Dairy farming is one of the main means of income for lakhs of Indian farmers. But daily milking by hand is exhausting, time-consuming, and painful to both the milker and the animal. With the arrival of technology in villages, machine milking is now being practiced by many farmers, which is quicker, more hygienic, and easier on the animal's udder. For those who rear buffaloes or cows, this process is a sensible move in animal husbandry.
Today's milking machines operate by forming a soft vacuum that sucks milk from the udder through a tube into a bucket or milk can. It replicates how a calf sucks milk by stimulating the teat and extracting the milk without causing pain. If installed and operated correctly, the machine can take out all the milk harmlessly within a few minutes.
Why Should Farmers Use Machine Milking?
There are numerous reasons why machine milking is gaining ground among dairy farmers. To start with, it conserves time. An efficient machine can milk 1.5 to 2 litres every minute, meaning one buffalo or cow can be milked within 4 to 6 minutes. Farmers with large herds find it of great utility since it saves them from the need to employ many people to milk them.
Secondly, the device is user-friendly. Once simple training is given, even women and old members of the family can use it. The most wonderful thing about it is that it does not require electricity all the time. There are models that operate on battery or manual use, which are ideal for rural regions as well.
Machine milking also keeps the area clean. There is no possibility of hair or dirt entering the milk when machine milking is done, unlike hand milking. This extends the shelf life of the milk and makes it even better in quality. The cow or buffalo also experiences less pain because the suction is gentle and constant. Many animals even become accustomed to the machine and seem to like the process after they become accustomed to it.
Special Machines for Buffaloes
Buffaloes are not the same as cows. Their udder and teats have a different shape and require slightly higher suction and a heavier milking cluster. Special buffalo milking machines have been designed in India with better designs.
Research has confirmed that buffaloes produce more milk within a shorter time if the vacuum pressure and pulsation rate are optimally adjusted. For instance, a vacuum of approximately 56 kPa and a pulsation rate of 65 to 70 cycles per minute provides maximum performance. High vacuum will damage the udder and contribute to somatic cell count, which is an indicator of infection or stress. Therefore, there has to be balance.
In recent Indian trials with machines such as Duovac, buffaloes performed better in terms of let-down (milk flow), particularly when milk flow was more than 200 grams per minute. Such machines automatically adjust based on the amount of milk flowing and are therefore gentle and effective.
How to Introduce Machine Milking in Your Farm
Sudden introduction of a machine will frighten animals. Therefore, farmers have to adopt a slow and friendly manner. Begin with young buffaloes (known as heifers) which are not accustomed to any method of milking. They can be accustomed to the machine earlier compared to mature animals.
First, milk your animals in the normal way but operate the vacuum pump in the process. This will accustom buffaloes to the sound. Do this for a few days. Then, place the machine close to them while milking and allow them to see and smell it. Some will attempt to lick or even bite the pipes and this is normal. Just ensure that they do not destroy it.
Once they are calm around the machine, begin using it slowly. While attaching the machine, the milker should stay beside the buffalo, speak softly, and even stroke her gently. This helps the animal stay relaxed and improves milk flow.
If a buffalo is still frightened or does not want to relax milk, do not insist. Keep on hand milking that animal until it recovers. Insisting can upset the entire herd.
Training and Maintenance Are Must
Simply purchasing the machine is insufficient. The owner who uses it should be trained either by a company expert or a local veterinarian. Training covers operating the machine, cleaning it on a daily basis, maintaining vacuum pressure levels, and inspecting for damage.
The machine should also be thoroughly cleaned after every use. Otherwise, bacteria will develop and spoil the subsequent batch of milk. Regular checks should also be done to make sure no parts are cracked or leaking.
Benefits That Farmers Can Count On
Machine milking is not only new, but also lucrative. It enables farmers to produce more milk faster and with fewer people. The milk is cleaner and safer to drink, hence more desirable in the marketplace. It also enhances the udder's health since it minimizes hand pressure as well as irregular milking.
For farmers who are considering upgrading their dairy enterprise, this is an action that is worth considering. With good guidance, a farmer can transition from hand milking to machine milking without a hitch and begin seeing the results within weeks.
Machine milking is the future of dairy farming. With its convenience, quickness, and cleanliness, it is ideal for today's farmers who desire more returns for less tough work. The key is in correct training, gentle introduction, and regular maintenance of the machine. With proper use, machine milking not only conserves time and effort but also enhances milk quality and animal welfare. It's high time our dairy farmers adopt this simple yet effective transition.
