When is it time to change your milking liners?

To maintain peak performance, industry best practice recommends changing liners every 2,500 milkings.

If you haven’t changed your liners recently, now is the time. Staying ahead of wear and tear will help prevent mastitis, maintain consistent milk flow, and keep your dairy operation running smoothly.

Why change your liners now?

Many dairy farmers overlook liner replacement until problems arise. However, waiting too long can lead to avoidable issues, including:

Increased mastitis risk: Worn-out liners harbour bacteria, raising the likelihood of udder infections and somatic cell count spikes.

Reduced milking efficiency: As liners lose their flexibility, they fail to form a proper vacuum seal, leading to slower, less efficient milking and more cup slippage.

Lower milk yield: Ineffective liners contribute to incomplete milk-out, reducing overall production and quality. By proactively changing your liners now, you can ensure your system operates at its best before issues arise.

Understanding the 2,500 milking rule

DairyNZ recommends changing liners after 2,500 milkings to maintain milk quality and cow comfort. To determine when you should change your liners, follow this simple calculation:

• Multiply the number of cows milked by the number of milkings per day.
• Divide 2,500 by the result to find out how often you need to replace your liners.

For example, if you milk 400 cows twice daily in a 40-bail rotary system:

• (400 cows × 2 milkings) / 40 bails = 20 milkings per liner per day
• 2,500 / 20 = 125 days between liner changes

Regular replacement ensures your liners perform at their best, helping you get the most from your herd.

Choosing the right liners for your herd

Selecting the right milking liners is as important as changing them on time. Skellerup offers quality solutions with proven performance with our Reflex and VacPlus ranges, designed for durability, efficiency, and cow comfort.

Reflex Liners:  Engineered for high-flow efficiency and consistent milking performance, Reflex liners are a quality solution when using round milking liners.

VacPlus Liners: VacPlus liners are a square milking liner that provide an even vacuum seal, reducing cup slippage and improving overall milking efficiency and cow comfort.