I grew up in Texas. In Texas, we have a lot of cows. Now I’m a city girl — born and raised. Still, having plenty of kin folk living in the country, I have seen quite a few cattle in my day. Just driving down the freeway, cows litter the pasture lands like black and white daisy’s in a field. But that’s about all I know about cows. So it is still a thrill to get up close to those beautiful, gentle creatures. Still a thrill to see a newborn calf being cared for by a mother. Still a thrill to touch a nose. Still a thrill to see the inner workings of a modern dairy farm. So I was pleased to be invited to take a tour of Caballero Dairy Farm by the Dairy Council of AZ. 
Caballero Dairy Farm, located in the shadows of the San Tan Mountains and Picacho Peak, just outside of Eloy, Arizona, is a 2nd generation dairy farm. Our host for the day was Craig Caballero, who owns and runs the dairy. Craig’s love of the animals and pride in the farm was evident in the high standards and goals he has set. The farm is clean, well-kept, and modern. All systems, from tracking every cow’s health and production amount to the operation of the milk barn is computerized. Craig met our group in the dusty parking lot. He explained that our cars couldn’t go further as a matter of safety for the animals as well as safety for the product and even safety for us. So from there we walked.
Started in Mesa, Arizona, in 1957 with only 27 cows, Caballero Dairy is now a large farm with 8000 head of cattle. Primarily Holstein, with the distinctive black and white markings, there are also a few Jerseys and Brown Swiss sprinkled in for fun. Only a third of the herd are actually in milk production at any given time. The remaining cows are either too young, too ill, or on maternity leave. The cows are milked in a barn on a revolving carousel– a milking merry-go-round. Standing in the center looking up at the cows, we must have been fine entertainment for them to talk about at feeding time that evening. 
The cows line themselves up and walk onto the carousel. Udders get a washing and the equipment is attached by an attendant. Then the machines do all of the work. Cows get a ride. Milk gets pumped. Cows get off. Cows go home. Pretty simple.
The milk is never touched by human hands. The milk goes from the udder into a holding tank. The milk is picked up by the truck. All care is given by the farm and by the driver to ensure the milk is safely delivered to the processing plant. The milk is transferred from the truck to storage tanks. The processing plant transfers the milk as needed to the various systems to pasteurize the milk, and to make cheese, yogurt, ice cream, and all of the other wonderful dairy products. Arizona dairies produce enough milk to feed the State and have enough left over to export.
After a morning of learning about the cows and dairy industry, we enjoyed a picnic lunch of sandwiches, fruit, and milk, hosted by the Dairy Council. A great way to end a great day. Thanks Dairy Council of AZ and Caballero Dairy Farm for the informative tour.
For a look at another dairy farm, take a peek at Kerr Dairy Farm
Disclaimer: I was provided the opportunity to visit this farm with the Diary Council of AZ through a campaign with Blended Extended. All opinions are my own.
Hello Merry,
I hope this email reaches you well. I am a researcher for a British TV Production Company, about to make a second series for our main broadcaster, the BBC, that aims to look at how the UK can improve within different industries by looking at American practice.
I loved reading your article about the Caballero Farm and think a peek inside American dairy farming would be fascinating. Would you happen to have a contact email or number that I could use to reach the farm?
Kind regards,
Rachel Toase
Hello Rachel, I am really glad that you enjoyed my post about Cabellero Dairy Farm in Eloy Arizona. Did you also see my post about the Kerr Dairy Farm in Buckeye, Arizona. https://www.sunshineonmyshoulder.com/kerr-dairy-farm/ I think you will enjoy it as well.
Unfortunately, I do not have a contact number for either farm. Both are members of the Arizona Farm Bureau, so perhaps you will find contact numbers there. I also saw that both of these farms have Facebook pages. Perhaps you could contact them through Facebook or Instant Messaging. Good luck on your search and on your program. Merry
It’s amazes me how much care and work go into dairy farming. I’m am beyond impressed at how the whole process works.
I was so bummed to miss this tour! It’s so important to know where your food comes from. I home-educate my kids, and this would have been a great educational (and fun!) opportunity. Thank you for the great write up and photos on Caballero Dairy Farm!
It was a really fun tour. It is good to know where our food supply comes from and that they take such care and pride in their animals and their product. Missed you. Hope to see you next time.