Dairy: Cow to Carton

Little Thunder poured milk on his cereal. "Where does milk come from?"

"Let's follow it and find out!" said Suzy.

They started in the paddock. Ottawa the cow was munching fresh green grass. "Good grass makes good milk," she said.

Next was the dairy shed. The cows walked in, one by one. Gentle milking machines collected the milk.

"Then it goes into the cold vat," said Spike. Little Thunder pressed the chiller button. Brrr! The vat kept the milk cold and fresh.

A big silver tanker truck came down the road. It pumped the cold milk into its tank and drove off to the factory.

At the factory, the milk was heated just enough to kill any germs. "That's called pasteurising," said Suzy. "It keeps the milk safe."

Then the milk went into cartons and bottles. Some was made into cheese, yoghurt and butter.

"The cartons go on another truck to the shop," said Spike. "And then to your fridge."

Little Thunder looked at his cereal bowl. "Thank you, Ottawa!"

Far away in the paddock, Ottawa mooed happily.