In a headlock system having a plurality of n headlock cells, each of the n cells being adapted to enclose at least one animal; n is an integer greater than 1; a system for locating the position of at least one animal, the system comprising: at least one identification means adapted to transmit at least one identification signal associated with said at least one animal; at least one locating means adapted to generate at least one location signal associated with said at least one animal; and, a data processing system in communication with said at least one identification means and said at least one locating means, adapted to analyze said signals, said analyzed signals comprising the position within a predetermined region in said headlock system of each of said at least one animals as a function of time.

In a headlock system having a plurality of n headlock cells, each of the n cells being adapted to enclose at least one animal; n is an integer greater than 1; a system for locating the position of at least one animal, the system comprising: at least one identification means adapted to transmit at least one identification signal associated with said at least one animal; at least one locating means adapted to generate at least one location signal associated with said at least one animal; and, a data processing system in communication with said at least one identification means and said at least one locating means, adapted to analyze said signals, said analyzed signals comprising the position within a predetermined region in said headlock system of each of said at least one animals as a function of time.

A milking system includes a milking device for milking a milking from a dairy animal. The system is provided with a control unit for the milking system, milking cups, a first milk jar for receiving the milking, a first pumping device for pumping the milking from the first milk jar to a first milk pipe, a second milk jar in flow communication with the first milk pipe for receiving the milking from the first milk jar, and a second pumping device for pumping the milking from the second milk jar into a second milk pipe. The first pumping device is configured to pump the milking at a first flow rate and the second pumping device is configured to pump the milking at a second flow rate, which is lower than the first flow rate. The milking system also includes a heat-exchanging system in flow communication with the second milk pipe.

A milking system includes a milking device for milking a milking from a dairy animal. The system is provided with a control unit for the milking system, milking cups, a first milk jar for receiving the milking, a first pumping device for pumping the milking from the first milk jar to a first milk pipe, a second milk jar in flow communication with the first milk pipe for receiving the milking from the first milk jar, and a second pumping device for pumping the milking from the second milk jar into a second milk pipe. The first pumping device is configured to pump the milking at a first flow rate and the second pumping device is configured to pump the milking at a second flow rate, which is lower than the first flow rate. The milking system also includes a heat-exchanging system in flow communication with the second milk pipe.

A milking system includes one or more milking devices and a control unit. The system is provided with a plurality of milking cups, a first milk jar for receiving the milking, a first pumping device for pumping the milking, a second milk jar for receiving the milking from the first milk jar, a second pumping device for pumping at least a part of the milking, and at least one storage tank for storing at least a part of the milking. The second pumping device pumps the milking at a lower flow rate than that at which the first pumping device pumps the milking. As a result, the milk is for the most part moved with low mechanical load and little admixture with air which improves milk quality. In the case of a plurality of milking devices in the milking system, various milkings can be moved and treated separately.

A milking system includes one or more milking devices and a control unit. The system is provided with a plurality of milking cups, a first milk jar for receiving the milking, a first pumping device for pumping the milking, a second milk jar for receiving the milking from the first milk jar, a second pumping device for pumping at least a part of the milking, and at least one storage tank for storing at least a part of the milking. The second pumping device pumps the milking at a lower flow rate than that at which the first pumping device pumps the milking. As a result, the milk is for the most part moved with low mechanical load and little admixture with air which improves milk quality. In the case of a plurality of milking devices in the milking system, various milkings can be moved and treated separately.

In one aspect, the invention provides a sampling apparatus for taking a representative milk sample in a predetermined quantity range from a conveying line in which milk is conveyed at conveying intervals of unknown length. The sampling apparatus comprises a pump, a controller of the pump, and a sample container connecting element connecting member in communication with the pump, wherein the controller is configured based on the predetermined quantity range and a measured quantity indicating a flow rate of the milk conveyed in the conveying line and/or a predetermined quantity indicating a total quantity of milk to be conveyed through the conveying line in a conveying interval, to controlling a pulsed operation of the pump in a conveying interval, wherein the pump conveys a discrete sample subset along a first conveying direction of the pump during the pulsed operation in each sample pulse interval, and wherein the predetermined quantity range is greater than or equal to a total quantity corresponding to a total number of discrete sample subsets in the conveying interval.

In one aspect, the invention provides a sampling apparatus for taking a representative milk sample in a predetermined quantity range from a conveying line in which milk is conveyed at conveying intervals of unknown length. The sampling apparatus comprises a pump, a controller of the pump, and a sample container connecting element connecting member in communication with the pump, wherein the controller is configured based on the predetermined quantity range and a measured quantity indicating a flow rate of the milk conveyed in the conveying line and/or a predetermined quantity indicating a total quantity of milk to be conveyed through the conveying line in a conveying interval, to controlling a pulsed operation of the pump in a conveying interval, wherein the pump conveys a discrete sample subset along a first conveying direction of the pump during the pulsed operation in each sample pulse interval, and wherein the predetermined quantity range is greater than or equal to a total quantity corresponding to a total number of discrete sample subsets in the conveying interval.

A milk extracting system and computer-implemented method of adjusting the vacuum pressures applied respectively at different teat cups for milking the teats of an animal during a milk extraction procedure, where a teat-specific milk flow value is determined for each individual teat during the milk extraction, based on measurements received from respective milk flow meters, each determined teat specific milk flow value is compared with a first threshold limit, and when a determination is made that all of the teat specific milk flow values exceed the first threshold limit the vacuum pressure at each teat cup is adjusted to a high flow vacuum pressure level.

A milk extracting system and computer-implemented method of adjusting the vacuum pressures applied respectively at different teat cups for milking the teats of an animal during a milk extraction procedure, where a teat-specific milk flow value is determined for each individual teat during the milk extraction, based on measurements received from respective milk flow meters, each determined teat specific milk flow value is compared with a first threshold limit, and when a determination is made that all of the teat specific milk flow values exceed the first threshold limit the vacuum pressure at each teat cup is adjusted to a high flow vacuum pressure level.