Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
  • G01N33/02—Food
  • G01N33/04—Dairy products
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01J—MANUFACTURE OF DAIRY PRODUCTS
  • A01J5/00—Milking machines or devices
  • A01J5/013—On-site detection of mastitis in milk
  • A01J5/0131—On-site detection of mastitis in milk by analysing the milk composition, e.g. concentration or detection of specific substances
  • A01J5/0132—On-site detection of mastitis in milk by analysing the milk composition, e.g. concentration or detection of specific substances using a cell counter
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01J—MANUFACTURE OF DAIRY PRODUCTS
  • A01J5/00—Milking machines or devices
  • A01J5/013—On-site detection of mastitis in milk
  • A01J5/0136—On-site detection of mastitis in milk by using milk flow characteristics, e.g. differences between udder quarters or differences with previous milking runs
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
  • G01N1/02—Devices for withdrawing samples
  • G01N1/10—Devices for withdrawing samples in the liquid or fluent state
  • G01N1/20—Devices for withdrawing samples in the liquid or fluent state for flowing or falling materials
  • G01N1/2035—Devices for withdrawing samples in the liquid or fluent state for flowing or falling materials by deviating part of a fluid stream, e.g. by drawing-off or tapping

Definitions

• the present invention relates to mastitis detection and to related apparatus, methods and procedures.
• the present invention recognises that an advantage is obtained for a farmer where there is the prospect of on-line monitoring of the somatic cell count indicative of mastitis infection in individual animals. Such monitoring either allows a treatment regime to be instituted for the particular animal or animals and/or for the isolation of or recriminations, if appropriate, or in respect of any such affected milk (whether at the milking parlour, farm, factory or elsewhere). BACKGROUND ART
• somatic cell count SCC
• SCC somatic cell count
• Table 1 (from Woolford et al) Diagnostic criteria for electrical conductivity, within-cow electrical conductivity ratio and somatic cell count used for prediction of the infection status of individual quarters.
• RMT Rapid Mastitis Test
• CMT California Mastitis Test
• the CMT procedure utilises an anionic surfactant (e.g. a detergent such as, for example, sodium lauryl sulphate commonly marketed at TEEPOLTM).
• an anionic surfactant e.g. a detergent such as, for example, sodium lauryl sulphate commonly marketed at TEEPOLTM.
• the CMT procedure results in a precipitate or gel indicative of the degree of infection (i.e. the SCC).
• Australian Journal of Dairy Technology 23, 129 (1968) E A Kernohan has shown that accuracy of somatic cell count (SCC) reliant upon the CMT procedure is dependant on the relative amounts of milk and reagent utilised.
• a near one to one volume ratio of a suitable reagent to milk is used in equal volumes for best results [for example, 2% w/v sodium laurel sulphate (commonly marketed as TEEPOLTM) in water used in equal volume with milk] .
• the active SCC ranges were 250 000 - 2 million cells/ml (Whittlestone et al.) and 100000 - 1.3 million cells/ml (Milne et al.) respectively. This was also undertaken in Germany (Kiermier and Keis 1964). See also the publications:
• Procedures disclosed include orifice or capillary viscometers (ie; moving gel) as well as falling ball or rolling ball viscometers (ie; stationary gel).
• Milne et al standardised a Whittlestone et al type rolling ball viscometer to a tilt angle of 25° in preference to less accurate falling ball viscometers as even very gentle shear forces were found to cause a significant decrease in viscosity. Milne et al found about a 3.5 sec tilt time resulted at that 25 ° tilt angle when they used a ball of 4.7mm diameter in a tube of 5.5mm I.D in a gel made using 2% w/v TEEPOL 610TM (Shell Chemical Company) in water solution as the reagent in volume ratios of 10ml of the reagent to 5ml of milk.
• the present invention recognises a particular accuracy and convenience is available for any such monitoring regime reliant upon the gelling of a milk sample using an appropriate non- ionic surfactant and thereafter to test the viscosity by appropriate means to thereby (by reference to some calibration of sample viscosity against the extent of mastitis infection and/or somatic cell count) to provide an indicator representation or record for the particular sample and thus the particular animal.
• the present invention consists in a method of testing a milk flow for mastitis, said method comprising or including diverting a sample flow from a said milk flow, and thereafter automatically testing such diverted milk flow by measuring an attribute of any somatic cells in at least part of the milk of that sample.
• said attribute is of the DNA of the somatic cells.
