Milking routine has an effect on cow's udder health and milk quality
2006
Kiiman, H., Estonian Univ. of Life Sciences, Tartu (Estonia) | Kaart, T., Estonian Univ. of Life Sciences, Tartu (Estonia)
Infection status is the most important factor affecting somatic cell count (SCC) in milk. A high milk somatic cell count is almost always the result of infection. Variation in SCC from day to day for healthy cows does result in a slightly elevated count for some cows, but seldom to extremely high levels. Mastitis is the most costly disease in animal husbandry. It has been found (Heald et al., 1998; Rogers et al., 1995) that 200 000 cells/ml is the most practical threshold to determine the profitability of dairy farms. Decreasing milk prices and increasing hygienic standards increase the requirements for the operator, the milking machine functioning and cows' milkability. Udder health is the prerequisite for obtaining from a cow the maximum production of high-quality milk. The secretion of large amount of high-quality milk is primary task of a present-day dairy cow. A milking machine facilitates milking, but at the same time a milking operator has to be highly responsible. To avoid udder damages, he or she must follow the utilisation instructions of a milking machine. Improper or careless milking may result in decreased milk let-down, increased incidence of udder diseases and low milk quality, which ultimately cause dairy producers considerable economic losses. Achieve the goal of the milking programme requires a basic understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the bovine udder, the process and control of milk synthesis and milk let- down and the function of milking machines. Milking is a skill that can be learned through practical experience. Good milking technique is of utmost importance and a milker develops a routine that is followed during 52 each milking. To minimise mastitis problems and to milk cows more effectively, attention must be paid to cow preparation, stimulation of milk letdown, and procedures used to apply and remove teat cups. Milking requires more time than any other task in the production of milk. In Estonia there are several problems with somatic cell count affecting milk quality and udder health. 26% of cows were culled due to udder diseases and mean milk somatic cell count was between 361,000 - 435,000 cells/ml on dairy cattle farms of Estonia in 2004. These circumstances give the reason to investigate how the milking procedures affecting somatic cell count in milk.
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