How to Get Milk in Icarus Update
The journey to crafting dairy products in Icarus begins with acquiring cows. These animals can be purchased as calves from the Orbital Workshop and deployed into your prospect. To grow the calves into full-fledged cows, you must provide them with food and water.

Establish feeding troughs and watering stations to ensure your cows are happy and healthy, as this is essential for milk production. A well-fed cow produces milk periodically, with up to 1.5 liters generated every ten minutes. Cows can store a maximum of 30 liters, so collecting milk regularly prevents wasted resources.

To collect milk, you’ll need containers. A milk pail, crafted at the anvil, can hold up to five liters but allows milk to spoil quickly. For longer-term storage, milk bottles crafted at the glassworking bench are more effective, as they keep milk fresh and hold two liters each. Using these containers ensures you have the flexibility to manage milk production efficiently.

Transforming Milk into Dairy Products
Once you have milk, you can start transforming it into valuable dairy products. The process begins with crafting cream, which requires milk and animal fat. Cream can then be used to make butter by combining it with salt. Both of these ingredients are crafted at Windmill. These are essential for advanced recipes like cheese, which also requires soybeans and beeswax. These crafting steps can be performed at the Material Processor or the Windmill, depending on your setup.

The addition of dairy unlocks a range of exciting recipes, such as cheese pizza, pavlova, and crispy bacon with butter. Each recipe provides unique buffs to support different gameplay styles, such as increased stamina regeneration or critical damage bonuses. By experimenting with recipes, you can tailor your meal choices to suit combat, exploration, or resource gathering.

Optimizing Dairy Production
Efficient dairy farming involves thoughtful planning and resource management. Expanding your herd with additional cows increases milk production, but you must ensure each animal has adequate food and water. Setting up feeding and watering stations near their enclosure reduces the time spent tending to them.

Protecting your cows from predators is equally important, so housing them in a secure area is essential for long-term productivity. Milk must also be collected and stored efficiently to prevent spoilage. Using milk bottles instead of pails allows you to stockpile this resource for later use.
To make the most of your dairy operation, consider prioritizing recipes that align with your gameplay goals. If you frequently explore or engage in combat, focus on meals that boost stamina or provide health regeneration. If you’re building a base, recipes offering experience buffs can speed up your progress.
