Increased pulsation ratio in rear quarters reduces machine-on time and milking on empty teats.

Dairy cows usually store more milk in the rear quarters of the udder than the front quarters. With conventional machine milking, this leads to an earlier cessation of milk flow in front quarters than the rear quarters and hence unavoidable milking on empty front teats. We tested the hypothesis that an increased pulsation ratio in rear quarters reduces milking on empty front teats as well as machine-on time.

Effects of flow-responsive vacuum and pulsation with early attachment of the milking unit on teat tissue condition and milking performance in Holstein dairy cows.

The objectives of this study were to assess the effects of flow-responsive vacuum and pulsation, in conjunction with early attachment of the milking unit (TRT), on teat tissue conditions and milking characteristics in dairy cows. In a switchback trial, 5,235 Holstein cows milked 3 times daily in a rotary parlor were assigned to the TRT or control (CON) group. The trial lasted 84 d and comprised 4 alternating 3-wk periods of TRT and CON.

The mouthpiece chamber vacuum pattern indicates the cessation of milk flow and suits as an indicator to reduce teat end vacuum at a quarter level.

We investigated the suitability of the quarter mouthpiece chamber vacuum (MPCV) as an indicator for cessation of quarter milk flow to potentially adjust the teat end vacuum at a quarter level. We tested the hypothesis that a MPCV increase is a clear indicator of quarter milk flow cessation. In addition, we tested if a quarter-individual vacuum reduction at MPCV increase reduces the mechanical effect on the teat.

Effects of flow-controlled vacuum on milking performance and teat condition in a rotary milking parlor.

The objective of this study was to compare a vacuum control system that increases milking system vacuum during the peak flow period of milking to conventional constant vacuum control technology regarding its effect on milk flowrate and milking duration. Further objectives were to study the effects of flow-controlled vacuum on milking parlor performance. An observational study was conducted on a commercial dairy farm milking from 848 to 896 cows per day over the study period using a 60-stall rotary milking parlor.

Review: Milking machine settings, teat condition and milking efficiency in dairy cows.

Because of technical limitations, an impact of machine milking on the teat tissue cannot be avoided. The continuance of this impact during and after milking depends on a variety of factors related to the physiological regulation of milk ejection, as well as the different production systems and milking machine settings. Milking machine settings aim to achieve a high milking performance, that is, short machine-on time at a maximum of milk harvest.