When did people begin using milk from animals? Probably about the time they began domesticating animals ---- some 8,000 to 10,000 years ago. Meat was certainly the most important food first provided by domesticated animals. But the milk of cattle, goats, sheep, or other animals also became part of people's diets. As agriculture developed, milk and other dairy products, such as butter, cheese and yogurt, became more and more important in the diet of human beings.
For many thousands of years, a large percentage of the population was engaged in agricluture. Families commonly kept a few goats, cows, or sheep on their farms to provide fresh milk and other dairy products. With the coming of the industrial age, however, fewer and fewer people made their living through agriculture. The production of milk and products made from milk slowly became an industry.
The development of the dairy industry was closely linked with the development of better crops and animals and with a host of technological changes, such as improved transportation, refrigeration and advancements in milk processing. For example, in earlier times, one of the biggest problems was keeping milk fresh so that it would not spoil. Milk used to be kept cool by putting a container in the shade or in cold spring water near the farm or home. Today it is automatically cooled as soon as it is removed from the cow; it is carried long distances in large refrigerated tanks and then processed and packaged for placement in refrigerated showcases in grocery stores. The production of milk in many countries is now a large, scientifically based, highly mechanized industry.
{The Dairy Farmer}
The life of a dairy farmer is usually a rigorous one. Cows must be milked and other chores done seven days a week throughout the year. Hand milking has given way to the use of milking machines, but it must still be done twice a day. Family labor frequently makes up a large part of the labor force, especially on an average-sized farm. The sons and daughters of dairy farmers sometimes learn to put in long days and to carry heavy responsibilities at a young age.
Since the middle of the 20th century, there has been a great decrease in the number of dairy farms in the United States and Canada. In general, however, the farms remaining are large, have highly productive cows, and are managed with great skill. These farms represent the survivors in a very competitive business.
{Future Outlook for Dairy Farming}
Before the end of the 20th century, a further reduction in the number of dairy farms is likely, as the less competitive farmers are forced to give up dairying. World population, however, is increasing at a rapid rate, and the need for food will obviously increase as well. It is likely, therefore, that milk and milk products will be greatly in demand to help feed a hungry world.
Dairy scientists have learned how to increase greatly the productivity of cows. Dairy farmers should thus be in an excellent position to meet the challenges of the future. Important developments in milk processing and the development of new products mean that dairy foods will be more easily stored, transported, and made available to people the world over.
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challenge
chore
container
diet
domesticate
engage
host
link
mechanized
outlook
package
placement
process
productive
reduction
refrigerate
refrigeration
rigorous
scientifically
showcase
spoil
survivor
tank
technological
yogurt
be linked to / with
give way to
make up
put in
For many thousands of years, a large percentage of the population was engaged in agricluture. Families commonly kept a few goats, cows, or sheep on their farms to provide fresh milk and other dairy products. With the coming of the industrial age, however, fewer and fewer people made their living through agriculture. The production of milk and products made from milk slowly became an industry.
The development of the dairy industry was closely linked with the development of better crops and animals and with a host of technological changes, such as improved transportation, refrigeration and advancements in milk processing. For example, in earlier times, one of the biggest problems was keeping milk fresh so that it would not spoil. Milk used to be kept cool by putting a container in the shade or in cold spring water near the farm or home. Today it is automatically cooled as soon as it is removed from the cow; it is carried long distances in large refrigerated tanks and then processed and packaged for placement in refrigerated showcases in grocery stores. The production of milk in many countries is now a large, scientifically based, highly mechanized industry.
{The Dairy Farmer}
The life of a dairy farmer is usually a rigorous one. Cows must be milked and other chores done seven days a week throughout the year. Hand milking has given way to the use of milking machines, but it must still be done twice a day. Family labor frequently makes up a large part of the labor force, especially on an average-sized farm. The sons and daughters of dairy farmers sometimes learn to put in long days and to carry heavy responsibilities at a young age.
Since the middle of the 20th century, there has been a great decrease in the number of dairy farms in the United States and Canada. In general, however, the farms remaining are large, have highly productive cows, and are managed with great skill. These farms represent the survivors in a very competitive business.
{Future Outlook for Dairy Farming}
Before the end of the 20th century, a further reduction in the number of dairy farms is likely, as the less competitive farmers are forced to give up dairying. World population, however, is increasing at a rapid rate, and the need for food will obviously increase as well. It is likely, therefore, that milk and milk products will be greatly in demand to help feed a hungry world.
Dairy scientists have learned how to increase greatly the productivity of cows. Dairy farmers should thus be in an excellent position to meet the challenges of the future. Important developments in milk processing and the development of new products mean that dairy foods will be more easily stored, transported, and made available to people the world over.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
challenge
chore
container
diet
domesticate
engage
host
link
mechanized
outlook
package
placement
process
productive
reduction
refrigerate
refrigeration
rigorous
scientifically
showcase
spoil
survivor
tank
technological
yogurt
be linked to / with
give way to
make up
put in