% of milk sold is Grade A milk
Homogenized to prevent separation of milk fat
<4% milk fat
Pasteurization kills disease-causing pathogens
Cream
>18% milk fat
Coffee creamer, whipping cream

11. Milk Products in the U.S. Butter Cheese >80% milk fat
Is one of the oldest forms of preserving milk
It takes 21.2 pounds of whole milk to make one pound of butter.
Cheese
>400 different kinds of cheese
Soft, semisoft, hard, very hard
Based on moisture content
100 lbs. milk will produce 8-16 lbs. of cheese

12. Milk Products in the U.S. Ice Cream Many different forms
Ice cream, custard, French ice cream, Ice milk, frozen yogurt, sherbet
It takes 12 pounds of whole milk to make one gallon of ice cream.