Udder Cleaning Research Articles

Risk Categorization in On-Farm Welfare in Different-Sized Dairy Sheep Flocks.

The objective of the present work was to categorize the risks in the on-farm welfare of dairy sheep in semi-extensive systems in order to highlight if risks in welfare vary according to the farm size. To the best of our knowledge, this study constitutes one of the few categorizations of the risks in the welfare of dairy sheep reared semi-extensively. The survey was conducted on 12 semi-extensive dairy sheep farms in Tuscany (Central Italy), which were classified according to flock size: <500, from 500 to 1000, and >1000. The results showed an adequate rating for all the farms included in the study. The most critical issues concerned the ratio between the number of stockpersons and the number of animals within the farms, the small decubitus areas, the lack of udder cleaning procedures during milking operations, and, in terms of biosecurity, the lack of prevention, control, and eradication plans for the most important infectious ovine diseases. The results show that different items in the five areas evaluated, including the assessments of management of the flock, the number of daily inspections, and the hygiene of the water supplies are associated with the farm size. In large farms, the assessment of management of the flock was better, but the number of daily inspections and the hygiene of the water supplies were worse.

Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella, and the Prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus in Dairy Cattle and Camels under Pastoral Production System.

Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus are common foodborne pathogens. We determined the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella in feces and milk and the prevalence of S. aureus in milk from dairy cattle and camels in the Borana pastoral community in the Southern Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Paired individual cow composite (pooled from all quarters in equal proportions) milk and fecal samples were collected from cows (n = 154) and camels (n = 158). Samples were cultured on bacterial isolation and identification media. E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella isolates were further tested for susceptibility against nine antimicrobial drugs. Different risk factors associated with hygienic milking practices were recorded and analyzed for their influence on the prevalence of these bacteria in milk and feces. The prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella in feces were 3.9% and 8.4%, respectively, in cows, and 0.6% and 2.5%, respectively, in camels. E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella were detected in the composite milk samples of 2.6% and 3.9% of the cows, respectively, and 0% and 1.3% of the camels, respectively. S. aureus was detected in composite milk samples of 33.4% of the cows and 41.7% of the camels. All E. coli O157:H7 (n = 11) and Salmonella (n = 25) isolates from both animal species and sample types were resistant to at least one antimicrobial drug. Multidrug resistance was observed in 70% (7/10) of the E. coli O157:H7 fecal and milk isolates from cows and 33.3% (2/6) of the Salmonella fecal and milk isolates from camels. The prevalence of these bacteria in feces and milk was not affected by risk factors associated with milking practices. Given the very close contact between herders and their animals and the limited availability of water for hand washing and udder cleaning, these bacteria are most likely present in all niches in the community. Improving community awareness of the need to boil milk before consumption is a realistic public health approach to reducing the risk of these bacteria.

Animal Health and Welfare, Milk Safety and Hygiene Practices in Dairy Cattle Farms: Türkiye Sample

Dairy farming is one of the agricultural activities with high added economic value. Remarkable technical and economic developments have occurred in the dairy cow farming sector through subsidies. However, it is difficult to say that Türkiye has reached the level of developed countries in terms of productivity, quality, and hygiene practices in dairy cattle farming. In this study, it was aimed to determine the factors affecting the consciousness levels of dairy cow raisers about the practices related to animal health and welfare in addition to milk safety and hygiene in dairy cow farming. The study was conducted in three districts of Samsun province. The data were collected from 82 dairy cattle farms according to the stratified random sampling method. The results showed that 69.51% of the farms have milking units, 51.22% have delivery rooms, 52.44% have calf cages, 80.49% have an infirmary, and 81.71% have walking areas. While udder cleaning was carried out in all dairy farms, the udder drying procedure was applied in 74.39% of the farms. The percentage of farms with mastitis control (3.66%), wearing gloves (3.66%), and wearing milking outfits (8.54%) were found to be quite low. It is essential to raise the awareness level of milk safety and hygiene in terms of protecting public health, rehabilitating barn conditions, and maintaining animal welfare.

