Description
Operate and control milking parlor equipment to milk dairy cattle and ensure milk quality and animal welfare. Prepare animals, attach and monitor milking units, transfer milk to refrigerated storage, and maintain accurate records. Clean, sanitize, and perform minor maintenance on milking systems and parlor areas, and assist with animal movement and waste removal.
- • Bring cows to the parlor and position them safely in stalls.
- • Pre-strip, clean, and dry teats to prepare for milking.
- • Attach and align milking units; monitor milk flow and unit performance; detach units when complete.
- • Apply pre- and post-milking teat dips to control mastitis.
- • Observe animals for signs of illness or mastitis and divert abnormal or treated milk.
- • Record milk yields, cow IDs, treatments, and parlor events in logs or software.
- • Operate and monitor vacuum pumps, pulsators, automatic detachers, bulk tanks, and plate coolers.
- • Set and adjust controls for vacuum, pulsation rates, detacher settings, and wash cycles.
- • Mix and handle detergents and sanitizers; load chemicals into CIP systems per label directions.
- • Clean and sanitize milking lines, clusters, parlor surfaces, and bulk tanks after each milking.
- • Replace liners, gaskets, and milk filters; refill teat dip and chemical containers.
- • Inspect, adjust, and perform minor repairs on milking equipment; notify supervisors of malfunctions.
- • Move, sort, and restrain cows safely; operate crowd gates and sort pens.
- • Maintain parlor cleanliness; remove manure, hose down stalls, and keep drains clear.
- • Collect, label, and store milk samples; assist with tanker hookups and verify bulk tank temperatures.
- • Follow biosecurity and safety procedures and use required PPE.
- • Inspect, adjust, and service milking machines, pulsators, vacuum pumps, and pipelines; report malfunctions.
- • Observe equipment sounds, vacuum gauges, and milk meters to detect leaks or performance issues.
- • Clean and sanitize parlors, stalls, and milking equipment before and after each milking.
- • Mix and dilute udder sanitizers and CIP detergents to specified concentrations.
- • Operate and tend milking units, automatic take-offs, plate coolers, and bulk tanks.
- • Set and adjust vacuum, pulsation, and take-off settings according to protocols.
- • Lead, sort, and position cows from holding pens into stalls; secure gates and alleyways.
- • Pre-dip, wipe, and strip teats; attach milking units and confirm proper milk flow.
- • Apply post-dip disinfectant and check teat condition after unit removal.
- • Monitor milk flow and conductivity; divert colostrum or treated milk to dump lines as needed.
- • Replace liners, gaskets, and milk filters; restock dip cups, towels, and consumables.
- • Start and monitor CIP wash cycles; verify temperatures, chemical levels, and rinse quality.
- • Record cow IDs, milk yields, and health observations in logs or herd management software.
- • Collect, label, and store milk samples for quality testing; maintain cold chain.
- • Move and dispose of manure and bedding from parlors; keep pits and walkways clean and safe.
- • Train or direct crew members in milking procedures, sanitation, and animal handling.
- • Follow animal welfare, biosecurity, and worker safety protocols; use PPE and lockout/tagout as required.
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O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
