Module 5: Safe handling and using milk

1. Keep herd healthy. 2. Keep milk clean. 3.Proper milk cooling.

Keep herd healthy Keep milk clean Proper milk cooling

Keep does groomed. Follow a dairy cleaning schedule (See Module 4 for my cleaning schedule).

Stainless steel is the most sanitary material for milk handling, it also cools milk faster than other con-tainers.

Maintain health records. Keep doors and windows shut when the dairy is not in use to minimize dust and dirt.

Pre-chill storage tanks.

Hands on herd management. Watch for lethargy, chang-es in stool, differences in milk smell, color, texture.

Use specialty dairy cleaners. Place pre-chilled tank immediately in fridge.

Refrigerate at 35-40 degrees.

Wash udder, wipe teats before milking. Wash all utensils, accessories and attachments after each milking.

Use milk within 5 days or freeze to preserve.

Wash your hands when handling animals and milk.

Purchase a milking machine with safety filters and a self-cleaning cycle.

Filter milk through cheesecloth when it leave ma-chine and enters storage tank. If you milk by hand, filter from milking bucket to storage tank.

Does goat milk taste “goaty”?

Goat milk is sweet and creamy. It has more protein, potassium and calcium

than cow milk. Goat milk has lower levels of lactose, making it easier for

many people to digest.

Goat milk has a distinct flavor that may take some getting used to. There are

several ways to reduce the “goaty” flavor of milk...

There are several ways to reduce the “goaty” flavor of milk...

Factors that contribute to "goaty" flavor Fixes to reduce "goaty" flavor

Diet and health of herd Feed goats a balanced diet. Do not feed goats cabbage, garlic, onions while they are lactating. Mastitis and other health problems also affect the flavor of milk.

Buck Keep buck in separate living quarters. Do not let buck in the dairy.

Bacteria Pasturing milk reduces the amount of bacteria present. Rapid cooling and cold storage also help because bacteria do not thrive in cool conditions.

Contamination by hair, dust, etc Keep does groomed. Wash udders and wipe teats. Milking machines have built in filters to catch debris. Additionally, I filter milk from the machine through cheesecloth into a pre-chilled stainless tank.

Age of milk Use milk within 5 days.

Light exposure Store milk in stainless tanks with lids to minimize light exposure. Stainless steel is preferred since the lac-tic acid in milk affects aluminum, and plastic can leach BPAs.

Cooling Cool milk as quickly as possible. Filter into a pre-chilled stainless steel tank, place immediately in refriger-ator.

Storage Milk absorbs smells from spicy leftovers and other aromatic foods in the fridge. Stainless tanks with lids prevent this. Alternatively, store milk in a separate fridge.

Milk can house pathogenic bacteria.

Scientist Louis Pasteur invented pasteurization as a solution to kill bacteria that may

cause illness. Unfortunately, pasteurizing raw milk also kills good probiotic bacteria

and decreases nutrient levels. Today pasteurization is standard for commercial milk

production.

The biggest benefit of having a home dairy is freedom to produce healthy, minimally

processed milk for personal consumption. I drink raw milk and use raw milk to make

dairy products. I have experienced the health benefits firsthand; consuming raw milk

has helped my digestion and immunity. I rely on a healthy herd, clean milk and rapid

cooling to control bacteria levels.

Still, experts recommend that you pasteurize milk from your home dairy, especially if

the milk will be consumed by children, pregnant women, the elderly or other individ-

uals with weakened immunity.

To pasteurize raw milk: heat milk to 145 degrees F and keep it at that temperature

for 30 minutes. Remove from heat and cool rapidly. Store in refrigerator.

Drink

Cheese

https://www.facebook.com/notes/dickie-bird-farm/easy-cheesy-make-your-own-farmers-cheese/903172549743494

https://www.facebook.com/notes/dickie-bird-farm/diy-simple-chevre/897311276996288

Cooking and baking

http://dickiebirdfarm.blogspot.com/2014/05/yogurt-sesame-bread.html

http://dickiebirdfarm.blogspot.com/2014/05/buttermilk-fried-chicken.html

Culture buttermilk

https://www.facebook.com/notes/dickie-bird-farm/culturing-buttermilk/919321894795226

Yogurt, sour cream

Butter

Fudge

http://dickiebirdfarm.blogspot.com/2015/07/goat-milk-fudge.html

Cajeta (caramel sauce)

http://dickiebirdfarm.blogspot.com/2015/06/cajeta.html

http://dickiebirdfarm.blogspot.com/2014/10/salted-cajeta-cookie-bars.html

Soap

https://www.facebook.com/notes/dickie-bird-farm/how-to-make-goat-milk-

soap/865347710192645

Body lotion

https://www.facebook.com/notes/dickie-bird-farm/make-your-own-goat-milk-

lotion/874791565914926

Coffee creamer

Pet milk