Disclosed is a monitoring system, and associated method, relating to the operation of a dairy plant, the system being adapted or able to monitor one or more of the following criteria: the mixing and/or dispensing of animal health products, the mixing and/or dispensing of teat treatments, the mixing and/or dispensing of chemicals, the mixing and/or dispensing of cleaning chemicals, the monitoring of plant cleaning operations, the usage of plant products/treatments/chemicals, and/or any other aspects associated with the operation of a dairy plant. The system is preferably able to monitor a dispensing system associated with a dairy plant.

A preparation robot, a teat preparation arrangement, and a method of preparing teats are disclosed. The preparation robot includes a base, a robot arm arrangement connected to and movable in relation to the base, the robot arm arrangement including an outer robot arm member, a first teat-preparing cup, and a second teat-preparing cup, each including an inner space for receiving a respective one of the teats. The first teat-preparing cup is attached to the outer robot arm member to be immovable in relation to the outer robot arm member during operation of the preparation robot. The second teat-preparing cup is detachable from the outer robot arm member to be movable in relation to the outer robot arm member during at least a part of the operation of the preparation robot.

A preparation robot, a teat preparation arrangement, and a method of preparing teats are disclosed. The preparation robot includes a base, a robot arm arrangement connected to and movable in relation to the base, the robot arm arrangement including an outer robot arm member, a first teat-preparing cup, and a second teat-preparing cup, each including an inner space for receiving a respective one of the teats. The first teat-preparing cup is attached to the outer robot arm member to be immovable in relation to the outer robot arm member during operation of the preparation robot. The second teat-preparing cup is detachable from the outer robot arm member to be movable in relation to the outer robot arm member during at least a part of the operation of the preparation robot.

A system for cleaning a dairy animal milker unit and applying dip to a dairy animal, the system includes a main control, an air supply, a water supply, a backflush fluid supply, a dip supply, a stall control for receiving the air, water, backflush fluid and dip supplies, and a safety valve that is adjacent to a downstream portion of the milker unit to control backflush and dip fluids being fed to the milker unit.

A system for cleaning a dairy animal milker unit and applying dip to a dairy animal, the system includes a main control, an air supply, a water supply, a backflush fluid supply, a dip supply, a stall control for receiving the air, water, backflush fluid and dip supplies, and a safety valve that is adjacent to a downstream portion of the milker unit to control backflush and dip fluids being fed to the milker unit.

A milking device for milking of a dairy animal with teats includes a control unit, a milking device including milking cups, a robot arm to attach the milking cups to the teats of the dairy animal, a teat-detecting device to determine positions of the teats, including an outer optically permeable component, such as a lens or cover plate, and a cleaning device to clean the optically permeable component. The cleaning device is provided with a cleaning liquid supply and an application device to apply the cleaning liquid to the optically permeable component. The milking device includes a spraying device for spraying a teat-treating liquid on the teats. The application device is configured to apply cleaning liquid to the optically permeable component at least while the spraying device sprays the teat-treating liquid. As a result thereof, adhesion of the often sticky teat-treating liquid to the optically permeable component is efficiently counteracted.

A milking device for milking of a dairy animal with teats includes a control unit, a milking device including milking cups, a robot arm to attach the milking cups to the teats of the dairy animal, a teat-detecting device to determine positions of the teats, including an outer optically permeable component, such as a lens or cover plate, and a cleaning device to clean the optically permeable component. The cleaning device is provided with a cleaning liquid supply and an application device to apply the cleaning liquid to the optically permeable component. The milking device includes a spraying device for spraying a teat-treating liquid on the teats. The application device is configured to apply cleaning liquid to the optically permeable component at least while the spraying device sprays the teat-treating liquid. As a result thereof, adhesion of the often sticky teat-treating liquid to the optically permeable component is efficiently counteracted.

A system for cleaning a dairy animal milker unit and applying dip to a dairy animal, the system includes a main control, an air supply, a water supply, a backflush fluid supply, a dip supply, a stall control for receiving the air, water, backflush fluid and dip supplies, and a safety valve that is adjacent to a downstream portion of the milker unit to control backflush and dip fluids being fed to the milker unit.

A system for cleaning a dairy animal milker unit and applying dip to a dairy animal, the system includes a main control, an air supply, a water supply, a backflush fluid supply, a dip supply, a stall control for receiving the air, water, backflush fluid and dip supplies, and a safety valve that is adjacent to a downstream portion of the milker unit to control backflush and dip fluids being fed to the milker unit.

Wearable apparatus for the treatment of mastitis, the apparatus comprising a mammary gland wearable comprising an array of light source elements thereon emitting electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in the range of 380-1050 nm, a power supply coupled to the array of light source elements, the wearable configured to be worn against a mammary gland in use wherein the array of light source elements emit the radiation which penetrates epidermis of the mammary gland for the treatment of mastitis.