How SMC Milk is Made

At South Mountain Creamery, we do dairy differently! Our animals are raised from birth and cared for on the farm 24/7. SMC is a one-of-a-kind operation, allowing us to work from field to fork! 

Step 1 - Cows Grazing

One of our ladies enjoying a sunny afternoon in the fields!

In order for cows to produce milk – Cows have to eat…. And sleep.  Cows usually spend about 8 hours grazing, 12-14 hours sleeping and ruminating or chewing their cud, and 2 hours milking. Our cows get to graze in their pasture on our family farm.  They graze in the morning after milking and in the evening after milking, They get to relax and graze on grass. SMC cows eat a nutrient balanced ration of grains and grass that are grown and harvested right here at SMC. We raise our animals and grow and harvest our crops on six farms totaling over 2,000 acres.

Step 2 – Harvesting Milk

Karen explains the milking process in the Milking Parlor.

SMC cows are milked by hand two times each day at 1:30 am and 1:30 pm– rain or shine, 365 days a year. We also have an operational robotic farm, where our high producing cows can be milked up to six times per day! Milking time takes about 5 minutes per cow. We have a double ten herringbone milking machine, which allows us to milk 20 cows at one time.  This reduces the amount of time the cows wait to be milked. Nobody likes standing in line.  Milking machines mimic the action of a young calf by creating a pulsating vacuum around the teat, which causes the milk to be released from the udder.  Join us in the afternoon and watch the cows being milked in the milking parlor.

Step 3 – Storing Milk

The milk goes from the cow, through a pipe to our storage tank next door.  Milk is stored on farm at between 35 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit until it is pumped to our on-farm production facility. The milk in our storage vats is stirred constantly so it does not separate. 

Step 4 – Transporting Milk

Milk is pumped to our on-farm processing facility daily through stainless steel pipes.  We eliminate temperature changes and transporting time because everything is done right here on the farm.

SMC uses glass milk bottles instead of plastic.

Step 5 – Processing Milk

Whole milk, once approved for use, is pumped into storage silos where it undergoes pasteurization, homogenization and bottling.

Pasteurization:

Every particle of milk is heated to a specific temperature for a short period of time to ensure all of our milk and ice cream are safe for human consumption. We use a High Temperature/Short Time pasteurization process – or HTST. This eliminates all bacteria that may be harmful to your health and ensures the highest quality, best tasting milk.  HTST is more expensive than regular pasteurizing processes but this guarantees the freshest and best tasting milk.

Homogenization:

The fat in milk naturally separates from the water and collects at the top. Homogenization shrinks the cream globules and uses a screen to push and shrink these cream globules. This process breaks the fat into tiny particles so it no longer separates.  The cream is then suspended throughout the milk. 

Bottling:

The milk is then put into our glass bottles.  Glass bottles ensure that SMC milk is the best tasting milk on the market.  It’s just one more way that you can taste the SMC difference.

Fresh milk. Delivered straight to your door!

Step 6 – Delivering Milk

Then milk is sent off in our delivery trucks to be delivered to your door! Our glass bottled milk is also available at our farm store. We also sell milk to restaurants and specialty stores.  SMC milk is the only milk that comes to you straight from the cow to your door because we do everything right here on the farm!


Learn more about the SMC Difference at www.southmountaincreamery.com!