Farmers attempt to anticipate weather variations and adjust their work routines accordingly. Every dairy farm is a little different to the next. Different soil conditions with varying fertility, and appropriateness for specific types of crops, create needs for different types of machinery. The presence, or absence, of good drainage and the 'levelness' of the fields are factors a farmer must consider in his purchase of farm machinery. The size of his herd, and the physical shape and dimensions of his barn affects the decision to employ the proper milking machinery.
Sanitation is very important to the production of good quality milk and to the health of the herd.
Consequently, it rates and receives a very high priority on the dairy farm. It calls for highly specialized equipment and careful handling. The dairy farmer must be a good businessman with an understanding of the marketplace which allows him to adjust his production practices to meet the needs of consumers. Good bookkeeping is essential. It is very difficult for the dairy farmer to obtain an adequate return on his large investment, and compensation for the long hours he works.