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Before milking
During milking
After milking
Conventional milking in detail
Before milking
1. Monitor udder health regularly
- Always use disposable gloves and always ensure they are clean
- Check udder health regularly; first check fresh first-calf heifers and cows 1–2 weeks after calving (use Delaval’s California Mastitis Test CMT, DeLaval Cell Counter DCC, Herd Navigator HN, etc)
- Regularly review the dairy processor info on milk quality
- Keep record of udder health results for each cow
- Always keep milk of identified sick cows separate
2. Follow the right Milking order
- First start with milking healthy cows and healthy first calvers
- Follow by fresh milking cows and first calvers—until they are checked for udder health status
- Always milk older and sick cows last or milk in a separate group
3. Always foremilk
- Always use disposable gloves and always ensure they are clean
- Never strip milk onto the floor
- Strip 2–3 milk jets from each teat into a foremilk or strip cup
- Examine the milk for flocculation, colour changes or other inconsistencies
- Always keep abnormal milk separate
- Foremilking also stimulates the milk letdown
4. Clean and/or disinfect Teats before milking
- Always use disposable gloves and always ensure they are clean
- Clean each teat and teat end, preferably using an approved pre-milking teat cleaner
- When pre-milking teat disinfection is allowed: use approved pre-milking teat disinfectant and wait 30 sec before removing
- In all case use disposable paper or udder towels to clean off and carefully dry each teat properly
- Never use paper or towels for more than one cow
During milking
5. Check milking vacuum
- Always check the milking vacuum at the start of each milking
- Vacuum level, pulsation rate and pulsator ratio should be in accordance with DeLaval recommendations
6. Attach milking cluster in time
- Always use disposable gloves and always ensure they are clean
- Always make sure to clean or, when necessary, disinfect clusters in between cows
- Attach milking cluster within 60 sec after teat preparation
- Avoid air entry during cluster attachment
- Check cluster positioning
- Make sure that long milk tubes are aligned with pulse tube, avoiding twisting of tubes
7. Avoid over-milking
- Watch the milking process during milking; don’t do anything else
- Over milking could damage teat ends
- Identify the end of milking; by direct observation of milk flow; or via flow
sensors in case of automatic cluster removal
8. Remove clusters correctly
- Always use disposable gloves and always ensure they are clean
- Shut off vacuum to the cluster when milking completed (manually or automatically)
- Allow claw vacuum to decline fully before removing cluster
- Do not squeeze the udder
- Take off cluster after vacuum shut-off
After milking
9. Disinfect teats Immediately
- Always use disposable gloves and always ensure they are clean
- Dip or spray teats as soon as the milking cluster has been removed
- Use an approved post milking teat disinfectant as this is the most effective way to prevent the spread of mastitis
- Keep the cows standing up for 30 minutes after milking
10. Clean/disinfect milking equipment
- Clean outside milking units and all surfaces in the parlour
- After each milking rinse and clean internal milking system, either manually or automatically
- Use approved detergents, following dosing, routine and temperature instructions on the label
- When required disinfect the milking system using approved sanitizers, following label instructions
- Remove clusters from cluster cleaners and allow milking system and milking units to dry
11. Ensure proper milk cooling
- Always check temperatures to ensure correct cooling is reached during and after milking
- Make sure always to follow dairy specific recommendations for cooling temperatures
- Milk cooling and milk storage tanks need to be cleaned immediately after emptying, using approved detergents
12. Regularly monitor Milking results
- Review dairy processor info on milk quality and milk composition regularly
- If available, cross check with data from CMT, DCC, HN, etc on a regular basis
- Regular preventative maintenance including replacement of liners , tubes and other parts, according to DeLaval recommendations, is the best way to ensure a well functioning milking system
