Development of a milk transfer adapted to the milking machine vacuum

Abstract

It was intended to study the viability of the milk transfer adapted to the vacuum piping of the milking machine, present its composition, its functioning and indicators in the aspects of labor and milk quality. The study was conducted on a farm in the municipality of Piranguinho – Brazil, where milk is produced with family farming characteristics during the period of August of 2015 to June of 2016. The data were collected through visits performed on farms where interviews and observations about the use of the equipment were done. Results of milk analyses over a period with and without the use of transfer were utilized, aiming to investigate possible alterations of milk quality. Among the results found, the making of the milk transfer adapted to the vacuum milking machine stands out, with low cost pieces. Its functionality in the milk transportation from the milking parlor to the cooling tank was found in substitution to the hand carrying in cans. There was no significant interaction of milk quality in the total bacterial count when compared with the periods with or without milk transfer.