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 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.

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.

A rotary milking platform (3) comprises a plurality of stalls (5) and an RFID animal identifying system (9) for identifying animals entering the stalls (5) of the platform (3). A microprocessor (14) reads signals from an image capturing device (15) and computes a feature vector from the captured image of each animal. A plurality of reference feature vectors comprising respective matrices of metrics already derived from images of the respective animals captured by the image capturing device (15) are stored and cross-referenced with the identity of the respective animals. The microprocessor (14) compares computed feature vectors of each animal with the stored reference feature vectors until a best match has been determined with one of the reference feature vectors. The identity of the animal of that matching reference feature vector is then determined as the identity of the animal of that computed feature vector. The determined identity of the animal in the relevant stall (5) is compared with the identity of the animal determined for that stall (5) by the RFID system (9). On a favourable comparison the identity of the animal determined from the captured image of that animal is confirmed as the identity of the animal. In the event of a conflict between the two identities being determined, a conflict alert signal is produced.

A milking system for sampling and analysing milk includes a milking device, a sampling device to extract a milk sample, and an analysis device for the sample. The analysis device includes a cassette with an analysis tape having a carrier layer with separate vertical flow analysis pads, a tape displacer, a sample provision device providing a droplet of the sample to a selected analysis pad, a sensor to sense a response in the analysis pad after provision of the sample, and a control unit. The analysis pads include a reagent pad with a reagent reacting with a predetermined compound in the sample, a priming pad with a priming agent to change a property of the sample that enhances the reaction, and a bonding layer between the reagent pad and the priming pad, and including a first and second adhesive layer, and a support layer therebetween.