• the measuring is by reference to a gelling characteristic of the milk under the action of an anionic detergent, such gelling being dependent upon at least part of the DNA of somatic cells.
• Preferably said measurement is by reliance upon the viscosity of at least part of the milk of that sample when in a predetermined admixture for a predetermined time with an appropriate predetermined anionic detergent such as to enable the viscosity indicator to be comparable with previous and/or subsequent testing to enable changes in somatic cell count to be determined between the milk flows to be compared.
• said milk flow is from a single animal and an identifier of that animal and an indicator of viscosity and thus of the somatic cell count is coupled for comparative purposes.
• the present invention is a method of determining whether or not there is a somatic cell count change between milkings in milk of an animal, said method comprising or including
• the measuring is by reference to a gelling characteristic of the milk under the action of an anionic detergent, such gelling being dependent upon at least part of the DNA of somatic cells.
• each said measurement is by reliance upon the viscosity of at least part of the milk of that sample when in a predetermined admixture for a predetermined time with an appropriate predetermined anionic detergent such as to enable the viscosity indicated between the testings to be comparable thereby to enable the changes in somatic cell count to be qualitatively and/or quantitatively determined between the milkings.
• said automatic testing is of stationary milk.
• said automatic testing is of a milk flow whilst the milk moves.
• the invention is a method of testing a milk flow for mastitis, said method comprising or including diverting a sample flow from a said milk flow, providing an inflow of an anionic detergent and an inflow of said milk sample in predetermined proportions into a dwell zone from whence the detergent/milk admixture as a gelling and/or gelled product can outflow only at a lesser rate than said inflow(s), feeding the outflow admixture product of said dwell zone to a viscosity testing zone, and testing in said viscosity testing zone the outflow admixture product for viscosity and generating an output signal indicative of such viscosity, and if necessary, clearing (i) the viscosity testing zone or (ii) the viscosity testing zone and said dwell zone of said admixture without feedback into the milk flow from which the sample flow was diverted.
• Preferably said inflows are not mixed prior to said dwell zone.
• said milk flow is the milk from at least one teat of a known animal, such animal being identified by an output signal from an animal identifying sensor.
• a receiver receives the output signal indicative of viscosity and associates such output signal with the animal by reference to either an input signal or a said animal identifying sensor output signal.
• the data received by said receiver is stored for comparative purposes with subsequent data received at subsequent milkings from the same animal.
• sample flow is drawn off a milk flow during milking, such draw off being substantially identical for each milking having regard to
• said inflow of anionic detergent is a pumped inflow.
• said inflow of said milk sample is one of
• said inflow of said milk flow and said inflow of said anionic detergent are pumped inflows.
• the testing in said viscosity testing zone of the outflow admixture product for viscosity is whilst the at least partly gelled product is stationary.
• a rolling ball test for viscosity is utilised which generates said output signal indicative of such viscosity, such output signal being an elapsed time or a function of an elapsed time.
• said viscosity testing zone involves an outflow dependent viscosity testing device without moving parts.
• said dwell zone and said viscosity testing zone are a common chamber of apparatus into which said inflows are provided.
• the clearing is self clearing during and/or after the viscosity testing.
• the clearing involves a pumped outflow.
• the clearing involves an application of a vacuum source to at least the viscosity testing zone.
• the invention is a method of testing a milk flow for mastitis, said method comprising or including (and in any workable order) diverting a sample from a said milk flow from an animal, providing an animal identifier input or signal capable of identifying said animal to data acquisition, analysis and storage means; providing an inflow of an anionic detergent and an inflow of said milk sample in predetermined proportions into a dwell zone to allow at least partial gelling of the mixture, and providing an outflow of the at least partially gelled mixture of said dwell zone to and/or through and/or using a viscosity testing zone and (immediately or subsequently) generating an output signal to said data acquisition, analysis and storage means indicative of the viscosity of a predetermined part of the mixture that has been subject to a predetermined gel forming dwell time post mixing (whether prior to, during or post said inflow(s)), and and, if necessary, clearing (i) the viscosity
• Preferably said inflows are not mixed prior to said dwell zone.
• the data received by said acquisition, analysis and storage means is stored for comparative purposes with subsequent data received at subsequent milkings from the same animal.
• said milk flow is a milking caused milk flow.
• sample flow is drawn off a milk flow during milking, such draw off being substantially identical for each milking having regard to
• the testing in said viscosity testing zone of the outflow admixture product for viscosity is whilst the at least partly gelled product is stationary.
