Certified Cheese Professional Practice Exam

How many days a year are cows typically milked?

1. 300

2. 260

3. 180

4. 280

The correct answer is: 300

Cows are typically milked about 300 days a year, which corresponds to their lactation cycle. After giving birth, a cow enters its lactation period, which can last around 305 days. During this time, the cow is milked regularly to provide milk for dairy production. Once the lactation period ends, usually, the cow will dry off (stop being milked) for a period before giving birth again, starting the cycle anew. The reason 300 days is a common estimate is that it accounts for a shorter drying-off period just before calving. Therefore, this figure reflects the productive days within a typical lactation cycle, making it the most accurate choice in this context. The other options do not align with the standard lactation cycle duration and frequency of milking in cattle.