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The Milking System

By Paul Peetz

When people speak about checking over the milking system the real question becomes, what are they referring to as the system? Most times the reference is to the equipment tasked with removing the milk from the cows. The system used for removal of milk is unfortunately much more complicated than that. The system used to remove the milk from the cow truly includes much more than just the milking machines. The system includes the milking machine, the people using the machines, the cows, and the physical facility that all these moving parts work in.

So how on earth does one check this multiple moving parts system? Frankly, you don’t, but as H. Jackson Brown, Jr. was quoted, “When facing a difficult task, act as though it is impossible to fail. If you are going after Moby Dick, take along the tartar sauce.” The key then isn’t to get caught up in what perfection looks like, it is to keep moving closer to what your desired outcome is.

What do you want the milking parlor to do? Milk more cows? Then the removal of all obstacles to getting cows into and out of the facility is paramount. Do you want lower cell count and less treated cows? Then remove all items that contribute to uncleanly conditions. Great lighting, not good enough, great lighting that exposes even the slightest soil will help workers do a better job.

It is said that there are approximately 12 systems in the human body, no wonder it costs so much for a check-up. The definition of system speaks about cooperation, things working together for a common goal. The milking parlor is definitely a system; take a look to see which component is not working to help the others perfect the system.

November 7, 2014

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Paul Peetz knows what it takes to keep milking equipment working efficiently and profitably. By combining
an engineering degree with a lifetime of farming experience, Paul brings common sense solutions to complex
challenges.

Paul is a territory sales manager for Milk-Rite and can be contacted directly at paul.peetz@milk-rite.com.

Tom Wall is passionate about helping people reach their potential. Although Tom speaks Spanish, he’s not a
translator. Tom trains employees and helps dairy managers implement simple systems that work.

Tom owns Dairy Interactive and can be contacted directly at tom@
dairycoach.com
.

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