• a rolling ball test for viscosity is utilised which generates said output signal indicative of such viscosity, such output signal being an elapsed time or a function of an elapsed time.
• said inflow of anionic detergent is a pumped inflow.
• said inflow of said milk sample is one of
• said inflow of said milk flow and said inflow of said anionic detergent are a pumped inflows.
• the clearing involves an application of a vacuum source to at least the viscosity testing zone.
• said predetermined proportions are in the volume ratios of 5:1 to 1 :5.
• Preferably said predetermined proportions are in the range of from 2:1 to 1 :2 inclusive.
• said predetermined proportions are substantially 1 : 1.
• said anionic detergent is a Gardinol Type Detergent as defined in the Merck Index.
• said anionic detergent is an aqueous solution of about 2% w/v sodium laurel sulphate.
• the procedure is fully automatic once initiated.
• the invention comprises, in or associated with a milk flow path for milk of an individual animal from at least one cup of a milking claw to any accumulation reservoir or conduit for such flow, the provision of
• (I) means to divert part of the flow as a sample into apparatus forming at least part of a mastitis testing regime
• step (III) means to generate a signal or representation or record indicative of the test result insofar as mastitis or somatic cell count is concerned for the milk sample taken into said apparatus.
• steps (II) and (III) proceed automatically after step (I).
• Preferably means is provided whereby all steps proceed automatically once initiated by an operator during preparation for milking or during milking.
• said apparatus includes means to mix an appropriate surfactant with the milk sample thereby to generate a gel indicative of somatic cell count, means to test the gel thus generated for viscosity and means to cause or allow the gel to clear from the apparatus.
• said apparatus is such that an identical testing regime is followed for each sample taken from the milk flow such that for an individual animal or as between individual animals, or both, there is a comparative basis.
• data acquisition, analysis and storage means and there is provided means to provide an animal identifier input or signal capable of identifying an animal being milked to said data acquisition, analysis and storage means and said means to generate a signal or representation or record itself provides an output signal to said data acquisition, analysis and storage means indicative of the viscosity of the milk sample gel in the apparatus for tying to the animal identified.
• said apparatus includes a rolling ball type viscosity tester capable of generating an output signal reliant on a elapsed time or a function of elapsed time.
• the invention is apparatus for testing a milk flow for mastitis, said apparatus comprising or including means to divert a sample flow from a said milk flow, and means thereafter automatically to test such diverted milk flow by measuring an attribute of any somatic cells in at least part of the milk of that sample.
• said means automatically to test is reliant upon the mixing of an anionic detergent with the milk sample and thereafter obtaining some measure of the viscosity of any resultant gel.
• the invention is apparatus for or suitable for performing a method of determining whether or not there is a somatic cell count change between milkings in milk of an animal, said method comprising or including
• step (iii) comparing data resulting from said testings to determine any somatic cell count change, said apparatus comprising or including the same means useful for each of steps (i)(a) and (ii)(a), the same means for steps (i)(b) and (ii)(b) (save for any expendables, e.g. anionic detergent), and data acquisition, analysis and storage means to perform step (iii) by reference to an identifier it has for the animal.
• expendables e.g. anionic detergent
• said attribute is a viscosity change response arising from the treatment of the milk sample with an anionic detergent.
• the invention is a method of testing an animal for mastitis by online testing of milk from such an individual animal as it is being milked, such testing being reliant upon an automated surfactant gelling of an automatically diverted sample from the milk flow in a predetermined and reproducible manner and the automated measurement of the viscosity or some function of viscosity thereof thereby to generate data from whence somatic cell count can be assessed or compared.
• the present invention consists in a milking shed having provision for a testing regime in accordance with any of the earlier embodiments stated.
• the present invention consists in, in a milk flow path for milk of an individual animal from at least one cup of a milking claw to any accumulation reservoir or conduit for such flow (particularly where the individuality of the milk accumulation or flow is lost), the provision of means to take part of the flow as a sample into apparatus forming at least part of a mastitis testing regime, such apparatus having means that uses an appropriate surfactant to generate a gel from the milk sample capable, means to test the gel thus generated for viscosity and means to cause or allow the gel to clear from the apparatus, and means to generate a signal or representation or record indicative of the test result for the milk sample taken into said apparatus.
• Such apparatus includes or comprises means adapted to merge or mix a non- anionic surfactant with the milk sample taken into the apparatus so as to generate a gel, and means thereafter, by reference to the viscosity of the gel, to generate an indicator dependent on the somatic cells in the sample.
