Blind milking
When machine milking which is sphincter of the teat canal by applying a vacuum opened. This happens once a second for about 0.4 seconds. If no milk flows out of the teat during this time , it is called blind milking . This can lead to irritation of the teat canal skin, which can lead to inflammation of the udder. Blind milking can occur at the beginning or at the end of the milking process .
Blind milking at the beginning of the milking process
Before milking, the milk is stored in the glandular tissue of the udder , similar to a sponge. By massaging the udder ( arming ), the cow releases the hormone oxytocin . This hormone causes muscle contractions in the udder tissue and thus pushes the milk out. If the equipment has not been adequately prepared, the milk flow may decrease shortly after the start of milking and blind milking may result.
Blind milking at the end of the milking process
Blind milking can occur particularly frequently in milking systems without automatic removal, if the milker does not remove the milking cluster immediately after the milk delivery has ended. This is particularly common in larger milking parlors and when there are too many milking clusters per milker in the tied stall . But even with a correctly set automatic removal system, it cannot be ruled out that the four teats (udder quarters) of a cow each have their own glandular tissue and therefore deliver different amounts of milk. Towards the end of the milking process it happens that some quarters have already been milked empty while others are still giving milk. Classic milking machines then simply keep milking, occasionally withdrawing blood from the udder. Blind milking is inevitable here with old machines, but more modern machines put down the individual teat cups when the corresponding teat is empty.