A randomized trial to study the effect of automatic cluster remover settings on milking performance, teat condition, and udder health

ABSTRACT The objectives were to study the effect of 2 different automatic cluster remover settings on (1) milking characteristics, (2) milk component yields, (3) teat tissue condition, and (4) udder health. In a randomized controlled field trial, Holstein cows (n = 689) from 1 commercial dairy farm with a thrice-daily milking schedule were allocated to 2 treatment groups. Treatment consisted of a cluster remover take-off milk flow threshold of 1.2 (ACR1.2) or 0.8 kg/min (ACR0.8) for 57 d. Milking characteristics (milk yield; and milking unit-on time, MUOT) were obtained with electronic on-farm milk meters. Composite milk samples were collected and analyzed for fat, protein, lactose, and somatic cell count. Machine-milking-induced short- and long-term changes to the teat tissue condition were assessed visually. General linear mixed models demonstrated differences in MUOT, whereas no meaningful differences in milk yield were detected. Milk yield (least squares means, 95% confidence interval) was 11.3 (10.9–11.8) and 11.3 (10.8–11.8) kg in groups ACR1.2 and ACR0.8, respectively. The effect of treatment on MUOT was modified by parity. Milking unit-on time in first-, second-, and ≥third-lactation cows, respectively, was 260.7 (252.0–269.4), 257.8 (247.4–268.1), and 260.2 (252.6–267.9) s in group ACR1.2; and 273.7 (264.9–282.5), 279.1 (269.4–288.8), and 295.7 (287.9–303.6) s in group ACR0.8. We detected no meaningful differences in milk component yields or linear somatic cell score. Least squares means in groups ACR1.2 and ACR0.8, respectively, were milk fat yield, 0.42 (0.40–0.44) and 0.42 (0.40–0.44) kg; milk protein yield, 0.36 (0.35–0.37) and 0.37 (0.36–0.37) kg; milk lactose yield, 0.61 (0.60–0.63) and 0.63 (0.61–0.64) kg, and linear somatic cell score, 1.9 (1.8–2.0) and 1.9 (1.8–2.0). A generalized linear mixed model revealed an effect of treatment on machine-milking-induced short-term changes. The odds of short-term changes to the teat tissue were lower for cows in group ACR1.2 [odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 0.78 (0.63–0.96)]. No meaningful differences were detected in machine-milking-induced long-term changes between treatment groups. Increasing cluster remover take-off milk flow threshold from 0.8 to 1.2 kg/min decreased individual milking duration and alleviated machine-milking-induced short-term changes to the teat tissue without adversely affecting milking performance or somatic cell count. Future studies are warranted to investigate the effect on milk production and udder health over a whole lactation period.