Cows need grains, silage, and hay to produce large quantities of milk. The farmer will also need rich pastures for his cows. Strong, draft-free buildings are important to dairymen, too. Not only do they protect the cows from harsh weather and storms, but the feed and milk are stored here as well. At regular intervals the buildings and milking parlors are checked by the health authorities and if the conditions are unsanitary the milk cannot be accepted.
Many farmers feed their cows in a feedlot arrangement.
Others turn their cows to pasture during the spring and summer months. Pastures require fertilizer and lime regularly in order to produce large quantities of forage. Most important to the running of an efficient dairy farm and to the production of milk is the dairyman. He must be dedicated, intelligent, and concerned about improving his herd and milk production. Besides running the farm, he must spend long hours keeping up with the latest methods and requirements of milk production and herd management.