The effect of various automatic cluster removal switch-point settings on milking and overmilking duration and total, peak and overmilking claw vacuum in dairy cows

This research communication describes the effect of three automatic cluster removal (ACR) switch-point settings on machine-on time, overmilking duration, and the mean, peak-flow and overmilking vacuums. The objective was to reduce the overmilking and milking time, attaining a lower mean claw vacuum during overmilking. In a randomised experiment, 25 cows were subjected to three ACR switch-point settings at flow rates of 0.840 kg/min, 0.630 kg/min and 0.504 kg/min each for 15 morning-milkings. Pre-milking preparations and cow comfort were observed and evaluated, showing evidence that the switch-point setting of 0.840 kg/ml denoted the least proportion of behavioural problems (1.1% ± 0.6) compared to the settings at 0.640 kg/ml (16.0% ± 2.2) and 0.504 kg/ml (9.4% ± 1.7). A VaDia device (Biocontrol) determined the machine-on time and vacuum levels at the claw, mouthpiece and pulsator chamber. The machine-on time varied from 290 ± 72.8 (mean ± sd) to 289 ± 64.4 and 303 ± 66.3 for the 0.840, 0.630 and 0.504 kg/min settings, respectively. Overmilking was shortened by 29.3% and 26.4% and the claw vacuum during overmilking was reduced by 3.7 kPa and 4.3 kPa when using the 0.840 kg/min switch-point setting, compared to the others. An increased cluster-removal milk flow threshold reduced both overmilking and vacuum level during overmilking, lowering the risk of teat damage. Adapting ACR switch-point settings offers a valuable opportunity to increase parlour efficiency and cow comfort in dairy herds.