Effects of different cluster types on teat condition and milk release parameters

In a joint project a standard cluster and a new innovative cluster were compared. The new cluster (AktivPuls, System Happel) is characterized by an innovative liner design. The vacuum shut off in the massage phase leads to a vacuum reduction at the teat under all milking conditions even with zero milk flow. In a 2 x 7 herringbone parlour the standard and the control group (137 animals in total) could be investigated for 127 days. Teat condition was assessed at five different occasions with the following parameters: teat skin condition, teat colour, ring formation, hardening and hyperceratosis. The assessment of the teat condition was based on an international standard. For the calculation a total of 2181 teat assessments could be used. One-way and two-way analyses of variance were carried out with the actuating variable "day in milk" and "lactation". There was a significant improvement with respect to ring formation and hyperceratosis. For the analysis of milk removal data two LactoCorder recordings were carried out. The investigations were carried out at the beginning and at the end of the project to gain information about total milk yield, rise, plateau and stripping-phase. Data from 75 animals could be used for one-way and two-way analysis. The first results show a highly significant effect of day in milk and lactation on some of the milk removal parameter. In addition two different models were used for optimized calculation of the data. The new cluster has a positive effect on the teat condition and causes a complete milk removal.