• said apparatus is capable of discharging the gel just tested.
• Said apparatus may include self- flushing means.
• the present invention consists in, in a milk flow path for milk of an individual animal from the cups of a milking claw, the provision of means to take part of the flow as a sample into apparatus forming at least part of a mastitis testing regime, said apparatus having means that uses an appropriate surfactant to generate a gel from the milk sample capable, means to test the gel thus generated for viscosity and means to cause or allow the gel to clear from the apparatus, and means to generate a signal, representation and/or record indicative of the presence of or level of somatic cells in the milk sample, such signal, representation or record having been derived from the apparatus provided measure of viscosity of the gel.
• viscosity and a measure thereof is with respect to some reproducible mechanical interaction with or some reproducible physical characteristic the gel or of the gel with a surface or surfaces, (e.g. the gel falling through a conduit and being timed in its fall, a mass falling tlirough the gel and being timed in its fall, etc.) capable of providing between samples of different somatic cell count a difference in measure data that either corresponds to such difference or can be calibrated (eg; to a plot or some equation) to provide appropriate relativity.
• said signal representation or record is preferably associated with an identifier for the animal involved.
• means is provided to scan an animal being milked to thereafter correlate such information to the test result for the milk sample to be taken from the milk flow of that animal.
• the present invention consists in a method of testing for mastitis in an animal which comprises the use of a regime herein set forth.
• the present invention consists in a method of on-line testing of milk from individual animals in a milking parlour for somatic cells thereby to determine the extent of mastitis in such animals by arranging for an indexed machine testing of a milk sample from each indexed animal, such testing being reliant upon a (preferably automated) surfactant gelling of the sample and the automated measurement of the viscosity thereof.
• Such samples are diverted from the milk flow.
• the present invention consists in apparatus for or suitable for association with the milk line of a milking machine to test milk of an animal being milked for somatic cells (and thus testing the animal being milked for mastitis), said apparatus comprising or including means defining a liquid chamber having an ability to receive two liquid feeds, one inlet feed to be an inflow of a sample flow of milk from the milk line, and the other inlet feed to be an inflow of an anionic detergent of a kind that will cause a viscosity increase as a result of at least partial gelling of the resultant milk/detergent fluid, and means to provide a measure of and to generate a data output indicative of the viscosity or a function of viscosity of at least part of the resultant milk/detergent fluid calibratable to the somatic cell count of the milk inflow, and wherein there is provision whereby, after said means to provide a measure of and to generate a data output has at least taken a reading indicative of viscosity or a function
• the present invention consists in apparatus for or suitable for association with the milk line of a milking machine to test milk of an animal being milked for somatic cells (and thus testing the animal being milked for mastitis), said apparatus comprising or including means defining a first chamber having an ability to receive two liquid feeds, one inlet feed to be an inflow of a sample flow of filing from the milk line, and the other inlet feed to be an inflow of an anionic detergent of a kind that will cause a viscosity increase as a result of at least partial gelling of the resultant milk/detergent fluid, means defining a second chamber to receive at least part of the resultant milk/detergent fluid from said first chamber, means to provide a measure indicative of viscosity or a function of viscosity of the resultant milk/detergent fluid in said second chamber calibratable to the somatic cell count of the said sample flow of milk, and means to generate a data output indicative of said measure.
• said apparatus includes a reservoir for
• said apparatus has means in use adapted to reproducibly control the two inlet feeds.
• said means Preferably there is provision in said means to provide a measure whereby said milk/detergent fluid can be cleared from the apparatus without contamination of milk in the milk line in order to allow a subsequent milk flow sample to be likewise tested.
• said means to provide a second chamber is or includes the barrel of a rolling ball viscometer.
• said means to provide a measure are spaced sensors (eg; optical sensors) of a rolling ball viscometer.
• said means defining a first chamber and said means defining a second chamber are interconnected such that a chamber is defined into which there is adapted to be a greater infeed of fluids than outfeed therefrom thereby in use ensuring, for at least part of the milk/detergent fluid, a reproducible gelling time at which the fluid is measured by said means to provide a measure.
• the present invention consists in somatic cell count data and/or comparisons thereof generated using a method or apparatus of the present invention.
• the invention is a method of testing an animal, animals, a milk flow or milk when performed substantially as herein described with reference to any one, some or all of the accompanying drawings.
