Abstract: A device for removing at least one teat cup (1a) from a teat of an animal includes i) a cylinder (2) provided with a movable piston (3) dividing an inner space of the cylinder in a first compartment (4) and a second compartment (5), ii) a valve mechanism (9) adapted to connect a vacuum source (8) to the first compartment (4) when it is in a first position and to break this connection when it is in a second position, iii) a passage (15) leading into the first chamber (4), and iv) a valve member (16) adapted to allow a flow through the passage (15) to the first compartment (4) during occasions when an operator moves the teat cup (1a) from a storing position to a teat attaching position.

Abstract: An udder spraying system reliant on one or more upward spray outlet(s) from and/or in juxtaposition with a housing and/or profile providing moulding or form;

Abstract: A cleaning method in a milking system (9) includes a plurality of teat cups (19), each of which is connected to a respective milk line. During milking of the teats of an animal, the plurality of teat cups (19) are attached to the teats of the animal, and vacuum is supplied to the respective milk lines in order to draw milk from the teats of the milking animal. The cleaning includes removing milk or other residues present at each of the plurality of teat cups by flushing (37) each of the plurality of teat cups with a cleaning fluid supplied via a supply line (36, 34c), evacuating cleaning fluid from each of the plurality of teat cups or from the supply line, and disinfecting at least one of the plurality of teat cups by exposing (60) the at least one of the plurality of teat cups to steam.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a milking implement for automatically milking a dairy animal. The implement includes a measuring device for measuring a position of an object such as at least one of a displaceable element of the milking implement and a teat of the dairy animal, and a control device for controlling at least the measuring device. The control device is configured to take at least one measurement, using the measuring device, on at least one point on the object in order to obtain a position information regarding the object, compare the obtained position information with a known position information regarding the object, and calibrate the measuring device on the basis of the comparison between the obtained position information and the known position information.

Abstract: Device for pneumatically milking a cow, comprising a number of milk extractors, each comprising a teat cup as well as milk line connected to the lower end of the teat cup, which line leads from the teat cup to a collection chamber for the milk from the teat cup, each milk extractor being provided with a supply for a cleansing medium, such as a disinfectant, to the teat cup, in particular to a teat present in the teat cup, the supply comprising a line having an end portion with discharge end, and each milk extractor being provided with means for closing off the passage of the milk extraction at or downstream of the discharge end of the line for cleansing medium, preferably at that level, when discharging the cleansing medium, the closing means comprising a reciprocating closing body that can be moved between a position leaving the passage of the milk extractor free and a position closing it off, the closing body being provided with a squirt line forming the end portion with discharge end of the line for supply

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: 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: A method of testing a biological fluid for the presence of an infection. The method includes the steps of introducing a sample of biological fluid and a reagent including light amplifying compound into a reaction chamber, the light amplifying compound reacting with a substance present only in an infected sample to emit light, and immediately measuring the intensity of any light emitted from the sample.

Abstract: Closing device assembly for systems for milking animals, provided with at least one primary passage and at least two secondary passages, wherein the primary and secondary passages are provided with first and second connecting edges, respectively, with respective openings each having an axis, further provided with at least one closing device for at least one unused, non-selected secondary passage, which closing device is provided with a closing edge, wherein of each set of connecting edges and closing edges to be connected to each other in each case at least one is provided with a seal, wherein the closing device assembly further comprises a first drive unit for mutual displacement of the first connecting edge and the second connecting edge of a selected secondary passage from an uncoupled position in which the axes of their openings are not in line with each other to a position in which the axes of their openings are in line, a coupling line, with each other, and a second drive unit for bringing said connecti

Abstract: The invention provides a method of managing a group of dairy animals including individually recognizing each animal by an animal identification system, milking the animals to give actual milk yields for each animal, and feeding the animals with an predetermined individual ration, collecting data regarding the group of dairy animals, which data comprise for each animal at least the actual milk yield and an amount of the individual ration consumed by the animal, wherein subsequent individual milk yields are estimated using a model on the basis of said data, and wherein, for one or more animals, at least one of the individual ration and the milking of individual dairy animals is adjusted in a regulatory step of the model using a precondition. The invention also provides a device and a computer program product, arranged to perform such a method.

