Abstract: A portable apparatus (1) for milking of animals (11-16) which are permitted to go loose is described. The apparatus (1) comprises a plurality of stalls (2) with at least one local milk tank (4) in each stall. The apparatus (1) comprises at least two separate lines (19, 20) arranged to receive the milk from the local milk tanks (4) in dependence of the quality of the milk.

Abstract: The invention relates to a milking parlor and a method for manufacturing same, the milking parlor comprising a work area for an operator and a platform elevated relative to the area, which forms a standing and walking area for the animals to be milked, the platform comprising a substructure on its side facing the work area where a utility space is left open beneath the standing and walking area, and wherein the substructure is formed by load-bearing elements positioned one after the other in the lengthwise direction and configured to be substantially identical.

Abstract: An at least partially open sided outdoor animal shelter structure, the structure including (a) a floor to support animals, the floor including apertures therethrough allowing animal waste matter to pass through the floor, (b) a basement below the floor for collecting the waste matter, (c) floor supports to support the floor above the basement, (d) side supports, (e) a water impervious canopy supported by the side supports, the canopy being supported above at least part of the floor, the canopy allowing at least some light to pass therethrough, (f) at least one air flow controller to control airflow in the area below the canopy.

Abstract: A milking system for milking a herd of dairy animals includes a first milking device and a second milking device, an identification device for identifying dairy animals to be milked of a herd of dairy animals, and a control device for determining an estimated treatment time of each dairy animal to be milked. The control device also classifies each dairy animal to be milked with the aid of a criterion on the basis of the estimated treatment time in at least a first or second group of dairy animals. The milking system admits the first group of dairy animals to preferably only the first milking device and admits the second group to preferably only the second milking device.

Abstract: A dairy parlor light unit for mounting on or in a milking stall curb to illuminate an underside of an animal in the milking stall.

Abstract: A milking arrangement includes a milking robot (10) having a first link (L1), a second link (L2), a third link (L3), an end effector (E), sensor (16) and a control unit (15). The first link is rotatable to a first angle within a first angle range (?1) via a first joint (11). The second link is rotatable to a second angle within a second angle range (?2) via a second joint (12). The third link (L3) is rotatable to a third angle within a third angle range (?3) via third joint (13). The links (L1, L2, L3) are rotatable so that the end effector is movable within a three-dimensional workspace (W). Each position of the end effector within the workspace corresponds to a single combination of the first, second and third angles.

Abstract: An arrangement for housing a large number of milking animals, each of which belongs to one of a plurality of groups, comprises a resting area (1) wherein the milking animals are allowed to rest; a feeding area (3) wherein the milking animals are fed; and a milking area (5) housing at least one milking robot for milking the milking animals, wherein the resting area (1) or the feeding area (3) is partitioned in sections (7, 9, 11, 13; 41, 43, 45, 47), the number of which corresponds to the number of the groups; and a device (19; 53) is provided for directing each of the milking animals moving towards the resting area (1) or the feeding area (3), which is partitioned in sections, into one of the sections depending on the group, to which the respective milking animal belongs, so that that each of said sections will house milking animals belonging to one of said groups.

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 dairy stable (5) and a method for controlling a stable (1), preferably a dairy stable (5) for milking livestock (4), having at least one milking system including at least one, preferably automatic, milking stations (8, 9, 12, 13, 14), and where the individual animal's access to milking is controlled, preferably via a transponder or similar on the animal. Furthermore, a milking station (8, 9, 12, 13, 14) for use in connection with a method and a dairy stable (5). In this manner, it is ensured that, within a given time interval, all animals (4) are guided to one or more selected milking stations (8, 9) at least once, where the selected milking station or stations (8, 9) are adapted in a special way with test equipment for determining various conditions of or at the milk and differently as compared to other milking stations (12, 13, 14).

