A control unit is configured to obtain measurements of milk flow during a milking session of the animal (101) and analyse a sequence of the obtained measurements. Based on the analysis, the control unit estimates a total milk yield of the animal (101) and determines a predetermined partial amount of milk of the estimated total milk yield. During early lactation, the control unit interrupts the milking of the animal on all teats when the predetermined partial amount of milk of the estimated total milk yield has been drawn from the animal, or detects that the milk flow has reached a plateau phase and interrupts the milking during the plateau phase (220).

An imaging system registers image data (D.sub.img) in connection with an installation performing at least one action relating to an animal. A system for image data quality assurance contains a control unit and a digital storage unit. The control unit obtains image data (D.sub.img) registered by the imaging system when the installation is in an idle mode. The control unit analyzes the obtained image data (D.sub.img) to determine if a cleaning action to remove dirt (D) from a front window of the imaging system has been performed. If it is determined that such a cleaning action has been performed, control unit (120) causes a point in time for the cleaning action to be recorded in the digital storage unit (130) for use performance tracking of the installation in conjunction with the cleaning actions.

The invention relates to a system comprising at least one smart tag for animals on a farm and a multiplicity of devices which are configured to have an interaction with the animals, the smart tag being provided with at least one transmitting and receiving apparatus, at least one processor, at least one memory and at least one sensor which are communicatively connected with each other, characterized in that the smart tag is configured to comprise and send out command data intended to selectively control a device of a multiplicity of different type devices autonomously and wirelessly.

The invention relates to a system comprising at least one smart tag for animals on a farm and a multiplicity of devices which are configured to have an interaction with the animals, the smart tag being provided with at least one transmitting and receiving apparatus, at least one processor, at least one memory and at least one sensor which are communicatively connected with each other, characterized in that the smart tag is configured to comprise and send out command data intended to selectively control a device of a multiplicity of different type devices autonomously and wirelessly.

A device suitable for attachment to a milking platform at a “milking position” has a strippings viewing area and a light source, which is operable to illuminate in a suitable manner the strippings viewing area to enhance the visibility to an operator of any mastitis symptoms in use and/or to illuminate the udder to facilitate inspection or treatment. The light source may also be operable to give continuous or intermittent colour signals to the operator and the device might also include an alpha-numeric area. The device might form part of a leg separator and/or sprayer and/or milk hose support. A milking platform with such a device is also claimed.

A device suitable for attachment to a milking platform at a “milking position” has a strippings viewing area and a light source, which is operable to illuminate in a suitable manner the strippings viewing area to enhance the visibility to an operator of any mastitis symptoms in use and/or to illuminate the udder to facilitate inspection or treatment. The light source may also be operable to give continuous or intermittent colour signals to the operator and the device might also include an alpha-numeric area. The device might form part of a leg separator and/or sprayer and/or milk hose support. A milking platform with such a device is also claimed.

A milking robot for automated milking of milking animals, comprising a cylinder supporting movement of at least one movable component. The cylinder has a wall with a ventilation opening and a cylinder rod which can move in and out of the cylinder. The cylinder wall surrounds at least one variable volume part for movement of the cylinder rod. The opening configures the cylinder to remain in virtual pressure equilibrium with an environment. A gas capture device is connected which has a variable volume and which together with the variable volume part, forms an air-tight gas volume. Thus the variable volume part is kept at almost ambient pressure, so that no unnecessary counter-pressure occurs in the cylinder, during extension and retraction of the cylinder rod. Also less to no exchange of gas and dirt with the environment can take place for longer life and better reliability of the cylinder.

A milking robot for automated milking of milking animals, comprising a cylinder supporting movement of at least one movable component. The cylinder has a wall with a ventilation opening and a cylinder rod which can move in and out of the cylinder. The cylinder wall surrounds at least one variable volume part for movement of the cylinder rod. The opening configures the cylinder to remain in virtual pressure equilibrium with an environment. A gas capture device is connected which has a variable volume and which together with the variable volume part, forms an air-tight gas volume. Thus the variable volume part is kept at almost ambient pressure, so that no unnecessary counter-pressure occurs in the cylinder, during extension and retraction of the cylinder rod. Also less to no exchange of gas and dirt with the environment can take place for longer life and better reliability of the cylinder.

A method and automated machine for milking dairy animals and manufacturing cheese from the milk obtained, including the steps of: milking a well-defined, measured amount of base milk which satisfies certain quality standards and which is not mixed with other milk; and manufacturing cheese directly from the base milk obtained, by means of a fully automatic production line, where the production line contains a number of separate processing locations where intermediate products from the base milk are generated and/or treated, and transportation between the processing location and the handling of the base milk is done by a fully automatic robot vehicle (robotised automatic guided vehicle).

A milking arrangement includes a milking module having at least two milking places, a front gate assembly, a sequence gate assembly, an entrance gate, an independent first drive device for moving the front gate assembly between lower and upper positions, and a second drive device for moving the entrance gate between open and closed positions. An independent third drive device moves the sequence gate assembly from a first position to a second elevated position in which the sequence gates are located at a level above and behind animals standing in respective milking places. The sequence gate assembly being configured to move from the second position to the first position such that the sequence gates urge animals standing in their respective milking places to leave the milking places. A control arrangement controls opening of the entrance gate on basis of the position of the sequence gate assembly.