Milking frequency increases, pressure on equipment rises, and there’s little room for downtime once the season is in full swing. That’s why June is a key window to step back and ensure your rubberware setup is ready to perform.
Rubberware issues often develop gradually but tend to surface at the worst time – when cows are moving through the shed faster, milkings are longer, and there’s limited capacity to stop and troubleshoot. Pre-calving presents the opportunity to carry out a thorough check: address wear, confirm compatibility, and reset your system before those pressures begin.
Small components, big impact
Rubberware is one of the most heavily worked parts of the milking system. Liners, milk tubing, clusters and claws all play a direct role in milking efficiency, teat health and milk quality. When one component underperforms, the impact is rarely isolated – it can show up as cup slip, incomplete milk-out, or rising somatic cell counts.
A full rubberware reset should start with milking liners. DairyNZ recommends replacing liners after 2,500 milkings, they gradually lose elasticity, absorb fats and chemicals, and develop fine wear. Even when deterioration isn’t immediately visible, reduced flexibility or subtle distortion can compromise the seal, affect teat massage, and increase cup slip.
Check fit, compatibility & condition
Ensuring components are correctly matched and installed is just as important. Small variations in claw size, liner fit, or tubing alignment can place strain on rubberware, leading to premature wear or inconsistent performance.
Milk tubing is another commonly overlooked area. Because it operates continuously, deterioration can be gradual. Internal build-up or external cracking can restrict flow and introduce hygiene risks. Pre-calving is an ideal time to replace milk tubing as part of a seasonal renewal programme, before it becomes a limitation during peak production.
Set your system up for the season ahead
System-wide performance is critical. Vacuum stability, pulsation efficiency, and cluster alignment all rely on rubberware working together as a complete system. Minor inefficiencies may go unnoticed during quieter periods but become more pronounced as herd size and milking frequency increase.
If you’re making changes this season – such as switching liner types, adjusting herd size, or updating clusters – now is the time to ensure everything is compatible. Changes made without reviewing the full system can create mismatches that only become apparent once calving is underway.
New shed? Take the time to understand the setup
June is also a common time for sharemilkers or individuals to step into new sheds. Every system is slightly different, and even experienced operators benefit from understanding how rubberware is configured.
A quick early assessment can help avoid assumptions and ensure everything is performing as expected from day one.
Bring in a second set of eyes
Skellerup’s Rubberware Review service supports pre-season preparation. Our certified NZMPTA specialists can assess your full rubberware setup on-farm, identify potential issues, and provide practical recommendations tailored to your system. It’s a straightforward way to gain confidence that everything is operating as it should before calving begins.
While monthly checks remain best practice, a seasonal review at this point in the calendar can make a meaningful difference to performance and reliability. Small adjustments made now can help prevent larger issues later, when there is less time to respond.
Get in touch today, contact your local Farm Source store to book a free on-farm Rubberware Review with Skellerup.
Article supplied by Skellerup
