Effects of vacuum level and pulsation rate on milk ejection and milk flow traits in Tunisian dairy camels (Camelus dromedarius)

Abstract

This work aims to compare the effects of milking at two vacuum levels (38 and 48 kPa) and three pulsation rates (60, 90, and 120 cpm) on milk production and milk flow characteristics. Six multiparous Maghrebi camels in late lactation and once daily milked were used. The best combination of setting for camel's milking was high vacuum and low pulsation rate (48 kPa/60 cpm). Milk yield and average and peak milk flow rate were the highest, while milking time was the shortest using this combination of setting (3.05 ± 0.30 kg, 1.52 ± 0.21 kg/min, 2.52 ± 0.21 kg/min, and 3.32 ± 0.31 min, respectively). Lower vacuum level lengthened milking time by more than 100 % and was not sufficient to extract milk correctly (1.69 to 2.48 times less milk yield harvested), suggesting a negative interaction with the stimulatory effect of pulsation. Higher pulsation rates did not better stimulate the camels and induced more bimodality and lower milk flow rates. Animal characteristics and liner/claw design affect machine milking and further investigations must be carried out to verify their effects and to study long-term effect of high vacuum level on udder health and teat condition.

First description of milk flow traits in Tunisian dairy dromedary camels under an intensive farming system

“…The last possible explanation for the intra-animal variability of milk flow pattern could be a sub-optimal cluster adaptation to udder and teats and also to machine settings. Even though we had already tested the best machine settings for our camels (Atigui et al 2011) and discarded animals with badly shaped udders, we used non-specific liners and cups and, in some cases, the liner mouthpiece had difficulties in fitting well with the teats and limiting air entry and vacuum fluctuations under the teats. It is probable that with the increasing number of camels being milked, we could soon find more suitable material on the market.…”

“…In order to fit with the traditional interval between milking applied by camel breeders in south Tunisia, our camels were routinely milked twice a day (8·00 and 16·00) in a restraining stall using a portable bucket milking machine [Model AM/T115, AGROMILK, 42020 S.Polo d'Enza (Reggio Emilia), Italy] which was set at 48 kPa, 80 pulses/min and 60 : 40 pulsation ratio previously determined to be the best for these animals and this material (Atigui et al 2011). DeLaval Clusters (ref of the milking claw: 00100349 S/S Alfa/Laval type 180 cc for cows; reference and characteristics of the rubber: 91000301: length 320 mm, diameter of mouthpiece of 25 mm, found to be the best fit for the udder and teat shape of our camels) were attached after a short (<10 s) teat washing and drying.…”

Effect of changes in milking routine on milking related behaviour and milk removal in Tunisian dairy dromedary camels

“…All camels were allowed to nurse for the first 3 months of lactation before complete weaning and transition to machine milking exclusively. After training, camels were routinely milked twice a day (8·00 and 16·00) in a restraining stall using a portable milking machine (Model AM/T115, AGROMILK, 42020 S. Polo d'Enza, Reggio Emilia, Italy) which was set at 48 kPa, 80 pulsations/min and 60 : 40 pulsation ratio previously determined to be the best for these animals (Atigui et al 2011). Clusters were attached within 10 s after cleaning the teats with a wet cotton towel and drying them.…”

“…After training, camels were routinely milked twice a day (8·00 and 16·00) in a restraining stall using a portable milking machine (Model AM/T115, AGROMILK, 42020 S. Polo d'Enza, Reggio Emilia, Italy) which was set at 48 kPa, 80 pulsations/min and 60 : 40 pulsation ratio previously determined to be the best for these animals (Atigui et al 2011). After training, camels were routinely milked twice a day (8·00 and 16·00) in a restraining stall using a portable milking machine (Model AM/T115, AGROMILK, 42020 S. Polo d'Enza, Reggio Emilia, Italy) which was set at 48 kPa, 80 pulsations/min and 60 : 40 pulsation ratio previously determined to be the best for these animals (Atigui et al 2011).…”

The camel, new challenges for a sustainable development

“…The impact of the changes in feeding practices (low diet variety, spaced meals) on the milk composition and medicinal activities of intensively farmed camels has not really been investigated, and neither has the nutritive value and chemical composition of their meat (Kurtu 2004). The modernization of management, for example, in milking practices by using milking machines has to be investigated (Atigui et al 2015) for a better adaptation of this technology to camel because of their specific physiology of lactation ( Fig. 1).…”