MACHINE MILKING PERFORMANCE OF NILI-RAVI BUFFALOES ON DIFFERENT PRE-MILKING STIMULATION PRACTICES - M. Q. Shahid; M. Abdullah; J. A. Bhatti; K. Javed; M. E. Babar; M. A. Jabbar; I. A. Zahid (Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 2012)
Performance of Nili-Ravi buffaloes was evaluated on different stimulations during machine milking. Eighteen buffaloes in 2nd to 3rd lactation were subjected to six different pre-milking stimulation practices each for eight successive milking according to switch over design. Three days adjustment interval was provided before each treatment. Stimulation practices (P) i.e. parlor milking (PM) with no manual stimulation (MS), PM with 1 minute MS, PM with 2 minute MS, out-parlor milking (OM) with no MS, OM with 1 minute MS, and OM with 2 minute MS designated as P1, P2, P3, P4, P5 and P6, respectively. The buffaloes were given free access to green Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) and concentrate was offered @ 1 kg/ 2.5 kg of milk produced. The data on milk ejection time, machine on time, total milking time, average milk flow rate, and milk yield were analyzed. Shorter milk ejection time (3.11 ± 0.28 minute) and shorter machine on time (12.42 ± 0.35 minute) was recorded in buffaloes on P3. P2 caused shortest total milking time (13.43 ± 0.37 minutes). Milk yield in P4 was lowest (P<0.05). It is concluded that manual pre-milking stimulation along with concentrate feeding improved the milking performance of buffaloes in terms of milk ejection time, machine on time, milk flow rate and total milking time. It is suggested that at least one minute manual stimulation and in parlor concentrate feeding should be done to promote machine milking in buffaloes.
Keywords: journal article; machine milking; buffaloes; manual stimulation; milking performance