How important are liners for optimal teat pressure?
In dairy farming, maintaining the health and well-being of cows is paramount. A critical aspect of this is managing the pressure exerted on the teat end during milking. Next to installation set up, the choice of liners plays a significant role in optimizing this pressure and enhancing milking performance.
Why pressure on the teat end is important
The liner pressure helps to stimulate milk ejection, ensuring a steady flow of milk with each cycle. The main purpose of the pressure is to prevent congestion and swelling in the teat tissues.
This process supports also the cow’s natural functions by promoting keratin production in the teat canal, and clearing out mature keratin cells. As a result, it also helps to reduce the likelihood of new mastitis infections, supporting the cow’s overall udder health.
It is therefore clear that the level of pressure exerted on the teat end during milking has direct implications for teat health and milk production.
- Increase of Hyperkeratosis level
- white rings and more thickening of the skin at the teat end
- Increase the risk of mastitis.
Insufficient pressure can lead to:
- Inadequate milk flow
- Longer milking times.
- Low stimulation for keratin production, which means less natural protection for the teat
This means that the right balance needs to be found to ensure that the right pressure is applied during milking. Properly designed liners and clusters, in combination with well-adjusted milking machine settings can help achieve this balance.
The role of liners in pressure optimization
Properly designed liners distribute pressure evenly, preventing excessive pressure on any single point.
Various options of milk liners, as round, triangular, oval and square shapes are available in the market.
Round liners provide consistent pressure around the teat.
Triangular liners, exert pressure in three planes, ensuring a more even distribution of pressure on the teat.
The Turbo liner series by BouMatic distinguishes itself by combining a round shape at the top and a triangular shape in the barrel. This design leverages the benefits of both round and triangular liners, providing:
- Optimal pressure distribution: the pressure is exerted in three planes, ensuring the good pressure distribution on the teat.
- Improved milking performance: the optimal pressure distribution of Turbo Liners series contributes to create more efficient milk flow, resulting in shorter milking times and higher milk production. Furthermore, this helps prevent excessive pressure on a single point, reducing the risk of hyperkeratosis, helps to stimulate the optimal keratin turnover and promotes the teat condition.
- Cow comfort: Due to the round design at the top, the teat enters the liner faster and seals better, creating a low mouthpiece vacuum, which is more comfortable for the cow.
Turbo liners provide a more gently, quickly and completely milking experience for cows, which can enhance their overall well-being and productivity.
Size matters
To choose the right liner, you need to start by knowing your cows and the average size of their teats.
Liners must fit the teat correctly to avoid excessive pressure or slippage. Ill-fitting liners can cause uneven pressure and damage to the teat. This means different type of cows may require different type of liner sizes. Selecting the correct liner size and type for your herd ensures optimal pressure and comfort.
Within the new range of the Magnum Turbo Liners BouMatic introduces a new variety of liners, suitable for the most common teat shapes and various production levels. One of the latest novelties is the Magnum Turbo 21 liner with an adapted mouthpiece, which is ideal for jerseys or cows with smaller teats. The smaller opening reduces liner slips, contributing to a more stable and efficient milking session.
This ensures better positioning and optimal pressure distribution, enhancing teat comfort and health. This new liner is also an ideal solution for large rotary milking parlours, as it can be used without control after attachment.
The Importance of Adjusting Milking Machine Settings
When switching between different shapes or types of liners (or different type of shells), it is crucial to adjust the milking machine settings. This ensures that the pressure and collapse moment are optimal for the specific type of liner being used.
BouMatic continuously researches how our it’s liners perform under various conditions. This research has been a cornerstone since the founding of the company and ensures that we increasingly understand what is needed for optimal milk production.
The knowledge we gain is actively shared through our extensive training programs for dealers. Additionally, BouMatic’s milking experts are always ready to provide support if needed. This guarantees liners that are perfectly matched to the milking system.
With the right parameters and careful adjustment, BouMatic ensures that each milking session meets our goal: Milking Gently, Quickly, Completely. That is the BouMatic standard you can trust upon.
Conclusion
Effectively managing teat end pressure is crucial for maintaining teat health and maximizing milk production. By investing in high-quality liners and ensuring regular maintenance and replacement, dairy farmers can safeguard their cows’ well-being and enhance the efficiency of their dairy operations. BouMatic provides a variety of liners, including the Turbo Liners, which are designed to optimize pressure distribution and improve milking performance. Additionally, their training for service personnel ensures that each dairy farmer can achieve the optimal settings for their specific situation, contributing to the overall success of the dairy farm.
Find out more about the Magnum Turbo Liner Series