Milk & milking

Automatic milking

The realities of robotic milking technology today

Published: 8/21/2012 Written by: Francisco Rodriguez

A growing lack of high-quality, affordable labor, in combination with the demand for higher efficiency, lower costs and flexible lifestyles, has created a need for robotic milking and other automated systems on dairies. This article aims to introduce the different types of automatic milking systems available and the realities of operating each system.

Key Messages for an Efficient Udder Preparation Routine

Published: 8/13/2012 Written by: Xavier Goossens Marianna Gentilini Mario Lopez-Benavides Thomas C. Hemling

Adequate teat preparation before cluster attachment is key to maintain healthy udders and milk quality.

Post-Milking Teat Disinfection

Published: 8/6/2012

Post-milking teat disinfectants have been widely tested and used to prevent mastitis caused by contagious and environmental bacteria. The appropriate use of teat disinfecting products reduces mastitis rates and the need for antibiotic use. Post-milking teat disinfectants are based on a range of germicides, levels and types of emollients, and physical forms and are applied by a range of application methods. When recommending teat dip products, it is important to assess the udder health situation, as well as management of the milking process. Certain product types may provide benefits when used properly but will have increased risks when used under less than ideal conditions.

Automatic Milking Systems in North America

Published: 8/10/2011 Written by: Monica Wadsworth

Thorough planning and research, willingness to adapt your management style and ability to trust the system to milk your cows without your active involvement are all necessary if you want to make a successful transition to automatic milking, Mark Futcher, Marketing Manager - Automatic Milking for DeLaval Inc., North America shares his experience and gives his advice.

Addressing teat condition problems

Published: 9/27/2011 Written by: Teat Club International

This paper descibes effective treatments, changes in management or changes in machine settings that appear to provide successful solutions for particular teat condition problems in commercial herds. It also indicates the expected time scale - after the start of a successful treatment or management change - until improvements in teat condition should become evident.

Procedures and products required for milking center efficiency, mastitis control, and production of high quality milk

Published: 2/14/2011 Written by: Winston Ingalls

Operating a dairy milking center involves managing a number of issues so that a satisfactory end result is accomplished. It involves labor management, work routine organization, mastitis control, cow physiology, Grade A milk production regulations, and agricultural economics.

Details on the world's first automatic milking rotary unveiled

Published: 11/12/2010

The DeLaval AMR™ will suit herds exceeding 300 cows, the first commercial rotaries will have a 90 cow/hour capacity, and up to five robots will simultaneously operate the system, DeLaval announced today.

Proper milking techniques

Published: 6/12/2012

Proper management of cows during and between each milking is required for maximum milk production and mastitis prevention. The economic loss from mastitis makes it the dairy industry’s most important disease. The technologies to control and eradicate mastitis have been available for many years, yet bacteria still take thousands of cows out of production every year.

What's the risk with old liners?

Published: 6/22/2012

The liner is the only component of the milking machine that comes into direct contact with the cow's teat. Therefore, it is one of the key components in the process of milking cows quickly, gently and completely. Although many people try to squeeze a few more weeks or months from the liners in a dairy, this is almost always a poor option for the most important component of the milking machine.

Automatic Milking

Published: 1/18/2012 Written by: Monica Wadsworth

Automatic milking is becoming more and more interesting to milk producers around the world. In the next few months we will post interviews and articles about AMS milking. For the curious, but also for those of you who are already milking with robots, for benchmarking and sharing of best practices. Let us know if there is any particular subject within Automatic Milking that you would like to read more about.