A milking system for milking of a milk animal, including a milking cup for obtaining the milk, the milking cup having a teat space with a first milk outflow opening, and a measuring chamber directly and rigidly connected to the milking cup for at least temporarily containing the obtained milk. The measuring chamber is provided with a milk inflow opening which is in flow communication with the first milk outflow opening, a second milk outflow opening, a vacuum outlet, and a sensor device for measuring a property of the milk in the measuring chamber. The sensor device includes an optical sensor device having a plurality of optical sensor elements, at least one light source, and a control unit which is configured to process sensor signals into values of at least two parameters of the milk in the measuring chamber.

A milking system for milking of a milk animal, including a milking cup for obtaining the milk, the milking cup having a teat space with a first milk outflow opening, and a measuring chamber directly and rigidly connected to the milking cup for at least temporarily containing the obtained milk. The measuring chamber is provided with a milk inflow opening which is in flow communication with the first milk outflow opening, a second milk outflow opening, a vacuum outlet, and a sensor device for measuring a property of the milk in the measuring chamber. The sensor device includes an optical sensor device having a plurality of optical sensor elements, at least one light source, and a control unit which is configured to process sensor signals into values of at least two parameters of the milk in the measuring chamber.

A fluid measurement device and methods of manufacturing and using the same are disclosed. The fluid measurement device includes a conduit configured to transport a fluid, a conductivity sensor in the conduit, and a voltage sensor in the conduit and having first and second rings, probes, or plates. The conductivity sensor is configured to determine the conductivity of the fluid. The voltage sensor is configured to receive a first voltage on the first ring, probe, or plate and detect a capacitance or a second voltage on the second ring, probe, or plate. A value of the capacitance or second voltage corresponds to the amount of fluid in the voltage sensor. The total amount of fluid through the conduit may be determined from amount of fluid in the voltage sensor, the fluid flow rate, the fluid velocity, and the number of samples or the sampling rate.

A sensor arrangement measures a parameter (P) representing a position of a movable platform of a rotary parlor relative to a stationary reference point. Based on the parameter, in turn, a control unit influences the movement of the movable platform. A first transmitter unit with a first transmitter antenna is placed on the movable platform and thus moves along with the movable platform. A first radio signal emitted from the transmitter antenna contains a timing reference and uniquely identifies the first transmitter unit. At least three receiver stations are stationary placed with a respective receiver antenna located such that the first radio signal is received via line-of-sight propagation. Based on the first radio signal and respective propagation times derived from the timing reference in the first radio signal (SID), the receiver stations generate the parameter (P).

A sensor arrangement measures a parameter (P) representing a position of a movable platform of a rotary parlor relative to a stationary reference point. Based on the parameter, in turn, a control unit influences the movement of the movable platform. A first transmitter unit with a first transmitter antenna is placed on the movable platform and thus moves along with the movable platform. A first radio signal emitted from the transmitter antenna contains a timing reference and uniquely identifies the first transmitter unit. At least three receiver stations are stationary placed with a respective receiver antenna located such that the first radio signal is received via line-of-sight propagation. Based on the first radio signal and respective propagation times derived from the timing reference in the first radio signal (SID), the receiver stations generate the parameter (P).

A control unit (240) and configuration tag (125) of a milk analysis apparatus (120) includes a first wireless communication device (310), for communication with a memory device (330) of the configuration tag. The configuration tag is applicable to the milk analysis apparatus and includes a reference sign (115) of a milk extracting arrangement (110) to which the milk analysis apparatus is intended to work in conjunction with. The communication is made via a second wireless communication device (320) comprised in the configuration tag. The control unit (340) is configured to retrieve, via the first wireless communication device, configuration data of the milk extracting arrangement that the milk analysis apparatus is intended to operate in conjunction with, from the memory device of the configuration tag; and to configure the control unit, based on the retrieved configuration data of the milk extracting arrangement.

A control unit (240) and configuration tag (125) of a milk analysis apparatus (120) includes a first wireless communication device (310), for communication with a memory device (330) of the configuration tag. The configuration tag is applicable to the milk analysis apparatus and includes a reference sign (115) of a milk extracting arrangement (110) to which the milk analysis apparatus is intended to work in conjunction with. The communication is made via a second wireless communication device (320) comprised in the configuration tag. The control unit (340) is configured to retrieve, via the first wireless communication device, configuration data of the milk extracting arrangement that the milk analysis apparatus is intended to operate in conjunction with, from the memory device of the configuration tag; and to configure the control unit, based on the retrieved configuration data of the milk extracting arrangement.

The present invention is directed to methods for fertility prediction in animals, and in particular dairy cows. The methods allow detection of the likelihood of conception upon insemination of a cow based on the analysis of properties of milk of the cow, and in particular the mid-infrared (MIR) spectrum of the milk. Such methods also enable selection of cows for insemination and fertility classification of cows. Software and systems for carrying out the methods of the invention are also provided. The present invention also provides methods for deriving reference MIR spectra representative cows with good or poor likelihoods of conception upon insemination. These reference MIR spectra can be used for fertility prediction in cows to be tested.

The present invention is directed to methods for fertility prediction in animals, and in particular dairy cows. The methods allow detection of the likelihood of conception upon insemination of a cow based on the analysis of properties of milk of the cow, and in particular the mid-infrared (MIR) spectrum of the milk. Such methods also enable selection of cows for insemination and fertility classification of cows. Software and systems for carrying out the methods of the invention are also provided. The present invention also provides methods for deriving reference MIR spectra representative cows with good or poor likelihoods of conception upon insemination. These reference MIR spectra can be used for fertility prediction in cows to be tested.

A space divider of a milking parlor arrangement for at least one milking parlor for milking milk-producing animals, wherein the space divider is arranged approximately parallel to a longitudinal axis of the animal to be milked, has an arm device having a milking cluster, which can be adjusted from a parking position to a working position and back. The arm device is arranged with the milking cluster in the parking position in the space divider and can be adjusted into the working position laterally to the animal to be milked between the front and rear legs thereof. The space divider may include a replaceable service unit.