Ağrı İli Süt Sığırcılığı İşletmelerinin Yapısal Özellikleri: Sağım Yönetimi Uygulamaları

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to determine the current situation of milking management practices of the dairy cattle enterprises in the central county of Ağrı province and to propose some solutions in consideration of the revealed problems. Material and Method: Survey data obtained from 400 dairy cattle enterprises in the central county of Ağrı province constituted the material of the study. Results: It was determined that in 25.2% of the surveyed enterprises udder cleaning is not performed, and in 93.5% of them the milking is done by hand. The average milk yield of 85.0% of dairy cattle enterprises was between 6-10 liters per animal and only 17.5% of the produced milk was sold. A significant proportion of this milk (95.7%) was marketed as raw milk, and milk in 4.3% of the enterprises was sold after processing into different products such as cheese, yogurt and butter. It was also found out that milk produced in 1.8% of the dairy cattle farms was stored in the cooling tank after milking. 13.6% of the farm owners fed their animals after milking, while 86.3% of them fed them prior to milking. It was also revealed that the calving occurs usually in the winter season and the lactation period of the cows varies between 5-6 months in 57.5% of the enterprises.Conclusion: In order to produce high quality and clean milk in the dairy cattle farms in the central county of Ağrı province, udder cleaning has to be performed properly as well as machine milking should be made widespread. It is necessary to increase the genetic capacity of cows and improve the milking practices of the dairy farms located in the central county of Ağrı province.

Samsun İli Ondokuz Mayıs İlçesi Süt Sığırcılığı İşletmelerinin Genel Özellikleri ve Bazı Yetiştiricilik Uygulamalarının Süt Verimi Üzerine Etkileri

In this study, it was aimed to reveal the structural properties and the effects of husbandry practices on milk yield in dairy farms of Ondokuz Mayıs district of Samsun. While the data were obtained by face-to-face surveys and observations in a total of 59 farms those had ≥10 head cattle between January and June 2018, environmental factors affecting daily milk yield (DMY) were separately evaluated. Important negativeneses were determined on the barn type, bedding material using, calving pens, weaning period of calves, claw care and udder cleaning in the farms. It was informed that local bazaars and cooperatives were commonly used for raw milk marketing, and high feed price was the most important problem. DMY was significantly affected by the experience of farm owner, number of the milking cows, amount of concentrate feed that given and milking type. It was concluded that farm properties and herd management methods have to be restored to elevate milk production in the investigated farms.

Milk quality and hygiene: Knowledge, attitudes and practices of smallholder dairy farmers in central Kenya

Milk production is an important livelihood source for smallholder dairy farmers in low-to-middle-income countries (LMICs) such as Kenya. However, milk quality and safety are a challenge due to unhygienic handling and non-adherence to food safety standards. The objective of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and adoption of milk quality and food safety practices by smallholder farmers in Kenya. Ten Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), involving 71 smallholder farmers, were held to collect qualitative data on knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAPs) of smallholder dairy farmers in Laikipia, Nakuru, and Nyandarua counties. Additionally, data were collected through a cross-sectional administered to 652 smallholder farming households. The results of the study revealed low knowledge level and negative attitudes towards respecting antibiotics treatment withdrawal periods, milk quality standards and food safety regulations. Farmers stated they had received low levels of training on milk quality and safety standards. The majority of farmers adopted animal health measures and hygienic measures such as hand washing and udder cleaning. However, unhygienic milking environments, the use of plastic containers, the use of untreated water, and lack of teat dipping compromised milk quality and safety. Currently, milk production, handling and consumption could expose actors along the dairy value chain to health risks. The adoption of milk quality and food safety practices was influenced by farmers’ knowledge, socioeconomic characteristics, and choice of marketing channel. There is a need to improve farmers’ knowledge and attitudes and implement hygienic control, disease control and antibiotic residue control practices in the milk production process to meet required milk quality and food safety standards. Awareness campaigns and training programmes for smallholder dairy farmers could foster behavioural change and lead to an improvement in milk quality in Kenya. • Kenya dairy sector is constrained by farmers' low adherence to milk quality standards. • Lack of training hinders farmers' compliance with milk quality standards. • Poor farm-level hygiene compromises milk quality and safety. • Socioeconomic characteristics determine farmers' milk quality standards compliance.

