Short-Term Pre-Milking Stimulation and Milk Ejection Reflex in Dairy Cows

Abstract

Enhancing cow productivity and maintaining udder health are among the key factors for the timely activation of the milk ejection reflex, which is directly associated with the effectiveness of pre-milking stimulation. However, despite existing studies addressing these issues, the physiological response of cows to these procedures remains insufficiently substantiated. It has been established that the milking technology for Brown Swiss cows in a milking parlor equipped with a “Parallel” (2 × 20) system, accompanied by light classical music, ensures, first, conditioned-reflex stimulation of the milk ejection reflex prior to the start of preparatory procedures (98.6 s). Second, unconditioned-reflex stimulation occurs through short-term (4.5 s) wet cleaning and massage of the teat surface using the brushes of a manual massager-cleaner. The second conditioned-reflex stimulation is ensured by the delay time before attaching the milking unit to the cows’ udders (62.8 s). It has been established that in cows with a single milking yield of 20.5 kg, the average and maximum milk flow rates are 3.39 and 4.74 kg·min^-1, respectively, whereas in cows with a productivity level of 14.5 kg, these indicators do not fall below 3.49 and 5.23 kg·min^-1, respectively. It has been determined that cows’ readiness for milking defines the level of milk ejection activity, whereas the magnitude of a single milking yield is not of significant importance. Stereotypical conditioned and unconditioned reflex stimulations ensure a high level of animals’ readiness for milk ejection.