Abstract: A method of controlling a cooling element in order to decrease the thermal load on animals includes the step: —to start the cooling element when the air temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold value and/or a parameter, dependent on the relative humidity of air, exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: Milking box or boxes for cows, each milking box having two entrance fences for entry and two exit fences, wherein one first entrance fence and one first exit fence form a first pair of fences positioned at a first side, and one second entrance fence and one second exit fence form a second pair of fences at a second side which is opposite the first side. This type of milking box used in a cow stable further comprises resting boxes, at least one feeder trough, a separation zone or zones, and walking paths, wherein at least the resting boxes are placed at the first side of the milking box or boxes, and that at the second side of the milking box or boxes at least one is placed selected from the group comprising at least one feeder trough, a separation zone or zones, or outdoors.

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: In certain embodiments, a system includes a first milking box stall of a size sufficient to accommodate a dairy livestock. The system also includes an equipment portion located adjacent to the first milking box stall. The equipment portion houses a robotic attacher. The system also includes a second milking box stall of a size sufficient to accommodate a dairy livestock. The second milking box stall is located adjacent to the equipment portion. The robotic attacher is configured to service both the first milking box stall and the second milking box stall by extending between the rear legs of a dairy livestock located within either stall in order to attach milking equipment to the dairy livestock.

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: 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: 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: 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: In certain embodiments, a milking box comprises a stall portion and a backplane positioned in the stall portion. The backplane moves toward the rear of the stall portion in response to pressure applied to a contact surface of the backplane. The backplane moves toward the front of stall portion in response to pressure removed from the contact surface.

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: An arrangement for positioning at least two milking animals in at least two milking stalls allows the animals to stand in an inclined position such that a longitudinal axis of the animals forms an angle of 10°-80° to a vertical plane (6) of a front barrier (5) of the milking stalls. The arrangement includes a power member (22) and motion transmission mechanism adapted to transfer an activating motion from the power member to individual front positioning elements (10) in the milking stalls such that the individual front positioning element in each milking stall comes in contact with a front portion of the animal and acts with a resilient force on the animal in a manner such that the animal steps backwards to a desired milking position in which the rear part of the animal is in contact with a second rear positioning element (9).

Abstract: A system for milking cows including a structure for retaining cows therein. Such structure includes at least one holding area within such structure, at least one exit alley connected to and extending from a predetermined portion of such at least one holding area to at least one of a predetermined housing area, at least one additional holding area, and a combination thereof. At least one of at least one milking robot, at least one automated milking machine, and a combination thereof is disposed within such at least one holding area for automatically milking at least one predetermined cow when such at least one predetermined cow is closely adjacent a predetermined side of such at least one of such at least one milking robot, such at least one automated milking machine, and such combination thereof. A method for milking cows is also provided.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method for milking stall assignment includes storing first location information associated with a dairy livestock, the first location information comprising a coordinate location of the dairy livestock within a milking parlor at a first time. The method further includes comparing the stored first location information associated with the dairy livestock with an area associated with each of a plurality of milking stalls of the milking parlor to identify a milking stall in which the dairy cow is located at the first time and assigning the dairy livestock to the milking stall in which the dairy cow is located at the first time such that data associated with milking of the dairy livestock may be associated with the dairy cow.

Abstract: A method of milking dairy animals, wherein the dairy animals are milked by a milking implement. An access device is provided for allowing or not allowing a dairy animal access to a waiting area for the milking implement. The access device has at least a first and a second access state, which access states have mutually different accesses for the dairy animals to the waiting area. The method comprises the steps of providing the first access state of the access device; identifying by means of an animal identification system an animal which is milked by the milking implement; determining a milking implement processing data on the basis of the identified animals; comparing the milking implement processing data with a criterion; and providing the second access state of the access device when the milking implement processing data meets the criterion.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method of milking and feeding a dairy animal, wherein feed is dispensed in portions during the milking. At a predetermined moment the portion size is reduced, in order to increase the chance that the animal has actually eaten the last allocated portion at the moment when the milking has been ended, so that it will not hesitate to leave the milking parlour. This will result in a reduction of the time during which the milking parlour is unnecessarily occupied, and in an enhanced efficiency.