Milk Production, Handling, Processing and Marketing Practices in Selected Districts in Southern Ethiopia

This study was conducted in Segen Area Peoples Zone, Southern Ethiopia, to analyze milk production, handling, processing, and marketing techniques. A total of 204 people were chosen for the study using simple random sampling technique, and data were collected utilizing a semi-structured questionnaire. During the research, both primary and secondary data were gathered. SPSS version 20 software was used to analyze the data using descriptive statistics, chi square test, and analysis of variance. 85 percent of the 204 houses surveyed were male headed household while the remaining 15% were female headed. The respondents' average age was 43.8610.064 years. In the current study, the age of the respondents ranged from 23 to 80 years old. In theDerashe district, almost 36.5 percent of respondents washed their udders before and after milking, indicating that the importance of udder cleaning was higher than in other regions. The majority of those polled (83 percent) smoked milk handling equipment to improve the taste and flavor of milk and milk products, as well as to eradicate harmful bacteria and promote milk fermentation. To churn milk, 17 percent of respondents use a gourd while 43 percent use a clay pot. The primary limits discovered in the 69 percent, 3 percent, 7.5 percent, 2.5 percent, 8 percent, and 10 percent were shortage of feeds, scarcity of water, disease, lack of market and market information, poor infrastructure, absence of improved breed, and inadequate artificial insemination. Farmers' attitudes should be modified through training and other means, and powerful dairy cooperatives should be founded, mainly in rural regions, to improve milk and milk product handling procedures and reduce cultural barriers in milk marketing.

Incidence, Etiology, and Risk Factors of Clinical Mastitis in Dairy Cows under Semi-Tropical Circumstances in Chattogram, Bangladesh.

Simple SummaryBovine clinical mastitis is an inflammatory disease of the mammary gland associated with visual changes in the milk and/or the udder. We show that the incidence of clinical mastitis in commercial dairy farms in Bangladesh is high but with large variation between farms. Streptococci and non-aureus Staphylococci were the most frequently isolated bacteria from quarter milk samples. Staphylococcus aureus and non-aureus Staphylococci were often resistant against penicillin and oxacillin. This work suggests an urgent need for improved udder health management and specifically a more prudent use of antimicrobial agents following a treatment protocol.Clinical mastitis (CM) is an important production disease in dairy cows, but much of the knowledge required to effectively control CM is lacking, specifically in low-income countries where most farms are small and have specific dairy management, such as regular udder cleaning and practicing hand milking. Therefore, we conducted a 6-month-long cohort study to (a) estimate the incidence rate of clinical mastitis (IRCM) at the cow and quarter level, (b) identify risk factors for the occurrence of CM, (c) describe the etiology of CM, and (d) quantify antimicrobial susceptibility (AMS) against commonly used antimicrobial agents in S. aureus and non-aureus Staphylococcus spp. (NAS) in dairy farms in the Chattogram region of Bangladesh. On 24 farms, all cows were monitored for CM during a 6-month period. Cases of CM were identified by trained farmers and milk samples were collected aseptically before administering any antimicrobial therapy. In total, 1383 lactating cows were enrolled, which totaled 446 cow-years at risk. During the study period, 196 new cases of CM occurred, resulting in an estimated crude IRCM of 43.9 cases per 100 cow-years, though this varied substantially between farms. Among the tested CM quarter samples, Streptococci (22.9%) followed by non-aureus staphylococci (20.3%) were the most frequently isolated pathogens and resistance of S. aureus and NAS against penicillin (2 out of 3 and 27 out of 39 isolates, respectively) and oxacillin (2 out of 3 and 38 out of 39 isolates, respectively) was common. The IRCM was associated with a high milk yield, 28 to 90 days in milk, and a higher body condition score. Our results show that there is substantial room for udder health improvement on most farms.

