Transcript Chapter 9 - Delmar

Chapter 9:
Milking Center Options
© 2005 Thomson Delmar Learning. All rights reserved.
Key Chapter Concepts:
• Milking procedures and routines
• Milking center types
• Variables affecting efficiency
• Parlor performance measurements
• Milk quality/Udder health measurements
Milking Procedures and Routines
Full
• Maximum teat sanitation
• Maximum milk quality
• Lower rates of mastitis
• Low cow throughput
• More training and labor
Minimal
• High cow throughput
• Less training and labor
• Decreased teat sanitation
• Decreased milk quality
• Higher rates of mastitis
Milking Center Types — Retrofit/Simple
Switch
• Parlor retrofit into old barn
• New housing provided for cows
Flat Barn
• Parlor retrofit into half an old barn
• Remainder used for holding pen
• New housing provided for cows
Swing
• Installed in parlor
• Milking units switched from one side to next
• Not individualized to cow milking speed
Milking Center Types — Retrofit or New Construction
Herringbone
• Cows at 45-degree angle to wall
• Milk units applied from side
• No rump rails
Parallel
• Cows perpendicular to wall
• Milk units applied between legs
• Rump rails
Auto-Tandem
• Stalls end-to-end, not side-to-side
• Individualized to cow milking speed
• More cows per hour per stall, but fewer stalls
Milking Center Types — New Construction
Rotary
• Cows ride a rotating disk
• Cows enjoy the ride
• Milking routines and labor complicated
• Only 80% of theoretical output
Robotic
• Newest ways to milk cows
• Developed in Europe
• Sold on limited basis in Canada, United States
Variables Affecting Efficiency
Not All Parlors Can be Individualized for Each Cow
• Variations in milking speed = milk lost
• Problems with one cow delay all cows
Training and Labor
• Division of labor requires more hands to help
• Full milking procedures require more training in cleaning
• Minimal procedures require training in disease identification
Parlor Performance Measurements
• Cows per hour
• Cows per labor hour
• Milk per hour
• Milk per labor hour
• Turns per hour
Milk Quality/Udder Health Measurements
Milk Quality Measurements
• Standard plate count
• Laboratory Pasteurized count
• Coliform count
• Preliminary incubation count
• Somatic cell count
• Added water
• Antimicrobial drug residue
• Sediment
Udder Health Measurements
• Clinical mastitis
• Teat and teat-end condition