Teat Cups Research Articles

MecA positive Staphylococcus spp. in bovine mastitis, milkers, milking environment, and the circulation of different MRSA clones at dairy cows farms in the Northeast region of Brazil

ABSTRACT: This study detected the presence and distribution of mecA in Staphylococcus spp. in the dairy production environment at farm level in Brazil. We analyzed 335 samples of mastitis cow milk, 15 samples of nostrils and hand swabs from milkers, 14 teat cup swabs, and 9 milking buckets swabs. Initially, the samples were subjected to microbiological analysis to detect Staphylococcus spp. and then S. aureus and mecA positive isolates were identified by PCR. All S. aureus isolates carrying the mecA genes were subjected to DNA macro-restriction analysis by Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE). The mecA gene was detected in 6/335 (1.78%) of mastitis cow milk, 5/15 (33.3%), and 5/15 (33.3%) of nostrils and hand swab, and 4/14 (28.5%) of the teat cup isolates. MRSA genotyping was performed by PFGE, a total of seven pulsotypes were grouped in two clusters. This study identified the occurrence and spread of MRSA at dairy environment of farms, and also the existence of distinct genetic profiles between isolates.

Revealing changes in the technical parameters of the teat cup liners of milking machines during testing and production conditions

To implement effective cow milking, it is necessary to take into account the peculiarities of the milk flow process, the milking machine's adaptability to perform the given technological functions. The aim of research is to establish changes in the design and technological parameters and physical and mechanical properties of teat cup liner of milking machines during its testing and in production conditions. The results obtained will make it possible to make a rational choice of rubber, ensure an efficient milking process during its service life. It is found that the tensile strength of silicone teat cup liner at the beginning of operation was 1.6 times higher than that of a rubber compound, and after 6 months. operation – 1.7 times. With respect to the relative elongation, this difference was 1.4 times, and after operating time – 1.3 times. Studies have proven that rubber during operation changes its physical and mechanical properties: the length of the active part increased by 3.1 mm; wall thickness – 0.2 mm. It is found that the most intensively elastic properties of teat cup liner changed during the first 10–20 days. After 10 days, the closing vacuum increased by 16.6 % compared to the initial one, and after 20 days by 23.3 %, which amounted to 8.57 and 9.06 kPa, respectively. Up to 420 hours of operation, the clamping vacuum reached 11.3 kPa, which is 5.8 % lower than the requirements for toughening teat cup liner for rejection. In general, over the period of experiments, the average value of the vacuum of closing the opposite walls of teat cup liner increased from 7.35 to 12.43 kPa, which is 3.6 % higher than the norm (12 kPa). As a result of experimental studies, the regularity of the rubber tension force depending on the operating time in the form of a fourth degree polynomial is obtained. It is found that after 150 hours of operation, the tensile force of teat cup liner decreased by 21 %

Automatic teat detection for rotary milking system based on deep learning algorithms

In dairy farming, the milking process is the most labor-intensive activity. In order to automate the milking process, we acquire cows’ udder images in the working conditions of the rotary milking system to establish the udder image dataset. According to the characteristics of the dataset, rotated bounding boxes are used to label the teats. An arbitrary-oriented object detection framework R2Faster R-CNN is used to develop the teat detection model. The AP of the model is 80.41%, the mean orientation error is 2.29°, and the detection time is 0.19 s per image. In addition, R2Faster R-CNN algorithm can detect overlapped or partially occluded teats, and has high stability under actual rotary milking system environment. Finally, an automatic milking device is built to perform teat cup attachment experiments in the laboratory environment. Among the 20 groups experiments, all teats are detected correctly, the average refresh time is 0.39 s. The success rate of teat cup attachment is 100%, namely the detection error of the sensing system is within 5 mm. The results prove the feasibility and accuracy of the teat sensing system.

