scholarly journals Quarter milk flow patterns in dairy cows: factors involved and repeatability

2012 ◽  
Vol 48 (No. 10) ◽  
pp. 275-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Tancin ◽  
A.H. Ipema ◽  
D. Peskovicova ◽  
P.H. Hogeverf ◽  
J. Macuhova

The objectives of our study were to describe the variation of quarter milk flow parameters and to determine the factors that affect these parameters the most. Additionally, repeatabilities (r<sub>2</sub>) of the quarter milk flow traits (duration of milk flow, time to reach peak flow, peak flow rate, and duration of milk flow in single phases &ndash; increase, plateau, decline and blind phase) were calculated. Repeatability of total milk yield and milk yield in single phases was calculated, too. The data from 39 Holstein cows, in their first to third lactation and free of clinical mastitis, were used for statistical analysis. A total of 1 656 curves of quarter milk flows were recorded during six consecutive days. At the last evening and morning milking samples of milk from each quarter were collected for determination of somatic cell count (SCC). Peak flow rate, quarter position, time of milking (morning and evening) and SCC significantly affected most of the measured traits. The highest r2 were for total milk yield and yield of plateau phase 0.53 and 0.50, resp. The lowest r2 were calculated for the duration of increase phase, and milk yield of the increase and blind phase 0.26, 0.12 and 0.21, resp. Peak flow rate, SCC, time of milking and front-rear position influenced the values of r2 of traits to various extent.

2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-55
Author(s):  
Francesco Maria Tangorra ◽  
Stefania Leonardi ◽  
Valerio Bronzo ◽  
Nicola Rota ◽  
Paolo Moroni

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of pre-milking mechanical teat stimulation on milk yield and milking performance of dairy buffaloes in early lactation. For this purpose, twenty-two healthy Italian Mediterranean buffaloes in their first to third lactation and in early lactation (<120 days in milk) were subjected to two treatments of teat stimulation: i) washing of the teats with water for about 5 s and attaching of the milking unit within 60 s, without any pre-milking massage (farm milking routine); ii) fast pulsation (FP), achieved by increasing pulsation rate to 120 pulsations per min during the first 60 s after application of teat cups. Each treatment lasted for 10 days and the following parameters were measured: milk yield (kg/milking), milk yield at 2 min after unit attachment (kg), time between milking unit attachment and its automatic removal (min), peak milk flow rate (kg/min), and milking time to reach peak flow rate (min). The average milk flow rate (kg/min) was calculated by dividing milk yield by the actual milking time. Milk yield was not affected by mechanical pre-stimulation and during the first 2 min of milking 20.2% and 19.6% of total milk yield were milked respectively when treatments 1 and 2 were applied. The time elapsed from attachment of the milking cluster until its automatic removal was less than 8 min both for buffaloes subjected to FP, and for buffaloes subjected just to washing of the teats before attaching the milking unit. FP stimulation did not show an enhancing effect on peak and average milk flow rates and on milking time to reach peak flow rate.


2003 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-198
Author(s):  
P. Mijić ◽  
I. Knežević ◽  
M. Baban ◽  
M. Domaćinović ◽  
D. Rimac

Recently secondary cattle selection traits have been given more attention in developed cattle breeding countries in establishing a selection index. In this way, milking traits have acquired a prominent place. This paper aimed to determine coefficients of correlation and regression between a number of milking traits, that could be helpful in establishing a selection index for breeding bulls and their dams. A further goal was to determine the distribution of milking parameters. The data of 303 Holstein Friesian and 235 Simmental cows were analysed.  The results showed that in both cow breeds correlations existed between milk yield and average milk flow (0.39 and 0.49), as well as between milk yield and milking time (0.53 and 0.35). Negative correlations were found between average milk flow and milking time (-0.49 and -0.56). For the Holstein Friesian breed, 67.0% of the cows had a total milk flow in the range of 1.61 to 3.60 kg/min, whereas in the Simmental breed 72.2% of the cows had a total milk flow of 2.40 kg/min.  The milk flow rate can be indirectly affected by selecting cows with higher milk production. The definition of an optimal milk flow rate and the determination of breeding goals for milking traits will lead to faster progress in milking trait improvement and an easier choice of quality breeding bulls and dams.


2011 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Strapák ◽  
Peter Antalík ◽  
Iveta Szencziová

Milkability evaluation of Holstein dairy cows by LactocorderThe aim of this work was to evaluate chosen milk flow characteristics of Holstein dairy cows, using mobile electronic milk flow meters - Lactocorders. A total of 181 Holstein dairy cows were evaluated and divided according to parity, lactation stage and bimodality in order to carry out a detailed comparison of measured milkability traits. The average total milk yield was 11.98±3.41 kg per milking with an average milk flow rate of 2.52±0.75 kg min-1 and a maximum milk flow rate of 3.94±1.30 kg min-1. The total milk yield showed positive correlations with the average milk flow rate (r = 0.48; P<0.001) and also with the maximum milk flow rate (r = 0.32; P<0.001). More than 47% of milk flow curves were classified as bimodal. Bimodality was positively correlated with the duration of the incline phase (r = 0.73; P<0.001) and negatively correlated with the quantity of milk obtained during the first minute of milking (r = -0.34; P<0.001). In relation to the lactation stage - the highest average milk flow rate was reached by Holstein dairy cows at the beginning of the lactation (up to 100 days in milk), and in relation to parity - the highest milk flow rates were measured in second-lactation dairy cows.


