Behavior, milk yield, and milk composition of machine-and hand-milked Murgese mares.

The study aimed to compare the effects of machine and hand milking on the behavior, milk yield and composition in Murgese mares. The findings suggest that machine milking potentially increases milk yield and fat content without any negative impacts on mare behavior or the mare-human relationship.

Research Methodology

• The research was conducted through a 25-day trial involving eight Murgese mares.
• The trial aimed to understand if the method of milking, by machine or by hand, affected mare behavior or the yield and composition of the milk.

Results of the Research

• The study concluded that machine-milked mares produced a higher milk yield (7.69kg) compared to hand-milked mares (4.91kg).
• Machine milking was also found to be time-efficient, taking 1.80 minutes compared to 5.40 minutes spent on hand milking.
• In terms of milk composition, machine milking resulted in a higher fat content (1.63%) than hand milking (1.06%).
• The method of milking had no apparent effect on casein content, nitrogen fractions, or the somatic cell counts in the milk.
• There were no observed differences in the mares’ behavioral activities or their response to human interaction, irrespective of the milking method used.

Research Findings

• From the results, it can be deduced that machine milking of mares is potentially more efficient than hand milking.
• This is due to the increased yield and fat content of the milk from machine-milked mares without causing any behavioural changes in the mares or affecting their relationships with humans.
• However, further research into the long-term effects of these milking methods may be beneficial to fully understand their impact.