On our farm, the milking parlor is a flat parlor in our bank barn with six Zimmerman walk-through stalls. Cows come in from the holding pen on the left side, turn to find their stall, get milked, exit the stall, and turn to the left to go out the exit alley. At the right side of the parlor is a gate that blocks off our walkway to the utility room and milk house. What I find interesting is how you can almost predict how each individual cow will approach the parlor.
One cow will enter the parlor quickly and find her exact stall. If somehow another cow beat her to that stall, she will stand back and try to turn around because that is the only stall she is comfortable in. Another cow will try to blend in with the cows around her so she can get down to the gate in the far end of the parlor and see if she can swing it open to get a chance at freedom. Once she realizes I remembered to chain it, she’ll find a stall that is open. A third cow will hesitate to come in but refuse to walk all the way up to the sixth stall in the row, the only one that is left open. It takes me backing another cow out of a middle stall for her to find her place in the row.
They’re all creatures of habit. Every day you can almost predict which ones will come in quickly and go in any stall, and which ones will need to have their way with whatever stall they think is theirs. You know which ones will wait until almost every other cow is in the holding pen to finally get up from the freestall, and you know which ones you’ll catch standing in the water trough when the weather gets a little warmer.
It also fascinates me how our cows’ behavior will reflect whatever mood I am in when I am milking them. If I try to force them somewhere too quickly that they do not want to go, then they’ll be uncooperative all through milking and I’ll end up miserable. If I am calm and work with them instead of against them, then the whole milking will be a much more enjoyable experience. Those who lead animal handling workshops say it is learning to work with the animal’s flight zone. But I think it’s more than that. If you are stressed, it is almost like the cow senses that and becomes stressed, too.
As humans we are not that different. A Harvard Business Review article from 2025 shared that recent surveys indicate that employees now value predictability over flexibility. We are comfortable with our routines, and we want consistency in the world around us. It could be that cup of coffee in the morning, a few minutes alone while you’re pushing up feed, listening to your favorite news broadcast over lunch, or a hot shower just before bed. We all have those habits we build into our day that bring consistency and a moment of release in an otherwise hectic schedule. Studies show that being a creature of habit – having routines that shape your day – can actually build greater resilience and foster your well-being in adverse situations.
In some ways, if you are responsible for leading a team on your farm, your role is like the one who is handling the animals. You can create that routine and set the tone for whether the working environment will be highly stressful or relatively calm. Your employees and those working with you will follow your lead. So, what are some simple ways to reinforce that sense of calm and predictability?
- Be Approachable. People respond to your voice and body language the same way animals do. If you approach every situation in a calm manner and are not abrupt or aggressive, those around you will be more comfortable coming to you to resolve problems. If you are loud or harsh, they’re likely to avoid sharing the little issues with you which could lead to larger problems down the road.
- Be Consistent. People are also just like animals in wanting consistency. That is why it is important to be the same person in every situation. Don’t fly off the handle one day and expect your team to forget about it the next day when you walk in calm and relaxed.
- Show Up and Be Present. Take the time to understand the people you are working with. Listen to them. Get to know them as individuals. When you learn a little bit more about them, you can find little ways to encourage them. For example, if you know someone likes a certain type of chocolate or a certain kind of soda, consider stocking it so they have that little bit of comfort at work.
- Establish Routines. While some people enjoy adventure and change more than others, almost all of us do crave routine in our daily lives. Those routines provide a sense of rhythm to keep us moving throughout the day. Establish written protocols to shape those daily routines on your farm to keep your team moving forward toward your goals.
- Give Them Space. An important skill to learn when you’re handling animals is when to back up and give them some space and when to apply pressure. If you pressure them too hard, you risk them acting out. People are similar. It is important to recognize when someone is feeling burned out and might need some space. It’s even more important to recognize that in yourself. We all need time occasionally to walk away.
It often amuses me when I think about how much we are like the cows we work with. We are all creatures of habit, craving routine to bring a sense of rhythm to our chaotic lives. Just as we can help provide that routine as caretakers of our animals, we can show up in ways to help those around us find the calm in their storm.
Editor’s Note: This column is written by Jayne Sebright, executive director for the Center for Dairy Excellence.