Milk a cow

“Start by wiping the sand and manure off the teats, she told me. I’m sorry, sand and what? Then wash each teat with this orange soap that comes in a funny little squeeze bottle. This part’s kind of fun. Wipe the teats, which she called the “quarters,” again. Then check each teat’s milk for blood or anything unusual. Okay, I think this is the moment everyone prepared me for: the squeeze and pull. Except, y’all – it did not work! It’s more of a squeeze, twist and pull. And it turns out that teats are not as squishy as everyone kept telling me. Metcalf kindly corrected my form and we were back in business.”

“I sat on the little stool and stooped down to reach her teats. At first, I kept one hand on her side, so she knew I was there- I didn’t want her to be surprised since this isn’t typically the way cows are milked now. I reached under and grabbed her teat and firmly yet gently pulled it down and surprisingly, but not too surprisingly, I heard the milk spray into the new stainless steel bucket. Success! I continued to milk sweet Rosie. I would switch to different teats. I had thought I was doing a good job until Buck, the soon to be son-in-law, was on the other side of Rosie and started milking from that side,. The milk I was getting was a nice little squirt, his sounded like a soda fountain filling a glass. Obviously there are techniques and skill which helps to release more milk.”