Milking vacuum influencing indicators of udder health

Large-scale cross-sectional study of relationships between somatic cell count and milking-time test results in different milking systems

Milking-time testing (MTT) is a method for evaluating the vacuum conditions in the teatcup during milking. The purpose is to evaluate the possible impact of the milking and milking equipment on udder health and milk quality. The method is commonly implemented by herd health advisory services, but results are interpreted empirically due to lack of scientific documentation on relationships between MTT result variables and objective measures of udder health. The current study was conducted to increase our understanding of associations between cow-level differences in composite milk somatic cell count (CMSCC) and MTT results in dairy cows milked in 3 different milking systems; automatic milking systems (AMS), milking parlors, and pipeline milking systems. Data from 7069 cows (predominantly Norwegian Red breed) in 1009 herds were used in a cross-sectional study. Multilevel linear regression models with a random intercept at herd level were used to describe relationships between CMSCC (on logarithmic scale) and the following MTT explanatory variables: average vacuum level in the short milk tube and mouthpiece chamber in the main milking and overmilking periods, the duration of these two periods, and vacuum stability, measured by sudden vacuum drops in the short milk tube. The models were corrected for the herd effect, mastitis history and differences in milk yield, lactation stage and parity between cows. Separate models were run for AMS, milking parlors, and pipeline milking systems, because this approach allowed for comparison between systems and for evaluation of the herd effect independently of milking system. The models described 8-10 % of the variation in CMSCC, indicating that MTT could only explain a relatively small proportion of a large total variation in CMSCC. In most observations, vacuum levels in the short milk tube during main milking were within the range recommended by the International Organization for Standardization. The results from our multivariable models showed decreasing CMSCC with increasing vacuum level in the short milk tube during the main milking period in AMS and milking parlors. Similarly, decreasing CMSCC was also associated with increasing duration of the main milking period in all 3 systems. These relationships are important for the interpretation of MTT results under practical conditions; finding high vacuum levels and long milking durations in a MTT is not associated with elevated CMSCC. In AMS herds, we also found indications that the relationships were different for cows where a case of mastitis had been treated before the MTT.

Effects of a latency period between pre-stimulation and teat cup attachment and periodic vacuum reduction on milking characteristics and teat condition in dairy cows

The goal of the present study was to examine the suitability of a short pre-stimulation (P) for 15 s followed by a latency period (L) of 30 s before cluster attachment for machine milking. In addition we tested the effect of a periodic reduction of the vacuum under the teat (VR) during the massage phase from 43 kPa to 12–15 kPa on milking characteristics and teat tissue condition. The study was carried out in 9 cows in a cross-over design. Animals were milked twice daily, and each of the 4 treatment combinations was used for six subsequent milkings (P+L vs. continuous P, and standard pulsation vs. VR, respectively). Milk flow was recorded during all experimental milkings. Longitudinal ultrasound cross sections of the teat were performed by B-mode ultrasound after the last milking of each treatment at 0, 5, and 15 min after the end of milking, respectively. None of the evaluated milking characteristics (total milk yield, main milking time, peak flow rate, average milk flow) differed between treatments. Teat measures as obtained by ultrasound cross sections showed no significant difference if individual treatments were compared at the three time points individually. However, teat wall thickness (TWT) tended to be smaller in VR vs. non-VR treatments at 5 min after milking (P=0·05). In conclusion, teat preparation consisting of a short stimulation followed by a latency period represents a similarly efficient pre-stimulation as a continuous pre-stimulation. VR seems to reduce the load on the teat tissue during milking and thus reduces the development of oedema and hence a less pronounced increase of TWT while milking characteristics are similar with or without VR.

Effect of milking machine factors on the somatic cell count of milk from cows free of intramammary infection: II. Vacuum level and overmilking

The effect of milking vacuum levels and overmilking on the somatic cell count of milk from cows free of intramammary infections was determined. In the first experiment, 4 levels of vacuum ranging from 35 to 70 kPa were compared in a Latin square design with 20 cows being milked at each of the 4 vacuum treatments for periods of 19 d. In the second experiment 40 cows were milked for 16 weeks at either 50 or 70 kPa with or without 5 min overmilking. Neither vacuum level nor overmilking affected somatic cell count and it is concluded that these factors do not cause stress or irritation that will lead to an increase in somatic cell count in the absence of mastitis infections.

Effects of milkline vacuum, pulsator airline vacuum, and cluster weight on milk yield, teat condition, and udder health

The influence of milkline vacuum, pulsator airline vacuum, and cluster weight on complete lactation milk yield performance, teat condition, and udder health were studied in 241 cows by using three separate factorial experiments. The first experiment had milkline vacuum set at 38 and 48 kPa, pulsator airline was vacuum was set at 0 and 8 kPa above milkline vacuum, and cluster weight was 1.6 and 2.3 kg. The second experiment had milkline vacuum set at 38 and 48 kPa and cluster weight was 1.6 and 2.3 kg. The third experiment had milkline vacuum set at 32 and 42 kPa and pulsator airline vacuum 0 and 8 kPa above milk line vacuum. The first two experiments were carried out with a high-level milking and the third with a low-level milking system. The average vacuums in the short milk tube during milking for low and high milkline vacuum in the high-level system were 26 and 33 kPa, and 30 and 39 kPa for the low-level milking system, respectively. Milking at low vacuum increased the machine-on time and frequency of liner slip, decreased milk flow rate, but had no influence on teat condition and udder health. The milk yield of high producing cows with long machine-on time was reduced by 5% when milked at a low vacuum. A higher pulsator airline vacuum than milkline vacuum had no influence on milking performance. The use of the light cluster reduced machine-on time. We recommend that mean vacuum in the short milk tube should not be lower than 32 kPa.