different milk

[Skye]

I had a milk cow last year that I sold. Her milk would foam up when I was milking her. Last Friday I bought a new milk cow from a local dairy and I have noticed her milk doesn't foam when I milk her. Is this O.K.? Normal? I was just wondering how your milk lands in the pail foamy or not.

[jerzeygurl]

may have to do with cream content or how you are milking or how much is in the bucket and even the temp

some days mine foams somedays it doesnt


Ive noticed that i get more foam when the bucket is close to full and im milking stream into the milk instead of on the side of the bucket..I usually milk stream on to inside side of pail so there is less "splashage" on to me.

[Skye]

thanks I just wanted to make sure it was normal. these two cows are the only ones i've had experience with

[JeffNY]

I think jerzeygurl is correct, I beleive thats the cream content. I have seen it as well.


Jeff

[Skye]

does it mean more or less cream? I haven't been able to keep any of the milk yet.

[JeffNY]

I would think the foam means more cream.

[francismilker]

More foam means more cream.

[jerzeygurl]

it is the agitation of the cream by the milk squirt

if your squirt hits the side it has less impact


its like whipping cream

[francismilker]

Something I started doing last year was putting a filter cloth over the milk bucket held on with a rubber band while I milked. It saved straining time later and the milk didn't foam over. Worked pretty well!

[JeffNY]

If you ever peer into a bulk tank, you can get a lot of foam in there, because it does "jet" in, and foams up. When they read the stick, they usually have to swirl it around to move the foam, to get a proper reading.


Jeff

[Freeholder]

How long has the cow been fresh? I've noticed with goats that that makes a difference, too -- if they have JUST freshened, there won't be any foam for the first few days.

Kathleen

[Skye]

she is six months into her lactation