Results
Milking Facility and Milking Procedure
Most producers (61%) reported using a pit parlor with low pipeline while 16% used a flat stanchion barn with high pipeline type of milking system. Only 4% of the producers reported having milking systems with the capability to electronically record daily milk weights. The frequency at which producers had their milking equipment checked by service personnel varied greatly and ranged from once a year or every 6 months (59% of producers) to other. The majority of producers (66%) replaced the liners after more than 1000 cow milkings, and liner re-use was reported by only 2% of the producers.
Seventy percent of the producers milked the cows themselves or had another member of their family do it. Only 37% of the producers reported practicing a milking order during the milking process. The majority of producers responding to our survey (63%) sold their milk through Milk Marketing Incorporated (now Dairy Farmers of America; DFA).