Identifying changes in the technical parameters of milking rubber under industrial conditions to elucidate their effect on the milking process

Many years of experience in the operation of milking machines show that milking rubber was and remains a short-lived and unreliable link in the technological process of machine milking. During operation, rubber quickly loses its strength and elastic properties, becomes stiff and less elastic, deforms, and changes its shape. The purpose of this study is to identify changes in the technical parameters of milking rubber under industrial conditions in order to establish their impact on the milking process. The obtained results could make it possible to rationally choose the milking rubber for teat cups, which would ensure an effective milking process. During this study’s initial stage, the physical and mechanical condition of milking rubber was experimentally established at steam disinfection and as a result of saturating the article with milk fats. The following stage implied detecting the effect of milking rubber tension in a teat cup on the speed of milking. It was established that milking rubber during operation is actively exposed to milk fat, which leads to the loss of its weight relative to its original value. On day 1,000 of work, the weight loss relative to the initial value (100 g), under the washing regime temperature of 85 °C, 50 °C, 35 °C, and 20 °C, was 1 g, 3.3 g, 5 g, and 4.2 g, respectively. The dependences have been derived for the swell mass of milking rubber M on the temperature of washing solutions T and the duration of operation t as a result of saturation with milk fats. The dependence of milk yield rate V on the tension force of milking rubber F in teat cups has been established. Thus, it was found that when the tension force of milking rubber changes from 25 to 60 N, the difference in the average intensity of milk yield is 0.13 kg/min (10.8 %). Regarding the amount of milk yield at the specified tension, the difference is 0.15 kg (2.5 %). At rubber tension from 60 to 25 N, the average milking time increases by 0.46 min (8.3 %). Thus, it was determined that a milking machine with milking rubber at different tension over a total milking time would unevenly milk different parts of the cow’s udder. The study reported here expands the idea about the technical and manufacturing characteristics of rubber articles, namely changes in them at steam disinfection and as a result of saturation with milk fats

Phylogenetic Tracking of LA-MRSA ST398 Intra-Farm Transmission among Animals, Humans and the Environment on German Dairy Farms

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are a major threat to human and animal health, causing difficult-to-treat infections. The aim of our study was to evaluate the intra-farm transmission of livestock-associated (LA) MRSA sequence type (ST) 398 isolates on German dairy farms. A total of 115 LA-MRSA ST398 isolates originating from animals, humans and the environment of six dairy farms were analyzed by whole-genome sequencing and core genome multilocus sequence typing. Phylogenetic clusters of high allelic similarity were detected on all dairy farms, suggesting a MRSA transmission across the different niches. On one farm, closely related isolates from quarter milk samples (QMS), suckers of calf feeders and nasal cavities of calves indicate that MRSA may be transferred by feeding contaminated milk to calves. Detection of related MRSA isolates in QMS and teat cups (4/6 farms) or QMS and human samples (3/4 farms) pointed out a transmission of MRSA between cows during the milking process and a potential zoonotic risk. In conclusion, LA-MRSA ST398 isolates may spread between animals, humans and the environment on dairy farms. Milking time hygiene and other internal biosecurity measures on farms and pre-treatment of milk before feeding it to calves may reduce the risk of MRSA transmission.

Increased teat wall thickness in response to machine milking

Transiently increased teat wall thickness in response to machine milking has been documented by various methods, including ultrasound. However, correlative ultrasonography and histology to detect the origin of this phenomenon is lacking. The first goal of the present study was to evaluate and compare milking-related changes of the teat tissue in 2 breeds of dairy cows (11 Simmental and 3 Holstein) using B-mode ultrasonography. Additionally, the observed changes were compared with ultrasonographic findings in a Holstein cow with periparturient udder edema. Finally, corresponding histological sections of the Simmental teats were analyzed and compared with those from a lactating nonmilked Angus cow. We hypothesized that the mechanical load of both stretching by the vacuum during phases of open teat cup liner and compression by the closed liner during machine milking results in a transient congestion of blood vessels in the teat wall. The barrel of 1 front teat of each cow was scanned immediately before and after machine milking (system vacuum: 42 kPa; pulsation rate: 60 cycles/min; pulsation ratio: 65:35). Shortly after milking (33 ± 6 min), the Simmentals were slaughtered, and their scanned teat was immediately removed and processed for investigation by light microscopy. Ultrasonography after milking revealed anechoic tubular structures mainly in the inner half of the teat wall. Histological examination revealed these structures to be thick-walled veins. The left front and hind teats of the nonmilked lactating cow, collected and prepared identically to those from the Simmental cows, showed the same histological features. Ultrasonographic measurements showed that the diameter of these veins significantly increased after milking compared with matching images before milking. This effect was most pronounced in the Holstein cows. Similarly, these veins were very prominent in the periparturient cow. However, neither the milked cows, including the periparturient cow, nor the lactating nonmilked cow provided any evidence of edematous extravasation on ultrasonography or histology. These findings corroborated our hypothesis that the increase in size of thick-walled veins in the teat tissue is the main reason for the thickening of the teat walls in response to machine milking.

