B.A. Slaghuis

Papers

Total Citations

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About

B.A. Slaghuis is a dairy science researcher whose work has made significant contributions to understanding milk quality in the context of modern automated milking technologies. Specializing in the intersection of robotic milking systems and raw milk composition, Slaghuis has focused particularly on the practical challenges that emerge when traditional dairy farms transition to automatic milking (AM) systems. Their most influential work, a 2003 comparative study across Dutch, German, and Danish dairy farms (49 citations), provided critical early evidence of how robotic milking affects bacterial counts, somatic cell counts, freezing point, and free fatty acid (FFA) levels — key indicators of milk quality and commercial viability. This was complemented by a 2004 investigation into the specific factors driving elevated FFA concentrations in automatically milked herds, a concern linked to off-flavours in consumer dairy products. Slaghuis also tackled the practical hygiene challenges inherent to automation, evaluating teat cleaning efficiency across all major AM system brands, including DeLaval. Collectively, this body of work has helped establish evidence-based hygiene and quality standards for the rapidly growing automated milking industry, making it essential reading for dairy scientists, farm advisors, and agricultural engineers worldwide.