Schopf's Hilltop Dairy

We had read about this dairy in the tourist brochures and decided that this gray morning would be the perfect time to visit it. Don't miss it if you visit Door County!

The milking parlor at Schopf's Hilltop Dairy is a state-of-the-art facility. They run three eight-hour shifts and approximately 500 cows are each milked every eight hours. Yes, each cow is milked three times a day! Whenever the shop is open, the milking parlor is in full view of visitors. We were entranced by the process and want to share some photos.

Here is the milking parlor, sparkling clean and ready for the beginning of the shift. Ten cows are milked on each side of the parlor.

The cows enter single file and take their places.

Two men work the parlor, treating/cleaning their teats and attaching the equipment. See the cows in the background waiting their turn?

Look closely in the cylindrical "pans" and you can see the milk going through the machines.

Here's a view of the other side of the parlor.

After the milking machines have all released on one side, gates open at each station and the cows file out as the next group walks in.

We watched this process through three sets of cows...it was fascinating! The milk from this dairy is used to make Land O Lakes products...which are favorites at our house.

Lovin' Life ~~ Learning as We Meander

Bev