1. Can you explain is Organic Milk Fresher Than Regular Milk?
Probably not. Most milk, including organic and regular milk, is delivered to stores within a few days of milking. However, some organic milk has an extended shelf life if it has undergone ultra-high temperature pasteurization.
2. Tell me why Would Farmers Treat A Cow With Antibiotics?
It is important to note that dairy cows are not routinely treated with antibiotics. When illness requires that a cow be treated, antibiotics are administered according strict FDA guidelines, which include withholding milk from sale. When a cow's milk is withheld, she is given special care and attention separate from the rest of milking herd until her milk tests free of antibiotics.
3. Tell me what's Different About Organic Farms?
U.S. dairy farmers are committed to assuring that their animals are well cared for and that proper attention is given to the use of natural resources, no matter if the farm is organic or conventional. There are strict guidelines from government agencies for all dairy farms, including sanitation, use of veterinary products, and environmental management.
Organic dairy foods must additionally meet the requirements of USDA's National Organic Program. This includes using only organic fertilizers and pesticides, and not using rbST. Dairy foods can be labeled "USDA Organic" only if all of the additional criteria are met.
4. Tell me why Have Dairy Farms Become So Large And Industrial?
Like other business owners, many dairy farm families are expanding to improve efficiencies. These improvements provide you with high-quality, affordable milk and dairy foods. Dairy farms have modernized to provide better cow care, improve milk quality, and use fewer natural resources. Many have also become larger to allow siblings, children or other family members to join the family business. The USDA estimates the average dairy farm in the US is about 200 cows.
All dairy farmers, regardless of their farms' size or ownership, follow strict regulations and best management practices for the health of their families, their cows and their neighbors. The look of the family farm and the technologies may have changed, but the traditional values of caring for the land and animals continue.
According to Cornell University, the dairy community has already reduced its carbon footprint by more than 63 percent between 1944 and 2007, due to improved cow nutrition, cow comfort, quality of the animals, and other improvements. Compared to farms in 1960, USDA statistics show that US dairy farms today are producing almost three times more milk with about half the number of cows.
In addition, milk performed better than other beverages in the 2010 Nutrient Density to Climate Impact (NDCI) Index, which compared nutrient density to climate impact.
6. Tell me what's A Typical Day Like On The Farm?
There is no typical day on a dairy farm, and I guess that's what keeps the job interesting and challenging. Of course we have regular jobs that must be done daily, like feeding and caring for the animals and, of course, milking the cows. We also produce all of our forages, so there is a lot of work to be done out in the fields depending on the time of year. On any given day you can find me in the calf barn, having a meeting with our employees, or out on a tractor!
7. Tell me why Do Milk Prices At The Grocery Store Fluctuate?
The price of milk at the grocery store can fluctuate due to changes in supply and demand, just like other foods. Other factors, including transportation and input costs, also can impact price. Dairy foods are still one of the most cost-effective investments you can make for your family's health.
8. Tell me what Inspired You To Become A Dairy Farmer?
My brother, and I grew up on our family dairy farm and we're the third generation to own and operate the business. There's quite a satisfaction to continue our grandparents' legacy, work with family towards a common goal and hopefully pass it on to the next generation.
9. Tell me do Your Cows Eat Grass Or Are They Fed Organic Feed?
Cows have evolved over millions of years to eat almost nothing but grass. Farmers feed cows grains in order for them to gain weight or so they produce more and/or sweeter milk. Grains are hard for cows to digest and lead to chronic digestive problems.
Another reason a farmer might feed their cows grains is because the cows are confined and have no access to fields or grass. Have you ever driven past feed lots with cows crammed together, standing in their own waste, with no grass in sight? Well that could easily be an organic dairy farm.
10. Are you happy with your career-to-date as Dairy Clerk?
This question is really about your self-esteem, confidence and career aspirations. The answer must be 'yes', followed by a brief explanation as to what it is about your career so far that's made you happy. If you have hit a career plateau, or you feel you are moving too slowly, then you must qualify your answer.
11. Please explain why Do Dairy Farms Smell?
Animals eat, therefore they produce manure. Manure has an odor. Dairy farmers work hard to minimize these odors by maintaining clean facilities, following proper manure storage practices, and properly applying manure as a natural fertilizer for cropland.
In some cases, farms are required to implement an odor management plan. Research and development has inspired new practices and innovative technologies to help farmers maintain clean air for everyone. Dairy farmers care about air quality; their families live and work on their farms and breathe the air, too.
12. Tell me do Dairy Farms Use Too Much Water?
No, dairy farmers use water responsibly and judiciously. Many conservation technologies are in place so that as little water as possible is used. For example, water used to clean the milking parlor is reused to clean feed alleys and then to irrigate fields. Using manure to fertilize the soil has many advantages, including water conservation. Manure increases the water-holding capacity of soil by 20 percent, so less groundwater is needed to grow crops.
13. Tell me how Do We Know Dairy Farmers Are Taking Good Care Of The Cows On Their Farms?
In addition to carrying out their individual commitments to their cows, dairy farmers and the dairy community have created FARM (Farmers Assuring Responsible Management), a nationwide, verifiable animal well-being program that brings consistency and uniformity to on-farm animal care and production practices.
The FARM program supports farmers with education on animal care and provides the public with added assurance of proper animal care.
