The benefits of ensuring milk let-down has occurred include improved milking efficiency and maximised milk production.
Slow milking time and incomplete milking out are indicators of interrupted milk let down.
- Agitated, fearful or stressed cows produce the hormone adrenaline which counteracts the activity of oxytocin and inhibits let down. It may take 20-30 minutes for the effects of adrenaline to subside.
- Pain during the milking process will affect milk let down. Ensure any udder conditions are treated and milking machinery is not hurting cows.
An understanding of how milk let down occurs will help milkers manage the milking process in a way which encourages it and cows that let down just prior to cup attachment will milk out more completely.