Abstract: The present patent application provides an instrument for mastitis detection and analysis, comprising: a computing module, a conductivity detection module and a temperature sensor; the conductivity detection module is used to detect the conductivity of a sample, and is used to send the detected sample conductivity data to the computing module; the temperature sensor is used to detect the sample temperature, and is used to send the sample temperature data to the computing module; the computing module is used to calculate the received sample conductivity and the sample temperature through a detection algorithm, and is used to detect and analyze the mastitis of the sample through the detection algorithm. The instrument for mastitis detection and analysis is convenient to be carried and easy-to-use, it can be quickly immerged into a milk sample to complete the detection, and the detection result can be obtained quickly.

Abstract: A teat dip fluid manifold and methods for distributing teat dip fluids, and including redundant valve sets and pressure monitoring between valve pairs to determine valve condition.

Abstract: Various examples are directed to livestock management systems and methods. A first user computing device may display a GUI comprising a first animal visual element. The first animal visual element may correspond to the first animal and indicate a first colostrum feeding of the first animal. When a user selects the first animal visual element, the user computing device may display a first colostrum input screen for receiving first colostrum data. The user computing device may also modify the first animal visual element to indicate the time status of the first testing action for the first animal.

Abstract: Various examples are directed to livestock management systems and methods. A first user computing device may display a GUI comprising a first animal visual element. The first animal visual element may correspond to the first animal and indicate a first colostrum feeding of the first animal. When a user selects the first animal visual element, the user computing device may display a first colostrum input screen for receiving first colostrum data. The user computing device may also modify the first animal visual element to indicate the time status of the first testing action for the first animal.

Abstract: A method and system for managing livestock health in real-time is provided. The method and system analyze and detect anomalies in various livestock health-related parameters and provide a health management plan that includes nutritional recommendations for curing the anomalies. A method for manufacturing a livestock feed is also provided.

Abstract: A sealing inner sleeve for insertion into pipes in order to seal leaks therein. The sealing inner sleeve has a locking device allowing an increase in the diameter of the sealing inner sleeve, but blocking same in the opposite direction, the sealing inner sleeve having two end sections and an intermediate section connecting said end sections to form a contiguous component.

Abstract: A system includes a robotic arm, a laser, and a processor. The processor is configured to determine that a teat cup is to be attached to a front teat of a dairy livestock, and in response, determine an amount of separation between the front teat and a rear teat. The processor is further configured to calculate, if the amount of separation between the front and rear teats is greater than or equal to a predetermined distance, an updated front teat position based on the amount of separation between the front and rear teats and command the robotic arm to move to the updated front teat position. The processor is further configure to determine whether the front teat is found in a scan of the dairy livestock by the laser, and if so, command the robotic arm to attach the teat cup to the front teat.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is directed to a system for cleaning teats of multiple milk-producing animals, wherein the animals are housed in a parlor area and the teats are cleaned or disinfected before a milking operation is started. The system comprises a disinfectant solution source provided at the parlor area; and, a hand-held applicator having a housing volume within which one or more scrubbing elements are positioned for engaging a teat of the milk-producing animal having been inserted in the volume for cleaning. The scrubbing elements include a brush that has an array of bristles including a first set of bristles having a first radial length and a second set of bristles that have a second radial length that is longer than the first radial length.

Abstract: A milking plant includes a milking member to be attached to a teat of an animal to be milked during a milking operation. A milk container is connected to the milking member and adapted to collect the milk extracted during the milking operation. A milk pump, being a part of a milk transport conduit, defines a suction side and a pressure side. A milk tank is connected to the milk container via the milk transport conduit and adapted to collect the milk from the milk container. A milk sample discharge device is connected to the milk transport conduit at the pressure side. The milk pump is adapted to transport during a milk transport operation the milk extracted during the milking operation from the milk container in a major flow to the milk tank and in a minor flow via the milk discharge device.

Abstract: An animal treating arrangement includes a carrying device beside a milking platform rotating with a velocity and having animal places housing animals. The carrying device includes a fundament, a first bearing device (12) provided on the fundament, an arm (13) connected to the first bearing device permitting the arm to rotate in relation to the fundament around a first axis, a support platform (15) connected to the arm (13). A drive arrangement moves the support platform and includes a first drive member (31) rotating the arm around the first axis. A sensor (37) communicates with a control unit (36) and senses an instantaneous value of the velocity. The control unit controls the first drive member to move the support platform to follow the milking platform from a start position to an end position during a part of the rotation of the milking platform.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for stimulating an udder during milking, made up of a housing with a first connection (350, 351) and a second connection (352, 353), which housing can be grasped by a hand. The first connection connects the housing to a pulsator and the second connection connects the housing to a teat cup. A throttle valve (305, 306) is interposed between the first connection and the second connection. A control device (309) is housed in the housing and is adapted to bring the throttle valve, after a defined duration, from a partially open to an open position.