Type of teat cup liner and cluster ventilation affect vacuum conditions in the liner and milking performance in dairy cows

The optimal milking cluster should milk as gently as possible to minimize the mechanical effect on the teat tissue at an optimal milking performance and milk quality. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of liner shape (round vs. triangular) and type of cluster ventilation (claw vs. mouthpiece chamber; MPC) on milking performance and vacuum at the teat end and in the MPC. Our hypothesis was that liner shape and cluster ventilation affect milking performance and MPC vacuum. Six Holstein Friesian cows were milked twice daily over 12 d with a bucket milker, using 4 different cluster types that combined liner shape and type of cluster ventilation at 3 different system vacuum settings (35, 42, and 50 kPa) in an incomplete randomized block design. Milk flow and vacuum in the MPC, at the teat end (measured in the short milk tube), and in the short pulse tube were continuously recorded during milking. Milk flow was higher, and hence main milking time was shorter, with the round than with the triangular liners. The MPC vacuum was lower in round than triangular liners, which was caused by higher air leakage between teat and liner barrel in the triangular liners. The MPC vacuum, as well as its cyclic fluctuations, increased at the end of milking (immediately before cluster detachment) in all cluster types, with the highest amplitude of fluctuation in the triangular liners with MPC ventilation. The MPC ventilation reduced the MPC vacuum in both liner types at the end of milking, and also in triangular liners during peak milk flow. Despite the observed differences of MPC vacuum, the ventilation type did not affect milking performance. However, milking with triangular MPC-ventilated liners caused an increased proportion of foamed milk, which could potentially have a negative effect on milk quality.

Concept, models and schemes of differentiated control in a robotic milking manipulator

The article provides the analysis and comparison of operation cyclograms of modern robotic milking systems of Lely, DeLaval и GEA Farm companies. Concepts, models and schemes for differentiated control of teat cups have been developed to ensure accurate compliance with the physiology of milking. The developed models will allow to reduce or avoid the delay between the attachment of teat cups, since the main disadvantage that affects the attachment time in existing automatic milking systems is the sequential attachment of teat cups. Using one of the proposed schemes and models will most fully stimulate the milking reflex and evenly milk all quarters of the udder. The studies of domestic and foreign authors on robotic milking and its analysis have been reviewed. As methods of the analysis, cyclograms of various robotic milking systems have been formulated. For the proposal of the concept geometric diagrams and models of control of the teat cups have been designed. There have been proposed and described five schemes of differentiated control of teat cups and seven control models two of which provide paired attachment and the rest – simultaneous attachment. The implementation of the proposed concept, models and control schemes of teat cups in a robotic manipulator with paired or simultaneous attachment will allow to normalize the duration of full cycles of pre-milking processing and attachment of teat cups, bringing them closer to physiologically acceptable values (not more than 60 seconds).

Studies to determine the value of air consumption and power of the device for automatic removal of the milking machine

Overexposure of the milking machines on the udder of the animal causes a negative effect on the mammary gland, which leads to illness and culling of cows. In this regard, during machine milking, it is necessary not only to ensure the complete milking of animals, but also to remove the teat cups from the udder in a timely manner. In order to solve this problem, the authors have developed a device for automatically removing the hanging part of the milking machine after milking. This device includes an air motor, a reducer and a flexible filament cylinder. In a theoretical consideration of the working process of removing the hanging part of the milking machine, analytical dependencies were obtained which make it possible to determine the airflow rate of the pneumatic motor, depending on its geometric dimensions, the rotor speed, the number of installed blades and the value of the working vacuum. It was found that with an increase in the above parameters, the air consumption increases. Also, expressions have been obtained that allow setting the required power on the cylinder of the device and its rotation frequency to ensure automatic removal of the hanging part of the milking machine at any time, excluding its hitting the floor of the stall.

