Effect of hydraulic milking on milking performance, teat condition and lipolysis

The term 'hydraulic milking' describes a new milking concept in which liner movement is restricted and the liner is flooded with milk beneath the teat. This condition, achieved with a multi-valve claw without air admission to the cluster, reduced milking time by 26% and increased milk flow rate by 20%. Four experiments describe the discovery of hydraulic milking and investigate its potential using equal or different levels of vacuum in the milkline and pulseline. Benefits from hydraulic milking include decreased lipolysis (less than or equal to 36%) and milk foam (75%), improved teat condition and a high degree of protection against machine-induced infections. Evidence of increased milk yield is inconclusive. Cluster removal is impeded by hydraulic milking and the multi-valve cluster requires modification to facilitate the process. Pulsation characteristics and vacuum levels developed for conventional milking appear adequate for hydraulic milking. Unorthodox vacuum conditions may be needed, however, to exploit fully this novel milking concept.