Intuitively one would suspect that because frequent milking increases exposure to the mechanical forces applied during milking it also would increase the occurrence of "inverted" teat ends, or teat end hyperkeratosis, and risk for clinical mastitis. However, when considering the effects of frequent milking on udder health one should recognize that teat end hyperkeratosis is probably a natural response to milking as some degree of teat end hyperkeratosis occurs in a significant proportion of animals in all herds. Moreover, only very severe teat end hyperkeratosis is associated with an increased risk of clinical mastitis and mild to moderate teat end hyperkeratosis actually decreases the risk for SCC >199,000 cells/mL when compared with "normal" teat ends.

Maybe more importantly, previous reports investigating the effects of increasing milking frequency during early lactation have indicated that frequent milking has either no effect on SCC or even decreases SCC. In addition, when comparing a traditional 2X/d milking to cows on automated milking systems, animals on automated milking systems often visit the robot more frequently without exhibiting an increase in teat end hyperkeratosis.

Finally, when considering the effects of frequent milking on udder health, remember that when calves are allowed to nurse they feed an average of 7 times per day for over 45 min/d. Therefore, management strategies such as 3X or 4X milking during early lactation appear mild at best when compared to the natural feeding interval of the calf. What appears to be a more important factor than milking frequency on teat end health is proper maintenance of the milking equipment. This includes ensuring that vacuum pressure is correct and that the automatic take-offs are set on a moderate setting to prevent over-milking.