Characterisation of milk ejection dynamics in dairy buffaloes based on Lactocorder ® measurements

Current milking protocols for dairy buffaloes are often adapted from cattle, despite physiological and behavioural differences between the species. This study aimed to characterise milk ejection dynamics in Italian Mediterranean buffaloes and provide indications for species-specific milking protocols. Data was collected from 798 lactating buffaloes across four commercial farms between March and September 2024, for a total of 2768 individual milking records. Milk ejection traits were measured using a Lactocorder® device, recording peak milk flow rate (HMF), maximum milk yield per minute (HMG), total milking time (tMGG), milk yield during the first three minutes, and overmilking, defined as the time from milk flow <0.20 kg/min to cluster detachment. Traits were analysed using a generalised mixed model including farm, days in milk (DIM), parity, milk yield class, and month as fixed effects. On average, 21% of milk was released in the first minute, 46% by the second, and 66% by the third. Farms differed significantly in tMGG and overmilking (p < 0.05), which in turn were positively correlated (r = +0.43). HMF and HMG peaked in early lactation and declined over time (p < 0.05), whereas DIM did not affect tMGG or overmilking. Parity influenced most traits: second-parity buffaloes had the highest HMF and HMG (1.82 and 1.66 kg/min), while tMGG was longest in ≥5-parity buffaloes (7.83 min) and shortest in primiparous animals (7.00 min). These results indicate that extended milking may be unnecessary, increasing overmilking risk, and that multiparous buffaloes require closer monitoring and farm-specific detachment settings to improve efficiency, udder health, and welfare.