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Also known as: '''''Milking Machine
Also known as: '''''Milking Machine
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==
===Rotary===
===Rotary===
Rotary parlours are good for large herds due to the large throughput of cows possible. Cows may face the inside ('''external rotary''') or outside ('''internal rotary''') of the circle depending on the particular design. For a large rotary there should be at least three operators for an effective milking routine. One for udder preparation, the second for unit attachment and the third for [[Post-Milking Teat Disinfection (PMTD)|post milking teat disinfection]].
Rotary parlours are good for large herds due to the large throughput of cows possible. Cows may face the inside ('''external rotary''') or outside ('''internal rotary''') of the circle depending on the particular design. For a large rotary there should be at least three operators for an effective milking routine. One for udder preparation, the second for unit attachment and the third for [[Post-Milking Teat Disinfection|post milking teat disinfection]].
[[File:Rotary parlour.JPG|thumb|250px|center|External Rotary Parlour]]
[[File:Rotary parlour.JPG|thumb|250px|center|External Rotary Parlour]]
A static test is performed when cows are not present in the parlour. It involves measuring the vacuum level in various parts of the machine, calculating the vacuum reserve, ensuring adequate vacuum pump function and ensuring adequate pulsation (with a suitably long massage phase to ensure teat health).
A static test is performed when cows are not present in the parlour. It involves measuring the vacuum level in various parts of the machine, calculating the vacuum reserve, ensuring adequate vacuum pump function and ensuring adequate pulsation (with a suitably long massage phase to ensure teat health).
===Dynamic Tests===
Dynamic tests are performed when cows are being milked. The main aim is to measure vacuum fluctuations at the teat end which may not always be suggested as a problem by the results of the static test. Milk flow can also be measured which may reveal problems with bimodal milk flow, suggestive of problems with udder preparation and/or milk let down. It is during such tests that '''liner slip''' may be noticed.
Dynamic tests are performed when cows are being milked. The main aim is to measure vacuum fluctuations at the teat end which may not always be suggested as a problem by the results of the static test. Milk flow can also be measured which may reveal problems with bimodal milk flow, suggestive of problems with udder preparation and/or milk let down. It is during such tests that '''liner slip''' may be noticed.
File:Dynamic milk testing 2.JPG
File:Dynamic milk testing 2.JPG
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==References and Further Reading==
==References and Further Reading==
{{review}}
{{Nick Lyons written
|date = July 18, 2011}}
==Webinars==
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[[Category:Dairy Cow Management]]