Abstract:
[A method product and apparatus are disclosed for calculating a transition monitor value for one or more dairy cows so as to direct dairy transition management practices toward optimizing its future value and thereby the health and productivity (i.e., the transition performance) of the one or more dairy cows . An expected milk production is calculated (300) 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 (350, 500) as the difference between actual and expected milk production values. The transition monitor values can then be used (700) 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:
The present invention relates to a milking system for animals. In particular, the present invention relates to a milking system implantable within the teat of an animal which provides improved milking rapidity and decreased mastitis incidence.
Abstract:
The present invention refers to teat cup cleaning in an automated milking system comprising a plurality of teat cups, each connected to a first end of a respective milk line (5), and the second end of each milk line being individually and automatically connectable to a first (7) or a second container (9), respectively, wherein, during milking of the teats of a milking animal, the plurality of teat cups are attached to the teats of the animal, the second ends of the milk lines are connected to said first container and vacuum is supplied to said first container in order to draw milk through the milk line s into said first container. The cleaning comprises supplying (41, 43) a cleaning fluid to at least a first (3) of said plurality of teat cups; connecting the second end of the milk line (5) connected to the first teat cup (3) to said second container (9); and supplying vacuum to said second container in order to suck cleaning fluid through the milk lines into said second container(9), while keeping said fir st container (7) at substantially atmospheric pressure.
Abstract:
Example embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and arrangements for cooling milk in a milk storage tank of an automatic milking system comprising (i) measuring an amount of extracted milk by a milk flow meter; (ii) determining a cooling need for milk stored or to be stored in the milk storage tank based on the amount of milk; (iii) measuring a quantity indicative of a temperature of an inner surface area of a bottom portion of the milk storage tank; and cooling the bottom portion of the milk storage tank in consecutive periods, such that each period of cooling (tau1, tau3) is followed by a respective period of non-cooling (tau2, tau4), wherein the duration of each period of cooling and/or non-cooling is based on the measured quantity indicative of the inner surface area temperature, and the cooling need.
Abstract:
Example embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and arrangements for cooling milk in a milk storage tank of an automatic milking system comprising (i) measuring an amount of extracted milk by a milk flow meter; (ii) determining a cooling need for milk stored or to be stored in the milk storage tank based on the amount of milk; (iii) measuring a quantity indicative of a temperature of an inner surface area of a bottom portion of the milk storage tank; and cooling the bottom portion of the milk storage tank in consecutive periods, such that each period of cooling (tau1, tau3) is followed by a respective period of non-cooling (tau2, tau4), wherein the duration of each period of cooling and/or non-cooling is based on the measured quantity indicative of the inner surface area temperature, and the cooling need.