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The importance of milking time assessments (observations and not physical measurements)
Ohnstad, I.
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There are International Standards on the procedures and methods for testing milking machines (ISO 6690:2007) and the basic operating parameters required (ISO 5707:2007). As these tests do not include actual milking, the results may lead to an incomplete evaluation and provide misleading results (International Dairy Federation, Bulletin 396/2005).
Objective: To highlight a number of key points that will allow competent personnel to assess the suitability of the milking system.
Materials and Methods: There are three broad areas to consider.
1. Mechanical observations
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Vacuum levels – checking the accuracy of the gauge set for the type of machine in operation (high or low level milklines). Too low a level can extend machine on time, increase liner slip and may decrease milk yields. Teat congestion and incomplete milking indicate too high a level.
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Vacuum stability – as important as working level. The vacuum at the receiver vessel should fluctuate no more than +/- 2.0kPa during milking, nor between the receiver vessel and milkline for more than 95% of a normal milking.
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Vacuum in the liner mouthpiece chamber (MPC) - to average at least 10kPa less than the average claw vac- uum during peak milk flow. Teat barrel congestion and palpable mouthpiece rings are usually reduced when the MPC vacuum is less than 20 kPa. Higher MPC vacuum levels are observed with over-milking and larger bore liners. The presence of palpable mouthpiece rings on more than 20% of teats warrants investigation (increased mastitis new infection rates).
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Operation of the vacuum regulator. A simple test when air is admitted. Listen to see if the regulator closes off or the speed of a VFC increases.
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Fall off test – to assess if the machine can keep the vacuum level stable when a unit is removed or kicked off.
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Pulsation – listen closely to each pulsator for uniformity. Check liners are fitted correctly and in good condition. Correct liner movement can be assessed using the thumb test.
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Liner slippage – if more than 5% per milking then investigate and action.
2. Operator observations
• Attachment of the milking units – with minimum air admission and a smooth, efficient manner. Units must hang squarely on the udder with equal weight distribution between all four teats.
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Removal of the milking unit. Clusters must not be removed while under vacuum. Check for blocked air bleeds which also lead to slower milking, liner slippage and teats being bathed in milk during peak milk flow.
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Over-milking must always be avoided. With twice a day milking, units should be removed promptly when the flow rate drops to between 0.3 – 0.5 kg/min and nearer 0.6 – 0.8 kg/min with three times a day milking. If hand stripping identifies that >20% of quarters yield more than 100ml milk, then investigate.
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Cleanliness of the operator and facilities is essential.
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Demeanour of the operator. Dairy cows respond positively to a quiet, calm and consistent milking environment, including cow collection. If more than 5% of cows defecate something is wrong.
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Consistency of milking routine, with all cows receiving the same preparation intensity and duration, with standard time lags from first contact to attachment of the cluster.
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Milk Let down. Good preparation is essential for good milk let down and achieving less than 10% of bimodal milk flow. A calm, well stimulated cow should produce around 50% of her production within 2.0 minutes of unit attachment.
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Teat disinfection. Teats should be disinfected as soon as practical after cluster removal, ensuring total teat coverage.
3. Cow Observations
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Cow behaviour. An effective milking requires calm quiet cows for optimum milking efficiency and milk quality.
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Teat Condition. Routine assessment of teat condition is part of any milking time assessment. The National Mastitis Council (nmconline.org) has recently updated Teat Condition Scoring.
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Cow cleanliness. Essential for milking efficiency and milk quality. Changes in management, environment and housing can be clearly identified with regular scoring.
Conclusions: Detailed observations at milking time can highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the overall milking process. Any comprehensive assessment needs to take ac- count of the complex interaction between milking machine, operator and cow. Failure to understand the relationship may lead to inappropriate conclusions being drawn and incorrect recommendations.
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About
Affiliation of the authors at the time of publication
The Dairy Group (UK)
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