Abstract: A milking system with a milking device, a milk line, and a sampling and analysis device to sample and analyse the milk are disclosed. The sampling and analysis device includes a control unit, a tape wound on a tape reel, and including a base material with a series of reagent pads arranged to provide a detectable response in the presence of a substance in the sample, a tape mover to move and unwind the tape, a dosing device to provide a part of the sample onto one of the reagent pads, and an optical sensor device to detect optical radiation from said reagent pad with said sample, and to analyse the detected optical radiation to provide an indication of a presence or concentration of said substance. The dosing device includes a displaceable nozzle with a supply line for supplying the sample to the nozzle. The nozzle is arranged for supplying the sample upwardly to the reagent pad.

Abstract: An animal feedstuff processing system for processing animal feedstuff includes an animal feedstuff storage device for storing a pile of animal feedstuff, a separating device for removing a quantity of feedstuff from the pile and including a rotatable separating element and a first drive for the separating element, a movement device with a second drive, and configured for moving the separating device and the pile of feedstuff towards each other. A sensor is arranged for determining a relative position of the separating element with respect to the pile of feedstuff. A controller is configured to control the animal feedstuff processing system. During at least a part of the movement of the separating device and the pile of feedstuff towards each other, the separating device is driven in an idle mode by the first drive, wherein the separating element has no operable contact with the pile of feedstuff.

Abstract: An animal shed system includes an animal shed having an animal shed floor with a first and a second surface spaced apart, such that the floor has a thickness different from zero, and multiple flow holes extending from the first to the second surface; a reservoir situated under the animal shed floor, wherein the flow holes open up to the reservoir, and the flow holes allow a fluid flow from the animal shed to the reservoir; a floor opening in the animal shed floor to allow manure to be dumped in the reservoir; an air extraction device for extracting air underneath the floor, out of the reservoir; and a device extending from the floor opening into the reservoir, wherein the device is configured to prevent an airflow from the animal shed to the reservoir through the floor opening when in use.

Abstract: A method of producing a reagent tape, that includes a base tape layer and a series of consecutive and separate reagent pads of a reagent, is provided for use in a milk sampling device. The milk sampling device is arranged to supply a droplet of a milk sample onto one of the reagent pads on the tape in order to produce a response in the reagent to detect a presence or concentration of a substance in the milk sample. The method includes providing the base tape layer of the reagent tape, applying onto the base tape layer a continuous layer of the reagent, dividing the supplied continuous reagent layer into separate reagent pads by providing a hydrophobic barrier line between said pads. This may be done by laser ablating thin lines of reagent material, or by providing additional hydrophobic material into the layer. Thus, a simple and fast way of providing a tape with pads is obtained, in which a narrow spacing between pads is possible.

Abstract: A system for removing manure from a floor in an animal shed includes an autonomous manure removal vehicle with a manure storage container, which is provided with an interior, and a manure discharge opening for discharging manure from the interior of the manure storage container. A manure introduction device is configured for introducing manure from the floor and moving the introduced manure to the interior of the manure storage container. A dump is provided with a dump opening in the floor for dumping manure from the manure discharge opening of the manure storage container through the dump opening into a manure reservoir which extends under the floor. A flushing device is provided for flushing the interior of the manure storage container with flushing liquid, such as water.

Abstract: An animal husbandry system, wherein a group of animals can move about freely in an area, includes monitoring and analyzing device configured for repeatedly generating images and gathering data therefrom regarding at least one mobile being and/or object in the area, an illumination device provided with a number of illumination elements, each arranged for illuminating at least a subarea of the area, and a controller connected to the monitoring and analyzing device and to the illumination device. The monitoring and analyzing device is configured for determining an image quality value for each generated image and for detecting an insufficient image quality due to an unsuitable illumination intensity in at least one of the subareas. The control device is configured for adjusting said unsuitable illumination intensity in said subarea to a suitable illumination intensity, so that the image quality becomes sufficient.