The pressure oscillation in the inter-wall chamber of the teat cup

Factors influencing the vacuum gauge pressure in the inter-wall chamber of milking teat cups of a milking machine with a pneumo- and electromagnetic pulse generator with a combined collector are analyzed. The main factors of research and the limits of their variation are formed, the matrix of multifactor planned experiment is developed, and also results of experimental researches are received. According to the results of experimental studies, the regression equations in coded and real or natural values are derived, which characterize the dependence of pressure oscillation in the inter-wall chamber of milking teat cups on the pulsation frequency, milk ejection intensity and the ratio between strokes. A graphical model of interpretation of regression dependence based on experimental data is built. Student's t-test, Fisher's and Cochran’s criteria are calculated, which show the adequacy and reproducibility of the obtained model of the technological process using of the experimental pulse generator with combined collector of the milking machine.

Impact of Virkon S Premilking Udder Preparation on Milk Quality

The present study was conducted to determine impact of application of Virkon S disinfectant in milk parlour on microbial load from possible sources of contamination and on raw milk. Therefore, this study was carried out on ten dairy cows (equal in their milk production and free from clinical and subclinical mastitis) in a private dairy farm of Holstein cows in Kafr El-Zayat, El-Gharbia Governorate. two hundred samples including 70 swabs samples from (teat cup, milk jar, teat surface, rubber tube, milk pipeline, milk tank and worker’s hand), 10 water samples, 10 individual milk samples, and 10 bulk milk tank samples, were collected regular farm application and after application of virkon S disinfectant. the obtained results revealed that worker’s hand swabs and bulk tank milk samples were the most contaminated points in milk parlour. Virkon S gave reduction percent on all investigated indicators organisms with different percent. in addition, higher reduction percent reach to 100% on coliforms counts from teat cup swabs, wash water, cow milk samples. Our study revealed that milkers’ hand, milking equipment, udder of animal, water used for cleaning and washing of equipment were the most potential sources of raw milk contamination, so these points were counted as points needs attention for production of high-quality milk. virkon S is highly effective in reducing bacterial population for quality milk production.

A New Milking Technology: “Stimulactor” For Lactating Camels

The aim of this study was to develop a new milking machine for camels that guarantees high milk yield and quality whilst maintaining udder health. After a great effort, the new milking machine “StimuLactor for Camels” has been developed by Siliconform Germany. All the requirements of camels were tested on 5 dromedary camels over a period of one year. Our development was based on two main aspects: first, on the technical basis of the milking machine (type of machine, with or without a claw piece, kind of pulsation, vacuum level, type of teat cup liner and pulsation rate and ratio) which have to be adapted to the requirements of a camel’s udder and teats. The second important aspect was the calf’s suckling behaviour. The first results with the new milking technology have clearly shown that the system milks as the calf sucks. It can be used without the presence of the calf during the course of milk removal. Furthermore, the results proved that milk ejection reflex was induced and the milk was let down during the milking process. In conclusion, the new milking technology “StimuLactor for Camels” was adapted to the physiological, morphological and anatomical requirements of lactating camels.

Genetic relationship among somatic cell score and some milking traits in Holstein-Friesian primiparous cows milked by an automated milking system

The automated milking system provides breeders with a large amount of automatically collected information about each cow in herd that cannot be easily obtained in non-robotised systems. This knowledge can be used in breeding programs improving somatic cell count (SCC) level. The objective of this study was to estimate heritabilities and genetic correlations among test-day (TD) somatic cell score (SCS) and selected milking traits, such as daily milk yield (MY), milking frequency (MF), milking time (MT) and milking speed (MS), attachment time (AT) to single teat cups, electrical conductivity (EC) and milk temperature (MTEMP). Data were collected for 1899 Polish Holstein-Friesian primiparous cows milked in an automatic milking system. Genetic parameters of the studied traits were estimated using Bayesian method via Gibbs sampling and two-trait random regression animal model with fixed effect of herd x TD, fixed regressions on days in milk (DIM) nested within age at calving by season of calving and RR for additive genetic and permanent environmental effects. Both fixed and RR were fitted with fourth-order Legendre polynomials on DIM. The estimated daily heritabilities were in the following ranges: MY – 0.162–0.338, MF – 0.156–0.444, MT – 0.090–0.320, MS – 0.252–0.665, AT – 0.105–0.394, EC – 0.269–0.466, MTEMP – 0.135–0.304 and SCS – 0.155–0.321. The heritabilities for traits expressed on a 305-d basis were moderate to high: 0.460 for MY, 0.514 for MF, 0.315 for MT, 0.431 for MS, 0.256 for AT, 0.386 for EC, 0.407 for MTEMP and 0.359 for SCS. Genetic correlations between traits on a 305-d basis showed that SCS was most strongly genetically correlated with MTEMP (0.572) and MS (0.480), whereas genetic relationships of SCS with MT (0.221) and EC (−0.216) were moderate. Phenotypic correlations between traits on a 305-d basis were moderate or low. Somatic cell score was negatively phenotypically correlated with MY, MF and MT, with the highest relationship with MT (−0.302). The largest positive phenotypic correlations were observed between SCS and MS (0.311) and with MTEMP (0.286). In summary, it is concluded that there is a chance to carry out effective selection for lower SCS and for some other traits, in particular MS and MTEMP. The obtained results are promising enough to conduct further research to evaluate how these traits can be used both to increase the accuracy of genetic evaluations of SCC and to improve udder health.

