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The Problem

The role of milking equipment

Reattaching clusters can significantly increase the workload of the milker during the busy milking time.  An unbalanced cluster puts uneven weight across the four quarters, increasing the chance of liner slip or cluster kick-off. Even if the cluster is reattached or repositioned, the milk let-down is interrupted, making complete emptying unlikely. In turn, this can impact the cows’ health and milk yields.

An unbalanced cluster, applying uneven weight across the four quarters can cause teat end damage and increase the chances of mastitis developing, requiring antibiotic therapy and resulting in loss of saleable milk.

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Simple & Effective

Lactalign is a simple to use and cost-effective cluster support, engineered to evenly present the cluster under the cow, providing equal weight and vacuum across all four quarters.

"Mastitis remains one of the most significant production diseases for UK dairy farmers. In 2014, the Cattle Health and Welfare Group estimated the average cost of a case of clinical mastitis was £225 with the prevalence running at 47%. While significant improvements in clinical incidence have been reported over the past 20 years, the economic impact of this crippling disease needs to be further mitigated.

While the causes of an initial mastitis infection are multi-factorial, one area that is recognised as important is the correct functioning and operation of the milking equipment. Within this broad definition, even and complete milking is important, which can be significantly affected by the position of the milking cluster. To ensure even and complete milking, it is important that the milking cluster is presented correctly under the cow, with even weight distribution on all 4 quarters.”

 

Ian Ohnstad, Farmers Weekly 2021 Livestock Adviser of the Year

Along with being an internationally recognised specialist in milking technology, Ian is the Chairman of the British Mastitis Conference and is on the Board of Directors of the National Mastitis Council in the USA. He is an active member of the Central Mastitis Review Group and sits on the AHDB Dairy Mastitis Control steering group.

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