Abstract: A method of milking an animal comprises determining the identity of the animal and discharging the milk obtained by milking the identified animal to a storage container. The identity of the animal is determined after connecting a teat cup to a teat of the animal or after confining the animal in a milking place and before discharging the milk to the storage container. An installation for milking an animal is provided with a determination device for determining the identity of the animal, a transport arrangement for transporting milk to a storage container for storing the milk and with a control unit for controlling the determination device and the transport arrangements. The control unit is programmed for additionally determining the identity of the animal after connecting a teat cup to a teat of the animal or after confining the animal in a milking place and before discharging the milk to the storage container.

Abstract: A method of milking animals and cleaning at least a part of a milking device for milking animals, such as cows, is disclosed. The method comprising the steps of connecting at least one teat cup to a teat of an animal to be milked, milking the animal, cleaning at least a part of the milking device that has come into contact with the animal and/or with the milk from the animal, the very first cleaning step comprising cleaning and/or disinfecting said part of the milking device with steam, and a further cleaning step comprising treating with a fluid at least that part of the milking device that has been treated with steam.

Abstract: An unmanned vehicle for use in a stable such as a cowshed is provided with detection components for determining meteorological conditions. The detection components comprise sensors for determining temperature, air velocity, gas, analysis, light, air pressure, and air humidity. The detection sensors are disposed at different heights on the vehicle and on a telescopic carrier for providing determinations at variable altitudes. The vehicle includes a data processing unit for storing and analyzing data. The vehicle also includes a transmitting unit and signaling device for transfer of data and for alerting an operator of threatening meteorological conditions and when they become hostile. Composition and quantity of feed which is provided to animals in the stable is varied dependent on changes in climate detected by the vehicle.

Abstract: A device for determining the teat positions of a dairy animal after milking. The device is provided with at least one position-measuring device for determining a position of a teat prior to the milking of the dairy animal and for emitting a position signal corresponding to the teat position. The position-measuring device generates individual teat position signals and a control unit determines on the basis of the teat position signals determined before the milking, planes of symmetry extending substantially parallel to the teats. The expected positions are calculated with respect to the planes of symmetry.

Abstract: An assembly and method for feeding and milking animals is disclosed. The assembly is provided with an area where the animals are allowed to move freely, with a number of juxtaposed feeding stations for the animals, and with a retaining device for retaining an animal at a feeding station. The retaining device can be activated for retaining an animal and can be deactivated for releasing an animal. A mobile milking robot connects at least one teat cup to a teat of an animal, a computer system controlling the operation and movement of the milking robot. The mobile milking robot is a self-propelled mobile milking robot, and the retaining device is fixedly disposed at the feeding station.

Abstract: An assembly and method for feeding and milking animals is disclosed. The assembly is provided with an area where the animals are allowed to move freely, with a number of juxtaposed feeding stations for the animals, and with a retaining device for retaining an animal at a feeding station. The retaining device can be activated for retaining an animal and can be deactivated for releasing an animal. A mobile milking robot connects at least one teat cup to a teat of an animal, a computer system controlling the operation and movement of the milking robot. The mobile milking robot is a self-propelled mobile milking robot, and the retaining device is fixedly disposed at the feeding station.

Abstract: An assembly and method for feeding and milking animals is disclosed. The assembly is provided with an area where the animals are allowed to move freely, with a number of juxtaposed feeding stations for the animals, and with a retaining device for retaining an animal at a feeding station. The retaining device can be activated for retaining an animal and can be deactivated for releasing an animal. A mobile milking robot connects at least one teat cup to a teat of an animal, a computer system controlling the operation and movement of the milking robot. The mobile milking robot is a self-propelled mobile milking robot, and the retaining device is fixedly disposed at the feeding station.

Abstract: A method of automatically milking a dairy animal by means of an automatic milking device, including successively the steps of automatic connection of a first teat cup to a first teat of the dairy animal, manipulating the first teat cup connected to the first teat to reduce interference with a second teat of the dairy animal, and automatic connection of a second teat cup to a second teat of the dairy animal.

Abstract: A teat cup carrier is designed to be able to co-operate with a feed platform, which teat cup carrier is freely movable relative to the feed platform. The teat cup carrier carries, besides teat cups, further milking elements for milking an animal, the further milking elements including at least a milk storage vessel for storing milk, a milking vacuum source and a pulsation vacuum source. The milk storage vessel is provided with a milk outlet. The freely movable teat cup carrier is in particular a self-propelled (autonomous) mobile teat-cup-carrying robot and comprises a control unit for controlling the functioning of the mobile teat-cup-carrying robot.