• the present invention consists in a milking shed having provision for a testing regime in accordance with any of the earlier embodiments stated.
• Reference herein to diversion of or the taking of a sample of milk includes (where the context might allow) milk from one or more teats of the same animal or bulk milk, ie: milk from a number of animals.
• SCC data can be used for comparative purposes of for an absolute decision (eg; greater or less than 500000 cells/ml) for an individual teat, for an animal or for a grouping of animals.
• Figure 1 shows for the same herd (hereafter referred to as "DRC” herd) the time changes in somatic cell count (SCC) measured in thousands of cells per millilitre with the peaks showing the actual somatic cell count
• Figure 1A shows for a July through April period the upper 50%) of the DRC herd ranked in order of average SCC, the peaks being against a scale ranging from 0 to 5 million cells/mL
• Figure IB shows the remainder of the herd likewise ranked for the same period but over a range of somatic cell count depicted on an axis running to 300,000 cells/mL only, the diagram thus showing the significant variation per animal over the period and the extent and localised nature of infection in a herd
• Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of apparatus which shows a method whereby a diverted flow can be despatched into a container and thence from a machine controlled valve down a tube or the like (eg; a GilmontTM Viscometer available from Cole-Parmer International, USA) with the viscosity of the gel formed in the container by appropriate means (not shown) being determined by the time of passage between two zones, (eg; measuring the gel flow commencement interface and gel flow completion interface using a light emitter and detector).
• a machine controlled valve down a tube or the like eg; a GilmontTM Viscometer available from Cole-Parmer International, USA
• Figure 3 shows the effect of sodium laurel sulphate concentration in respect of TEEPOLTM (14%) w/v) of Shell Chemical Company using stock solution of bovine blood leucocytes,
• Figure 4 shows the effect of angle on a rolling ball type viscometer when compared with a Gilmont type falling fall viscometer, ie; which allows the ball to fall vertically (with respect to various aqueous concentrations of glycerine)
• Figure 5 shows the effect of ball size on the time the ball descends at various angles using 50%) glycerine in water as the fluid, the slope of the resultant lines if plotted through the data points being approximately equal
• Figure 6 shows the effect of changing ratio of milk to anionic detergent in water reagent (the milk being held to 1)
• Figure 7 shows the effect of SCC on viscosity using a 1 : 1 milk ratio
• Figure 8 shows the effect of SCC on viscosity using a 2:1 milk ratio
• Figure 9 shows a simplified plot of time for a rolling ball fall against SCC thereby showing a dynamic range of preference within which any testing regime should preferably operate, such dynamic range being described hereafter
• Figure 10 shows a cross section of a rolling ball tube of rolling ball type viscometer of a kind in respect of which results for a quarter inch and five sixteenth inch balls are plotted in Figure 5,
• Figure 11 is a plot (White and Rattray, 1965) showing for a particular cow and its four teats the changes in SCC during an after milking, the rise in cell count during milking as they have indicated often being a factor or 10 or more and with any decline in cell count between milkings arising from dilution effects in the lower cisternal region of the animal and which decline may be subject to daily fluctuations in yield,
• Figure 12 is a prototype set up of apparatus to which the drawing sequence 12a to 12g refers, Figures 12A through 12G show in respect of a milk tube line or the like apparatus in accordance with the present invention showing diagrammatically various stages of a mastitis testing regime,
• Figure 13 is a block diagram showing preferred flow parameters and options
• Figure 14 is a block flow diagram of electronic systems useful in apparatus and methods of the present invention.
• Our invention provides a system on-line preferably in the milking parlour (eg; whether conventional or robotic) preferably using a gel type test.
• the viscosity of the gel can be measured by standard viscosity measurements (Cole Parmer 1999) [eg;, time of air bubble travel, time of draining from container, or other].
• a container 1 leads to a drainage tube 3 controlled by a valve 2.
• a valve 2 In the container 1 there can be a merging or other mixing of a milk sample and sufficient non-anionic detergent to allow a standard gel representative of somatic cell count to be generated.
• a light emitter 4 or 6 in conjunction with a light detector 5 and 7 respectively determines the commencement of gel flow down the tube 3 and its termination.
• Such light sensor system if desired can be used in the apparatus of Figures 12 to 12g.
• Figure 3 This figure was obtained by spinning down blood obtained from the Ruakura research abattoir, with heparin to stop blood clots. It was spun down so that the leukocytes could be extracted without red blood cells. This was then diluted with 0.15M NaCl to produce three solutions. The first solution was between 500 000-1 000 000 cells/ml. The second and third were Vi and 1/5, of the first respectively.
