Milkability of the improved valachian ewes during machine milking

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the reaction of Improved Valachian ewes to machine milking and also to assess their milking characteristics. Bimodality is one of the most important indicators of milk ejection reflex during milking without the udder stimulation. The milk ejection reflex is an essential component for complete milk removal during milking. The trial was performed with 107 Improved Valachian ewes. Ewes were milked twice daily for two consecutive days in April at rotary milking machine with 36 milking stalls. The equipment for graduated electronic milk recording in jar was used. A computer was used for recording the level of milk in jar at the second intervals. A total of 83 milk flow curves were evaluated. These curves were classified into five groups: 1 peak (1P), 2 peaks, bimodal curves (2P), plateau I (PLI, peak flow over 0.4 l/min), plateau II (PLII, peak flow less than 0.4 l/min) and additional milk flow PL with bimodality (PLB). The ratio of different curve types (1P:2P:PLI:PLII:PLB) was 27:51:11:6:5%. The highest milk production was found in ewes with PLI (0.767 ± 0.053 l) as compared with PLB (0.497 ± 0.079 l), 2P (0.433 ± 0.024 l), 1P (0.250 ± 0.033 l) and the lowest milk production was measured in ewes with PLII (0.237 ± 0.070 l). Obtained results indicate relatively high percentage of 1P milk flow pattern but more measurements is required to specify the ability of Improved Valachian to machine milking.