When to change liners

The industry standard from DairyNZ is to change liners after 2,500 milkings. Liner shape, tension and inner surface condition deteriorates over time affecting their milking performance. If you pass 2,500 milkings, your liners may show:

• Flex cracking in the barrel. Increased risk of liners splitting. Bacteria growth in flex cracks can contaminate milk and impact your grade.
• Mineral deposit build-up. Mineral deposits lead to an abrasive liner surface, damaging teats and increasing the risk of infection.
• Liner mouthpiece and barrel distortion. The result of swelling from milkfat and chemical absorption. Liner mounting tension is critical for pulsation and maintaining a high flow rate from the teat while stimulating milk flow. Incomplete milk out can contribute to higher somatic cell counts (SCC) and an increased risk of mastitis. Worn-out liners lead to lost performance due to cup slip and increased average milking time.

Regular milk liner replacement and maintenance supports milk production, quality and animal health. A key consideration is to check you’re using the right milking liner to fit your herd and their teat size. An unsuitable choice of liner can cause teat end damage, cup slips and cluster falls.

For recommendations and expert advice on liner selection and maintenance, request a free dairy shed survey with your local Skellerup Technical Specialist below.