Abstract: A safety valve for use in a dairy backflushing and dipping system. The safety valve is situated on or near a milker unit to seal and protect downstream dairy milk lines from teat dip and cleaning fluids that are fed through the safety valve to upstream milker unit components. All of the fluids, including dip, cleansers, water, and air pass through and are controlled by the safety valve.

Abstract: A system for cleaning a dairy animal milker unit and applying dip to a dairy animal, the system includes a main control, an air supply, a water supply, a backflush fluid supply, a dip supply, a stall control for receiving the air, water, backflush fluid and dip supplies, and a safety valve that is adjacent to a downstream portion of the milker unit to control backflush and dip fluids being fed to the milker unit.

Abstract: A method for applying teat dip to a dairy animal and backflushing a milker unit using a safety valve. The method includes the steps of: closing the safety valve to seal off the milker unit from a dairy pipeline system, forcing teat dip through the safety valve and a dip channel to a teat dip applicator on a milker unit teat cup, forcing backflush fluid through the safety valve and the milker unit, forcing water through the safety valve and milker unit, forcing air through the safety valve and the milker unit, and opening the safety valve so that the milker unit is in fluid communication with the dairy pipeline system.

Abstract: A vacuum operated milking system (1) which is operable in a milking mode and a cleaning mode is provided with a vacuum system (8) which applies a vacuum to milking clusters (9) through a main milk pipeline (2) and a receiver (5) in which milk from the milking clusters (9) is collected. A pulsator valve (24) provides a pulsating vacuum to milk liners in the milking cluster (9) from the vacuum system (8). An accumulator (32) accumulates respective volumes of washing and rinsing water from a wash and rinse water trough (31) through a wash and rinse pipeline (30), which are accumulated in an annular holding chamber (43). During respective ones of a washing cycle and a rinsing cycle, a valve (54) applies atmospheric pressure to the volume of washing or rinsing water accumulated in the accumulator (32) which is urged with full flow characteristics through the main milk pipeline (2), the clusters (9) and a connecting pipe (10) for cleaning thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a milk tube for a milking unit, comprising two end regions lying opposite one another and an intermediate region, all regions being interconnected to form one piece. The intermediate region is composed of a soft material and at least one end region is composed of at least one hard material.

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 demarcating an area comprises a movable demarcating element, and a control system for determining the magnitude and/or the moment of a next move of the movable demarcating element. The system furthermore comprises one or more observation devices for observing an entity near the movable demarcating element, such as a position of a dairy animal or an amount of grass in the area. The observation devices are operatively connected to the control system for transmitting a signal from the observation means to the control system. The control system is designed to receive and process the signal from the observation means to determine the magnitude and/or the moment of the next move of the movable demarcating element.

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 for detecting mastitis of a milking animal includes the steps of: determining a first indicator of mastitis; determining a second indicator of mastitis; evaluating the first indicator of mastitis and the second indicator of mastitis; and identifying a need for a third indicator of mastitis based on the step of evaluation. An increased reliability is obtained by the method, while the costs are still kept at a minimum. A milking system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An unmanned vehicle for supplying feed to an animal, which is provided with a frame, with propulsion mechanism disposed thereon, feed supplier for supplying feed and navigator connected to the propulsion mechanism with a sensor for forming an image of an observation area, wherein the sensor comprises: a source of radiation for emitting modulated electromagnetic radiation, a receiver device for radiation reflected by an object, comprising a matrix with rows and columns of receivers, an optical device and sensor image processor configured to determine for the receivers a phase difference between the emitted electromagnetic radiation and the reflected electromagnetic radiation in order to calculate a distance from the receiver to the object. Through use of the unmanned vehicle device an excellent and reliable navigation is possible, so that, for example, milk can be conveyed efficiently from a milking implement to a calf.

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 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: A robotic milking system includes a stall wherein dairy animals enter one at a time to be milked automatically. A holding tank receives successive measures of milk from successive dairy animals. Separation devices receive the successive measures of milk from the holding tank to separate components from the milk.