14. Tell us what About Manure Getting Into The Groundwater?
Each farm maintains a Nutrient Management Plan, which helps to ensure that the nutrients go into the crops, not the groundwater. Government agencies have strict regulations for granting permits for dairy farms, continuous inspection and testing of the water, and recycling manure. Dairy farms rely on quality groundwater; cows need to drink clean water to produce high-quality milk.
15. Explain me if You Weren't A Farmer, What Would You Be Doing?
I actually left the farm for awhile and headed to town where I earned my college degree in journalism. I worked as a newspaper reporter for about 10 years before returning to my farming roots! I suppose I would still be working in journalism had I not come back to the farm.
16. What is your greatest weakness as Dairy Clerk?
Do not say you have none - this will lead to further problems. You have two options - use a professed weakness such as a lack of experience (not ability) on your part in an area that is not vital for the job. The second option is to describe a personal or professional weakness that could also be considered to be a strength and the steps you have taken to combat it. An example would be: "I know my team think I'm too demanding at times - I tend to drive them pretty hard but I'm getting much better at using the carrot and not the stick".
17. Tell me what Do You Do With All The Male Calves Born On Your Farm?
Because male animals don't produce milk, they are virtually worthless to dairy farmers. Only one bull is needed at a time in most dairy farms, but since almost half of all calves born will be male, what happens to them? Most dairy farms sell male calves to crated veal farms where the calf will be chained or tied up, placed usually in a dark wooden crate or another tight spot to restrict movement, and fed an iron-deficient liquid diet so that when he is slaughtered several months later, his meat is pale in color.
If they aren't sold to a crated veal operation, they more than likely will be sold or raised as Rose-veal. Rose-veal only differs from crated veal in that the calves aren't restricted as much (although they usually remain tethered) and have access to sunlight.
18. What do you like about your present job as Dairy Clerk?
This is a straightforward question. All you have to do is make sure that your 'likes' correspond to the skills required for the job on offer. Be enthusiastic; describe your job as interesting and diverse but do not overdo it - after all, you are looking to leave.
19. Tell me why Are Calves Put In Separate Pens After They Are Born?
Separate living quarters shortly after birth protect the health of the calf by ensuring the best individual care. Since newborn calves need time to build up their immune systems, it is better that they are not exposed to germs in the environment or germs that can be passed on from older animals. Another way farmers ensure the health of their calves is by feeding newborns two to four quarts of colostrum-the first milk the mother produces after giving birth. This special milk is usually delivered by bottle. Colostrum is high in fat and protein and contains antibodies that help build the calf's immune system.
Ever since my first paper route at age 10 I've been doing something to keep myself busy and earn money. Back then, it was obviously about earning some spending money. What I didn't realize was that I was actually starting the journey of establishing what I liked to do and how I fit in to the grand scheme of things. I then worked as a junior computer tech in my last 2 summers of high school. It was here that I discovered what I was passionate about and what I wanted to do. I enrolled in college to get my degree in computer sciences, and I have been working around technology ever since.
21. Why have you applied for this particular job as Dairy Clerk?
The employer is looking for evidence that the job suits you, fits in with your general aptitudes, coincides with your long-term goals and involves doing things you enjoy. Make sure you have a good understanding of the role and the organisation, and describe the attributes of the organisation that interest you most.
22. Please explain me does Organic Milk Taste Better?
The taste of milk, regardless of whether it is organically or conventionally produced, can differ slightly from carton to carton and season to season. Factors that may impact taste include location of the farm, breed of the cow, variations in cows' feed from farm to farm, and even the time of year. Milk that is ultra-high temperature pasteurized for longer freshness may have a slightly different taste. People should do their own "taste test" to see what type of milk they prefer.
23. Explain me do Large Farms Pay As Much Attention To Animal Care As Small Farms?
A cow's health is of utmost importance to every dairy farmer regardless of the size of the farm. Proper animal care leads to the production of high-quality milk. Nutritious diets, healthy living conditions and good veterinary care are essential for a healthy cow herd. Like other business owners, many dairy farm families are expanding to improve efficiency.
These improvements help support families and provide consumers with high-quality, affordable milk and dairy foods. Dairy farms have also modernized and become larger to allow siblings, children or other family members to join the family business. The USDA estimates the average dairy farm in the US is about 200 cows.
24. Tell me is Rbst Safe For My Family?
Since rbST was approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the early 1990s, its safety has been reaffirmed by the scientific community. Scientists tell us that rbST is species-specific, meaning that it is biologically inactive in humans. Also, pasteurization destroys 90 percent of bST and rbST in milk.
Any trace amounts of bovine somatotropin that remain after pasteurization of milk are broken down in the human gut into inactive protein fragments, like any other dietary protein. Numerous scientific studies have shown there is no significant difference between milk from rbST-supplemented and non-rbST-supplemented cows. For this reason, the FDA has established that dairy products from cows treated with rbST do not need to be labeled.
25. Explain why Is Milk Pasteurized?
Pasteurization kills harmful bacteria, such as E. coli O157:H7, Listeria and Salmonella, that can be found in raw milk (milk that has not been pasteurized). All milk intended for direct consumption should be pasteurized - it's a matter of food safety.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend drinking only pasteurized milk. Before the invention and acceptance of pasteurization, raw milk was a common source of bacteria that caused serious illnesses such as tuberculosis, diphtheria, and typhoid fever. In the 1900s, many mothers recognized this risk and would boil milk before giving it to their infants and young children.