Abstract: A space divider (4) of a milking parlor arrangement (1, 1?, 1?, 1??) for at least one milking parlor (3) for milking milk-producing animals (T), wherein the space divider (4) is arranged approximately parallel to a longitudinal axis of the animal (T) to be milked, has an arm device (6) having a milking cluster (5), which can be adjusted from a parking position to a working position and back. The arm device (6) is arranged with the milking cluster (5) in the parking position in the space divider (4) and can be adjusted into the working position laterally to the animal (T) to be milked between the front and rear legs thereof. The space divider (4) is designed in such a way that no additional space is required between adjacent animals (T), so that many animals (T) can be milked in a milking parlor arrangement (1, 1?, 1?, 1??) while the smallest possible amount of space is required.

Abstract: A teat cup cleaning device having a heating chamber, provided with a discharge which is closable by a valve, and arranged for connection to a teat cup. A filling device is provided for filling the heating chamber with an amount of cleaning liquid, and a heating arrangement is arranged to heat the contents of the heating chamber to a temperature T higher than the boiling point Tk of the cleaning liquid at ambient pressure. The valve opens in this situation to deliver the heated cleaning liquid to the teat cup. The teat cup cleaning device also comprising a connecting line between a liquid supply and the discharge.

Abstract: A system and method for managing an agricultural device, including connecting the agricultural device to a network, collecting operational data relating to the agricultural device, granting an access right in respect of the collected operational data to an entity connected to the network, receiving data from the entity in response to the access right, and managing the agricultural device on the basis of the collected operational data and the data from the entity. The method may be implemented for managing multiple agricultural devices, and may be implemented in a computer readable medium. In one embodiment, the operational data relates to clinical mastitis detection.

Abstract: A fluid line treatment kit for a dairy farm milking system having a vacuum subsystem for imparting vacuum within a fluid line is provided. The fluid line treatment kit includes at least one ozone gas source; a conduit associated with each ozone gas source configured to convey ozone gas to within the fluid line at a respective location; and a control system configured to trigger each ozone gas source to produce ozone gas while the vacuum subsystem is actuated. Vacuum imparted by the vacuum subsystem in the fluid line draws ozone gas via the at least one conduit into and through the fluid line.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a system includes a three-dimensional camera and a processor communicatively coupled to the three-dimensional camera. The processor is operable to determine a first edge of a dairy livestock, determine a second edge of the dairy livestock, determine a third edge of the dairy livestock, and determine a fourth edge of the dairy livestock.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for maintaining breast or udder health. The systems include a first container comprising a top and a bottom, one or more cups attached to the top of the container and a first temperature-controlling element for providing vapor from the container to a breast or udder via the cup.

Abstract: An implement for automatically milking a dairy animal, such as a cow, comprises a milking parlor, a sensor for observing a teat, and a milking robot for automatically attaching a teat cup to the teat. The milking robot comprises a robot control that is connected to the sensor. The sensor comprises a radiation source for emitting light, a receiver for receiving electromagnetic radiation reflected from the dairy animal, a lens, and sensor control unit. The sensor comprises a matrix with a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns of receivers. The sensor control unit is designed to determine for each of the receivers a phase difference between the emitted and the reflected electromagnetic radiation in order to calculate the distance from the sensor to a plurality of points on the part to be observed of the dairy animal.

Abstract: A robotic milking system suitable for use with conventional milking clusters. Clusters are withdrawn to a generally known position upon release from a cow with the cups hanging down below the bowl. The cups are then located in a confined region from where they are picked up by a robotic arm and attached to teats of a cow. The arrangement allows a single robotic arm to service multiple bales of a rotary milking parlour.

Abstract: A dairy harvesting milk machine milk tube having an end, and a clamping body joined to the end and defining a duct with an outlet, and an axis of the outlet is at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the milk tube, and the angle is different from 90°.

Abstract: When milk is expressed using a breast pump, milk residue is left on a surface of a breast pump funnel (13). The present invention relates to a breast pump with a vibrating means (30) which is configured to induce the breast pump to vibrate to promote the flow of residual milk on a surface of the funnel (13) to flow to a milk collecting vessel (14). The invention also relates to a method of collecting milk residue on a surface of a funnel for a breast pump by vibrating the breast pump after milk has been expressed from a user's breast.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system includes a front wall, a rear wall positioned substantially parallel to the front wall, and first and second side walls each extending between the front wall and the rear wall. The first side wall includes a gate, and the second side wall is spaced apart from the first side wall such that the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall define a milking box stall of a size sufficient to accommodate a dairy livestock. The system includes an equipment portion located adjacent to the rear wall. The equipment portion houses a robotic attacher configured to extend between the rear legs of a dairy livestock located within the milking box stall in order to attach milking equipment to the dairy livestock.

