Likelihood of Droplet Impacts on Teat Ends during Induced Milking Vacuum Fluctuations

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Abstract
Probability of impact of milk droplets against teat ends as a result of abrupt loss of milking vacuum was assessed with impact-sensing transducers in the milking unit. Impacts were more likely in nonvented than vented claws; during milk flow > .25 kg/min than during reduced flow at the end of milking; and if liners were opening or open at the time of vacuum loss. During reduced milk flow probability of impact was correlated with vacuum fluctuation in the claw and was less with low milk lines than with high milk lines. [The effect of milking machine characteristics with the incidence of infective bovine mastitis was discussed.].