Effect of positive tactile stimulation and prepartum milking routine training on behavior, cortisol and oxytocin in milking, milk composition, and milk yield in Gyr cows in early lactation

Positive interactions with humans can improve cow behavior and facilitate farm management, especially in dairy production systems in which milking occurs daily. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of positive tactile stimulation on behavior, and its effect on the milking routine, milk ejection, and milk yield of Gyr cows. Experiment 1 was performed with 40 cows: 20 cows (5 primiparous and 15 multiparous) received positive tactile stimulation (by hands and brushes) in the aisle of the corral during the prepartum period for 14 days; the other 20 cows (5 primiparous and 15 multiparous) did not receive any kind of tactile stimulation (control). Experiment 2 was performed with 40 heifers: 20 heifers were trained to enter the milking parlor and were progressively submitted to positive tactile stimulation (by hands and brushes) and to the milking routine during the prepartum period in the milking parlor for 14 days; the other 20 heifers did not receive any kind of training or tactile stimulation (control). Behavioral data were observed during the beginning of lactation: when the animal entered the milking parlor (stalled, needed help, and attempted to escape), during milking preparation (reaction to udder massage and to the strip cup test), and during milking (reaction to teat cups and whether the animal pulled off the teat cups). Milk yield and residual milk volume were measured and milk samples were collected for analysis of milk composition, somatic cell count, and cortisol and oxytocin in milk. All the experimental cows were suckled on one teat by their calf. Entry into the milking parlor and preparation of the animal for milking are the most critical moments for detecting reactivity to milking procedures. At the same time, the two positive stimulations studied (i.e., handling in the corral or training in the milking parlor) were efficient in improving the behavior of Gyr cows at the beginning of lactation, thus demonstrating that prepartum positive stimulation was effective at reducing the negative behavior of cows during the firsts milkings. Indeed, the percentual of residual milk in primiparous cows subjected to positive milking training was significantly lower than those measured in untrained primiparous and multiparous cows. This result is very promising because it indicates that Gyr heifers, when positively stimulated and trained in the milking routine during the prepartum period, will maintain adequate behavior and excellent milk ejection during their firsts milkings.

ПЕРСПЕКТИВЫ ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЯ РОБОТИЗИРОВАННОГО ДОЕНИЯ В МАЛЫХ ФОРМАХ ХОЗЯЙСТВОВАНИЯ

In the conditions of a peasant farm, a research and production experiment was carried out, the purpose of which was to determine the milk productivity of Holstein cows of Danish selection using a robot milker. It was found that the milk yield of the first lactation cows was within 8237 kg. Taking into account the fact that milk productivity increases in subsequent lactations, it can be concluded that the innovative technology of robotic milking in a family farm allows the genetic potential of animals to be fully realized. The data obtained are consistent with the results of other researchers, which confirms their reliability. The adaptation of animals to robotic milking took place within a month, while the observations of the behavior of cows showed that out of 40 cows, 18 animals voluntarily visited the robotic milker 2 times a day. 22 out of 40 cows had 3 visits. Only 2 cows from the whole group went to milking only once a day. According to the observations of the duration of the milking session, it was found that the time spent by the cows visiting the robotic milker varied on average from 3 to 15 minutes. Moreover, the interval of 5-7 minutes accounts for more than half of all visits. Visits are both shorter (less than 5 minutes) and extended (10 minutes or more). Gentle udder treatment and placement of teat cups not only ensure good udder health, but also improve milk quality. Self-service technology gives animals the right to choose the timing and frequency of visits to the robotic milking station, significantly reduces the stress situation and increases the productivity and quality of milk. The data obtained confirm the feasibility of using a high-tech milk milking scheme in family farms and other small forms of farming. Grants and other forms of financial support from the regional administration will contribute to the further introduction of robots into the livestock system.

