Dairy farming

A dairy cow

Dairy farming is a type of agriculture that is focused on producing milk. This is different from raising animals to produce meat. Milk can be used to produce dairy products, including cheese. Species commonly used are cows (so-called dairy cows), but goats, sheep and camels are also used. Sometimes donkeys are used to produce an alternative to cows' milk for babies. Some babies can digest donkeys' milk better than cows' milk.

Producing milk has been part of farming since prehistoric times. In the 20th century, farmers have become more specialized. Some farmers started with farms that only produce milk.

Dairy Farming Media

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  A rotary milking parlor at a modern dairy facility in Germany

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  Dairy farm near Bangor, Wisconsin

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  Milking cattle in ancient Egypt

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  KarelDujardinWomanMilkingaRedCow

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  Hand milking on a farm in Namibia

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  Demonstration of a new Soviet milker device. East Germany, 1952

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  Efficiency of four different milking parlors.

  1. Bali-Style 50 cows/h
  2. Swingover 60 cows/h
  3. Herringbone 75 cows/h
  4. Rotary 250 cows/h
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  Rotary milking parlours at Hemme Milch Wedemark, Lower Saxony (photographed through the window).

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  An *automatic milking system unit as an exhibit at a *museum

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  Modern barn on Sakhalin Island