Robotic milking and milk quality: effects on bacterial counts, somatic cell counts, freezing point and free fatty acids
2010
Yvonne van der Vorst | Betsie Slaghuis | Kees de Koning
Changes in milk quality after the introduction of automatic milking systems (AM-systems) on dairy farms in The<br />Netherlands, Germany and Denmark were examined and the data were compared with milk quality results of farms with<br />conventional milking technology. After introduction, a small, but significant increase in total bacterial count, somatic cell<br />count, freezing point and free fatty acids was observed. The highest levels for total plate count and cell count are found<br />in the first six months after introduction. After this period the milk quality slightly improves to a more stable level.<br />Risk factors related with milk quality concern general farm characteristics, animal health, AM-system, cleaning and cooling,<br />housing, management skills of the farmer and the hygiene on the farm. Total plate count was significantly related<br />to milk yield of the herd, cleaning of the area around the AM-system and the overall hygiene on the farm. Bulk milk<br />somatic cell count appeared to be significantly related to milk yield of the herd and the number of milkings before replacement<br />of the liners. An increased milking frequency is not the only explanation of increased free fatty acid levels. Technical<br />factors related to free fatty acids mainly concerned the air inlet in the teat cups, bubbling (excessive air inlet) and a too<br />long post run time of the milk pump. However, several questions regarding the causes of increased free fatty acid levels<br />remained unclear.
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