Authors: H.J. Schuiling, J.A.M. Verstappen-Boerekamp, K. Knappstein, C. Benfalk
This report gives an overview of the cleaning systems and strategies of
eight different automatic milking systems, based on information given by the
manufacturers through interviews. Three different cleaning procedures are
distinguished: system cleaning, unit flush and cluster flush. The system
cleaning is performed two to three times a day and cleans the complete system,
which may consist of one or more units. The unit flush is meant to remove
residues of abnormal milk (f.i. colostrum, milk with antibiotics) and only
flushes that part of the system, which transports the abnormal milk. The unit
flush is also used to flush the system after some idle time and in some cases
after a certain number of milkings.
The cluster flush should minimise the number of pathogens in the teatcups and
so prevent transport of pathogens between cows.
Based on the categorised information, large variation in water and energy intake and in duration of cleaning can be seen. Due to Dutch regulations all systems should perform a system cleaning three times a day. In some other countries however two times a day is also allowed. The optimal cleaning frequency for the system cleaning should be established by further research. An important difference between cleaning procedures for the system cleaning is boiling water cleaning in a direct-to-drain system and a circulation cleaning at lower temperatures. In general the circulation cleaning needs more time.
The unit flush is a part of all systems. Next to its basic function of removing residues of abnormal milk, it is used to prevent drying of the milk inside the system after some idle time. Two systems are able to flush the unit after a certain number of milkings. The effect of flushing the unit on milk quality is so far unknown.
The cluster flush is performed after every milking for all AM-systems. Though the amount of water per flush is low, it takes a lot of water in total because the high number of milkings per unit. The effect on udder health of a rinse with a small amount of water should be established by research, including rinsing with added disinfectants.
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© Animal Sciences Group -
Wageningen UR. Last update:
20-02-2008 10:03. |
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