Assessing the perceptions and practices of peri-urban dairy farmers regarding bovine mastitis management in North-Western Nigeria

Peri-urban dairy farming is an emerging industry in sub-Saharan Africa that risks being undermined by diseases like bovine mastitis (BM) if farmers do not implement appropriate management programmes. However, little is currently known about farmer perceptions and practices towards BM due to challenges with accessing these herds for research. In this study, 49 intensive and 53 extensive peri-urban dairy farmers having ≥10 milking cows in Kaduna and Zaria metropolises, North-Western Nigeria were recruited through snowball sampling and on-farm interviews were conducted to collect information on herd demographics, milking procedures, and mastitis management. Descriptive statistics were provided for all study variables and statistical comparisons were made between intensive and extensive herds. The mean herd size was 33 milking cows (range: 11–62). A greater proportion of extensive herds contained only indigenous breeds of cattle (36/53; 68 %) compared with intensive herds (6/49; 12 %). Hand milking was the most common milking method across both herd types (93/102; 92 %). Intensive herds had better hand washing and udder cleaning practices, but there was no statistical difference between management systems with regards to floor, udder, and tail cleanliness. Only a small number of farms performed on-farm diagnosis of BM via strip cup test (4/102; 4%) or rapid mastitis test (3/102; 3%). Treatment of clinical mastitis was typically by intramuscular antibiotic injection (71/102; 70 %) or topically applied herbal preparations (14/102; 14 %). Dry cow intramammary therapy was only used by 6/46 intensive farms (13 %) and 1/53 extensive farms (2%). Most extensive herds (40/53; 76 %) reported milking cows with clinical mastitis after apparently healthy cows, however this practice was less common among intensive herds (5/49; 10 %). Extensive herds were less likely to request veterinary assistance for mastitis than intensive herds (17/53; 32 % versus 28/49; 57 %) and had higher perceived costs for treating BM cases. Intensive farmers reportedly received higher prices for milk than extensive farmers and perceived that BM was causing significantly more production losses in their herds. Only a small number of farmers (20/102; 20 %) kept mastitis treatment records for their herds. Overall, the study findings indicate that peri-urban dairy farmers may be lacking in awareness of BM impacts and access to basic resources to implement good practices such as hand washing between milking cows and antibiotic intramammary infusions.

Lactive activities and the process of milking of first-calf cows using robotic milking

Studies have been conducted to assess the lactation productivity of first-calf cows of Kholmogory breed of Tatarstan type using robotic milking systems. The following changes in the amount of milking over the course of 10 months of lactation were observed: during the first month, the cows were milked the least number of times, which was 75, or 2.4 times per day. During the second month, they were milked 86 times (2.8 per day). By the 4th month, milking reached a peak of 93 times (3 per day). By the 5th month, a decline was observed (by 11 % compared to the 4th month). The average number of milking times per day was 2.8 ± 0.05 times. The amount of milking is closely correlated with milk productivity: twicemilked cows had an average productivity of 15.3 kg, 3 times – 19.0 kg, and 4 times – 27.0 kg (r = 0.69). The milking robot spent approximately 108 seconds, or 29 % of the time spent in the milking box, on preparation activities, including: udder cleaning, 39 seconds; scanning the position of the utter, 21 seconds; and connecting milking cups, 48 seconds. Lactation took most of the time, namely 251 seconds, or 66 %. The peak milk production takes place during the second month of lactation, 681.3 kg. By the third month, a decline was observed by 4.8 %, to 648.1 kg. The maximum decrease in milk production by 12.4 % occurred between the 5th and 6th month of the tested lactation period.

The intention of North-Western Ethiopian dairy farmers to control mastitis.

Understanding the intentions of dairy farmers towards mastitis control is important to design effective udder health control programs. We used the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to explore the intentions of North-Western Ethiopian dairy farmers towards implementing non-specified mastitis control measures (nsMCMs) and towards implementing 4 specific MCMs. Face to face interviews were held with 134 dairy farmers to study associations between their intentions and any of three factors (attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control) that, according to the TPB, determine intentions. The majority of the farmers (93%) had a positive intention to implement nsMCMs, whereas a smaller majority of farmers had the intention to implement the specific MCMs to improve udder cleaning (87%), to improve stall hygiene (78%), to improve feeding of cows (76%), and to perform foremilk stripping (74%). Farmers had a more positive attitude, but lower subjective norm and lower perceived behavioural control towards implementing nsMCMs compared with implementing most specific MCMs, although the subjective norms for stall hygiene and perceived behavioural control for improving feeding of cows were also low. Attitude was positively associated with intentions to implement nsMCMs, to improve cleaning of the udders, to improve stall hygiene and to implement foremilk stripping. Both the intention to improve udder cleaning and to implement foremilk stripping, were positively associated to subjective norms towards these MCMs. Our data can help tailor intervention programs aiming to increase the intention of Ethiopian dairy farmers to implement MCMs and thus to improve udder health in this country. We show that such programs should primarily focus on changing attitude and secondarily on improving the farmers’ subjective norms.

