Effects of Vacuum Level and Milking Duration on Udder Health in Mastitis-free First Calf Heifers

This study tested the hypotheses that machine milked dairy sheep have a high prevalence of teat-end hyperkeratosis (TEH), which contributes to udder health problems. A random sample of 1360 milking ewes from 28 dairy sheep farms was monitored. Milking procedures, milking parlour characteristics and maintenance were recorded during a designated on farm audit; records were obtained through observations and interviews with farmers. Number of ewes/milker, ewes/milking unit and milkings/milking unit were calculated. Vacuum level, pulsation rate and ratio were measured. Four combinations of vacuum level and pulsation rate were defined; <40 kPa and <150 cycles/min (VP1), <40 kPa and ≥150 cycles/min (VP2), ≥40 kPa and <150 cycles/min (VP3), ≥40 kPa and ≥150 cycles/min (VP4). California Mastitis Test (CMT; scores 0–4) was done on all ewes. Then the udder of each ewe was assessed for TEH (scores 1–4) and ewes were assigned into three groups according to TEH severity (no or mild, medium and severe TEH). Severe TEH (scores 3 and 4) prevalence at teat-level was ca. 13%. TEH severity was associated with the combination of vacuum level and pulsation rate; ewes milked with VP4 combination were more likely to have a one-level increase on TEH severity compared to ewes milked with VP2 and VP3 combinations. More ewes/milker and less ewes/milking unit increased the likelihood of a one-level increase on TEH severity. Finally, ewes with severe TEH were more likely to have a one-level increase on CMT score. Therefore, our hypotheses that TEH is prevalent in dairy ewes and contributes to udder health problems were confirmed. Additionally, farmers can reduce TEH prevalence by optimising the way they milk and their milking parlour.

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A Further Study of Effects of Vacuum Level and Milking Duration on Udder Health and Milk Production

Journal of Dairy Science ◽

10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(53)91623-3 ◽

1953 ◽

Vol 36 (11) ◽

pp. 1223-1232 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

R.D. Mochrie ◽

H.H. Hale ◽

H.D. Eaton ◽

R.E. Johnson ◽

W.N. Plastridge

Keyword(s):

Milk Production ◽

Vacuum Level ◽

Udder Health

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The effects of quarter-individual milking in conventional milking parlours on the somatic cell count and udder health of dairy cows

Journal of Dairy Research ◽

10.1017/s0022029912000611 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 80 (1) ◽

pp. 36-44 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Anika B Müller ◽

Sandra Rose-Meierhöfer ◽

Christian Ammon ◽

Reiner Brunsch

Keyword(s):

Health Status ◽

Somatic Cell ◽

Cell Count ◽

Somatic Cell Count ◽

Threshold Value ◽

Least Square ◽

Trial Period ◽

Vacuum Level ◽

Udder Health ◽

Air Inlet

The objective of this study was to examine the quarter health status of quarter-individually and conventionally milked cows. The MultiLactor®, a quarter-individual milking system (MULTI), has single guided tubes which provide milking on the quarter level with a low system vacuum level (37 kPa), sequential pulsation and periodic air inlet. The conventional milking system (CON) was equipped with a milking cluster where the system vacuum level was adjusted to 40 kPa. A total of 84 German Holstein cows, randomly divided into two groups, were included in the study. Over a period of 32 trial weeks, quarter foremilk samples were taken every week to determine somatic cell count (SCC). Bacteriological examinations and udder palpation were conducted at three different times. During the trial period, median SCC of quarter foremilk samples in both groups did not exceed the threshold value of 100 000 cells/ml. The results of the F test showed that the milking system (P = 0·0587) and days in milk (DIM) (P = 0·8066) had no significant effects on the quarter health status. On the other hand, lactation (P = 0·0396), quarter health status in the previous week (P < 0·0001) and trial week (P = 0·0061) affected quarter health status significantly. The estimated probabilities of the occurrence of a suspicious quarter (SCC > 100 000 cells/ml) were 19·97% (CON) and 31·72% (MULTI). However, the test of differences in the Least Square Means (LSM) showed no significant differences (P = 0·0585) between CON and MULTI. The estimated probability of quarters becoming suspicious during the first lactation was 12·51% for both groups. With an increasing number of lactation, the probability of a quarter becoming suspicious clearly increased (2nd lactation: 32·73% and 3rd lactation: 36·19%). The results also showed that the percentage of quarters with bacteriological findings revealed a stronger increase over time for MULTI than for CON.

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Effects of Vacuum Level and Milking Duration on Guernseys and Holsteins Differing with Respect to Lactation Number and Status of Udder Health. I. Udder Health

Journal of Dairy Science ◽

10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(55)95106-7 ◽

1955 ◽

Vol 38 (11) ◽

pp. 1272-1282 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

R.D. Mochrie ◽

H.H. Hale ◽

Cecilia M. Dembiczak ◽

H.D. Eaton ◽

W.N. Plastridge ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vacuum Level ◽

Udder Health

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On-farm udder health monitoring

Tierärztliche Praxis Ausgabe G Großtiere / Nutztiere ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1624622 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 39 (02) ◽

pp. 95-100

Author(s):

J. C. van Veersen ◽

O. Sampimon ◽

R. G. Olde Riekerink ◽

T. J. G. Lam

Keyword(s):

Management Practices ◽

Health Management ◽

Action Plan ◽

Real Life ◽

Health Data ◽

Control Points ◽

Udder Health ◽

Critical Control Points ◽

On Farm ◽

Clinical Problems

SummaryIn this article an on-farm monitoring approach on udder health is presented. Monitoring of udder health consists of regular collection and analysis of data and of the regular evaluation of management practices. The ultimate goal is to manage critical control points in udder health management, such as hygiene, body condition, teat ends and treatments, in such a way that results (udder health parameters) are always optimal. Mastitis, however, is a multifactorial disease, and in real life it is not possible to fully prevent all mastitis problems. Therefore udder health data are also monitored with the goal to pick up deviations before they lead to (clinical) problems. By quantifying udder health data and management, a farm is approached as a business, with much attention for efficiency, thought over processes, clear agreements and goals, and including evaluation of processes and results. The whole approach starts with setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Acceptable, Realistic, Time-bound) goals, followed by an action plan to realize these goals.

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