The evaluation system for evaluating a status of rumen fermentation in a ruminant includes an evaluation device that has an estimation unit for estimating a status of rumen fermentation in a ruminant based on a milk production record which indicates a milk yield and a milk component of milk produced by the ruminant. According to the evaluation system, it is possible to easily evaluate the status of rumen fermentation in the ruminant.

The evaluation system for evaluating a status of rumen fermentation in a ruminant includes an evaluation device that has an estimation unit for estimating a status of rumen fermentation in a ruminant based on a milk production record which indicates a milk yield and a milk component of milk produced by the ruminant. According to the evaluation system, it is possible to easily evaluate the status of rumen fermentation in the ruminant.

A device (1) for determining the mass flow rate of milk turbulently flowing with air in a pipe (2) in pulsed milk slugs comprises sampling a signal from a microphone (8) of the device (1) indicative of sonic signals produced by the milk flow. The sampled signals are read by a microprocessor (15) which applies a Fast Fourier Transform to the sampled signal to produce the frequency domain of the sampled signal. The microprocessor (15) is configured to compute the average energy value of the sampled signal in the frequency bandwidth of 6 kHz to 15 kHz during consecutive monitoring periods. The average energy values are inserted into a calibration equation, which may be a power law equation, a polynomial equation, a logarithmic equation or any other such suitable equation in order to convert the average energy value to a mass flow rate of the milk flowing through the pipe 2 during that predefined monitoring period. The total mass flow of milk flowing through the pipeline (2) during a period from T.sub.1 to T.sub.2 is determined by integrating the determined mass flow rate of the milk from the time T.sub.1 to the time T.sub.2. Disengagement of a milking cluster from the teats of an animal as a result of kick-off during milking is also determined when the monitored signal from the microphone (8) transitions from the signal indicative of milk flowing in pulsed slugs to a continuous relatively high energy noise signal indicative of air being continuously drawn through the pipeline.

A device (1) for determining the mass flow rate of milk turbulently flowing with air in a pipe (2) in pulsed milk slugs comprises sampling a signal from a microphone (8) of the device (1) indicative of sonic signals produced by the milk flow. The sampled signals are read by a microprocessor (15) which applies a Fast Fourier Transform to the sampled signal to produce the frequency domain of the sampled signal. The microprocessor (15) is configured to compute the average energy value of the sampled signal in the frequency bandwidth of 6 kHz to 15 kHz during consecutive monitoring periods. The average energy values are inserted into a calibration equation, which may be a power law equation, a polynomial equation, a logarithmic equation or any other such suitable equation in order to convert the average energy value to a mass flow rate of the milk flowing through the pipe 2 during that predefined monitoring period. The total mass flow of milk flowing through the pipeline (2) during a period from T.sub.1 to T.sub.2 is determined by integrating the determined mass flow rate of the milk from the time T.sub.1 to the time T.sub.2. Disengagement of a milking cluster from the teats of an animal as a result of kick-off during milking is also determined when the monitored signal from the microphone (8) transitions from the signal indicative of milk flowing in pulsed slugs to a continuous relatively high energy noise signal indicative of air being continuously drawn through the pipeline.

A method for milking a dairy animal using a milking device with a measuring device for a milk parameter, the method including identifying the dairy animal, determining a milking interval, attaching milking cups to the dairy animal, calculating, according to a first formula, an expected value for the milk parameter, milking the dairy animal, and detaching the milking cup when a first detachment criterion has been met. During the milking step and/or during the detaching step, use is made of the expected value of the milk parameter without determining the actual value of the milk parameter. The actual value is the value of the milk parameter if the milking takes place using a second detachment criterion which is stricter than the first detachment criterion. The method further includes measuring the actual value of the milk parameter for the present milking and updating the first formula.

A method for milking a dairy animal using a milking device with a measuring device for a milk parameter, the method including identifying the dairy animal, determining a milking interval, attaching milking cups to the dairy animal, calculating, according to a first formula, an expected value for the milk parameter, milking the dairy animal, and detaching the milking cup when a first detachment criterion has been met. During the milking step and/or during the detaching step, use is made of the expected value of the milk parameter without determining the actual value of the milk parameter. The actual value is the value of the milk parameter if the milking takes place using a second detachment criterion which is stricter than the first detachment criterion. The method further includes measuring the actual value of the milk parameter for the present milking and updating the first formula.

An automatic milking system controlled by receiving a parameter representing a measured flow of milk extracted from at least one teat of an udder of an animal being milked in a milking operation via at least one teatcup of the milking system, wherein the milking system is controlled to stop the milking operation based on a first criterion indicating that the flow has reached a decline phase, and a second criterion indicating that the flow decreases faster than a threshold slope, the milking operation being stopped in response to fulfillment of the second criterion on or after a point in time when the first criterion has been fulfilled. As a result, a particular amount of milk is left in the udder of the animal, irrespective of an overall milking time for the animal.

An automatic milking system controlled by receiving a parameter representing a measured flow of milk extracted from at least one teat of an udder of an animal being milked in a milking operation via at least one teatcup of the milking system, wherein the milking system is controlled to stop the milking operation based on a first criterion indicating that the flow has reached a decline phase, and a second criterion indicating that the flow decreases faster than a threshold slope, the milking operation being stopped in response to fulfillment of the second criterion on or after a point in time when the first criterion has been fulfilled. As a result, a particular amount of milk is left in the udder of the animal, irrespective of an overall milking time for the animal.

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.

Devices and methods for simultaneously measuring, in real time: 1) volumetric changes of a mammalian breast due to milk production and output, and 2) breast temperature, are provided. The devices are generally sensors which can be disposed within a wearable garment such as a bra.