Abstract: A method, using an autonomous, unmanned device and a control device, includes the steps of automatically harvesting feed crop in a part of a crop field by means of the autonomous, unmanned device; automatically loading the harvested feed crop directly into a storage space provided on the autonomous, unmanned device without said harvested feed crop contacting the soil; choosing a destination location from a feeding location and a stationary crop processing location; automatically transporting the harvested feed crop from the crop field to the chosen destination location by means of the autonomous, unmanned device; and automatically unloading harvested feed from the storage space of the autonomous, unmanned device at the chosen destination location.

Abstract: A milking system includes a device to sample and analyse a milk sample, a sample supply line connected to the milk line, a pump to control the sample flow, an optical radiation source, and an optical sensor device to detect and analyse optical radiation coming from the reagent pad with said sample, to provide an indication of a substance in the sample, a tape mover to move and unwind the tape from the tape reel, and a pump drive releasably operably connected to the pump device for driving the pump device. The sampling and analysis device also includes a cassette with a sample receiving line to receive the sample from the sample supply line, a tape reel with a tape that includes a base tape layer and a series of separate reagent pads, and a dosing device to provide a droplet of the sample onto a reagent pad.

Abstract: A milking system for milking a milking animal includes a teatcup for fitting on a teat of the milking animal, and a measuring chamber connected directly and rigidly thereto. The teatcup has a longitudinal direction, and a first milk outflow orifice for milk outflow parallel to the longitudinal direction. The measuring chamber has a peripheral wall, a milk inlet in fluid communication therewith, a second milk outflow orifice to a milk tube, a vacuum outlet, and a sensor device for determining a property of the milk in the measuring chamber. In a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the measuring chamber has a first inside diameter in a first direction, and a smaller second diameter in a perpendicular second direction.

Abstract: A milking system including a milking means, a milk line, and a sampling and analysis device, that includes an analysis tape, with a carrier layer and a reagent tape layer with a reagent that provides a detectable response in the presence of a substance in the sample, a dosing device, an optical radiation source, and an optical sensor device to detect optical response radiation emitted by the reagent tape layer and to analyse the detected optical response radiation to provide an indication of a presence or concentration of the substance in the droplet. The reagent tape layer includes, or is, a material with an asymmetrical porosity, having the largest pore size at a first side where the sample is provided, and the smallest pore size at the opposite side.

Abstract: A milking device has milking means, a controller, a milk line for transporting the milk from the milking means to a milk tank, a milk filter for filtering the milk passing through the milk line, and a cleaning device for cleaning the milk filter with cleaning fluid. The milk filter comprises a housing which surrounds a filter volume and has a milk inlet and a milk outlet, and a circumferential filter body. The filter body comprises filter holes and divides the filter volume into an inner filter volume and an outer filter volume. The milk filter is configured to be flushed during use. The cleaning device is configured to clean the milk filter. The filter holes are grouped into a first group and a second group. The diameter of the holes in the first group is greater than that of the second group.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for automatically monitoring a ruminant animal. The system comprises a 3D camera system that obtains images from a region of interest, in particular the paralumbar fossa. An image processor determines the surface curvature in the region of interest, as a function of time. Based on the frequency with which this function attains local maxima, a health indication for the animal is generated.

Abstract: A milking device is provided with milking device, a control unit, a milk line for transporting the milk from the milking device to a milk tank, a milk filter for filtering the milk passing through the milk line, and a cleaning device for the milk filter with cleaning liquid. The milk filter includes a housing surrounding a filter volume and has a milk inlet and a milk outlet, and a filter component in the filter volume. The filter component includes a circumferential plate part with filter holes, and divides the filter volume into a central inner filter volume and an outer filter volume surrounding the latter. The milk filter is configured to be flushed, in use, with the milk to be filtered from the milk inlet to the milk outlet.

Abstract: A milking system includes a device to sample and analyse a milk sample, including a control unit, a sample supply line connected to the milk line, a pump to control the sample flow, an optical radiation source, and an optical sensor device to detect and analyse optical radiation coming from the reagent pad with said sample, to provide an indication of a substance in the sample, a tape mover to move and unwind the tape from the tape reel, and a pump drive, external to the cassette, and releasably operably connected to the pump device for driving the pump device. The sampling and analysis device also includes a cassette with a sample receiving line, releasably connected to the sample supply line by a liquid connector, and arranged to receive the sample from the sample supply line, a tape reel with a tape that includes a base tape layer and a series of separate reagent pads, and a dosing device to provide a droplet of the sample onto a reagent pad.