Abstract: A teat cup liner for use in a milking cup is disclosed. The teat cup liner has a head with an insertion opening for an animal's teat. Joined to the head is a shaft and a holding rim. The holding rim at least partially surrounds and is spaced apart from the shaft. The teat cup liner holding rim has an inner surface that defines a number of recesses to enhance the durability of the liner. The recesses can be disposed circumferentially around the inner surface of the holding rim, and they can be disposed so that they are in contact with or near an end of the teat cup sleeve.

Abstract: A combination of a teat cup and a flexible milk tube is shown. The flexible milk tube has a main duct and a plurality of secondary ducts for discharging milk from the teat cup and for applying vacuum in the teat cup. The main duct is confined by a duct wall extending around the main duct. The secondary ducts are included in the duct wall of the main duct. By including the plurality of secondary ducts in the duct wall of the main duct the flexible milk tube as a whole has a smaller cross-section than that of the known milk tube. The plurality of secondary ducts no longer need separate duct walls forming separate tubes either connected or not with the flexible milk tube comprising the main duct. This results in space saving.

Abstract: A teat cup cleaning device having a heating chamber (2), provided with a discharge (3) which is closable by a valve (4), and arranged for connection to a teat cup. A filling device (20) is provided for filling the heating chamber (2) with an amount of cleaning liquid (11), and a heating arrangement is arranged to heat the contents of the heating chamber (2) to a temperature T higher than the boiling point Tk of the cleaning liquid at ambient pressure. The valve (4) opens in this situation to deliver the heated cleaning liquid to the teat cup. The teat cup cleaning device also comprising a connecting line (17) between a liquid supply and the discharge.

Abstract: An arrangement for and method of providing a representative sample of milk from one animal, after stirring the milk, includes a receiver, milk extracting parts, a pump transferring milk from the receiver to a sample unit, a circulation line extending from the receiver via the pump and back to the receiver, for stirring the milk in the receiver. The arrangement stirs the extracted milk without injecting air into the milk, before a sample part of the milk is transferred from the receiver to the milk-sampling unit, thereby ensuring that the sampled part is representative of the milk from one animal.

Abstract: A milking implement comprising a frame with, disposed thereon, at least one teat cup holder with a teat cup movable relative thereto, and a replacing element connected with the teat cup, wherein the frame further includes an intermediate arm connected with the frame and with the teat cup holder and having a first joint and a second joint about which the teat cup holder and the intermediate arm, respectively, are tiltable with the aid of the replacing element, and a spring coupled with the teat cup holder and the frame and, if desired, with the intermediate arm.

Abstract: A milking liner for an automated milking machine includes a barrel that moves between an uncollapsed position and a collapsed condition when it is subjected to a vacuum milking condition. The barrel defines at least three parallel channels open to the inner surface of the barrel. The configuration of the sidewall of the barrel and the channels cause the barrel to uniformly collapse when the barrel is subjected to a vacuum milking condition. In one configuration, ribs protrude from the barrel sidewall and define channels with the same wall thickness as the sidewall segments disposed between the ribs.

Abstract: A milk pump that is connected to, but electrically isolated from dairy lines, pipes, and other electrically conductive components using insulators in the milk pump between a motor and a pump.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a robot (6) for moving a milking cup or milking cups (7) from a first resting position to a second operational position or vice versa, in which second position it connects to a cows' teat or teats for collecting milk, wherein it comprises a frame (9), which frame supports a movable arm (10) that has a free extremity (11) at which it is provided with a gripper or grippers (12) for the milking cup or cups (7).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for a dairy harvesting facility including valves and valve assemblies that prevent contaminants from reaching a central milk collection system.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for calculating a transition monitor value for one or more milk-producing animals so as to enable its use in evaluating and optimally managing the health and productivity (i.e., the transition performance) of those individual animals and of their herds. An expected milk production is calculated for a given time period of a current lactation based both on the individual's performance in her previous lactation and on her current state. Transition monitor values are calculated as the difference between actual and expected milk production values. The transition monitor values can then be used to evaluate and to optimize the health and productivity of both individuals and herds of individuals and to make comparisons of transition monitor programs both within and between herds.

