Page 172 - Agriculture_Form_3

Agriculture for Secondary Schools

and safeguard the health of a cow. It also reduces the risk of diseases like mastitis
and improves the quality of milk. Milking can be done by hand or using a milking
machine. The choice depends on the number of cows and the capital (money)
available. In either case, milking must follow proper procedures before, during
and after the process.
FOR ONLINE READING ONLY
Preparation before milking
Before milking, it is important to prepare both the animal and the milking utensils
properly. Start by gathering all necessary materials, requirements or tools. In the
case of hand milking, prepare the following: a stool, a clean bucket, a towel,
warm water, a milking salve, a strip cup, and dairy feed. Make sure all equipment
is clean, dry, and in good condition to avoid contaminating the milk or causing
injury to the animal. Proper preparation of these items helps to ensure that milking
can be done smoothly and hygienically.

Wash the udder thoroughly by using warm water to remove any dirt. Then, dry
the udder with a clean towel to prevent infection. Use a strip cup to examine
the first milk for signs of mastitis, such as clots, blood, or a bad smell. If any
of these signs are seen, the cow should not be milked with the others, and a
livestock extension worker should be consulted for proper treatment. Finally,
apply a milking salve to the teats to reduce friction and prevent scratching during
milking.
Hand milking procedure
Hand milking is common on smallholder farms. It must be done gently, quickly,
and using clean tools. Hand milking should take no longer than 7 minutes per
cow to match the natural milk let-down period and avoid loss of yield. After the
preparation phase, the following steps should be followed as illustrated in Figure
9.10 (a) to (f).

(a) Grasp the teat with the thumb and index finger
at the base of the teat (refer to Figure 9.10 (a))

Figure 9.10 (a)

Student’s Book Form Three 163

17/09/2025 14:12
AGRICULTURE F3.indd 163
AGRICULTURE F3.indd 163 17/09/2025 14:12