Much is involved in the production of milk. This project will help you understand all of the steps from the time a calf is born to its age of pro- ducing milk, the management of the dairy herd, how a cow is milked, how milk is stored before shipment to the processing plant and something about the different products made from milk. During this project your 4-H leader will try to arrange a trip to a dairy farm at milking time so you can actually see cows being milked. You will see firsthand how man's most nearly perfect food, milk, is produced and handled on the farm. The Production and Manufacture of Dairy Products by Dr. D. A. Hartman, Extension Dairy Scientist, 4-H 2.
Milk products come in all shapes, flavors and colors.
By using different ingredients and processes, milk can be changed into cheese, buttermilk, ice cream, yogurt, or butter. First, the dairyman begins with the cow - nature's perfect milk production plant. Saving the very best of his calves for herd replacement, he sees that these youngsters get the very best care and feed available. This invest- ment in time, care, and money is well worth the effort. In two years, this baby calf will be able to have a calf of her own and will be producing six gallons of milk a day.