Evaluation of milking performance following 2 different teat-preparation routines

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the use of an iodine-based predip solution and paper towel (dip routine) reduces the incidence of delayed milk ejection and the recorded vacuum at the teat end, compared with a proprietary teat wipe (wipe routine), when forestripping is not part of the teat-preparation routine. Eight experimental milkings, 4 for each teat-preparation routine, were observed on a Holstein dairy herd milking 195 cows 3 times daily through a herringbone parlor. Allocation of routine at the first session was by coin toss, thereafter teat-preparation routine was alternated for each observed session. Parameters extracted from electronic on-farm milk meters included milk yield (kg), milking unit on time (MUOT; s), average milk flow rate (kg/min), maximum milk flow rate (kg/min), milk yield in the first 2 min (kg), percentage of total milk yield in the first 2 min (%), and occurrence of bimodal milking. Vacuum at the teat level was recorded using digital vacuum recorders and analyzed to determine the average mouthpiece chamber vacuum in front and back quarters during the main milking period. Cow characteristics including parity, DIM, calving date, and 305-d mature-equivalent milk production were obtained from dairy management software. Investigators used timestamps to calculate the duration the operator spent wiping teats and the lag time, which was defined as first application of the wipe or paper towel to cluster attachment. Data from 1,287 milkings (194 cows) were analyzed for milk flow outcomes, and data from 96 milkings (76 cows) were analyzed for vacuum outcomes. Multivariable mixed-effects models demonstrated that the odds of a bimodal milking pattern were higher when the wipe routine was used compared with the dip routine (odds ratio: 1.6). The dip routine was associated with 3.37% more milk produced in the first 2 min, 4.38 s less MUOT, and 2.69 kPa lower average vacuum in the back mouthpiece during main milking, with no significant difference in the front mouthpiece vacuum between the 2 preparation routines. These results indicate that dipping followed by wiping as part of the teat-preparation routine was associated with improved milk ejection and flow compared with using a disinfectant wipe alone.