Milking with Peter

Cool, crisp morning at Bartlett Farms, Bottineau, ND

I wake up at 6 and head downstairs to start some coffee. 

I glance out the window at a beautiful lit sky, the sun is just beginning to rise.

I'm here for a couple weeks to do the milking while Peter takes a recharge vacation!

I began shadowing him last night for the evening milking and was a little intimidated by the many steps and procedures to milking 8 Jersey cows. (with some part Angus and Brown Swiss in there too)

But I believe this to be a great challenge and possibly be a way to get out of my comfort zone (cows have been a little scary to me due to their large size and some with attitude 😉)

Peter begins with cleaning & sterilizing the milking equipment and shows me how. I am learning to jump in quickly so to hopefully, catch on more quickly to the routine of things.

We then trudge down to the barn and I get things set up while Peter gets the 1st group of cows to milk. He made a handy step-by-step picture guide for the duties in the barn regarding the milking procedure. Hopefully, I don't forget any of the steps 😉

I am learning and trying to memorize each cow and her favorite stanchion in the milking parlor.

After finishing the 1st group, Peter leaves to haul the milk up to the milk room. While he's gone I try figuring out how my system will work for milking. I run each different procedure and step over in my mind trying to make sure I don't forget any important steps. 

When Peter gets back, he helps me finish up. Giving me tips and telling me what to do in whatever the case may be. I listen all the more intently because aside from some slight previous background with cows I don't know a thing about cows or cattle. 

The cold has awakened my reality of the harsh conditions the Bartletts have to work in and care for milk cows in the winter months. Life sure is not easy peasy in the winter!

Our breath, along with the cows comes out like a steam engine! Peter comments to me, "You can tell how cold it is by how far you can see your breath in the air!"

As we're in the milking parlor together Peter tells me, "I should write a book about artctic cow care."

"You should!" I tell him. What someone else could gain from his experience and wisdom when it comes to the daily routine of milking and caring for cows in the winter would be invaulable!

Its' mind boggling for sure, but amazing to know. Its been a goal of mine to learn and be confident in knowing how to care for and milk cows. I'm glad for this oppurtunity to do so. 

Eat Real, Eat Healthy! :)