Abstract: In a milking machine teat cup wherein an animal to be milked has its teat inserted into a teat cup liner during milking, a first electrode extends about or within at least a portion of the teat cup liner. To clean and/or disinfect the liner, a second electrode is inserted into the liner and the two electrodes are charged so as to generate plasma in any free space between the inserted second electrode and the interior surface of the liner. The generated plasma species destroy organisms that cause mastitis, and can additionally kill other unwanted organisms and/or perform cleaning of the liner's interior.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically supplying feed to animals such as cows. A control device generates a control signal for controlling the supply of feed to be consumed by an animal at a feed trough. A parameter-measuring component determines the value of a variable parameter which bears a relationship to the feed to be supplied to an animal at the feed trough and issues a parameter value signal to the control device. The control device is provided with a processing device for processing the parameter value signal into the control signal. The parameter-measuring component measures the parameter involved which relates to an animal that feeds at the feed trough and issues a signal providing information as to that parameter to the processing device.

Abstract: A mitt for scrubbing debris, applying germicidal dip and stripping milk from an animal's teat comprises an elongated bladder having an exfoliant material applied to one surface thereof, a liquid and air inlet port, a thumb strap, a hand strap and a pinch valve.

Abstract: In apparatus and methods for applying treatment and cleaning fluid to cows teats and the teat cups of milking equipment, post-milking, each teat cup (1) has a nozzle (13) in the head portion (6) of the flexible liner (3) of the teat cup for delivering fluid internally of the teat cup. The nozzle is directed so as to discharge fluid towards the discharge end (4) of the teat cup. When milking is terminated, treatment fluid is injected through the nozzle (13) into the head portion of the liner (3) just prior to and/or as the teat cup is being withdrawn from the teat and, as a result, the teat cup wipes the injected fluid down the teat so as substantially to coat the teat with the treatment fluid. When the teat cup (1) falls into an inverted rest position, after take-off, the interior of the liner (3) may be flushed and dried with disinfectant, water and compressed air discharged upwardly into the liner by the nozzle (13). Flushing fluid can then drain downwardly from the liner and through its mouth (7).

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 fluid application system for automatically applying a fluid to the teats of an animal subsequent to the milking of the animal comprises a fluid delivery arrangement comprising a plurality of applicators, wherein each of the applicators is arranged in connection with a respective teat cup and is provided for applying the fluid to a teat of the animal, to which the respective teat cup is attached during the milking of the animal, in connection with a detachment of the teat cup from the teat. A control arrangement is provided for (i) determining, for a detachment of a teat cup from a teat, whether that detachment is a normal detachment or an abnormal detachment, and (ii) controlling, for the detachment of the teat cup from the teat, the applicator arranged in connection with that teat cup to apply the fluid provided that the detachment is a normal detachment and to not apply the fluid provided that the detachment is an abnormal detachment.

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.

Abstract: An assembly of a milking robot with a milking robot feeding place, such as a milking robot feed trough, and a device for gripping and displacing material, such as for example roughage and/or concentrate for animals. The device is provided with a gripper (2) for gripping, then displacing and subsequently supplying the material. The device comprises control means for displacing the gripper (2) to the milking robot and for controlling the gripper for supplying the material to the milking robot feeding place of the milking robot.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a cleaning method in a milking system (9) comprising a plurality of teat cups (19), each of which is connected to a respective milk line, wherein, during milking of the teats of a milking-animal, the plurality of teat cups (19) are attached to the teats of the animal, and vacuum is supplied to the respective milk lines in order to draw milk from the teats of the milking animal. The cleaning comprises the steps of removing milk or other residues present at each of said plurality of teat cups by means of flushing (37) each of said plurality of teat cups with a cleaning fluid supplied via a supply line (36, 34c); evacuating cleaning fluid from each of said plurality of teat cups or from the supply line, and disinfecting at least one of said plurality of teat cups by means of exposing (60) said at lest one of said plurality of teat cups to steam.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a cleaning method in a milking system (9) comprising a plurality of teat cups (19), each of which is connected to a respective milk line, wherein, during milking of the teats of a milking animal, the plurality of teat cups (19) are attached to the teats of the animal, and vacuum is supplied to the respective milk lines in order to draw milk from the teats of the milking animal. The cleaning comprises the steps of removing milk or other residues present at each of the plurality of teat cups by of flushing (37) each of said plurality of teat cups with a cleaning fluid supplied via a supply line (36, 34c); evacuating cleaning fluid from each of the plurality of teat cups or from the supply line; and disinfecting at least one of the plurality of teat cups by of exposing (60) the at lest one of the plurality of teat cups to steam.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for supplying a liquid to a teat-cleaning cup. The arrangement includes a cup-shaped body (1), a liquid medium source (3), at least one liquid medium passage (5, 5?) having an extension from the first medium source (3) to at least one opening to the cup-shaped body (1), and at least one feeding member. The feeding member includes a piston element (9, 9a-c, 9a?-c?) having a first surface (, which constitutes a wall surface of a first chamber (5b, 5b?) of the passage (5, 5?) and a motion source arranged to provide a motion of the piston element (9, 9a-c, 9a?-c?) in a first feeding direction in the first chamber (5b, 5b?), such that the liquid medium is fed to the cup-shaped body (1).

