The cause of teat tip calluses is due to mechanical stress during the milking process. During milking, the teats are exposed to the force of vacuum and the Liner. The duration and method of this influence the condition of the teat. Good pre-treatment can reduce the burden on the teat.
The pre-treatment before milking is important for good stimulation of the teats, which starts the milk flow. This reduces blind milking and reduces the total milking time. The waiting time between pre-blasting and connecting the milking cluster is also important. The ideal waiting time is 50 to 70 seconds (Anonymous, Milking Technology Considerations, 2024). This has a positive effect on the milking speed and the complete milking of the udder. On companies with a Milking robot, is often scored better on teat condition because the teat cups are removed every quarter of an hour (Hylkema, 2020). This prevents blind milking.
Classification system Stage teat tip callus
Figure 1, Teat Tip Callus Classification System (Anonymous, Teat Tip Callus Classification System, 2024)
Causes of teat tip calluses
There are various causes of teat tip calluses. Namely:
- Excessive pressure from the Liner on the teat tip. Rapid opening and closing movement of the Liner increases the pressure on the teat.
- A pointed teat tip and long teat are more likely to develop teat tip calluses. This has to do with breeding.
- Too long milking time and blind milking, which means that the teat is exposed to the pressure during milking for longer.
- Vacuum under the teat too high. Due to too high a vacuum in the head of the Liner crawls the Liner up and swelling occurs on the teat.
- An inappropriate one Liner. If the shaft diameter of the Liner is too wide for the teat, too high a head vacuum is created. That puts more pressure on the teat.
- A worn one Liner can also influence the teat condition.
Implications
- Due to the calluses, the quarters may not be milked properly and there is therefore a risk of an increased cell count or mastitis. In addition, the callus is a place where dirt and mastitis germs can settle and enter the udder (Hylkema, 2020).
- Due to teat tip calluses, too little keratin is produced, which causes it Teat opening of the teat is not closed properly (Hylkema, 2020). This makes it easier for mastitis pathogens to enter the udder.
Conclusion
Ensure that the milking machine is properly adjusted Milking robot, to prevent teat tip calluses. A wet measurement can be used to check whether the settings are correct and the milking process is running correctly.
Care in the Milking parlour for proper pre-treatment with sufficient stimulation. This consists of cleaning the teat, pre-blasting and a waiting time of 50-70 seconds before connecting the milking cluster. After milking, provide the teat with a dip to care for the teat and seal it Teat opening. at An Milking robot, it is important that the pre-treatment is long and intensive enough to provide sufficient stimulation to stimulate milk flow.
Bibliography
Anonymously. (2024, April 20). Points of attention for milking technology. GD animal health: https://www.gddiergezondheid.nl/-/media/Files/UGA-en-FIT-Instructiekaarts/UGA-aandachtspunts-melk-techniek-speenvoorwaarden-pdf
Anonymously. (2024, April 20). Milking technique. GD Animal Health: https://www.gddiergezondheid.nl/nl/Diergezondheid/Management/Uiergezondheid/Melken/Melktechniek#:~:text=De%20voorbeheer%20is%20belang%20voor,voorkeur%20%C3%A9%C3% A9n%20cloth%20per%20cow.
Anonymously. (2024, April 20). Teat Tip Callus Classification System. Wageningen University Research: https://edepot.wur.nl/42050
Anonymously. (sd). Teats tell you a lot about the milking machine. April 21, 2024, from GD animal health: https://www.gddiergezondheid.nl/diergezondheid/management/uiergezondheid/melken/spenen-melkmachine
Hylkema, I. (2020, October). Teat tip callosity. Retrieved from Wageningen University Research: https://edepot.wur.nl/533700