English

The cow, the milking and milk handling procedures at the farm level expose the milk to potential risk of contamination with spoilage microorganisms. Milk contamination if not prevented will lead to milk losses along the dairy value chain. The objective of this study was therefore to identify the risk factors associated with contamination of milk with spoilage microorganisms at the farms in rural and peri urban in Nakuru County Kenya. A survey was conducted using a pre-tested semi structured questionnaires (250) and an observation checklist to identify the risk factors. A total of 560 samples obtained from the following identified contamination sources; the udder, hands, milking and bulking containers and water sources were analyzed for total viable counts (TVC), Coliform counts (CC), thermophillic bacteria counts (ThBC) and psychrophilic bacteria counts (PBC). The results from the survey showed that only 11% of rural farmers practiced hand and udder drying compared to 50% in peri-urban. Water treatment by either chlorination or boiling was done by 11% in rural and 30% in peri-urban respectively. Regression of risk factors versus farm gate milk from viable colony counts, showed that udder swabs were the highest source of contamination of milk (r =2.73). In the rural, hands of milking personnel recorded the highest for TVC (log10 3.7 CFU/ml). It is evident from the results that effective udder cleaning and observation of high personal hygiene by the hand milkers may reduce the risk of microbial contamination in both systems of milk production. Key words: Risks, handling practices, contamination, rural, peri urban.

Bacteriological milk quality: possible hygienic factors and the role of Staphylococcus aureus in raw bovine milk in and around Gondar, Ethiopia

BackgroundIn Ethiopia, around 97% of the annual milk production is accounted by the traditional milk processing system using on-farm traditional milk processing materials that are generally poor in processing capacity, causing high product loss and risky for public consumption. A cross-sectional study was carried out in and around Gondar town, Amhara Regional State of Ethiopia from October 2014 to may 2015 with the objective to assess the bacteriological milk quality, possible hygienic factors and status of S. aureus as contamination of bovine raw milk. The study employed questionnaire survey and raw bacteriological load analysis and cow milk samples for isolation and detection of S. aureus from raw cow milk. Sixty (60) randomly selected dairy farms were interviewed for the survey-based study of farm hygienic practices and 72 raw milk samples [60 from directly from teats and 12 from collecting tanks (buckets) were aseptically collected and tested for bacteriological load analysis and isolation of S. aureus.ResultsThe overall average total bacterial count (TBC) were 4.59 ± 0.118log10 (38,904.51 cfu/ml) and 4.77 ± 0.23log10 (58,884.37 cfu/ml) for milk samples collected directly from teat during milking and milking buckets at farm level respectively. Accordingly, the count increased by 0.18 ± 0.23 log10 or 19,979.86 cfu/ml (51.36%) increase from teat to milking buckets. Results showed very significant differences in plate counts (P < 0.05) between the two milk collection points. 73.30% of the milk samples collected directly from the teat were found (>100,000 bacteria per ml), evidence of poor milk hygiene when compared to international standards. In this study hygienic and management factors like udder cleaning, water and soap using for cleaning of udder, hand washing and water and soap using for milking vessels were significantly (P < 0.05) affects the bacteriological count of the milk. ConclusionsThe results of the current study indicated that the cow milk produced and distributed in the study area can generally be considered as substandard in quality for consumption unless pasteurized. Therefore, this risk assessment study with similar different studies reported from different regions in Ethiopia might provide a foundation for the establishment of national milk quality standards that currently do not exist in Ethiopia.