Abstract: A construction and a method for treating animals, in particular for milking lactating animals, with a milking module or a milking place and with a standing area for the animal to be treated and at least one opening in the standing area through which at least one treatment device can be passed. There is provided a pivotable milking module with at least two functional components, supported to be rotatable around a hinge pin disposed beneath the standing area, at least one functional component comprising at least one treatment device. The treatment device can be moved automatically, by way of a pivoting movement about the hinge pin of the milking module disposed beneath the standing area, from a rest position disposed beneath the standing area to a presentation position disposed at least in part above the standing area.

Abstract: A teat cup cleaning device comprises a heating chamber provided with a discharge outlet that is closable by means of a valve and arranged for connection to a teat cup. A filling device is arranged for filling the heating chamber with an amount of cleaning liquid and retaining a given quantity of gas. The chamber is provided with a heating arrangement 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. On operation of the valve superheated cleaning liquid is discharged to clean a teat cup.

Abstract: A method of disinfecting or sterilizing at least a portion of any of a resting, a milking, or a feeding station (3, 24, 26) provided with an animal identification device (18) and located in an area (1), in which milking animals are allowed to move, is provided. Each of the animals visiting the resting, the milking, or the feeding station is identified and is admitted to enter the station depending on the identification. The inventive method comprises the steps of retrieving information regarding the health of each of the animals entering the station; and automatically disinfecting or sterilizing the portion of the station only if the information retrieved reveals that an animal entering the station has an infection that is capable of being transmitted to other animals. The disinfection or the sterilization is performed after that said infectious milking animal has left the station.

Abstract: Device for pneumatically milking a cow, comprising a number of milk extractors, each comprising a teat cup as well as milk line connected to the lower end of the teat cup, which line leads from the teat cup to a collection chamber for the milk from the teat cup, each milk extractor being provided with a supply for a cleansing medium, such as a disinfectant, to the teat cup, in particular to a teat present in the teat cup, the supply comprising a line having an end portion with discharge end, and each milk extractor being provided with means for closing off the passage of the milk extraction at or downstream of the discharge end of the line for cleansing medium, preferably at that level, when discharging the cleansing medium, the closing means comprising a reciprocating closing body that can be moved between a position leaving the passage of the milk extractor free and a position closing it off, the closing body being provided with a squirt line forming the end portion with discharge end of the line for supply

Abstract: An object is to provide a milk foamer capable of smoothly and securely managing hygiene of a suction tube which sucks milk from a milk storage section. The milk foamer sucks the milk from a milk pack via the suction tube and mixes the milk and air with the milker to produce milk foam. The milk foamer includes a control unit which controls the production of the milk foam, and a cleaning unit which executes a cleaning operation of a route extending from the suction tube to the milker. The control unit prohibits the production of the milk foam and instructs the cleaning unit to execute the cleaning operation, in a case where a predetermined time elapses from the previous production of the milk foam.

