Abstract: A system for optimising the production performance of a milk producing animal herd is provided. The system comprises a milk sampling apparatus, an analytical apparatus comprising separate equipment for analyzing compounds or parameters that in the presence of compounds indicative of the physiological or nutritional condition of the herd member, generates detectable signals, and apparatus directing a part of the milk sample (directing apparatus) to each separate equipment, which is controlled by data for the physiological and nutritional state of a herd member, so that the directing apparatus is only activated at pre-selected points in time or at pre-selected time intervals in the production and/or lactation cycles. Specific compounds are compounds indicative of mastitis, including beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase (NAGase) E.C. 3.2.1.

Abstract: A system for optimizing the production performance of a milk producing animal herd is provided. The system comprises milk sampling means, analytical means comprising separate means for analyzing compounds or parameters that in the presence of compounds indicative of the physiological or nutritional condition of the herd member, generates detectable signals, and means for directing a part of the milk sample to each separate analyzing means which is controlled by data for the physiological and nutritional state of a herd member such that the directing means is only activated at pre-selected points in time or at pre-selected time intervals in the production and or lactation cycles. Specific compounds are compounds indicative of mastitis, including beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase (NAGase) E.C. 3.2.1.