Abstract: A counterweighted, crowd gate includes parallel overhead tracks extending from end to end of a holding area for cows. A wheeled carriage extends between and rides on the tracks. An electric motor drives the carriage between the entrance and exit of the holding area. A counterweighted gate pivotally attached to the carriage extends perpendicularly to the floor of the holding area. A latch on the carriage holds the gate in essentially a vertical orientation. An operator trips the latch and the counterweight pivots the gate to a substantially horizontal position, so the gate passes over animals in the holding area upon return to the entrance. The gate is pivotally mounted to the carriage by bushings that electrically insulate the gate from the carriage to prevent harm to animals or individuals that come in contact with the gate. A control panel allows operation of the crowd gate from a remote location.

Abstract: A rotary parlour for milking of animals includes an annular rotary platform (20) adapted to form a support surface (18) for the animals (22), positioning elements (19, 23) for arranging the animals (1) in milking positions on the platform (20), a drive mechanism (30) adapted to supply a rotational motion to the platform (20), and teat cup storing devices (11) for holding parked teat cups (2, 2?) in predetermined storing positions. The teat cup storing devices (11) are mounted in positions such that the teat cups (2, 2?) are located vertically above the platform (20) in their storing positions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method of managing a group of dairy animals. More particularly, the invention relates to measuring one or more milk parameters, comparing this parameter to a criterion, and allowing an animal access to a pasture based on this comparison. The milk parameter is related to the composition of milk obtained from a dairy animal in as far as the composition is defined by at least one of the amount of protein and the energy intake of the dairy animal. The measured milk parameter is, for example, urea. Access to the pasture will be completely or partly blocked for a dairy animal having a high content of urea. This dairy animal is thus prevented from taking in an undesirably large amount of protein.

Abstract: A space-saving milking facility includes an entrance passage way (17a) provided for receiving milking animals on a voluntary basis, a waiting area (11), a milking area (13) housing automatic milking stations (31), a post-milking area (15), and an exit passage way (17b), through which milking animals may leave the milking facility. The automatic milking stations (31) are arranged side by side along a row, the waiting area (11) and the post-milking area (15) are elongated and parallel with the row of automatic milking stations (31), the entrance passage way (17a) is joined to the waiting area (11) at a short side thereof, and the exit passage way (17b) is joined to the post-milking area (15) at a short side thereof. The milking facility is particularly aimed for herds of milking animals at grazing.

Abstract: An arrangement for housing and milking a large number of animals includes a resting and feeding area (11), a milking area (13) housing automatic milking stations (31) for milking the animals, and a passage way (15) interconnecting the resting and feeding area (11) and the milking area (13), and along which animals are capable of being had to walk in order to move back and fourth between the resting and feeding area (11) and the milking area (13). According to the invention, the resting and feeding area (11) includes enclosed sections (17), wherein each of the sections (17) houses a respective subgroup of the animals and has an entry/exit gate (19), through which the animals of the subgroup are capable of being forced to pass in order to move back and fourth between the section (17) and the passage way (15).

Abstract: An arrangement for housing and milking a large number of animals includes a resting and feeding area (11), a milking area (13) housing automatic milking stations (31) for milking the animals, and a passage way (15) interconnecting the resting and feeding area (11) and the milking area (13), and along which animals are capable of being had to walk in order to move back and fourth between the resting and feeding area (11) and the milking area (13). According to the invention, the resting and feeding area (11) includes enclosed sections (17), wherein each of the sections (17) houses a respective subgroup of the animals and has an entry/exit gate (19), through which the animals of the subgroup are capable of being forced to pass in order to move back and fourth between the section (17) and the passage way (15).

Abstract: A method for animal management is provided in a milking system including a a milking box, a milking apparatus for milking animals, an enclosed waiting area from which the animals are capable of entering the milking box, and a gate arrangement, in which each of the animals is allowed to enter and pass the waiting area if the animal, after having been identified, fulfills a criterion. The method includes measuring a time an animal waits in the waiting area before being milked; determining a ranking for the animal based on the time, the ranking being a measure of a hierarchic order of the animal among the animals milked in the milking system; and performing an action with regard to the milking system depending on the determined ranking.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a milking system includes a rotary milking platform having a plurality of milking stalls and a plurality of milking devices, each milking device configured for attachment to the teats of a dairy livestock located in a corresponding milking stall of the rotary milking platform. The system further includes one or more robotic devices operable to perform one or more functions, including preparing the teats of a dairy livestock for the attachment of a milking apparatus, attaching a milking apparatus to the teats of a dairy livestock, and applying a sanitizing agent to the teats of a dairy livestock subsequent to the removal of a milking apparatus from the teats of the dairy livestock. Each of the one or more functions performed by the one or more robotic devices is performed during a period of time when the rotary milking platform is substantially stationary.

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 crowd gate control system includes a holding pen for dairy livestock, a crowd gate, and a controller. The holding pen is adjacent to an entrance to a milking parlor. The crowd gate is operable to form a side of the holding pen and move in relation to the entrance to the milking parlor along an axis substantially parallel to two other sides of the holding pen. The controller is operable to store a triggering threshold associated with a counter related to the milking parlor, determine whether the counter has reached the triggering threshold, and initiate a first mode of operation of the crowd gate in response to determining that the counter has reached the triggering threshold.

Abstract: An arrangement for housing and milking a large number of animals includes a resting and feeding area (11), a milking area (13) housing automatic milking stations (31) for milking the animals, and a passage way (15) interconnecting the resting and feeding area (11) and the milking area (13), and along which animals are capable of being had to walk in order to move back and fourth between the resting and feeding area (11) and the milking area (13). According to the invention, the resting and feeding area (11) includes enclosed sections (17), wherein each of the sections (17) houses a respective subgroup of the animals and has an entry/exit gate (19), through which the animals of the subgroup are capable of being forced to pass in order to move back and fourth between the section (17) and the passage way (15).

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 method of milking a group of dairy animals including a first subgroup and a second subgroup by an automatic milking system, and wherein the milking system is flushed after a dairy animal from the second subgroup has been milked. The flushing step is postponed after a dairy animal from the second subgroup has been milked until at least a minimum number greater than or equal to two dairy animals from the second subgroup has been milked successively, or a subsequent dairy animal belonging to the first subgroup has been identified and the decision has been made that the dairy animal from the first subgroup presenting itself can be milked, or by postponing the milking of a dairy animal from the second subgroup until at least a minimum number greater than or equal to two dairy animals from the first subgroup has been milked successively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (10) for automatic adjustment of at least one interior dimension of a milking location (12) for an animal. The milking location (12) comprises an enclosure formed by e.g. four confining means (121, . . . , 124), whereby at least one of the confining means (121, . . . , 124) is movable. The system (10) comprises a first sensor means (14) operable to detect the presence of an animal In the milking location (12). The system (10) also comprises a control means (18) connected to the first sensor means (14), When an animal is detected in the milking location (12), the control means (18) is operable to move the at least one movable confining means (121, . . . , 124) stepwise, in order to adjust the at least one interior dimension of the milking location (12) to the animal.

Abstract: A device for milking animals including a plurality of milking stations, wherein each milking station includes a milk collecting container and a displacing mechanism for displacing liquid from the milk collecting container. The milk collecting container (is connected to a first discharge line and to a second discharge line, a second central milk line is connected to the second discharge line for leading milk from a plurality of milking stations to a collective liquid discharge and further includes a line cleaning device connected to the second central milk line for cleaning at least the second central milk line with a cleaning liquid, wherein the connection of the line cleaning device with the second central milk line is located at least equally far from the liquid discharge as the connection of a second discharge line with the second central milk line.

Abstract: An arrangement for positioning at least two milking animals in at least two milking stalls allows the animals to stand in an inclined position such that a longitudinal axis of the animals forms an angle of 10°-80° to a vertical plane (6) of a front barrier (5) of the milking stalls. The arrangement includes a power member (22) and motion transmission mechanism adapted to transfer an activating motion from the power member to individual front positioning elements (10) in the milking stalls such that the individual front positioning element in each milking stall comes in contact with a front portion of the animal and acts with a resilient force on the animal in a manner such that the animal steps backwards to a desired milking position in which the rear part of the animal is in contact with a second rear positioning element (9).