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: The present invention refers to a cleaning method in a milking system (9) comprising a plurality of teat cups (19), each of which is connected to a respective milk line, wherein, during milking of the teats of a milking animal, the plurality of teat cups (19) are attached to the teats of the animal, and vacuum is supplied to the respective milk lines in order to draw milk from the teats of the milking animal. The cleaning comprises the steps of removing milk or other residues present at each of said plurality of teat cups by means of flushing (37) each of said plurality of teat cups with a cleaning fluid supplied via a supply line (36, 34c); evacuating cleaning fluid from each of said plurality of teat cups or from the supply line; and disinfecting at least one of said plurality of teat cups by means of exposing (60) said at lest one of said plurality of teat cups to steam.

Abstract: In a hog production plant the hogs are divided into a series of separate pens within the hog plant based generally on weight such that the lightest hogs closest to the initial weight are arranged in the first pen when the arrive and the heaviest hogs closest to the final market weight are arranged in the last pen. Each pen includes a sorting scale arranged to receive a hog therein and to weigh the hog for selection of one of two outlet paths leading to the next pen of the series or, in respect of the last pen, to a discharge location.

Abstract: The present invention provides an arrangement for filtering milk in a milking system, wherein said arrangement comprises a movable filter magazine provided with at least three filter devices (8), each of which comprises a tube housing a disposable filter and a support structure for supporting the disposable filter, and each of which is connectable to said milking system for filtering milk therein; and an actuating device for connecting each of said at least three filter devices, one at a time, to said milking system.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an arrangement and a method for milking of animals. The arrangement includes a number of milking stations (1), a central milk-receiving unit (30–32), and a transport conduit (15). Each milking station (1) includes a set of teatcups to be attached to the animal to be milked, a local milk-collecting unit, a milk discharge conduit (12) and a feeding member. The transport conduit (15) connects each milk discharge conduit to the central milk-receiving unit for the transport of milk from each milking station to the central receiving unit. The feeding member of each milking station is arranged to feed the milk from the milk-collecting unit to the transport conduit (15) via the milk discharge conduit (12). The transport conduit (15) is arranged to permit said transport of milk by means of the gravity force.

Abstract: A milk sampling apparatus for use with a processor controlled milking system. The apparatus may include a cassette wherein milk sample collecting elements are placed, and at least one filling member capable of being placed above a selected one of the milk sample collecting elements by a positioning system, and capable of bringing a milk sample, representatively taken from milk yielded during the milking of an animal by the processor controlled milking system, into the selected one of the milk sample collecting elements. The apparatus may further include a micro processor arranged for two-way communication with the processor controlled milking system.

Abstract: A milk sampling apparatus for use with an automated milking system. The apparatus may include a cassette wherein milk sample collecting elements may be placed, and at least one filling member capable of being placed above a selected one of the milk sample collecting elements by a positioning system, and capable of bringing a milk sample, representatively taken from milk yielded during the milking of an animal by the automated milking system, in the selected one of the milk sample collecting elements. Further, the milk sampling apparatus may include an agitating device, such as a shaking table, for agitating the milk sample.

Abstract: Example embodiments of the present invention refer to a milk sampling apparatus and method for use with an automated milking system. The apparatus comprises a cassette (7) wherein milk sample collecting elements (9) are placed, and at least one filling member (27) capable of being placed above a selected one of the milk sample collecting elements (9) by a positioning system, and capable of bringing a milk sample, representatively taken from milk yielded during the milking of an animal by the automated milking system, into the selected one of the milk sample collecting elements (9).

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 stimulation device is provided for an automatic milking device having a plurality of milking cups. A vacuum device generates a negative pressure needed for milking and for the stimulation device. The stimulation device can be controllable to vary the stimulation independent from the pulsator system. Another system for stimulating milk producing animals includes a mobile stimulation device.

Abstract: A selection system for animals comprising: (a) a milking area (20) arranged to enable milking of one or more lactating animals (b) a drinking station (30) remote from the milking area (20) in which is positioned an attractant configured to attract an animal from a grazing paddock (50) (c) an entry race (70) connecting the drinking station (30) and the milking area (20) (d) a control mechanism (60) configured to permit entry of a lactating animal meeting a predefined criterion into the entry race (70) from the drinking station (30). Also a method utilising the above system and comprising: (a) attracting an animal from a grazing paddock (50) into the drinking station (30) remote from the milking area (20) (b) determining whether the animal in the drinking station (30) meets a predefined criterion (c) permitting entry of the animal meeting the predefined criterion into the entry race (70).