CONDIÇÕES DE PRODUÇÃO DE LEITE EM PROPRIEDADES FAMILIARES LOCALIZADAS NO MUNICÍPIO DE ALEGRE – ES, BRASIL

Objetivou-se avaliar as condições e práticas de produção de leite empregadas por proprietários rurais, bem como as condições de armazenamento e das instalações e estruturas dos locais de instalação de quatro tanques de refrigeração coletivos do município de Alegre, ES. Coletaram-se dados sobre procedimentos de higienização e estrutura física do estábulo, origem e tratamento da água, higiene e saúde dos manipuladores, procedimentos de higienização e assepsia dos tetos e controle sanitário do rebanho. Foi avaliada também a estrutura física dos locais dos tanques. Verificou-se que os currais eram arejados, secos e cobertos e que a minoria possuía piso cimentado e sala de ordenha. Um baixo percentual dos produtores realizava o pré (21%) e o pós-dipping (6%). Apenas 25% dos produtores realizavam o teste da caneca de fundo preto. Todos os equipamentos eram lavados após a ordenha, mas apenas 5% utilizavam sanitizantes e 94% das propriedades usavam água não tratada. Apenas 8% dos ordenhadores tinham o hábito de lavar as mãos antes da ordenha e 9% tinham conhecimento sobre a IN 62 do Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento. Nenhuma instalação possuía proteção contra entrada de insetos, roedores e contaminantes ambientais e eram mal dimensionadas, não permitiam a aplicação de medidas sanitárias adequadas, portanto, apresentavam condições higiênicas deficitárias. O alto grau de não conformidades relativo às boas práticas de produção de leite reforçou a necessidade de implementação das Boas Práticas Agropecuárias nas propriedades rurais para fins de obtenção de leite de acordo com os padrões de qualidade, prevenção de perdas e sustentabilidade da atividade leiteira da região.

Adoption of Recommended Management Practices by the Buffalo Owners

The present study was conducted in three districts of Punjab on 180 buffalo owners to measure the extent of adoption of recommended management practices. The study revealed that buffalo owners had medium level of adoption of recommended management practices. High adoption was found in case of adequate supply of feed and water to the buffalo (95%), followed by udder cleaning (90.56%) and keeping of buffalo in ventilated houses (82.22%). The low adoption rates were observed in the practices of separation of pregnant buffalo few days before calving (18.89%) and wallowing of buffalo in the pound (23.33%). The education level of the respondent was positively and significantly co-related with the adoption of recommended management practices.

Factors Associated with High Milk Test Day Somatic Cell Counts in Large Dairy Herds in Brandenburg. II. Milking Practices

The objective of this study was to examine the influences of different milking practices on cow udder health in 80 large dairy herds (range 100-1100 cows) in Brandenburg, Germany. Milking practices were evaluated during one complete milking using a standardized data capture form. The somatic cell count (SCC) of all lactating cows on each farm was determined monthly by the local milk recording association 'Landeskontrollverband Brandenburg'. Factor analysis was used to investigate the relationship between the different aspects of the milking practices. The components extracted by the factor analysis were examined for their influence on the SCC of the current month (CMSCC) and the year before the visit (YASCC) using univariate analysis of variance. Three components were extracted from the milking practices. 'Reasonable use of water' was significantly related to CMSCC (P = 0.019) and YASCC (P = 0.003). It included information on the use of a hose to clean udders before milking, cleaning of the floor between groups and use of water to clean teats. 'Attention of the milkers' was also significantly associated with CMSCC (P = 0.012) and YASCC (P = 0.014). It included information on the accuracy of mastitis detection by foremilk screening and the regular use of post-milking teat and cluster disinfection. The component 'preparation routines' (method of udder cleaning and forestripping) did not significantly influence CMSCC and YASCC. These results indicate that excessive use of water in the parlour during milking time is harmful to udder health and that the consistency of procedures in the milking parlour presents significant room for improvement in large dairy herds in Brandenburg.

Risk factors for dairy cow mastitis in the central highlands of Ethiopia.