Abstract: An apparatus for recognizing and determining the position of at least one teat of a milking animal includes a scanning head comprising a light source and a camera. The light source emits light into a region which is expected to contain a teat or teats and the camera captures images formed by the light. In a first scanning mode, the scanning head is moved from a low initial position upwards in a circular coil until the position of at least a first teat has been established. Thereafter, in a second scanning mode, the scanning head is moved upwards in a to circular coil until the positions of all teats have been established, or a predetermined time limit has elapsed during the scanning procedure. The coil traversed during the first scanning mode is wider than the coil traversed during the second scanning mode.

Abstract: A method for on-line channeling of milk based on predicted coagulation properties where the method comprises sampling raw milk from a milk line between a milking station and a collection point, performing spectral analysis of one or more of optical transmission, optical reflectance, scatter and fluorescence on the raw milk sample, predicting at least one coagulation parameter on-line based on the spectral analysis, and channeling milk from the milking station on-line to one of a plurality of destinations based on the at least one coagulation parameter.

Abstract: An apparatus for recognizing and determining the position of at least one teat of a milking animal includes a scanning head comprising a light source and a camera. The light source emits light into a region which is expected to contain a teat or teats and the camera captures images formed by the light. In a first scanning mode, the scanning head is moved from a low initial position upwards in a circular coil until the position of at least a first teat has been established. Thereafter, in a second scanning mode, the scanning head is moved upwards in a circular coil until the positions of all teats have been established, or a predetermined time limit has elapsed during the scanning procedure. The coil traversed during the first scanning mode is wider than the coil traversed during the second scanning mode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a milking device for milking animals, the required vacuum being, for example, generated by generating compressed air using a compressor and passing said compressed air through the system, the compressed air creating a vacuum at all required locations by means of the Venturi system. Because this vacuum differs at the various locations, the reduced pressure can be regulated precisely and adapted as required.

Abstract: A system for managing a group of dairy animals to be milked fully automatically, where the dairy animals go through a lactation cycle comprising phases of calving, inmilking, producing milk, and being dry. The system includes a computer executing program instructions for recording information and processing data indicating a division of the group of dairy animals into subgroups of a plurality of dairy animals, an insemination period determined per subgroup within which the dairy animals of the subgroup concerned are to be inseminated, which insemination period is so short that substantially all dairy animals in the subgroup concerned go simultaneously through the lactation cycle, and a separation of pregnant dairy animals of at least one of the subgroups in a separate area, around the beginning of the being dry phase of the subgroup concerned.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for protecting especially injured or stressed skin regions of a teat during the milking process. In said method, the teat is wrapped in an overlapping manner in a film that is a combination of planar support and an adhesive layer, by means of which the film sticks to itself and to the skin. The thickness and the elastic and/or plastic deformability of the adhesive layer are selected such that the adhesive layer compensates the shearing forces acting from the film onto the skin when the teat is stretched during the milking process, and/or the adhesive layer is selected in such as way as to detach from the skin without substantially injuring the corneocyte layer when a force acts on the adhesive layer in the longitudinal direction of the teat.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for calculating a transition monitor value for one or more milk-producing animals so as to enable its use in evaluating and optimally managing the health and productivity (i.e., the transition performance) of those individual animals and of their herds. An expected milk production is calculated for a given time period of a current lactation based both on the individual's performance in her previous lactation and on her current state. Transition monitor values are calculated as the difference between actual and expected milk production values. The transition monitor values can then be used to evaluate and to optimize the health and productivity of both individuals and herds of individuals and to make comparisons of transition monitor programs both within and between herds.

Abstract: An arrangement for and method of providing a representative sample of milk from one animal, after stirring the milk, includes a receiver, milk extracting parts, a pump transferring milk from the receiver to a sample unit, a circulation line extending from the receiver via the pump and back to the receiver, for stirring the milk in the receiver. The arrangement stirs the extracted milk without injecting air into the milk, before a sample part of the milk is transferred from the receiver to the milk-sampling unit, thereby ensuring that the sampled part is representative of the milk from one animal.

Abstract: A teat preparation station(1) for preparation of teats of milking animals prior to being milked in a milking system (11) equipped with at least one milking stall(13) is provided. The teat preparation station (1) includes a teat preparation area (2) housing at least one milking animal at a time; an exit (4) leading to the milking system; pre-milking equipment (5) provided for automatically pre-milking milking animals in the teat preparation area; and milk quality analyzing equipment (6) provided for automatically analyzing pre-milk from the milking animals.

