The objective of this study was to determine the differences in milking characteristics between Simmental, Holstein-Friesian and Brown Swiss cow breed, when 0, 30 or 60 s of prestimulation was applied. The experiment was conducted on the commercial farm Kovažik, where 12 cows (four cows per breed) were randomly assigned to three prestimulation treatments. Each treatment was performed during two days and followed by a one day of rest. Milking characteristics (main milking phase duration, milking time, milk yield, peak flow rate and average flow rate) were measured. Additionally, bimodality of milk flow curves was evaluated. The results of this experiment show that the highest number of bimodal curves was observed in the treatment without prestimulation. Prestimulation duration did not influence observed milking characteristics. However, treatment without prestimulation had numerically the largest number of bimodal curves, longest duration of main milking phase and total milking time with the lowest peak and average flow rate. Milk yield was the highest in Holstein-Friesian breed. The highest peak and average flow rate with the shortest main milking phase duration and total milking time was observed in Brown-Swiss breed. Breed specific premilking teat preparation routine should be performed to remove highest milk yield in shortest time.

cow; prestimulation; milking; milkability

Published by University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagreb, CROATIA
Sponsored by Ministry Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia