Effects of Pulsation Rates of 44, 55, and 66 and Pulsation ratios of 50:50 and 60:40 on Milking Rate and Milking Time

Sixteen cows were used in a counter-balanced design to study the effects of three pulsation rates and two pulsation ratios on milking rate and milking time.It consisted of four periods (replications), four days in each period, four groups (four cows per group), and four treatments.Three of the treatments were pulsation rates of 44, 55, and 66 each, with a pulsation ratio of 50:50.The fourth treatment (66A) was a pulsation rate of 66 with a pulsation ratio of 60:40.There was a three-day preliminary period before each experimental period, for the cows to adjust to their respective pulsation rates and pulsation ratios.The cows were timed at morning and evening milkings for each four-day experimental period.There was a significant difference between (P < 0.001) Treatment 66A and the three other treatments.Milking rate was faster during the first 2 nfin of milking time and, consequently, the milking time was shorter.Rates of milk flow per interval for Treatments 55 and 66 were significantly faster (P < 0.05) than for Treatment 44 during the first minute of milking, but were about the same for the other intervals.The fastest rate of milk flow for each treatment reached its peak at the 1.5-min interval.There were no significant differences among treatments as to total amount of milk produced.