Milkability and milking efficiency improvement in Murciano-Granadina breed goats

• We have a problem of slow milking our goats.
• We did a review of the issues affecting milking time and milkability.
• The strength of the teat sphincter proved to be the most limiting factor.
• A higher vacuum level and pulsation ratio was the only solution.

The aim of this study was to verify the effect of cluster, udder characteristics and milking parameters on milkability and milking efficiency of Murciano-Granadina breed goats, in order to improve them. The cluster used is well adapted to the goats, except that the teat-floor distance is too short for the teat-cup used and the cluster rests on the platform instead of hanging from the udder, something apparently attributed to a poor udder conformation rather than an excessively long teat-cup. Udder parameters studied are classified as medium or medium-high by the Murciano-Granadina breed association, and do not seem to represent a problem for good milkability except for the teat sphincter strength, which reduced milk flows (P < 0.001) and increased milking times (P < 0.001). Maintaining 60% as pulsator ratio, a combination 42 kPa:120 ppm (vacuum level:pulsator rate) milking parameters reduced total milking time by 22 s per goat compared to 40 kPa:90 ppm, commonly used in this flock, but increased teat thickness measured before and after milking. Studies of longer duration are needed to ensure that the new milking parameters do not affect the udder health status.