2017 ◽  
Vol 62 (No. 9) ◽  
pp. 392-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Mačuhová ◽  
V. Tančin ◽  
J. Mačuhová ◽  
M. Uhrinčať ◽  
L. Hasoňová ◽  
...  

The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate how the order in which the ewes in a milking group enter the milking parlour affects their milkability and milk composition. Therefore, the order of entry into the milking parlour was evaluated in ewes of one flock (n = 353) during six evening milkings. In all, the sheep were milked in 15 milking groups. The sheep entering the milking parlour in the first milking group achieved 15 points and the sheep of each next milking group one point less, i.e. the sheep of the last group achieved 1 point. In the analysis, only the ewes with the highest and the lowest average number of points were included and assigned to the first (FG, n = 19) and the last group (LG, n = 29), respectively. After the last milking, the individual milk samples were collected from the jar to analyze the composition and somatic cell count. Machine milk yield in 30 s (0.15 ± 0.09 and 0.11 ± 0.05 l) and 60 s (0.26 ± 0.16 and 0.19 ± 0.10 l), peak flow rate (1.04 ± 0.39 and 0.77 ± 0.29 l/min), and latency time (14 ± 3 and 20 ± 13 s) significantly differed (P &lt; 0.05) between FG and LG, respectively. Total milk yield (0.41 ± 0.17 and 0.35 ± 0.14 l) and machine milk yield (0.27 ± 0.15 and 0.22 ± 0.10 l) tended to be higher (P = 0.05 and P = 0.09) in FG than in LG, respectively. No significant differences were observed in milk composition between FG and LG. It seems that ewes which enter the milking parlour in early milking groups have better parameters of milkability than those milked in later groups.


1991 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 383-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Grindal ◽  
Andrew W. Walton ◽  
J. Eric Hillerton

SummaryEighteen cows with a wide range of quarter peak flow rates (0·35–2·22 kg/min) were inoculated with Streptococcus agalactiae and Str. dysgalactiae 4 mm into each streak canal every 3 d for 12 d. Thirty of the 72 quarters developed intramammary infection. Mean peak flow rate and length of streak canal of those quarters that became infected were 1·26 ± 0·08 kg/min (mean ± SEM) and 11·47 ± 0·41 mm respectively, compared with 1·01 ± 0·05 kg/min and 12·05 ± 0·35 mm for those that remained uninfected. Logistic regression analysis showed that the probability of infection increased significantly with the increase in peak flow rate (P = O·O1). The influence of streak canal length on new infection, after allowing for the effect of peak flow rate, was not significant at the 5% level (P = 0·07), suggesting that there may be an inverse relationship between teat duct length and infection, but that it is of secondary importance to peak flow rate. If increased mass of milk distends the teat duct by raising intramammary pressure, then quarter susceptibility to infection is further compromised. These results strongly suggest that the benefits of reduced infection from mastitis control, achieved despite dramatic increases in milk flow rate and milk yield, are significantly underestimated.


1995 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 559-566 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans-Ulrich Pfeilsticker ◽  
Rupert M. Bruckmaier ◽  
Jürg W. Blum

SUMMARYExperiments were designed to test the hypothesis that milk ejection rate decreases during milking, thereby causing insufficient refill of the cistern and decreasing milk flow rate towards the end of milking. In a first series of experiments machine milking of the left front quarters of 11 cows was interrupted for 2 min after removal of 25, 50 or 75% of expected total milk yield, while milking was continued in the other three quarters. Milk flow was recorded during machine-on times. Intramammary pressure (IMP) was recorded during premilking teat stimulation and during interruption of milking. IMP during interruption of milking decreased with decreasing amounts of milk remaining in the udder. The IMP did not change during these interruptions when they occurred after 25 and 50% of expected total milk yield was removed. Thus, the ejection rate could keep up with the milk flow or removal rate. However, IMP increased during interruption of milking following removal of 75% of total yield, although significantly so only in cows with a high milk flow rate. Obviously, more milk was removed than was transported to the cisternal cavity. It is likely that a reduced ejection rate caused the decreased milk flow rate. In a second series of experiments the pulsation ratio of the milking machine was changed from the usual 70:30 to 50:50 with the aim of reducing the milk flow rate and thus adapting to the ejection rate at the end of milking. The changed pulsation ratio caused a reduced peak flow rate and a prolonged high milk flow period, whereas the main flow rate did not change significantly.


