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If milking goes smoothly, you’ll see the cow remain calm during milking and a consistent milk yield. As soon as you notice frequent kicking, long milking times, or teats that clearly look “damaged” over time, this is usually no coincidence. In that case, it’s worth re-evaluating the milking process, because teat stress builds up quickly.

With a properly adjusted milking process, milking should not cause pain. Pain or irritation mainly occurs when the teat is subjected to unnecessary stress for too long or with too much force, for example due to restless milking or a pulsation/vacuum setting that does not suit the herd. You see that discomfort not only in behavior, but often also in teat condition and later in udder health.

A milking machine for cows is the system that makes milking technically possible, based on vacuum control and pulsation. The milking system goes a step further and also encompasses everything else involved, such as settings, cleaning, and the daily routine. A milking robot automates the milking process and places high demands on repeatability, as each cow must consistently perform at the same level multiple times a day. In all these situations, the behavior of the milking cluster on the teat plays a greater role than many people realize.

The teat end is the natural barrier against bacteria. If that barrier becomes damaged or structurally irritated, it becomes easier for pathogens to enter. You often notice this when the incidence of mastitis increases or when the somatic cell count (SCC) rises (gradually). Teat condition is therefore not a minor detail, but an early indicator. If it is not in good condition, have it inspected or check it yourself.

Teat hyperkeratosis is a thickening at the teat end that you can recognize by a rough edge or a hard ring. Sometimes you see flaking; other times, you mainly notice that the teat end becomes coarser or takes on a darker color. It usually develops due to repeated strain during the milking process and worsens if the teat ends get little rest.

A liner is not a treatment in itself, but it does determine how the load on the teat is distributed. If the pressure is better distributed and the massage is gentler, the teat end has a better chance to recover. At ™AktivPULS, we regularly see in practice that teat condition improves by changing the teat liner.

Teat tip damage itself does not have the greatest impact on the cow, but its consequences do. It means that the seal after milking is compromised. This makes it easier for bacteria to penetrate, especially if the infection pressure in the environment is higher. If you observe this in multiple cows, it is wise to look not only at care practices but also at the milking process itself.

Mastitis is the Latin term for udder inflammation. It is almost always caused by a bacterial infection entering through the teat, causing the udder to respond with inflammation. Sometimes it manifests immediately as clinical mastitis. Other times, it remains subclinical and is primarily detected through somatic cell count (SCC) and a drop in milk production.

In clinical mastitis, you may notice abnormal milk, such as flakes or watery consistency. A hard or very hot quarter is also common. In the data, this shows up as rising somatic cell counts or abnormalities in measurements. If the pattern repeats, it’s wise to also look at the milk load, as it affects teat resistance.

The cause is rarely a single factor. Mastitis is usually the result of infection pressure combined with the cow’s low resistance or teat vulnerability. This vulnerability can increase due to a milking process that is too aggressive, provides too few rest periods, or simply results from damage. Hygiene before, during, and after milking remains important, but the stress placed on the teats by the milking system determines the condition of the teats.

Treatment follows your farm protocol and the agreements with your veterinarian. Another immediate step you can take is to reduce additional stress on the teats. This aids recovery and lowers the chance that the same cow will experience problems again soon. Wondering if this is relevant for your farm?

The somatic cell count (SCC) is a common measure of udder health. Lower is often better. Around 100 is generally a good indicator of good health. A count of 250 to 300 or higher often indicates structural stress. If the somatic cell count (SCC) rises, it’s wise to take a broad view: look not only at individual cows, but also at farm routines and milking techniques.

Blood in cow’s milk can have various causes. It may be associated with an acute infection, it can occur around calving, but it can also indicate mechanical stress on the teat. If you see this more often at the same milking station/milking claw or within the same group, it makes sense to include your settings, milk yield, and feeding conditions in the assessment. With AktivPULS, our “Milk Monitoring Glass” offers an option to assess milk quality per teat during milking.

If abnormalities recur after a change in settings or if the pattern repeats in a specific group of cows, this is often an indication that the process is a factor. In that case, a technical check is often more effective than continuing to make corrections based on symptoms.

Generally speaking, there are two types of materials used for nipple liners: rubber and silicone. Both have their own qualities and properties. There are also hybrid options that combine rubber and silicone.

There isn’t one material that’s better than the other. Both materials are very different. Rubber has higher elasticity but milks a bit more aggressively. It often has a lifespan of 2,500 milkings. Silicone liners have a lifespan of 10,000 milkings, which is significantly longer, though they have slightly less elasticity after their lifespan. Silicone liners often provide a better pumping experience by putting less strain on the nipple.

Yes. ™AktivPULS liners are used in milking parlors and milking robots. They are compatible with multiple brands and systems. This allows you to improve your milking process within your existing systems. Contact us to find out what it takes to enhance your setup.

™AktivPULS has three features designed to promote teat health and milking efficiency: 

Air vent in the head for controlled air flow

45-degree angle for stable vacuum during the milking process

7 massage zones for targeted, gentler massage. This provides a natural milking sensation.

The results depend on your specific situation and settings, but there are several KPIs that we regularly observe when the system is used correctly. ™AktivPULS has a lifespan three times longer than rubber and shows an average milk flow rate that is 11 percent higher. There are also real-world examples where SCC clearly decreases, such as a drop from 170 to 63. ™AktivPULS is used by more than 2,500 dairy farmers, in both conventional milking parlors and with milking robots.