How to Improve Milking Efficiency in Swing-Over Herringbone Sheds

There are ways to save time in almost all herringbone milking sheds. The key to improving efficiency is to use a consistent milking routine for all milkers. Shorter milkings have several benefits - improving staff satisfaction, lessening mastitis and reducing lameness.

Making changes is simple and reversible, so you don’t have to wait until the end of the season to assess the impact of changes. If something hasn’t worked, it’s easy to change back at the next milking.

Creating a more efficient milking routine

There are a number of ways to compile an efficient milking routine depending on individual dairy design. However, the following elements have been identified as key elements that good routines have in common.

• Don't wait for all the cows to row up - start cupping once the first batch of cows is loaded.
• Aim to cup the first cow in the row within 30 seconds of her being in position and the adjacent cow being finished.
• Use an efficient cupping technique.
• Work in batches of 5-10 cows, completing all tasks as you go starting at the exit end of the pit.
• Avoid leaving cows to come back or waiting for cows to finish milking. Implement a MaxT milking strategy.
• Open the head gate when 50-75% of the cows have had their clusters removed. This gives cows time to start exiting while you finish the rest of the row.
• Move the backing gate little and often you to take up the free space in the yard. By moving it little and often you minimise gaps in cow flow.
• Don't leave the pit unless you really need to.
• Hose under cows with cups on. Hosing as a row is exiting and the next row is loading slows down cow flow by spraying water in cow faces and also risks splashing teats with dirty water prior to milking.
• Ensure meal is fed after the row is loaded.
• To minimise walking in the pit, consider the location of controls for the backing gate, head gate etc.

Milking Routine

• If you experience waiting during milking, starting with milking duration.
• If you are removing clusters with no milk visible in the sight glass, or ACRs are coming off before you get to them, start with milking routine.

In summary, many farmers have managed to make significant savings by adopting a routine that:

• eliminates unnecessary idle (waiting) time from the routine
• minimises distance walked/steps taken by the milker/s
• enables the exit gate to be opened at the earliest opportunity.

Teat Preparation

Teat preparation before milking can involve the cleaning and/or massaging of teats before the cups are attached.

As well as ensuring that milk quality is not affected by dirty teats, washing helps the cow produce oxytocin, the milk letdown hormone which creates a better milk flow.

Teat washing and ensuring the teats are clean before attaching the cups has the following benefits:

• Can prevent milk quality issues, maintains milk quality.
• Reduces animal health issues - reduces risk of teat damage, reduces mastitis associated with teat damage or excessive dirt on tears.
• In New Zealand there are two teat washing practices;
  • Universal washing - where every teat is washed.
  • Strategic washing - where only those which are visibly dirty are washed.

Strategic washing is most commonly practiced in New Zealand. Strategic washing of dirty teats will save time, although there is no opportunity to stimulate the udder through handling/massage to encourage let-down. However, in most cases this is not required.

Drying of teats after washing is essential as it reduces the chance of mastitis, and the risk of milk contamination. Dry teats also interact better with the teat cup liner.