A dairy farming system comprises at least one milking device for obtaining milk from dairy animals by means of a milking process, a control unit for controlling the at least one milking device, and a data input for automatically receiving data relating to milk which was obtained earlier and supplied to an external party. The data comprises at least one content of a substance in the milk and/or at least one physical or chemical property of the milk, and a quantity value of the milk, the milking device has at least one adjustable parameter relating to the milking process, the control unit automatically processes at least part of the received data to obtain at least one control parameter value, and the control unit automatically adjusts at least one of the at least one parameter of the milking device on the basis of the at least one control parameter value.

Sensor system with a sensor device having a through-flow cell for liquid, a detector device for measuring a property of the liquid in the through-flow cell and for generating an associated detector signal, a sensor control for analyzing the detector signal, wherein the sensor control detects a liquid transition between two different liquids in the through-flow cell when a change (per unit time) in the detector signal is greater is than a threshold value. In the case of such a liquid transition detection, the sensor control generates an alarm signal. Liquid transition detection is carried out by optical, temperature and/or conductivity sensors.

A milking arrangement comprising a milking machine for milking an animal, wherein the milking arrangement comprises a control unit that is configured to obtain identity of the animal in connection with milking of the animal, obtain a reference point in time of a lactation cycle of the identified animal, determine to take at least one milk sample of the animal, when a predetermined time period has passed from the reference point in time; obtain a Haptoglobin level from the milk sample, compare the obtained Haptoglobin level with a Haptoglobin reference limit, and indicate health condition of the animal, based on the made comparison.

A method of calibrating a sensors in a system for obtaining animal data from animals is described. The sensors are configured to obtain measurements of an animal related parameter during arbitrary visits by the animal to the sensors. For at least one of the animals, a first measurement associated with a first sensor of the sensors is obtained, and calculating one or more relations between the first measurement and one or more second measurements associated with the respective animal. Each of the second measurements is obtained using a further sensor, so as to obtain at least one representative relation for each combination of the first sensor and each one of the further sensors. The system calculates, based on the at least one representative relation, a correction factor associated with at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors.

Disclosed is a milk measuring device for determining at least one parameter of milk flowing through a flow line provided between an inlet opening and an outlet opening. The flow line has a first circuit board and a second circuit board. The first circuit board has a plurality of infrared transmitters directed towards said flow line for emitting infrared rays. The second circuit board has a plurality of infrared receivers directed towards said first circuit board for detecting the infrared rays emitted and generating a signal according to the detected infrared rays. The infrared rays emitted are detected by at least two infrared receivers having a processor unit for ensuring simultaneous operation of the infrared transmitters and infrared receivers. The processor unit is configured to determine at least one flow parameter of the milk flowing through the flow line according to the signal generated by the infrared receivers.

Described herein is an in-line sensor for sensing properties of a pulsed milk flow on a continuous basis. A milking cluster comprising multiple pulsed milk flow inputs from lactating animal teats and a mixing point or claw for the multiple inputs is described that includes multiple in-line sensors for each pulsed milk flow input. Methods of use of the in-line sensor and milking cluster are also described. The in-line sensor described may be easily integrated into existing milking apparatus, is reliable, has a low cost, and is self-cleaning/self-emptying.

A control unit (240) and liquid container (135) of a milk analysis apparatus (120) having a first wireless communication device (210), for communication with a memory device (230) of a liquid container (135). The liquid container (135) is insertable into the milk analysis apparatus, via a second wireless communication device (220) in the liquid container. The control unit (240) is configured to obtain a signal associated with consumed liquid amount of the liquid container, during a liquid extraction session; and transmit information related to the consumed liquid amount via the first wireless communication device, for storage in the memory device of the liquid container.

A milking system with a milking device, a milking control, a milk line in fluid connection with the milking device, and a sampling and analysis device to take a sample of the milk from the milk line and to analyse milk from the sample are disclosed. The milking control is arranged to control the milking device on the basis of the analysis. The sampling and analysis device includes a control unit, a tape reel provided with a tape that is lengthwise provided with a series of consecutive reagent pads that provide a detectable response in the presence of a substance in the sample, a tape mover to move the tape, a dosing device to supply a part of the sample onto a reagent pad on the tape, and a camera to obtain an image of the reagent pad supplied with the droplet, and an analysis device to analyse the obtained images to provide to the milking control device an indication of a presence or concentration of said substance. The camera has a field of view that contains a plurality of reagent pads of the series of consecutive reagent pads. This allows to observe the reaction in the reagent pad for a much longer time. In turn, this allows to use much less reagent material, such as expensive enzymes, in the pads. It is particularly useful when observing double layer reagent types.

Described herein is an in-line sensor for sensing properties of a pulsed milk flow on a continuous basis. A milking cluster comprising multiple pulsed milk flow inputs from lactating animal teats and a mixing point or claw for the multiple inputs is described that includes multiple in-line sensors for each pulsed milk flow input. Methods of use of the in-line sensor and milking cluster are also described. The in-line sensor described may be easily integrated into existing milking apparatus, is reliable, has a low cost, and is self-cleaning/self-emptying.

An arrangement for aligning a needle and dry stick when applying an animal milk sample. The dry stick indicates a biomarker value of the milk sample. The arrangement comprises a carrier supporting the dry stick, a tube element for receiving the milk sample, and a needle connected to the tube element. A light source illuminates the dry stick, while a camera captures images of the dry stick and its shadow. A drive unit moves the carrier with the dry stick, controlled by a controller. The controller triggers the camera to capture and analyze images, using the shadow analysis to precisely position the dry stick. Based on this image analysis, the controller signals the drive unit to move the dry stick into proper alignment, enabling accurate application of the milk sample by the needle.