Milking performance evaluation and factors affecting milking claw vacuum levels with flow simulator

Abstract

Milking performance of milking machines that matches the production capability of dairy cows is important in reducing the risk of mastitis, particularly in high-producing cows. This study used a simulated milking device to examine the milking performance of the milking system of 73 dairy farms and to analyze the factors affecting claw vacuum. Mean claw vacuum and range of fluctuation of claw vacuum (claw vacuum range) were measured at three different flow rates: 5.7, 7.6 and 8.7 kg/min. At the highest flow rate, only 16 farms (21.9%) met both standards of mean claw vacuum ≥35 kPa and claw vacuum range ≤ 7 kPa, showing that milking systems currently have poor milking performance. The factors affecting mean claw vacuum were claw type, milk-meter and vacuum shut-off device; the factor affecting claw vacuum range was claw type. Examination of the milking performance of the milking system using a simulated milking device allows an examination of the performance that can cope with high producing cows, indicating the possibility of reducing the risk of mastitis caused by inappropriate claw vacuum.

Establishing the influence of technical and technological parameters of milking equipment on the efficiency of machine milking

“…Along with this, there is a greater likelihood of irritation of the mammary gland and disease of cows for mastitis. As practice has shown, the optimal vacuum value for different devices is in the range of 45-53 kPa [20].…”

“…Substituting into the resulting theoretical formula (20) the empirical coefficients [34][35][36] and the design parameters of the milking machine, we determine the range of operating parameters for milking equipment, at which the milk yield rate is maximum: P = 52 kPa, n = 57.6-58.8 min -1 , δ = 0.59-0.64, F H = 59.3-60.4 N. Plots of the effect of each parameter on the milk yield rate at the fixed values of other parameters are shown in Fig. 4.…”

The working process of the device for combined massage of the udder of heifers

“…The experience of massage devices modernization developed on the basis of a device for pneumatic massage of the udder of heifers indicates a possible solution to this problem by introducing an independent element into the structure, in which the pressure change will be performed in antiphase with respect to the massage bell. A similar principle is realized, for example, in milking machines equipped with a pair milking pulsator [7]. Such a pulsator provides a change in the atmospheric air pressure in the inter-wall chambers of the teat cups to a reduced pressure (vacuum), in antiphase for two pairs of cups, put on two front and two rear nipples of the udder of animals [8].…”

Development of dairy farming based on the modernization of a combined massage device for preparing heifers for the period of milking equipment use

“…The effectiveness of milking machines is important in reducing the risk of mastitis, especially in high yielding cows [2]. Design and technological parameters of milking systems can affect the development of mastitis in cattle [3].…”