The invention relates to a method for milking a milk-producing animal, in particular a cow. According to this method, a target milk quantity which is lower than a possible expected milk quantity is determined. The milking process is carried out. During milking, the milked quantity is determined. The milked quantity is compared with the target milk quantity. Milking is terminated when the milked quantity corresponds substantially to the target milk quantity.

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 method for sampling milk in a milking machine includes the steps of attaching teat cups to teats of an animal and starting to milk said teats; receiving a first amount of milk in a milk receiver while keeping an outlet valve device open; closing the outlet valve device; continuing the receiving of milk in the milk receiver; agitating the milk in the milk receiver using an agitation device of a milk sampling arrangement; taking a regular milk sample from the milk in an outlet portion of the milk receiver using a milk sample device of the milk sampling arrangement; and opening the outlet valve device so that the milk can be transferred to a milk tank.

A method for sampling milk in a milking machine includes the steps of attaching teat cups to teats of an animal and starting to milk said teats; receiving a first amount of milk in a milk receiver while keeping an outlet valve device open; closing the outlet valve device; continuing the receiving of milk in the milk receiver; agitating the milk in the milk receiver using an agitation device of a milk sampling arrangement; taking a regular milk sample from the milk in an outlet portion of the milk receiver using a milk sample device of the milk sampling arrangement; and opening the outlet valve device so that the milk can be transferred to a milk tank.

A distribution unit for milk samples includes a flow passage, a valve controlled milk inlet port through which milk is delivered to the flow passage, a pump port through which a sampling pump communicates with the flow passage, and at least two valve controlled milk sampling outlet ports through which milk samples are delivered from the flow passage to a respective milk sample analyzing unit. The flow passage has a longitudinal extension between a first end and a second end, and the milk sampling outlet ports are connected to the flow passage in positions located between the connection position of the milk inlet port and the connection position of the pump port.

An arrangement, a method, and a measurement indicator, configured to measure urea in a milk sample of an animal (100). The arrangement includes a reference indicator, impregnated with a halochromic substance configured to adjust colour, based on a level of hydroxide ions of a first sub milk sample; a measurement indicator, impregnated with the halochromic substance of the reference indicator, and prepared with an enzyme configured to convert urea of a second sub milk sample, into at least one chemical substance, which in turn will influence the level of hydroxide ions of the second sub sample; a sensor configured to capture a first image of the reference indicator, and a second image of the measurement indicator; and a control unit configured to determine colour difference between the images; and configured to convert the determined colour difference into urea amount in the milk sample.

An arrangement, a method, and a measurement indicator, configured to measure urea in a milk sample of an animal (100). The arrangement includes a reference indicator, impregnated with a halochromic substance configured to adjust colour, based on a level of hydroxide ions of a first sub milk sample; a measurement indicator, impregnated with the halochromic substance of the reference indicator, and prepared with an enzyme configured to convert urea of a second sub milk sample, into at least one chemical substance, which in turn will influence the level of hydroxide ions of the second sub sample; a sensor configured to capture a first image of the reference indicator, and a second image of the measurement indicator; and a control unit configured to determine colour difference between the images; and configured to convert the determined colour difference into urea amount in the milk sample.

A robotic milking system includes a milking control, a milk line, and a sampling and analysis device for the milk, wherein the milking control controls the robotic milking device based on the analysis of the milk sample. The sampling and analysis device includes a control unit, a tape reel with a tape with reagent pads that detect the presence of a substance in the sample, a tape mover, a dosing device to provide a sample onto a reagent pad, a camera to image of the reagent pad with said sample, and to analyse the images to indicate a presence or concentration of said substance. The lengthwise consecutive substantially rectangular reagent pads are separated by a hydrophobic line, and the control unit recognises said line in the image and determines a position thereof. The control unit controls the tape mover on the basis of the obtained image and line position.

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 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.