Automatic Prestimulation on Dairy Goats: Milking Efficiency and Teat-End Status.

Joel Bueso-Ródenas,Gema Romero,José Ramón Díaz,Manuel Alejandro

doi:10.3390/ani11010121

Abstract

Simple SummaryIn the literature reviewed, there were no studies about how automatic mechanical stimulation affects milking efficiency and teat-end status in dairy goats. Three experiments were performed at the onset, middle, and end of lactation on Murciano-Granadina goats. In each experiment, milking with and without previous mechanical stimulation was tested. Milk fractioning, milking time, milk flows, and teat-end status assessed by ultrasonography and vacuum levels in the short milk tubes and short pulsation tubes were registered. Results showed that, conversely to dairy cows, investing in equipment for performing mechanical prestimulation in dairy goats is not needed, as it did not offer any advantage regarding the above mentioned variables.Experiments carried out in dairy cows show that mechanical stimulation prior to milking offers a good release of oxytocin without involving changes in milk yield or a reduction of the milking time. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of automatic prestimulation on milk fractioning, milking duration and milk flows, teat-end status, and vacuum levels at the short milk tubes and in the pulsation tubes of dairy goats. With this aim, three experiments in Latin square design were developed employing goats in different moments of the lactation: one of them at the onset of lactation, one at mid-lactation, and the last at the end of lactation. Two treatments were tested: milking with a mechanical prestimulation of 300 ppm for a 20-s period and milking without prestimulation. Results showed that prestimulation at the end of lactation showed slightly lower average milk flow (kg/min) values (0.53 ± 0.02 vs. 0.60 ± 0.02; p = 0.03) and lower maximum vacuum level values (Kpa) in the pulsation tubes (27.08 ± 0.15 vs. 39.48 ± 0.25; p < 0.01). No other differences were found in the variables related to milking efficiency or teat-end status in the three experiments carried out.

Highlights

Experiments carried out in dairy cows show that mechanical stimulation prior to milking offers a good release of oxytocin without involving changes in milk yield or a reduction of the milking time
The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of automatic prestimulation on milk fractioning, milking duration and milk flows, teat-end status, and vacuum levels at the short milk tubes and in the pulsation tubes of dairy goats
Stimulation of the udder previous to milking is the common way to produce a good release of oxytocin and, entailing higher average milk flow, faster milkings, better emptying of the mammary gland, and better teat condition, improving the milking performance of the animals and, the optimal level of animal welfare [1]

Summary

Introduction

Stimulation of the udder previous to milking is the common way to produce a good release of oxytocin and, entailing higher average milk flow, faster milkings, better emptying of the mammary gland, and better teat condition, improving the milking performance of the animals and, the optimal level of animal welfare [1]. The most common method of prestimulation includes forestripping of each teat and cleaning each teat with individual towels. As these operations involve investments in labor and time, some authors recommend that, in some situations, to achieve the greatest milking efficiency, clusters should be attached immediately without premilking stimulation [5]. Some authors [7,8] have even proposed elimination of the machine-stripping phase in those particular breeds selected for their milkability [9] This reduction time would even be enhanced with the implementation of automatic cluster removers [10]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion