At this time of year it is common to look forward and wonder what the next year holds in store! In fact we have a lot of control over what happens next – through plans that we make and the risks that we decide to take.

A practical example is how often we choose to check the milking machine.

Machine malfunctions cause teat damage and increase the risk of mastitis infection. Having a good relationship with your milking machine technician is great insurance. Regular testing, service and maintenance of milking equipment will improve the speed and completeness of milking, and will help reduce mastitis.

Get a milking machine technician to conduct a complete dry test at least once a year for all systems (or after each 1500 - 2000 hours of operation). Use a technician who has a National Certificate in Testing, an Australian Milking Machine Trade Association (AMMTA) certificate or equivalent experience.

It's also worthwhile considering a quick series of dry tests after each 500 - 1000 hours of machine operation as part of your maintenance contract with a milking machine technician. This includes checking the vacuum level, effective reserve, and function of the regulator and pulsators.

For example if your machines are running 4 hours a day, a quick check is worthwhile after 4-5 months of use. For spring calving herds, this is about now.

Organise additional and immediate testing if you observe any of the following:

• Cows appear to milk slowly or incompletely;

• Teatcups slip or fall frequently;

• Teat condition is poor; or

• Cows appear nervous or uncomfortable.

Don’t put off scheduling change because there isn’t the time to do it straight away or because it hasn’t been budgeted. Ask your milking machine technician which changes are urgent and which can be done later on. Make a plan that fits in with your work commitments and cash flow, and set target dates for each of the changes.

What better time to make plans to reduce mastitis in your herd than at the start of the new millennium!

Image and caption
As per ADF article “Conduct a complete dry test at least once a year”

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Keywords
milking machines, service, professional advice

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342