Teat thickness changes may provide biological test for effective pulsation

Area of Science:

• Dairy Science
• Animal Husbandry
• Biomechanical Engineering

Background:

• Effective milking requires understanding the interplay between machine pulsation and bovine teat tissue.
• Previous research has focused on pulsation settings, but the role of liner type needs further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of different pulsation rates and ratios on teat thickness and milk flow in cows.
• To compare the influence of pulsation parameters and liner types on short-term teat tissue changes.

Main Methods:

• Two experiments were conducted using 14 cows, varying pulsation rates (40-80 cycles/min) and ratios (50-80%).
• Teat thickness, milk flow rate, and machine strip yields were measured to assess pulsation effectiveness and liner influence.

Main Results:

• Increased 'b' phase and shortened 'd' phase of pulsation increased teat thickness.
• Teat thickness decreased with higher pulsation rates at lower ratios.
• Liner type significantly influenced teat thickness changes, comparable to pulsation ratios.

Conclusions:

• Pulsation settings alone are insufficient for defining international milking standards.
• Liner type plays a critical role in milking effectiveness and teat health.
• A +/- 5% change in teat apex thickness could serve as a dynamic test guideline for pulsation effectiveness.