Milking management practices and IMI in Jersey crossbred cows in changing scenario

Experiment was conducted on Jersey crossbred cows (12) to compare 2 management practices viz. hand andmachine milking. Field investigations were also carried out on other milking management practices, IMI, hygienestatus and cleanliness in 3 stages. A total of 459 milk samples were analysed. Farm experimentation revealed thatSCC and MCMT were significantly higher in hand milking as compared to machine milking management. Butmilk yield and milk extraction rate were significantly lower in hand milking as compared to machine milkingmanagement. The time required for milking/animal was significantly higher in hand milking as compared to machinemilking management. The morning and evening milk samples of both hand and machine milking showed highervalues of SCC, MCMT, pH during evening as compared to morning session but milk yield and milk extraction ratewere lower during evening as compared to morning session whereas time required for milking/animal was higherin morning as compared to evening time. Almost similar trend of fat and SNF (%) were estimated in both milkingsession. Field investigation indicated that SCC, MCMT, pH were higher in IMI animal as compared to no-IMIanimal whereas fat and SNF were lower in IMI animal as compared to no IMI animal. Teat dipping and screeningof udders for mastitis were never followed by any farmer. Most of farmer having single cow, maintained goodhygiene status and cleanliness but most of the farmer having >3 cows, maintained poor hygiene status. Farmexperimentation concluded that the IMI can be reduced in machine milking practices in comparison to hand milkingpractices with higher milk quantity without affecting milk composition in Jersey crossbred cows. Field investigationconcluded that there is a significant association between animal keeping pattern and hygiene status/cleanliness atstudy area. So efforts should be made to increase cleanliness and hygiene status in milking cows itself, housing ofanimal and milkers of farmer’s house to reduce incidence of IMI in changing scenario.