Is it time to change your liners and rubberware?

All rubberware should be changed regularly. With milking machines, liners and tube having to meet strict hygiene regulation. Rubber liners, for example, last around 2500 milkings and deteriorate with time and usage. What you might not be able to see with the naked eye, is surface damage made to the liner over time, which can be a breeding ground for bacteria and can cause damage to cows’ teats, increasing the risk of infection.

As the only part of the milking shed that comes into contact with the cows’ teats, liners have a direct impact on your herd health. What you might not realise, is liners are one of the hardest working parts of the dairy shed – opening and closing over 2.5 million times during use. They’re also exposed to high temperatures and harsh chemicals to keep them clean, but these can contribute to the breakdown of the rubber and mean milk deposits end up left on the surface over time.

Studies show that between 2000-3000 milkings the level of damage to the teat increases significantly. This form of damage to the cow’s teat means it loses natural resistance to bacteria and pathogens, leading to incidences of mastitis and higher somatic cell count.

Stretching your liners to last is a false economy, so it pays to be on top of your liners and change them regularly to maintain your milk quality and the health of your herd.

If you have any questions or would like to order liners for your dairy shed, contact Nind Dairy Services on 0800 50 22 50 or email dairy@nind.co.nz.