Short-Term Effect of Transition from Conventional to Automated Milking on Teat Skin and Teat End Condition

Abstract

A higher milking frequency, as a consequence of milking with an automated milking system, incorporates a threat to teat condition. To study the effect of transition from conventional to automated milking on teat skin and teat end condition, 40 lactating Holstein-Friesian cows and heifers from a high yielding dairy herd were randomly allocated to either a conventional or an automated milking system group. In the latter group, automated milking was initiated during the study period, while conventional milking was continued in the control group. Teat skin and teat end condition were evaluated weekly on quarter level for all animals from 5 wk before until 8 wk after transition. A high emollient iodine teat dip was used on all cows during the study period. Teat skin condition of the animals in the automated milking system group was consistent from before and during milking with the automated milking system. Rear teats had a better skin and end condition than front teats. Evolution of teat end condition over time between the automated and conventional milking groups was not statistically different. Heifers, however, seemed to be more sensitive to the change than multiparous cows, as their teat end condition slightly decreased.

Short communication: Species group-specific predictors at the cow and quarter level for intramammary infection with coagulase-negative staphylococci in dairy cattle throughout lactation

“…Recoding was applied for further analyses (1 = ≤2.5; 2 = 2.5-3.5; 3 = ≥3.5). The teat skin and teat apex condition were determined based on a 9-point scale visual scoring system (De Vliegher et al, 2003) and recoded (0 = without cracks; 1 = with cracks). Quarter milk SCC was determined at the Flanders Milk Control Centre (Lier, Belgium) using a Fossomatic 5000/FC (Foss Electric, Hillerød, Denmark).…”

Effects of increased milking frequency during early lactation on milk yield and udder health of primiparous Holstein heifers1

“…To evaluate the profi tability of implementing IMF during early lactation, one must consider not only milk yield but also potential effects on performance and udder health. For example, over-milking negatively affects teat condition (Hillerton et al, 1990), and De Vliegher et al (2003) suggested that teats of heifers may be especially sensitive to changes in milking frequency. Because heifers have not been previously exposed to milking, they provide a unique opportunity to quantify the effects of IMF on udder health.…”

Field Study on Protocols for Evaluation of Teat Skin Conditions

“…The importance of clean udders and a hygienic milking routine in reducing the risk for intramammary infections is well recognized (Silk et al, 2003;Zecconi et al, 2003). However, the importance of a proper teat conditioning has only recently been recognized (De Vliegher et al, 2003).…”

“…Teat tissue and skin are considered the first line of defence against infections and, recently, the importance of preserving teat skin conditions has been recognized as one of the most important factors to reduce the risk of infections (Neijenhuis et al, 2000). In dairy herds, teat skin conditions could be impaired by different factors including weather (Burmeister et al, 1998) and disinfectants for pre-and post-milking teat disinfection (De Vliegher et al, 2003). Therefore, the evaluation of teat skin condition could be useful to assess the risk of mastitis in the dairy herd and to identify the potential risk factors.…”

“…Different approaches have been proposed to evaluate teat skin. One of the most applied methods is visual scoring (Sieber and Farnsworth, 1981;Goldberg et al, 1994a,b;De Vliegher et al, 2003). The application of a scoring system, as proposed by Goldberg et al (1994b) has been more recently modified by Neijenhuis et al (2000).…”