HEALTH: October 2011

Friday 7 October 2011

Efficiency of Milking Machine

Efficiency of Milking Machine

Tests of the efficiency of machines of different types, the relation to the milk yield and to the sanitary condition of the milk have been made by several experiment stations and the United States Department of Agriculture. From these reports it is possible to arrive at a reasonably, safe conclusion regarding the general working of these machines in practice.

It has been thoroughly demonstrated that milking machines will milk cows and that a skilled operator will do as efficient work ‘as-the average hand milker It is questionable, however, if the milking machine is equal to a skillful experienced hand milker in the amount of milk secured. During the early part of the lactation period the cow apparently milks better by machine as compared with hand milking than is the case later in the milking period. Most users have found it more difficult to hold up the yield of milk during the last part of the milking period when the machine is used. After a cow has been in milk for some months the stimulation to produce milk is due partly to the act of milking itself. Hand milking undoubtedly results in more stimulation of this kind than does machine milking unless machine milking is followed by careful stripping.
The cow is not injured in the least and usually very quickly becomes accustomed to machine milking.

Advantage of Milking Machines

Advantage of Milking Machines,

The Milking Machine.

A satisfactory mechanical milker has long been one of the greatest aids of the dairy farmer. The wide opportunity offered for a successful device of this kind early attracted the attention of inventors. The reports of the Commissioner of Patents show that 127 patents on milking machines or parts were taken out in the United States alone between 1872 and 1905. The successful milker of today is the result of a long period of development. The first really practical mechanical milkers appeared on the market between 1900 and 1910. Modifications and improvements were made constantly until the development now reached a point of satisfactory service.
The use of milking machines has increased rather slowly as compared with that of some other types of machines. A large number of designs have been on the market for a time, only to disappear later. One of the discouraging things about the milking machine so far is that a large number of farmers, probably fully one-half of those who have installed them, have later discarded the machine. On the other hand, others who have used machines for several years are entirely satisfied and would not continue in the dairy business without them. This suggests that success in using a machine of this kind depends largely upon the operator.

Disadvantages of Milking Machines

Disadvantages of Milking Machines.

Probably the greatest real criticism of the milking machine is the ease with which it spreads infectious udder troubles .

This has become so great in some herds that machine milking has been discontinued. Care must be taken to milk any cow last which shows any suspicion of inflammation of the udder, or better still, not to use the machine at all in such cases. A careful sterilization of the teat cups is always advisable, but especially so when there is any evidence of udder trouble.
Since the chief source of dirt in milk is the body of the cow from which dirt drops during milking, it would appear that the use of the milking machine by excluding this dirt would be an important factor in improving the sanitary condition of milk. However, surveys show that machine-drawn milk usually is inferior rather than superior to hand-drawn in bacterial content. This is the result of careless cleaning of the outfit. If the machine is properly cleaned and used, the sanitary condition of the milk is improved over hand milking; on the other hand, if not well cleaned, the milk is in decidedly worse condition.
A farmer considering the purchase of a milking machine will do well to visit farms where different makes are in use and observe their operation. It is also well to select a machine that has been on the market long enough to make certain that the defects have been discovered and corrected. The chances are also better that a company which has been manufacturing a machine for several years will remain in business, making it possible for the user to secure parts when needed. The portable unit is a recent development with many advantages.