2004 ◽  
Vol 47 (6) ◽  
pp. 551-556 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Mijić ◽  
I. Knežević ◽  
M. Domaćinović

Abstract. The modern equipment introduction into cow milking created technical possibilities for studying the milk flow curve and for using the results in cattle selection. In preventing mastitis, besides curing, other parameters of the milk flow curve could be used preventively. Research showed that cows that had the milk flow curve with a short duration of increasing flow rate (dIFR ≤ 0.40 min) and a larger quotient between the peak and down phase (QPD > 1.20) had also the least somatic cell count in milk (LSCC = 3.47, and 3.30 respectively). Such relation is favourable because increasing the relation, the duration of quick and uniform milking extends, and the duration of peak flow rate shortens. That also show correlation coefficients which were between the logarithmic somatic cell count in milk (LSCC) on one hand and the peak flow rate (dPFR), that means the quotient of peak and down phase (QPD) on the other hand negative (r= −0.25** and –0.27**). Breeding-selective procedures could create bull fathers and mothers with the most desirable milk flow curve and the duration of certain milking phases, whereby the somatic cell count in milk would be the least. Therefore it would be necessary to define desirable proportions of the milk flow curve with a special attention to the cow’s health udder.


1995 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 567-575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eddy Roets ◽  
Christian Burvenich ◽  
Jorn Hamann

SUMMARYMilk yield and milking time were measured on one occasion for several daughters (n = 6–44) from 16 bulls at morning milkings. Blood from the bulls was collected, and platelets and mononuclear leucocytes were isolated. The α2-adrenoceptors on platelet membranes were identified by binding of [3H]rauwolscine, whereas for the determination of β2-adrenoceptors on intact mononuclear leucocytes, [3H]CGP–12177 was used. It was found that mean milk flow rate was highly correlated (P < 0·001) with the α2-adrenoceptor densities on blood platelets. No correlation was found with the β2-adrenoceptors on mononuclear leucocytes. It is concluded that estimation of the α2-adrenoceptors on blood platelets from bulls could eventually be used to investigate milking characteristics of cows, and might be useful in the future as a marker in genetic studies.


2008 ◽  
Vol 52 (No. 5) ◽  
pp. 117-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Tančin ◽  
M. Uhrinčať ◽  
L. Mačuhová ◽  
R.M. Bruckmaier

The aim of this study was to investigate milk flow patterns and milk composition in relation to pre-milking udder stimulation. The milk of one quarter of each of the sixteen cows was removed separately and in the course of milking it was divided into six fractions (P – cisternal milk during milking without stimulation and the first 300 ml during milking with pre-stimulation, 0&minus;25%, 25&minus;50%, 50&minus;75%, 75&minus;100%, 75&minus;100%, MS-machine stripping) and into five portions (25%, 50%, 75%, 100%, 100% + MS). Two milkings were performed during two consecutive evening milkings with or without manual stimulation. Pre-stimulation resulted in a reduction of milking time, duration of the increase and decline phase of milk flow, stripping yield, but it increased the peak flow rate as compared to milking without pre-stimulation (<i>P</i> < 0.05). In both fractions and portions the content of fat increased steadily during milking and reached a maximum at MS. Lactose increased from P to 50&minus;75% and then it decreased to MS. Significantly higher fat contents at 25% and 50% portions and in both protein and dry matter at 25% portions were found during milking with pre-stimulation as compared to no stimulation (<i>P</i> < 0.05). The content of fat, protein and dry matter were also higher in both P and 0&minus;25% fractions for milking with pre-stimulation (<i>P</i> < 0.05). Pre-stimulation positively influenced the parameters of milk flow and therefore the efficiency of milk removal and contributed to better distribution of components in milk fractions during milking.


2003 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 283-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianne Borkhus ◽  
Odd Rønningen

The vacuum in the mouthpiece chamber (MPC) was measured in a factorial trial with two liners (DeLaval 964008-01 and DeLaval 999007-03), two pulsator ratios (60 and 70%) and morning and evening milking over eight milkings of ten cows. Teat length and diameter were measured before and after milking, and maximum milk flow rate and depth of penetration of the teat into the teatcup were also recorded. The MPC vacuum at peak flow rate was classified as stable, at various levels, in 79% of the recordings. In the rest of the milkings the vacuum declined gradually, and this decline was associated with gradually deeper penetration of the teat into the teatcup. The DeLaval 964008-01 liner with the narrower bore and larger mouthpiece opening gave lower MPC vacuum at peak flow rate than did the wider bore DeLaval 999007-03 with the smaller mouthpiece opening. Morning milking gave higher MPC vacuum than evening milking. Increased maximum milk flow rate and increased length and diameter of the teat gave decreased MPC vacuum. The teats were longer before milking in the morning than in the evening. However, during peak flow rate, the teats had penetrated deeper into the teatcup in the evening than in the morning. A marked change in MPC vacuum in the transition to the period of flow rate can be used to identify the start of over-milking of an individual teat. A general model explaining the MPC vacuum as the outcome of the balance between air leakage past the mouthpiece lip and the leakage past the teat in the liner barrel is suggested.


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