Mastering The Art Of Milking Cows

Ayen Kuol and Aluel Mayen who have mastered the art of milking cows takes us through the process.

Aluel Mayen milking a cow at the cattle camp. [Photo by Jok P. Mayom]

By Jok P Mayom



JUBA 16 December 2015 [Gurtong] - In a cattle camp located near Juba, they explain to Gurtong how they deal with cows that are often too hostile and milking them becomes a problem. But how do they manage to milk these hostile cows anyway? They take us through the steps.



As she nears the cow Aluel says first and foremost, observe the cow. For a cow that resists to be milked, the hind legs are tied in a secure area so it cannot escape while you are milking her.



At times the cow may resist if it does not have sufficient milk or the person milking it is not doing it the right way, says Aluel.



“During the milking process, the person milking the cow continues to persuade the cow by calling the name of the cow given by the owner. For example my name is Ayen which is a name of the cow” she said as she bends over to secure the cow.



“You should make sure you secure a good area that will not allow the cow to escape or kick. After that you then proceed with your milking procedure making sure you handle your bucket well or whatever you are using for filling in the milk.”



She says you then inspect your cow's udder for signs of injury that might indicate your cow is experiencing a health problem or even to make sure that no hair falls into the milk.



“We also keep in mind that the udder should be cleaned and not having any injuries on it” she said.



She then says if all is well from there “the one milking the cow has to wrap the thumb and forefinger into a circle around the base of one of the cow's teats. Gently and quickly squeeze the teat to release a small squirt of milk.”



That squirt can be used to know whether the cow has got good milk in the udder or not. Also stripping the teat’s covering before real milk comes out.



“We do that to remove any dirt of cow dung or check for injuries from the teat as well as check the appearance of the cow's milk for potential problems. Milk should appear white and smooth, as opposed to clumpy, when you express it from the teat” Aluel Mayen added.



You then continue to express the milk from the teats until there is little coming out. That’s the point you now let the calf suckle if any to stimulate the cow for milk letdown.



Milking is the process of removing milk from the mammary glands (udder) of a lactating cow usually done using hand in that cattle camp. The milk drawn is used as the source of food in the rural cattle camp by the herders.



Hand milking is performed by massaging and pulling down on the teats of the udder, squirting the milk into a bucket or milking equipment.



The top of the teat is pinched shut between finger and thumb, trapping milk in the lower part, which is then squeezed by the other fingers, squirting the milk out through the hole in the tip of the teat. The process is aided by the sucking of the calf to stimulate the cow for milk letdown.