• Figure 4 - this figure was obtained by using viscosity standards made from glycerine mixed with water. These standards were 0%, 25%>, 50% and 75%) glycerine in water. These standards were run through the Gilmont viscometer. This result was compared to the viscometer made in the laboratory. This was a 8.4mm diameter ID tube with a 7.9mm stainless ball. One result was taken with the viscometer at 90 degrees (i.e. vertical) and the other at 15 degrees from the horizontal.
• Figure 5 this figure was obtained using the viscometer in the laboratory, using the 50% glycerine standards. The angle was varied from the horizontal with two different diameter balls. The 6.4mm and 7.9mm balls were stainless and carbon steel respectively. See Figure 10.
• Figure 10 shows a cross section of the tube.
• the tube T has an internal diameter D
• the ball B has a diameter D 2 .
• the difference between the two diameters determines the speed through the liquid. See Figure 5 for example.
• the ball diameters increases it slows the movement down.
• the non-homogonous nature of the gel stops the ball from rolling even though it could roll though a standard gel solution. (i.e. glycerine mixed with water).
• Figure 6 this figure was taken with raw milk from the DRC herd within four hours of harvesting. 14% TeepolTM was used as the reagent. It was mixed with the same milk sample at different ratios using the same procedure as Figure 3. It was measured in the Gilmont viscometer in the same way as Figure 3.
• Figure 7 this figure was created by mixing regent, ( 14% TeepolTM), 1 : 1 with milk before two hours had elapsed since harvest. The tests were done between 15-25 degrees centigrade. Both the mixing and measuring procedure was the same as Figure 3.
• Figure 8 this is exactly same as Figure 7 except the ratio reagen milk was 1 :2.
• Figure 12 A through 12G depict diagrammatically a preferred system in accordance with the present invention (eg; as shown in Figure 12) with the explanations as to the system modules and electronic systems being shown by way of flow diagrams Figures 13 and 14 respectively.
• FIGs 12A through 12G are shown the following milk tube or line 8 showing the pulsing movement of milk there along, a reagent reservoir "R”, milk line flow diversion valves V,, a sample reservoir “S”, • reagent valve V 3 , milk sample flow control valve V 2 , a flow control pump P, a dwell zone 9 with inflow greater than outflow, cell solenoid E to control a ball 10 retention pin to hold the ball until released in its upper cot condition as shown in Figure 12B, sensor locations 11 and 12, an air filter 13, a vacuum valve V 4 , and • a waste reservoir W.
• Method of getting sample into tube This could include pumps, gravity
• Tube diameter could be variable, and ball diameter viable.
• Method to evacuate the tube this could include gravity, pumping or vacuum.
• Method of getting sample into measurement system this could include pumps, gravity
• Method to evaluate and clean measurement system could include gravity, pumping or vacuum.
• the apparatus is preferably automated online but can be, if desired, provided with a command feature whereby a farmer can run the testing regime for a particular cow or stall or during particular milkings.
• the SCC measuring device preferably will be placed such that it will analyse milk flowing between the claw and the milk line. It will be attached to the milk line and have the milk from the dropper tubes flow through it.
• a rotary In a rotary it preferably will be again placed such that it will analyse milk flowing between the claw and the milk line. It will be attached to the rotary platform or milk line.
• a robotic milker preferably there will be one device per quarter or one device for the composite milk. It will be placed between the cups and milk collection vessel. Or after the collection vessel to test the composite milk.
• Figure 9 shows an example of a calibration curve; this is obtained by measuring a sample with a known amount of SCC and recording the change in time ( ⁇ t). These results are then transformed using some linear transformation technique. The results are then plotted with ⁇ t versus SCC.
• ⁇ t is related to the SCC by the following equation where b 0 and b, are the coefficients of linear regression. These are calculated from least squares analysis of the data.
• the SCC can then be determined by solving for SCC, which yields the following equation. Therefore by measuring the ⁇ t, it is possible to determine the SCC.
• Woolford et al 1998 shows that SCC can be used to determine mastitis,. If a threshold of 500000 cells/ml (see Table 1) is used the disease status can be determined. If the first milk is used (fore milk) the SCC only gives 5% false positives. If main milk is used then less false positives are obtained but more infections are missed. If the last milk (strippings) are used 9% of cows are false positives but more are detected (see tables 4 & 5 in Woolford et al).

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