Abstract: A method for improving the throughput of milking animals in a rotary milking system including a rotary platform, which milking animals enter and leave in a sequential order in order to be milked provides that a plurality of milking animals to be milked by the rotary milking system are identified; a measure indicative of the expected time required for performing at least one action on the rotary platform with respect to each of the milking animals is retrieved; and the milking animals are allowed to enter the rotary platform of the rotary milking system in an order, which is based on the measures indicative of the expected times required for performing the at least one action on the rotary platform with respect to the milking animals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for transferring a liquid consumable product, such as milk, from a bulk storage tank to a transport vehicle receiving tank or from one bulk tank to another whether stationary or mobile. The system increases the efficiency with which the milk is transferred from the bulk tank to the transport vehicle by providing a centrifugal pump permanently positioned on the milk producer's premises proximal the bulk tank. The system includes an air-purge system for removing any residual milk from the pump and transfer lines once pumping has ceased, as well as a wash system for cleaning the pump system components after use. In addition to transferring milk from the bulk tank to the transport truck, the centrifugal pump is conveniently adaptable for use in the washing operations, thereby adding to the efficiency of the overall system.

Abstract: A device for milking animals includes a milking robot for automatically connecting at least two teat cups to the teats of an animal to be milked. The milk yielded is collected in a milk container. In each milk line, between a respective teat cup and the milk container, there is provided an auxiliary reservoir for collecting milk obtained at the beginning of the milking process. The auxiliary reservoir has an outlet aperture with a closing device. Each auxiliary reservoir is disposed in a respective mounting block, the various mounting blocks being arranged side by side, and the device is provided with an arrangement for simultaneously operating the closing devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a milk conveyer device (100) for an animal. The milk conveyer device is to be implemented in a milking arrangement which comprises a milk storage reservoir (101) coupled to a milking attachment for attaching to an animal to be milked through a main milk conduit (103, 105). A sample element (109, 111) extracts milk, which is collected in a sample reservoir (115, 117). The sample reservoir (115,117) is connected to an analysis element (129) through an analysis conduit (123, 125). During the flow of the milk from the sample reservoir to the analysis element (129), the milk itself provides a cleaning effect. The flow is initially at a high flow rate and later at a reduced flow rate. A plurality of analysis conduits (123, 125) are connected to the analysis element (129), which comprises a selector unit (127), which couples milk from one of the analysis conduits (123, 125) to the analysis element (129).

Abstract: A system for observing and predicting a physiological state of an animal has been provided.

Abstract: A system for managing a group of dairy animals to be milked fully automatically, where the dairy animals go through a lactation cycle comprising phases of calving, inmilking, producing milk, and being dry. The system includes a computer executing program instructions for recording information and processing data indicating a division of the group of dairy animals into subgroups of a plurality of dairy animals, an insemination period determined per subgroup within which the dairy animals of the subgroup concerned are to be inseminated, which insemination period is so short that substantially all dairy animals in the subgroup concerned go simultaneously through the lactation cycle, and a separation of pregnant dairy animals of at least one of the subgroups in a separate area, around the beginning of the being dry phase of the subgroup concerned.

Abstract: A method for calibrating milk meters in a milking system includes a milking station having at least one milk meter that measures a value of a milking performance of a milking animal. The method includes the steps: determining a reference value which reflects the amount of milk received from a number of milking animals during a selected time period in a reference unit, retrieving all measured values during the selected time period for each milk meter that by itself contribute to the amount of milk received by the reference unit, comparing the reference value with the sum of all retrieved measured values and calculating a correction function for one of the milk meters, and using the calculated correction function to adjust the measured value from the milk meter.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an improved fluid treatment system, including a low-pressure source, where the low-pressure source imparts a low pressure to at least part of the internal volume of the improved fluid treatment system, and at least one fluid inlet (5), and a primary chamber (2), wherein the primary chamber (2) contains at least one baffle (7) adapted to control the flowrate of fluid out of the primary chamber (2), and, a secondary chamber (3), wherein the secondary chamber (3) defines at least one inclined surface (4), and at least one fluid outlet (10), characterised in that, fluid entering from the fluid inlet (5) is pooled between the primary chamber (2) wall and the baffle (7) before flowing out of the primary chamber (2) past the baffle (7) to form a thin film laminar flow on at least part of the surface of the secondary chamber (3) to remove at least part of the gas entrained within the fluid.

Abstract: A hose used for extracting milk has an outer wall; an inner wall; at least two ribs formed on the outer wall; and at least one recess formed between said at least two ribs. A milk extraction system has a hose having an outer wall; an inner wall; a plurality of ribs formed on said outer wall, and the ribs extend beyond an outer perimeter of the outer wall.