Feeding/milking equiptment

PrettyPaisley · #1 03/13/14, 01:10 AM

I want to try a different method of handling milk. Would it make sense to milk into the stainless steel pail the pour into a milk can through a strainer? For now I milk, pour into a 5 gallon bucket, take it home and put a funnel in the jar and strain as I fill through a cheesecloth. What I really want is an excuse to buy a fancy, lifelong stainless steel milk can. I really just need y'all to justify the expense.

Then, I think I want to crack the oats and barely they get on the milkstand. I don't want to spend $400+ on a grain mill but I found this:

http://schmidling.com/orderpp.htm

or this:

http://beersmith.com/barley-crusher/

What do you think? Worth it?

Awnry Abe · #2 03/13/14, 07:03 AM

For the goats, we milk into stainless pails, then strain into glass using a stainless strainer with disposable pads. Fast, clean, and easy to clean.

For the cows, we use a machine milk into a stainless bucket milker, pour into a stainless pail for carting inside, then strain in the same manner as the goats. When my barn milk room is finished, I'll skip the bucket step.

Stainless is so nice to work with when milking.

Awnry Abe · #3 03/13/14, 07:04 AM

Gee whiz. Sorry. I missed the point. I'll be interested to hear the opinions on the mills. FWIW, my neighbor told me I am losing out on cheap grain by buying 50lbs at a time from the feed store. He said we are surrounded by farmers that are willing to sell direct. I would factor the cost of the raw material in. It may get your justification a little easier.

SJSFarm · #4 03/13/14, 07:11 AM

Regarding cracking the grain, I asked the question and the concensus was goats did fine on whole, cracking it is unnecessary.

Regarding the milk, last year I used a larger SS bucked covered with a flower sack cloth. I strained it going into the bucket. I had the problem on micro spray as it hit the cloth- milk on my clothes and in my hair! Last year I incorporated a large plastic straw- like what you get at the fair with those large soda cups- held on with a rubber band. That worked for OK me: I created a 'half moon'-like cover to shield myself from the spray. Unfortunately the straw and the cloth didn't work well together all the time, resulting in the cloth collapsing off the straw and me ending up with micro spray in my hair!

This year I had to buy some heat lamps and had the idea of using the shields meant for the bottom part of the lamp- to protect from fire. I bent it to fit over the bucket and use it in conjunction with the cloth. I fold the cloth in half and I half again, the shield fits under one layer of cloth, so the milk goes through three more layers.

As far as pouring the milk in the barn, I never did that. Either I did all of them in one bucket or two separate ones then brought it into the house. Last year I have three full size milkers, this year two minis, so I have way to little milk.

This is what I milk into
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0033P...110_SY165_QL70

I also got this, thinking I would be doing what you do
https://www.lehmans.com/p-1480-small...milk-cans.aspx

April · #5 03/13/14, 07:44 AM

I really do not like milking into plastic. I never feel like I get it clean enough and I feel like it messes with the flavor of the milk. I have no scientific proof of that, so take it for what it is. I totally agree with your desire to move to stainless steel. I much prefer seamless, non-riveted milking equipment too - no nooks and crannies for milkstone and bacteria to hide in.

MDKatie · #6 03/13/14, 07:53 AM

PP, how long is it from when you're done milking to when you strain the milk at home? You said you had to take the milk home...are you traveling to milk the goats? If so, I definitely think it would be beneficial to get a SS can with a sturdy lid..then like you said, milk into a pail, then after each goat you can strain it into the lidded can. That way you're not exposing the milk to more possible contaminants on the way home.

Does that help you justify it?

It'd be money well spent though!

And the grain...the grain is probably a little better (probably a little more digestable or nutrients more available) if it's cracked, but I'm not sure it'd be enough to justify the cost of the grain mill. If it were me, I'd spend the money on the milk can and wait on the grain mill.

PrettyPaisley · #7 03/13/14, 09:08 AM

I milk in the barn so it's not but a couple hundred feet to the house. Sorry I wasn't clear! I also milk into a ss pail but then I dump the milk from under the goat into the plastic bucket - but then pour the milk into glass as I strain it. I totally agree that plastic never going to get clean enough. It's porous - it will never be 100% sanitary. I just thought that I could strain it into the ss - I could even keep the empty ss bucket in the fridge so it would be extra cold and help chill the milk quicker. ! I figured I wouldn't get one bigger than 6 gallons - or otherwise I couldn't lift it!

Alice In TX/MO · #8 03/13/14, 10:27 AM

I take my glass jars (half gallon) with lids to the milk house now, plus my strainer/funnel.

Milk into stainless bucket and strain. DONE!

Alice In TX/MO · #9 03/13/14, 10:28 AM

There is no reason to crack grain for goats. Put your finger in their mouth between those back teeth. Post your response after you have had surgical reconstruction on your hand.

IndyGardenGal · #10 03/13/14, 11:03 AM

I wouldn't use plastic to handle my milk. There is no way to get it clean enough, especially compared to SS.

PrettyPaisley · #11 03/13/14, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

There is no reason to crack grain for goats. Put your finger in their mouth between those back teeth. Post your response after you have had surgical reconstruction on your hand.

Totally agree - but I am also planting 100# of peas to feed them come fall/winter when hay is crappy. Can they chew peas as well as oats?

Alice In TX/MO · #12 03/13/14, 01:05 PM

They can chew ROCKS if they want to.

MDKatie · #13 03/13/14, 02:24 PM

And silver hoop earrings.

Awnry Abe · #14 03/13/14, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

They can chew ROCKS if they want to.

I get a little nervous about my drencher at times...

farmmaid · #15 03/14/14, 12:14 AM

I am buying this milker this summer. I talked to the man who invented it. Look it up, a wonderful video is on the site too. Ultiment E-Z Milker, a new model.

Alice In TX/MO · #16 03/14/14, 03:15 AM

Buck Wheeler is AWESOME!

wintrrwolf · #17 03/14/14, 08:17 PM

It's been said that plastic over time does start to degrade becoming porous ergo stainless steel is much better especially the seamless stainless steel buckets. On top of that they last a looooong time so well worth the initial cost.