Abstract: A device for demarcating an area, in particular for limiting the freedom of movement of animals walking about freely, is provided with a demarcating element (2) that is connected with a first vehicle (1) and with at least a second vehicle (10). At least the first vehicle (1) is provided with a tracking arm structure (3) for making it possible to track a guide element (4) disposed in the area, such as for example a wire fencing. The demarcating element (2) is disposed in a stretched position between the two vehicles (1, 10) in such a way that the demarcating element (2) does not exert force on the tracking arm structure (3).

Abstract: A method of milking an animal having at least two teats. The method comprises a stimulation phase in which the teats of the animal are stimulated and a milking phase in which the animal is milked. The method comprises the steps of applying a stimulation phase and a milking phase to one of the teats of the animal and applying substantially only a milking phase to at least one of the other teats of the animal. The method further comprises a determination phase in which the teat with the shortest period of time in which the teat is milked out is determined, the stimulation phase and the milking phase being applied to the animal's teat with the shortest period of time, and the milking phase being applied substantially only to at least one of the other teats of the animal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for automatically supplying feed and/or drink to an animal, comprising at any rate at least one trough, a flap, a control unit for controlling the flap, so that the flap is capable of being put in an open position and in a closed position for giving the animal access to the trough, respectively preventing the animal from having access to the trough, and an identification device for identifying the animal and for emitting an identification signal that is indicative of the identified animal.

Abstract: A method of milking an animal uses a movable feed platform. The method involves setting the movable feed platform in motion; allowing the animal free access to board the feed platform; connecting a teat cup to a teat of the animal, the teat cup being arranged separately from the feed platform; milking the animal on the feed platform during a milking period; providing the animal a span of time on the feed platform in which the animal is not milked, said span of time having a magnitude amounting to at least approximately half the milking period; and subsequently allowing the animal exit from the feed platform.

Abstract: A method of automatically milking a dairy animal by means of an automatic milking device is disclosed. The method may include successively the steps of: a) automatic connection of a first teat cup to a first teat of the dairy animal, and b) pushing away the first teat cup connected to the first teat. c) automatic connection of a second teat cup to a second teat of the dairy animal after the first teat cup has been connected to the first teat.

Abstract: An assembly for performing an agricultural operation, in particular crop processing. The assembly is provided with an autonomous agricultural machine that is movable over a parcel for performing the agricultural operation, the agricultural machine includes a machine container detachably disposed on the agricultural machine for containing an amount of the product required for performing the agricultural operation. A container for containing a stock of a product required for performing the agricultural operation is also provided and a control-unit automatically moves the agricultural machine to the container where a conveying device automatically exchanges the container with the machine container. Due to the fact that the machine container can be exchanged automatically and quickly with an exchange container, the assembly is relatively efficient in use.

Abstract: A method of automatically milking a dairy animal by means of an automatic milking device is disclosed. The method may include successively the steps of: a) automatic connection of a first teat cup to a first teat of the dairy animal, and b) pushing away the first teat cup connected to the first teat. c) automatic connection of a second teat cup to a second teat of the dairy animal after the first teat cup has been connected to the first teat.

Abstract: A device for managing animal traffic. The device is provided with a frame (2), and comprises a gate (3, 4) that is movably connected with the frame (2). There are provided operating means for opening and closing the gate (3, 4), and control means for controlling the operating means (7, 8). The device comprises a locking device (16) that is controllable by the control means for mechanically locking the gate, in the closed position of the gate, to the frame (2).

Abstract: A device for gripping and displacing material, such as roughage for animals, which device is provided with a gripper (2) for gripping and subsequently displacing the material, and with a collecting device (5) comprising a collecting element (6) for collecting material falling unintentionally from the gripper (2). The device is further provided with an operating element (7) such that, after the material has been gripped by the gripper (2), the collecting element (6) is capable of being brought from an inactive position into a further position in which the collecting element (6) is able to collect material that is lost unintentionally by the gripper (2).

Abstract: A haymaking machine comprising a frame and a rotatable processing member for crop processing. The processing member is connected with the frame and supported from the ground via a supporting device, which comprises at least one balance arm that is mounted on a substantially horizontal pivot axis and is provided with a wheel at each of its ends. During the crop processing, the wheels bear on the ground, the supporting device further being provided with an element for moving, for transport of the haymaking machine, the balance arm about its pivot axis to an oblique position in which the wheel at one of the ends of the balance arm is located at some distance from the ground. The balance arm comprises two balance arm portions that are movable relative to each other, each balance arm portion having a first end and a second end, the balance arm portions supporting the respective wheel at their first end and being interconnected at their second end.

Abstract: A method of milking an animal, in which method a movable milking platform is used. The method comprises the following steps: setting the movable milking platform in motion, allowing an animal access to the milking platform, supplying a sort of feed to an animal on the milking platform, subsequently allowing the animal exit from the milking platform, and milking the animal on the milking platform during a milking period. The method further comprises the step of providing the animal a span of time on the milking platform in which the animal is not milked, the span of time having a magnitude that amounts to at least approximately half the milking period.