Development of Milking Systems and its Impact on Milk Quality

Abstract

This review is aimed to summerise the development of milking systems, which influenced the quality of the milk and milk produced substantially, in past few decades. The milking environment is considered as one of the important factors for clean milk production. The milking systems were developed so as to keep the animal calm and comfortable while milking which is attributed to have an advantageous effect on the quantity of the milk produced. Mechanisation of milking units has decreased the human intervention tremendously, yielding low labour requirement and reduced contamination due to human attributes. Many modernized techniques have been developed to facilitate proper and consistent milking practices. On the other hand, it has also improved the efficiency, safety and comfort of the labours involved in dairying. Quality milk production can only be achieved by adopting modern milking systems and good hygienic practices in and around the farm.