Milking management practices and IMI in Jersey crossbred cows in changing scenario

Abstract

Experiment was conducted on Jersey crossbred cows (12) to compare 2 management practices viz. hand and machine milking. Field investigations were also carried out on other milking management practices, IMI, hygiene status and cleanliness in 3 stages. A total of 459 milk samples were analysed. Farm experimentation revealed that SCC and MCMT were significantly higher in hand milking as compared to machine milking management. But milk yield and milk extraction rate were significantly lower in hand milking as compared to machine milkingmanagement. The time required for milking/animal was significantly higher in hand milking as compared to machine milking management. The morning and evening milk samples of both hand and machine milking showed higher values of SCC, MCMT, pH during evening as compared to morning session but milk yield and milk extraction rate were lower during evening as compared to morning session whereas time required for milking/animal was higher in morning as compared to evening time. Almost similar trend of fat and SNF (%) were estimated in both milking session. Field investigation indicated that SCC, MCMT, pH were higher in IMI animal as compared to no-IMI animal whereas fat and SNF were lower in IMI animal as compared to no IMI animal. Teat dipping and screening of udders for mastitis were never followed by any farmer. Most of farmer having single cow, maintained good hygiene status and cleanliness but most of the farmer having >3 cows, maintained poor hygiene status. Farm experimentation concluded that the IMI can be reduced in machine milking practices in comparison to hand milking practices with higher milk quantity without affecting milk composition in Jersey crossbred cows. Field investigation concluded that there is a significant association between animal keeping pattern and hygiene status/cleanliness at study area. So efforts should be made to increase cleanliness and hygiene status in milking cows itself, housing of animal and milkers of farmer’s house to reduce incidence of IMI in changing scenario.