Milking with a Surge Belly Milker

[@Lena-ko5xf]

Thank you for sharing! Just received my belly milker today, and needed some pointers on how to use it. You explained it very well.

[@connerty_meadows_farm]

Yeah! I’m glad it helped. Enjoy your new milker.

[@kimcritchfield5796]

I am in Southern California and member of a Herdshare. I milk two jerseys every two weeks. Currently one is almost 2 years into lactation and we get 1.5 gallons x2 a day. We just confirmed her November AI took. So I’m sure your gal will do fine!! I’ve just subscribed and would love to see cheese making!!

[@connerty_meadows_farm]

Thanks for watching. We have a play list of cheesemaking on our channel and add more as we have time. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iojbc2yLmrJkm9E

[@robinbutler7863]

WOW! very very informative, I so appreciate this video. Thank you so so much and can't wait to see more of your videos. So happy I ran across your video'

[@connerty_meadows_farm]

I’m glad it was helpful, any questions feel free to ask. I post pretty much everyday on Instagram/fb if you are interested (same name). Thanks for watching

[@samanthamartin6167]

Did you get the cleaning brush from Hamby? I've always hand milked but recently bought a surge and am struggling a bit with the learning curve. But I need it to work as my girl's teats are not ideal for hand milking. thanks!!

[@connerty_meadows_farm]

I did not get that particular brush from Hamby as mine is a surge one but they carry a similar one that’s pretty much the same thing. I know about those small back teats. I can’t really hand milk my girl either for the same problem. The milker is a life saver. Remember to kink the inflation while putting it on so not to loose pressure. That’s the tricky part for most people! Good luck and here’s a link for you. hambydairysupply.com/inflation-brush-large-bore/

[@janinehall6728]

That was awesome. Very detailed and explained things so clearly. Where do you get your silicone inflations?

[@connerty_meadows_farm]

Hey Janine, Thanks for watching. I was very happy that I found a US company that would ship me surge parts to Canada. I used Hamby dairy supply. Excellent service and super fast shipping.

[@TheLindsey7777]

How much did this set up cost you I found one online for 45 but need plug seals and tubes for nipple pups 🤔

[@connerty_meadows_farm]

No need for plug seals with a surge. They are designed to not have suction when they hang down. Here’s a video I have on Instagram showing you what I mean instagram.com/reel/CtK80QMP8Ns/?igshid=NzZhOTFlYzFmZQ==

[@connerty_meadows_farm]

As for cost. I inherited one from my dad and purchased a second one from an antique store for $30. Then I purchased all new rubbers and inflations from Hamby dairy. The pump cost us around $400 about 10 years ago I’m sure it’s more then that now. Ps that’s all Canadian dollars

[@acesalvage6718]

How much cfm is that pump?

[@connerty_meadows_farm]

It’s a 7 CFM. I have another video specifically on the pump. m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGLbk6Ocgq19pdU

[@deboravankesteren9434]

This is my first time watching your channel, and I found it very clear and easy to understand. I do not have a cow yet, but am impressed by your Befair cow. I am in Southern Ontario near Windsor, and have never seen them for sale. Do you know where there are any available for sale?

[@connerty_meadows_farm]

Aww thank you. We love her shes a real sweet heart. They are tricky to find, we just got super lucky with her. Most folks will list them as a jersey dexter cross or a jersey cross, we actually found her on kijiji.

[@connerty_meadows_farm]

Our this years heifer is now for sale! She’s 3/4 jersey 1/4 Belfair. Her mama is the one we are milking in the video. In case you are interested.

[@kl1958]

You have a great channel. I just subscribed. How much milk does Freyja produce per day? You have a real nice homestead in Canada.

[@connerty_meadows_farm]

Thank you :-) Currently Freyja is 10 months into lactation and producing on average anywhere between 10-16 litres a day. Due to haveing issues of her not catching with AI and not wanting a calf in freezing Canadain winter temps we opted to not breed her back right away and we will keep milking her though until she is ready to calve again next season Hoping to get her bred for a March baby next season. I am sure her production will drop at some point but she is holding steady currently with her out put.

[@MJFerner]

Do you know what model of vacuum pump do you have?

[@connerty_meadows_farm]

I have an entire video on it ☺️. Here’s the link. m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGLbk6Ocgq19pdU

[@MJFerner]

@@connerty_meadows_farm Thank you! Also - where did you order your clear silicone for the teet suction?

[@connerty_meadows_farm]

Hamby dairy from the US

[@willowriverranch7965]

My hamby order just arrived with the silicon liners. There are arrows on them. Do those arrows mean something?

[@connerty_meadows_farm]

yes they do! the arrows line up with the pulsator hoses, which in turn line up with the top of your lid

[@willowriverranch7965]

@@connerty_meadows_farm thank you!

[@connerty_meadows_farm]

@@willowriverranch7965 you are very welcome. Let me know if we can help you with anything else

[@l2iowacowgirl893]

I rub a little food grade oil on my ring it helps with the seal. I do this with my pressure canner too! Works great

[@connerty_meadows_farm]

That’s great! For us oil makes the cheese have a hard time to coagulate and breaks down the rubber faster. Water works great!

[@robbinedick9930]

How did you determine the back inflations were contributing to mastitis? Where did you buy the silicone inflations? I've had a surge bucket milker for 2 years from Hamby dairy supply and I haven't used it. Nervous to make the change. Am I able to blug them for the teats that empty 1st? Thank you so much for your video!

[@connerty_meadows_farm]

Every time we put a new pair of black inflations on she got mastitis. Even my other cow. None after switching to the silicone! We got the silicone ones from Hamby. No need to plug them up after finishing each teat. This is what you do. You link the inflation then point it downwards. The beauty with a surge is that it is designed to not have any suction in the down position. Copy and paste the link to see what I mean instagram.com/reel/CtK80QMP8Ns/?igshid=ZWQyN2ExYTkwZQ==

[@kristenrambo9802]

Do you not have a problem with water on the vacuum lines from submerging them in the cleaning water?

[@connerty_meadows_farm]

no as I put them upside down to drain them after washing them. They have about 11+ hours to drip out between milking

[@shannonosterhout8425]

What kind/ size of vacuum pump do you have?

[@shannonosterhout8425]

Never mind. I asked too soon.

[@connerty_meadows_farm]

It is a stage two vaccum pump. It is the kind used to drain brake lines etc.

[@connerty_meadows_farm]

@@shannonosterhout8425 lol no worries, hope it helps

[@michaelalexander3828]

There are two types of Surge lid gaskets; the original, thinner gasket and a thicker gasket.

[@connerty_meadows_farm]

Thank you. Unfortuantely I havent had luck finding any of the thicker ones here in Canada. But I will be watching as using two gaskets is not my cup of tea :-)