This study, with the objective of assessing the effect of risk factors on dairy cow mastitis in the central highlands of Ethiopia, was undertaken between February and September 2001 in the urban and peri-urban areas of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A prevalence study and questionnaire survey were carried out simultaneously. Clinical examination of lactating udders and California mastitis test (CMT) determined clinical and subclinical mastitis, respectively. Risk factors for subclinical and clinical mastitis were identified from data on animals and farm management by chi-square analysis and subsequent logistic regression. Cows aged at least 8 years, with poor body condition, with at least 8 parities and in at least the eighth month of lactation had a significantly higher risk for subclinical mastitis (p < 0.05). The risk was reduced for cows up to their third parity in good body condition and for cows receiving dry cow therapy. Cows aged at least 4 years, or with at least 8 parities, cows in at least the fourth month of lactation, cows with poor body condition, leaking milk or previous udder infections had a significantly higher risk of clinical mastitis (p <0.05). The risk was reduced by the use of separate towels for udder cleaning and by drying off at the end of lactation. Most of the risk factors were in agreement with previous reports. However, stage of lactation and drying-off style were in contrast to others. Further research is needed to identify the interrelationship between production level, specific pathogens and management risk factors.

Oxytocin release and milk removal after delayed or long-lasting teat cup attachment during automatic milking

The time needed for teat cup attachment in automatic milking systems (AMS) is usually longer than manual cluster attachment in conventional milking. In single cases, this process can be extremely prolonged or can even fail totally. In multi-box AMS, where udder cleaning and milking are performed in separate boxes, some delay between udder cleaning and attachment of teat cups cannot be avoided. The goal of this study was to test the effect of delayed teat cup attachment and of particularly long-lasting teat cup attachment with subsequent milking (teat cup attachment on several attempts) on oxytocin (OT) release and milk removal in a multi-box AMS. During 5 experimental days, blood samples were collected in 20 animals on two farms during their voluntary visits to the AMS. Despite attachment delay after udder cleaning, OT release during subsequent milking was normal. Moreover, cows did not show any disturbance of OT release during long-lasting teat cup attachment. Continuously elevated OT levels where observed throughout the entire attachment process during long-lasting teat cup attachment and the entire subsequent milkings. Higher OT levels were observed during milking without previous udder cleaning with attachment of teat cups at first attempt. However, the difference of OT release throughout milking with or without udder cleaning was too small to expect and effect on the efficiency of milk removal. In conclusion, duration of attachment delay and long-lasting teat cup attachment in AMS had no negative effect on OT release and subsequent milk removal.

Oxytocin release, milk ejection and milk removal in a multi-box automatic milking system

The aim of this study was to test effects of pre-milking udder preparation and of vibration stimulation during teat cup attachment on milk ejection and milk removal in the multi-box AMS “Leonardo”. Cows were randomly assigned to four different treatments in a 2×2 factorial design and during 3 weeks quarter milk flow was recorded. Tested factors were brushing in a prep-box (yes, no) and vibration stimulation during attachment of teat cup liners (yes, no). During 5 days blood samples were taken from 20 cows during their voluntary milkings. Udder brushing induced oxytocin (OT) release, while in milkings without udder brushing OT levels remained basal until attachment of first teat cup. Between the end of brushing and attachment of first teat cup OT levels decreased transiently. During teat cup attachment already attached teat cups induced OT release, surprisingly also in treatments without any vibration stimulation. OT levels remained elevated throughout milking in all treatments. Despite interruption of tactile udder stimulation between udder cleaning and teat cup attachment milk ejection and milk removal was normal.

Robotic milking in dairy farming

The role of engineering research in the development of robotic milking systems and the integration of robotic milking in dairy farms are reviewed. The milking stall, robot arm, teat sensing system, milking equipment and udder cleaning devices of commercial automatic milking systems (AMS) available in the Netherlands at the end of 1996 are described. The importance of the attractiveness of the milking stall, lay-out of the barn and the introduction of a cow routing with special gates in the barn is highlighted. Increasing the milking frequency from 2 to 3 times/day results in a higher yield of approximately 1000 kg milk/lactation. It is concluded that automatic milking will decrease the physical and mental load on the farmer, but it should be considered that the farmer is working with complicated equipment.