A milking arrangement includes robot milking stations connected to a milk conduit with an outlet end. A connection conduit connected to the outlet end includes an outlet member. A cleaning device for cleaning the milk conduit includes a cleaning conduit having a first connection member. A milk tank includes a second connection member. The outlet member is movable between and connectable to the first connection member in a primary state, and to the second connection member in a secondary state. A controller communicates with the milking stations, the cleaning device and a user interface. When determined to change the state, measures for preparing the arrangement for the change are automatically performed. Thereafter, the user interface indicates to an operator that the arrangement is ready for the change.

A milk meter for measuring a flow rate of a milk flow with an inlet and an outlet a liquid flow path from the inlet to the outlet, a stabilization chamber in the liquid flow path and a float in the stabilization chamber configured to float on milk the milk meter is configured so a level of milk in the stabilization chamber depends on the flow rate of the milk flow, and is provided with a magnetic unit in the stabilization chamber, the magnetic field varies in a height direction of the stabilization chamber, an electronic measuring unit is arranged in the float for measuring the strength of the magnetic field, the strength is a measure of the height within the stabilization chamber at which the float is floating on the milk and the strength of the magnetic field is a measure of the flow rate of the milk flow.

A milk meter for measuring a flow rate of a milk flow with an inlet and an outlet a liquid flow path from the inlet to the outlet, a stabilization chamber in the liquid flow path and a float in the stabilization chamber configured to float on milk the milk meter is configured so a level of milk in the stabilization chamber depends on the flow rate of the milk flow, and is provided with a magnetic unit in the stabilization chamber, the magnetic field varies in a height direction of the stabilization chamber, an electronic measuring unit is arranged in the float for measuring the strength of the magnetic field, the strength is a measure of the height within the stabilization chamber at which the float is floating on the milk and the strength of the magnetic field is a measure of the flow rate of the milk flow.

A method for operating a valve, comprises directing fluid flow through a housing of the valve, wherein the fluid flows into the housing through a housing inlet and flows out of the housing through a housing outlet. The method continues by directing a first electric current into a solenoid coupled to the housing to generate a first magnetic field, wherein the first magnetic field exerts a force upon a plunger positioned inside the housing and causes the plunger to magnetically connect to a magnet. The method continues by directing a second electrical current into the solenoid to generate a second magnetic field, wherein the second magnetic field exerts a force upon the plunger causing the plunger to disconnect from the magnet and engage with the housing outlet. Fluid flows into the inlet through a milking hose, and fluid flows out of the outlet into a milking pipeline.

A method for operating a valve, comprises directing fluid flow through a housing of the valve, wherein the fluid flows into the housing through a housing inlet and flows out of the housing through a housing outlet. The method continues by directing a first electric current into a solenoid coupled to the housing to generate a first magnetic field, wherein the first magnetic field exerts a force upon a plunger positioned inside the housing and causes the plunger to magnetically connect to a magnet. The method continues by directing a second electrical current into the solenoid to generate a second magnetic field, wherein the second magnetic field exerts a force upon the plunger causing the plunger to disconnect from the magnet and engage with the housing outlet. Fluid flows into the inlet through a milking hose, and fluid flows out of the outlet into a milking pipeline.

Milk meter for measuring a flow rate of a milk flow, provided with an inlet, an outlet, and a liquid flow path from the inlet to the outlet. The milk meter has a measuring chamber and a float in the measuring chamber configured to float on milk. The milk meter determines the flow rate from the level of milk and the milk meter is provided with a magnetic unit for generating a magnetic field and the magnetic field varies in height direction of the measuring chamber, and the float has an electronic measuring unit for measuring the strength of the magnetic field. The measured strength of the magnetic field is a measure of the height at which the float is floating on the milk and the measured strength of the magnetic field is a measure of the flow rate of the milk flow.

Milk meter for measuring a flow rate of a milk flow, provided with an inlet, an outlet, and a liquid flow path from the inlet to the outlet. The milk meter has a measuring chamber and a float in the measuring chamber configured to float on milk. The milk meter determines the flow rate from the level of milk and the milk meter is provided with a magnetic unit for generating a magnetic field and the magnetic field varies in height direction of the measuring chamber, and the float has an electronic measuring unit for measuring the strength of the magnetic field. The measured strength of the magnetic field is a measure of the height at which the float is floating on the milk and the measured strength of the magnetic field is a measure of the flow rate of the milk flow.

A robotic attacher includes an arm that extends between the legs of a dairy livestock and a gripping portion coupled to the arm. The gripping portion is operable to rotate such that at a first time, a nozzle is positioned generally on the bottom of the gripping portion, and at a second time, the nozzle is positioned generally on the top of the gripping portion.

A system and method for automatically drying-off a machine-milked dairy animal by controlling milk production during a gradual drying-off period. During the gradual drying-off period, the dairy animal is not milked out. For each milking during this period, an amount of milk to be removed is determined, which is less than the amount removed at a previous milking. When the amount of milk for the current milking has been removed from the dairy animal, milking is stopped. The start of the gradual drying-off period is calculated from the dry-off date, the desired date of cessation of milking for this lactation, and from a predetermined drying-off period.

A system and method for automatically drying-off a machine-milked dairy animal by controlling milk production during a gradual drying-off period. During the gradual drying-off period, the dairy animal is not milked out. For each milking during this period, an amount of milk to be removed is determined, which is less than the amount removed at a previous milking. When the amount of milk for the current milking has been removed from the dairy animal, milking is stopped. The start of the gradual drying-off period is calculated from the dry-off date, the desired date of cessation of milking for this lactation, and from a predetermined drying-off period.