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Teat reactions in cows associated with machine milking.
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala.
Zentralblatt Fur Veterinarmedizin. Reihe A
|May 1, 1992
Summary
Conventional milking techniques do not cause harmful teat congestion or edema. Teat end thickness changes during milking fall within normal physiological limits, ensuring udder health.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Animal Science
- Dairy Husbandry
Background:
- Conventional milking machines and techniques are widely used in dairy farming.
- Concerns exist regarding potential adverse effects on teat and udder health.
- Previous literature suggested risks of teat congestion and edema.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the changes in teat end thickness during conventional milking.
- To assess whether these changes indicate harmful teat congestion or edema.
- To evaluate the physiological limits of teat wall responses to milking.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a cutimeter to measure teat end thickness transversally.
- Measurements were taken before, during, and after milking (main and additional series).
- Analyzed changes in teat end thickness relative to milking phases (high flow-rate, low flow-rate, overmilking).
Main Results:
- Teat end thickness decreased during the high flow-rate phase due to vacuum-induced elongation.
- Thickness increased during low flow-rate and overmilking phases, indicating active hyperaemia.
- Changes observed were within physiologically tolerable limits.
- No evidence of passive hyperaemia or edema was found.
Conclusions:
- Conventional milking techniques do not lead to detrimental teat congestion or edema.
- Observed teat wall thickness variations are physiological responses to milking.
- Findings do not support previous diagnoses of impaired teat and udder health risks.