Changes

Most parlours are fitted with Automatic Cluster Removal apparatus. The milk machine detects when the milk flow rate falls to a pre-set “take-off” level (usually between 200 and 400 ml/minute). When this occurs, this triggers a cord to be retracted which is attached to the claw piece of the cluster. This pulls the cluster off the cow.  

Most parlours are fitted with Automatic Cluster Removal apparatus. The milk machine detects when the milk flow rate falls to a pre-set “take-off” level (usually between 200 and 400 ml/minute). When this occurs, this triggers a cord to be retracted which is attached to the claw piece of the cluster. This pulls the cluster off the cow.  

The advantages of the ACR is the prevention of over milking (which can cause teat damage and thus increased mastitis levels) and time efficiency for the parlour operator. However it must be remembered that the prevention of over milking is dependent on the take-off setting and therefore over milking can still be a problem in herds using ACRs. The disadvantages of using ACRs are that there may be more of a delay between milking and [[Post-Milking Teat Disinfection (PMTD)|post milking teat disinfection]], and occasionally premature cluster take-off will occur such as when bimodal milk flow is a problem.

The advantages of the ACR is the prevention of over milking (which can cause teat damage and thus increased mastitis levels) and time efficiency for the parlour operator. However it must be remembered that the prevention of over milking is dependent on the take-off setting and therefore over milking can still be a problem in herds using ACRs. The disadvantages of using ACRs are that there may be more of a delay between milking and [[Post-Milking Teat Disinfection|post milking teat disinfection]], and occasionally premature cluster take-off will occur such as when bimodal milk flow is a problem.

==Parlour washing==

==Parlour washing==