How much room should the cow have on the milking platform?
The space provided on the milking platform is critical for cow comfort and the dimensions should accommodate the largest cow size in the herd now and in the future. Better to provide more room than less and allow for adjustable breast rails where possible. • The platform should slope away from the pit by 2-3%. This way, water and effluent flows away from the rear of the cow. • Breast to rump rail space should be in the range of 13501700 mm. The best way to determine appropriate sizing is to measure a number of larger cows in the current herd. • Too much space from breast to rump rail allows cows too much movement this makes clusters harder to attach from the pit. Too little space will cramp cows. • Allowances should be made for changes to cow size in the future adjustable breast rails are ideal. • The rump rail should be above the eye level of the milker with splash guards draining to a gutter on the pit side of the rump rail. • On rotary platforms kick rails and rump rails are located
