A system that includes a three-dimensional (3D) camera configured to capture a 3D image of a rearview of a dairy livestock in a stall and a processor. The processor is configured to obtain the 3D image, identify one or more regions within the 3D image comprising depth values greater than a depth value threshold, and s to identify a thigh gap region from the one or more regions. The processor is further configured to demarcate an access region within the thigh gap region and demarcate a tail detection region. The processor is further configured to identify one or more tail candidates within the tail detection region, to identify a tail candidate that corresponds with a tail model as the tail, and to determine position information for the tail.

A system that includes a three-dimensional (3D) camera configured to capture a 3D image of a rearview of a dairy livestock in a stall and a processor. The processor is configured to obtain the 3D image, identify one or more regions within the 3D image comprising depth values greater than a depth value threshold, and s to identify a thigh gap region from the one or more regions. The processor is further configured to demarcate an access region within the thigh gap region and demarcate a tail detection region. The processor is further configured to identify one or more tail candidates within the tail detection region, to identify a tail candidate that corresponds with a tail model as the tail, and to determine position information for the tail.

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.

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.

A method that can monitor a milking process is presented and, in particular, a method and apparatus that can effectively determine the stage of the milking process. An additional aspect is to provide a method that may measure a vacuum level associated with the milking process, receive an operational state of a valve associated with the milking process, and compare the vacuum level and valve operational state to criteria to determine the milking stage. Further, the method may be configured to issue an indication of the milking stage or issue an alarm if alarm conditions are satisfied.

A method that can monitor a milking process is presented and, in particular, a method and apparatus that can effectively determine the stage of the milking process. An additional aspect is to provide a method that may measure a vacuum level associated with the milking process, receive an operational state of a valve associated with the milking process, and compare the vacuum level and valve operational state to criteria to determine the milking stage. Further, the method may be configured to issue an indication of the milking stage or issue an alarm if alarm conditions are satisfied.

An inline analyzer for a milking machine system includes an outer body having a central axis, a fluid input channel, an upper cover attached to the fluid input channel, a central portion attached to the upper cover, a lower portion attached to the central portion, and a fluid output channel attached to the lower portion, wherein the fluid input channel, the central portion and the fluid output channel each have a hollow central channel. A float portion is disposed loosely within the outer body and is free to move axially along the central axis such that milk flows around the float portion. Electrode(s) extend through an upper portion of the float portion. A battery, processor(s), memory and actuator are disposed within float portion. The actuator causes the float portion to move axially along the outer body central to regulate the flow of milk through the outer body.

An inline analyzer for a milking machine system includes an outer body having a central axis, a fluid input channel, an upper cover attached to the fluid input channel, a central portion attached to the upper cover, a lower portion attached to the central portion, and a fluid output channel attached to the lower portion, wherein the fluid input channel, the central portion and the fluid output channel each have a hollow central channel. A float portion is disposed loosely within the outer body and is free to move axially along the central axis such that milk flows around the float portion. Electrode(s) extend through an upper portion of the float portion. A battery, processor(s), memory and actuator are disposed within float portion. The actuator causes the float portion to move axially along the outer body central to regulate the flow of milk through the outer body.

A system comprises a milking box, a robotic attacher, a sensor, and a controller. The milking box has a stall to accommodate a dairy livestock. The stall comprises a first exit gate on a first side of the stall leading to a first sorting region and a second exit gate on a second side of the stall leading to a second sorting region. The robotic attacher extends from the rear between the hind legs of the dairy livestock. The sensor identifies the dairy livestock within the milking box stall. The controller selects and opens the first exit gate or the second exit gate based at least in part upon the identity of the dairy livestock.

A system comprises a milking box, a robotic attacher, a sensor, and a controller. The milking box has a stall to accommodate a dairy livestock. The stall comprises a first exit gate on a first side of the stall leading to a first sorting region and a second exit gate on a second side of the stall leading to a second sorting region. The robotic attacher extends from the rear between the hind legs of the dairy livestock. The sensor identifies the dairy livestock within the milking box stall. The controller selects and opens the first exit gate or the second exit gate based at least in part upon the identity of the dairy livestock.