Abstract: A milking system includes two or more milking devices for extracting a milking from a dairy animal; a central utility system connected with each milking device in the milking system, and a cleaning unit for cleaning the milking devices and milk-carrying parts of the central utility system. The cleaning unit includes a fluid transporting line for transport of cleaning fluid where each of the milking devices is in fluid connection with the fluid transport line, a buffer unit for receiving and temporarily storing extracted milk where the buffer unit is in fluid connection with each of the milking devices through a milk line, and a control unit for controlling the central utility unit. The cleaning unit cleans each milking device and milk line during a cleaning cycle, and at least one of the milking devices is available for extracting milk from a dairy animal during the cleaning cycle.

Abstract: An automatic feeding system includes an autonomously moveable feeding device for feeding animals. The feeding device includes a feed container for accommodating feed, a feed dispensing device for dispensing feed from the teed container, and a safety device suitable for halting the autonomously moveable feeding device in case of collision with an obstacle. The safety device includes a bumper for establishing a first contact with such an obstacle. The bumper defines an outer safety contour of the autonomously moveable feeding device. The safety device further includes a partition opener configured to open a partition provided in a door opening for enabling the autonomously moveable feeding device to pass through the door opening. The door opening provided with partition may be provided in a barn for housing animals. The opening device is provided separately and independently from and is not directly, connected to the safety device.

Abstract: A milking system includes a milking device, a sampling device and an analyser for analysing a milk sample, with a housing for a first holder with a reagent carrier with indicator pads, and a second holder for used reagent carrier, a metering system, a first optical radiation source for optical imaging radiation, a sensor device for detecting and analysing response radiation derived from the active indicator pad, for supplying an indication of a presence or concentration of said at least one substance in the sample. The analyser further includes a temperature control system for keeping the active indicator pad at temperature, with a second optical radiation source for emitting optical heating radiation, and a source control device to control the second optical radiation source.

Abstract: A method for milking a dairy animal with a robot milking device including a teat position determination system and a controller. The method includes allowing the robot milking device, with the help of the teat position determination system, to make one or more connection attempts for connecting at least one milking cup to a teat of the dairy animal, and milking with all connected milking cups where the controller records a number of failed connection attempts. The number of failed connection attempts #MA in a predefined number of milkings, which number of milkings is at least equal to a predefined number #MB, fulfils a predefined criterion, automatically adapting the milking criterion by means of the controller.

Abstract: A milking device is provided with milking means, a control unit, a milk line for transporting the milk from the milking means to a milk tank, a milk filter for filtering the milk passing through the milk line, and a cleaning device for the milk filter with cleaning liquid. The milk filter includes a housing which surrounds a filter volume and has a milk inlet and a milk outlet, and a filter component in the filter volume. The filter component includes a circumferential plate part with filter openings, and divides the filter volume into a central inner filter volume and an outer filter volume surrounding the latter. The filter component includes wire with a unilaterally tapering cross-sectional profile and a frame. The wire is provided in a spiral shape with a plurality of windings or in a series of individual parallel rings or rods.

Abstract: An automatically cleanable milk filter includes a cylindrical housing with a longitudinal direction and with a cylindrical outer wall, a first end with a first liquid connection, and a second end with a second liquid connection, wherein, during use of the filter, the second end is situated above the first end. A concentric cylindrical filter plate containing a plurality of filter holes with a smallest diameter of between 60 and 100 um and a cylindrical core which is placed concentrically within the filter plate are accommodated in the housing. The filter plate divides the filter volume into a first volume part which is directly connected to the first liquid connection, and a second volume part which is directly connected to the second liquid connection. The second volume part includes a cylindrical part, as well as a top part which narrows at a transition to the second liquid connection.