Milking tests on Murgese mares and the design of adapted stalls

The results of research into the milking of mares of the Murgese breed are described. A comparison was made between hand and mechanical milking with two pulsation rates (120 and 140 cycles/min) with the objective of defining mechanical and operational solutions for the design or standardisation of machine milking of mares with special reference to the Murgese breed. The study was performed on four multiparous mares, after a suitable adaptation period. The trial lasted 45 days, during which the animals were milked twice a day. Research showed considerable advantages, both from productive and technical manipulation viewpoints, of milking this species by mechanical means, rather than by hand. Moreover, mechanical milking at 140 cycles/min provided better results than other techniques examined, as it is possible to obtain the best milk production, the smallest specific power consumption and, in addition, the highest working capacity and labour productivity. The adaptation of the animals to mechanical milking and the resultant production can be considered adequate. Mechanical and operating solutions are proposed for new plants, together with adaptations to ensure security in existing plants.