Design and manufacturing a washing unit for teat cups in the bucket milking system and it's effect on the produced milk quality

The study aims to show the importance of the washing process for the bucket milking system and its effect on the produced milk. Using a new design and manufacturing washing unit for teat cups in bucket milking system and study the relationship between the efficiency and quality of the washing process in the milking system ,and bacterial count found in milk tank and teat cup surface. The new washing system cleaning in place (CIP) system is an alternative effective solution for washing liners and cluster. Washing units consists of two washing set. Each washing set consists of four outlets designed to wash one cluster a five types of washing sets have been tested during this Study. Using the new system to cleaning the bucket milking system led to the provision of some environmental advantages, than traditional system such as; reducing the consumption of chemicals in cleaning of milking machine by about 35 %, also save 66 % of the amount of water consumed in cleaning, and saving 0.55 kW electric energy used to operate the pump; and 1.4 kW electric energy consumed in heating water. Time of cleaning operation was also saved by 50%. The cleaning efficiency in traditional cleaning method is 42.9 %. While it s increased to 93.1 % with using a Jetter rod at new cleaning system. For traditional cleaning system total bacterial count in milk sample was 81x104 cfu/ml it classified at grade II (> 2,00,000 – 1,000,000 cfu/ml). While for the new cleaning system with different types of washing set the total bacterial count was between 33x103 to 66x103 cfu/ml .which classified at grade I (< 2,00,000 cfu/ml).

Identifying changes in the milking rubber of milking machines during testing and under industrial conditions

Milking rubber is the only part of the milking equipment that comes into direct contact with the cow’s teats. The task is to establish the high-quality technical and technological characteristics of the rubber liners for milking machines. It has been established that milking rubber after 600‒650 hours of operation acquires significant deflection in the range of 5.5±0.03–3.7±0.04 mm while a teat cup deformation varies within 1.3±0.02–3.5±0.05 mm. A positive correlation dependence of the milking rubber elasticity on the deformation of its teat cup (r=+0.948) has been found. The method of passing the electric discharge was used to assess the readiness of milking rubber for use, whereby a variation coefficient of υ˂10 % was determined for the milking rubber DD 00.041A AO «Bratslav», which makes it possible to estimate the product quality. It was found that the change in the mass and volume of milking rubber over 72 hours of its treatment with the liquid SZHR-3 at t=150 °C exceeds the indicators obtained in contact with the liquid Skydrol LD-4 by more than 2.5 times. A positive correlation dependence of the milking rubber mass on its volume (r=+0.965) has been established. It was found that at a rubber tension in the range of 0 to 90 N the duration of the deformation loss experienced by the milking rubber shell was not long; it is 0.05‒0.06 s. With an increase in the service life of milking rubber to 4 months, there is a decrease in its tension, from 56‒60 N to 43‒45 N, which adversely affects the maximum speed of milk yield – it decreases by 1.5 times. A positive correlation dependence of the milking rubber service life on the level of its bacterial insemination (r=+0.960) has been established

10.4314/sajas.v40i5.65326

Udder health considerably affects the economics of dairy farming. There are different reasons for poor udder health; one of them is the milking technique. In earlier studies it was shown that automatic mil king systems (AMS) have advantages over conventional milking systems (CMS). Quarter individual milking and automation are therefore possibilities to improve t he milking process. Single tube guiding allows cont rolling each quarter individually to measure cell count or end the process according to the cows needs. This s tudy evaluates the effect of a single tube milking syste m used in a conventional milking parlour. Forces on the teats regarding different udder formations and vacu um behaviour were recorded. The investigated single tube milking system MultiLactor ® is produced by the company Siliconform GmbH, Turkheim, Germany. Balanced allocation of vertical force for all teats is important for proper and gentle milk withdrawal an d to maintain udder health. Measurements of force distributi on in AMS and MultiLactor ® systems proved their superiority to conventional milking clusters. Furthermore , all the other force directions were reduced to ne arly zero in AMS and MultiLactor ® . Higher adaptability to irregular udder formations i s also expected. In conclusion wrong positioning of the teat cups is expected to be solved by implementing clawless milking cluster s.

