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To produce milk with the highest quality and value, and to comply with the many rigorous requirements from both public authorities and consumers, it is vital that milk filters be replaced at the right time.
Generally speaking, disposable milk filters should only ever be used for one milking session, and also for a limited duration. Depending on the milking equipment and herd size as well as the cleanliness of the animals (and especially their teats), disposable milk filters have a lifespan of approximately 8 hours, but should always be replaced after every milking session, regardless of the duration of that session. As long as these rules are observed, a milk filter will operate to its optimum potential, enabling the farmer to produce milk of the highest possible quality and value.
Replacement of a milk filter
Failure to replace the milk filter after each milking session can harm the quality of the milk produced and continual use will reduce its effectiveness. Sediment that has been trapped by the milk filter continues to be washed by the milk flowing through, which can dislodge any bacteria adhering to the particles and increase the bacterial count of the bulk milk.
The performance of a milk filter decreases over time as its surface and/or pores become clogged with retained particles. The milk flow therefore reduces over the course of a milking session, and the efficiency of filtration at the outset of the session can never be sustained. Cleaning can not extend the lifespan of a milk filter, nor improve its performance. While it may be possible to reduce the deposition of retained particles on the milk filter surface, they can never be eradicated from within the porous structure of the filter fabric. Therefore, attempting to clean a disposable milk filter will result in a reduction in milk quality.
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Cleaning can not extend the lifespan of a milk filter, nor improve its performance. Attempting to clean a disposable milk filter will result in a reduction in milk quality. |
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Image (left): Large scale milking plant (rotary)
Image (right): Milk filter
dispenser box |
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DeLaval voluntary milking system VMS – an automated
milking system |
Automatic milking systems (AMS) place special demands on milk filters. In AMS, cows are milked consecutively, resulting in a time lapse between the milking of individual cows. This results in a sporadic flow of milk through the milk filter. AMS also normally operate right around the clock every day. Under these conditions, it is essential that milk filters in AMS are replaced at least every eight hours.
The higher the throughput of a milking plant, the faster a milk filter’s effectiveness will be reduced. Although these milking systems have a high and steady milk flow, the large volume of milk is also likely to transport and build up a greater amount of sediment on the filter. Bacteria can be dislodged from the built up particles by the continued milk flow and contribute to an increase in the bacterial count in the bulk milk.
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Table 4: Differences of milk filtration in automatic milk systems and conventional parlours
The very highest levels of hygiene are essential in milk production, and it is therefore vital that milk filters are stored carefully prior to use. Milk filters should be stored in dry, clean and cool conditions, protected from dust, insects, moisture or any other contaminants. Dispenser boxes designed especially for milk filter storage are available and these provide perfect storage conditions as long as they are kept in a dry environment.
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DeLaval filtration concept
At DeLaval, we take pride in offering a total milking solution. We can supply farmers with optimised and cutting-edge milk filters that take every aspect of on-farm milk filtration into consideration. Our milk filters are designed and produced to match the parameters of all kinds of milking equipment and offer optimal milk composition, hygiene, and ease of use. DeLaval is one of the very few companies that has its own test facilities. These test facilities (in Tampere, Finland), allow our expert staff to develop milk filters for all needs and requirements. We also have our own dairy farm in Tumba, Sweden, where we extensively test all milk filters in all kinds of milking equipment. |
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