New milking method launched
DeLaval has launched Flow-Adjusted Vacuum and Flow-Adjusted Stimulation as part of its new Flow-Responsive™ Milking system. By adapting the applied vacuum to the milk flow profile of each cow, DeLaval claims milking times can be reduced by up to 10%, whilst supporting good udder health and animal welfare.
DeLaval developed the first successful vacuum operated milking machine in 1917 and Flow-Responsive™ Milking is the latest way to milk more precisely and efficiently. Dr. Carl Oskar Paulrud, Dairy Development Director at DeLaval explains how:
“Historically, using a single vacuum level, the system is a compromise that avoids the risk of over-milking (at the start and end of milking when milk flow is lower) but then has the potential of under-milking (when milk flow is at its peak). Therefore, in a traditional system with a single vacuum level, the speed of milking is limited not by the cow’s genetics or available milk, but by the operation of the milking machine.”
The first two products to be launched as part of DeLaval Flow-Responsive™ Milking are Flow-Adjusted Vacuum and Flow-Adjusted Stimulation. Both will be available for rotaries and parlours. New sensors, regulator valves, and software have been combined to respond to the actual milk-flow of each cow and adjust the level of the vacuum accordingly.
The ability to adjust vacuum levels means that DeLaval Flow-Responsive Milking can speed up milking and give clear benefits for udder and teat health. “This can truly improve farm efficiency. 40 million milkings have been performed with Flow-Adjusted Vacuum and the cluster-on time has been reduced by an average of 20 seconds per milking. Additionally, working hours in the milking system have been reduced,” states Dr. Martin Wiedemann, Cluster Solution Manager at DeLaval.
The vacuum monitoring and notifications are presented in the new DeLaval Alerts application, allowing milking systems, equipped with Flow-Responsive Milking, to be monitored remotely. The software can also be easily updated in the future when new versions are developed.
DeLaval is basing the new technology on many years of research. “There have been significant improvements in dairy genetics, farm practices, feed management, the understanding of cow physiology and behaviour, and milk synthesis. We have used this and taken the milking process to a new level by keeping the push from the cow and the pull of the milking-machine in best possible balance,” says Bettina Krausbauer, Director for Milk-Extraction at DeLaval.
To find out more about Flow-Responsive™ Milking click here