Influence of the Milking Units on the Pulsation Curve in Dairy Sheep Milking.

Simple SummaryIn dairy farms, the mechanical milking process represents one of the most delicate activities as it may affect the quantity and quality of the milk produced and the animals’ welfare. Mechanical milking systems can be designed with different components (milking units, liners, etc.) and configured with different operative parameters (vacuum level, pulsator rate, etc.) that may significantly influence the milking performances. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze nine milking units to evaluate the effects of the volume of the pulsation chamber, the touch point pressure of the liners and the operative parameters of the milking system, on the duration of the increasing and decreasing vacuum phases of the pulsation curve. The results obtained underlined that the characteristics of the milking units affected the pulsation curve. Specifically, the pulsation chamber volume and the pulsator rate were strictly related to the duration of the phase of milking and massage. Contrary to expectations, the touch point pressure of the milking liners was not related to the length of the increasing vacuum phase and the decreasing vacuum phase (phase “a” and “c”). This study underlined how the configuration of the mechanical milking system and the characteristics of the components installed may influence the proper length of each phase of the pulsation curve.Mechanical milking is a critical operation in ewe dairy farming where the operative parameters and the milking routine strongly influence milk production and animal welfare. The challenge in adapting dairy animals to the farm environmental conditions may cause illness and compromise the quality of the products. From this perspective, it is important to evaluate the technological and operational aspects that can influence milk quality and animal welfare. Thus, the aim of this work was to investigate the effects on the pulsation curve of several teat cup characteristics (volume of the pulsation chamber) at determined operating parameters (vacuum level and pulsator rate) recorded from nine different milking units. Moreover, the touch point pressure of different liners was measured. Data analysis showed that the sheep milking unit characteristics affected the pulsation curve significantly. The length of both the increasing vacuum phase and the decreasing vacuum phase (phase “a” and “c”, respectively), which affect the milking and massage phases, was directly related to the pulsation chamber volume (R2 = 0.86) and the pulsator rate. No relationship emerged between the touch point pressure and specific characteristics of the liners such as the material, the shape, the diameter, the length, or the extension of the body. Considering the delicate role that the pulsation plays in ensuring animal welfare during milking, it is important to take into account the complete configuration and operative characteristics of the milking units. This will ensure that the complex interaction between the pulsation system and the milking units is considered when planning and assembling milking systems.

Sizing Milking Groups in Small Cow Dairies of Mediterranean Countries.

Simple SummaryThe dimensioning of cow milking systems has been studied for many years by many authors, but nobody has addressed the studies on small cow dairies that are actually present in many Mediterranean countries (with a number milked cows up to 100–120). The number of cows, the financial resource, the skilled workforce and the availability of time are parameters influencing the selection of the milking system also in smaller herds. What is actually lacking in these dairy farms is milking unit dimensioning, whatever the used milking system. This study analyzed the milk routines performed by milkers with different milking systems in small dairies (tie-stall and little parlors). The work-flow analysis was the starting point to develop different models for predicting the optimal milking unit sizing.A dairy farmer chooses the number of milking groups in function of the herd size, stall type and milking system also in small cow dairies (number of animals lower than 100–120). In these dairies, there are different milking systems (bucket, trolley, pipeline, little autotandem, herringbone or parallel parlors) and each of them has a different work routine. The knowledge of the routine is the starting point for assessing the milking installation, because it determines the number of milked cows per hour. Different milking systems have common tasks (as pre-dipping, inspecting foremilk, udder preparation, attaching teat cups, post-dipping), but in the meantime there are different operations that characterize each specific routine (e.g., animal entry and exit if there is a parlor, bucket, trolley or milking group positioning if tie-stall). For this reason, we surveyed twenty small dairy farms located in the Piedmont Region (Italy) with different milking systems to correctly acquire the specific milking routines. Different models were therefore studied using the observed routines in in the examined farms. These models were then used to calculate the number of milked cows per hour and the number of milking groups. The main findings were simple equations, specific for each milking system, easily accessible by the farmer to correctly size his milking system.