Abstract: An installation for supplying liquid feed to an animal, such as a calf. The installation comprises one or more feed loading places (1) and one or more feed unloading places (2-5), and one or more vehicles (9) that are autonomously displaceable, controlled by a microprocessor or the like, between one or more feed loading places and one or more feed unloading places, each vehicle comprising a drinking nozzle (10), such as a flexible teat.

Abstract: An arrangement for milking a plurality of milking animals comprises an automated milking system (11) provided with a milking robot (13) for automatically milking a milking animal; a milking system (15) provided for batchwise milking of multiple milking animals; an identification arrangement (19, 21) provided for identifying each of the plurality of milking animals prior to being milked; decision means (23) connected to the identification arrangement for deciding, for each of the plurality of milking animals, whether that milking animal should be milked by the automated milking system or by the milking system for batchwise milking; and means connected (25) to the decision means for guiding each of the plurality of milking animals to the automated milking system or to the milking system for batchwise milking depending on the decision made for that milking 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: Cows are milked at a facility including a robotic milker, a pen, a first passage leading from the pen to the milker, and a second passage leading from the milker to the pen. Each passage includes a one-way gate. Each gate includes a barrier that turns about a horizontal axis from a quiescent position in only a first direction in response to the cows pushing against the barrier and turns in the opposite direction about the axis to the quiescent position after each cow has passed through the barrier. The barrier includes plural tines that turn independently of each other about the axis in both directions. In normal operation, the quiescent position of the tines is vertical. For training, the quiescent position of the tines is displaced from the vertical so the tines are above the heads of the animals but below their backs.

Abstract: An apparatus for milking an animal and provides a milking parlour (1) including first and second robotic manipulation devices (100, 200) and a plurality of milking stalls (5) provided on a platform (3) moveable relative to the robotic manipulation devices (100, 200) wherein the robotic manipulation devices (100, 200) are positioned so as to be capable of simultaneously servicing neighboring milking stalls (5) on the platform (3).

Abstract: An implement for keeping dairy animals, provided with a first and a second production unit and with a care unit having a plurality of subunits, wherein each production unit is provided with at least one accommodation area for a production group, which comprises a group of lactating dairy animals, and with a milking implement for milking the production group, wherein the subunits of the care unit at least include a calving unit for separately accommodating dairy animals in a calving period, and a milking implement for milking newly calved dairy animals, and an infirmary unit for separately accommodating sick animals, and wherein the care unit forms a connection between the production units. There is thus provided a compact disposition, comprising efficient and short distances, for dairy animals requiring care.

Abstract: A space-saving milking facility includes an entrance passage way (17a) provided for receiving milking animals on a voluntary basis, a waiting area (11), a milking area (13) housing automatic milking stations (31), a post-milking area (15), and an exit passage way (17b), through which milking animals may leave the milking facility. The automatic milking stations (31) are arranged side by side along a row, the waiting area (11) and the post-milking area (15) are elongated and parallel with the row of automatic milking stations (31), the entrance passage way (17a) is joined to the waiting area (11) at a short side thereof, and the exit passage way (17b) is joined to the post-milking area (15) at a short side thereof. The milking facility is particularly aimed for herds of milking animals at grazing.

Abstract: An arrangement for housing and milking a large number of animals includes a resting and feeding area (11), a milking area (13) housing automatic milking stations (31) for milking the animals, and a passage way (15) interconnecting the resting and feeding area (11) and the milking area (13), and along which animals are capable of being had to walk in order to move back and fourth between the resting and feeding area (11) and the milking area (13). According to the invention, the resting and feeding area (11) includes enclosed sections (17), wherein each of the sections (17) houses a respective subgroup of the animals and has an entry/exit gate (19), through which the animals of the subgroup are capable of being forced to pass in order to move back and fourth between the section (17) and the passage way (15).

Abstract: An implement for automatically milking a dairy animal, such as a cow, comprises a milking parlour, 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: The present invention relates to a construction for an overhang (5) in a pit (1) of a milking parlour. The construction comprises a metal profile (2) fastened to the edge of the pit (1), and a reinforcement strut (6) mounted to said profile (2) in order to support an overhang (5) attached to said profile (2). The invention provides more space in the pit (1) for mounting of milking related equipment.