Difference between milking and milk let down

Milking refers to the entire process of extracting milk from a dairy animal, typically a cow, goat, or sheep. This process involves physically removing the milk from the udder.

Milk let down, also known as the milk ejection reflex, is a physiological response that occurs when milk stored in the udder is released into the milk ducts, making it available for extraction. This reflex is triggered by sensory stimuli, such as the sight, sound, or touch of the young animal or the milking equipment, which causes the release of the hormone oxytocin. Oxytocin causes the myoepithelial cells surrounding the alveoli in the udder to contract, pushing the milk out.