IES70740B2 - An indicator device for livestock - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns an indicator device for indicating the end of a milk withdrawal period for dairy cows. The indicator device comprises a longitudinal strap (1) on which is printed an abbreviation (3) which indicates the day of the week on which the withdrawal period ends. The abbreviation is printed in bold letters on the front surface (2) of the strap. The strap (2) has a fastening part (5). The part (5) is formed on an outwardly facing surface with the loops (6) of a hook and loop fastening means. The rear of the part (2) is formed with hooks. In use, the device is fastened around the hock of a cow, where it is clearly visible. The strap is fastened by means of the hook and loop fastening means.

Description

Field of the Invention The invention relates to an indicator device for livestock and in particular, for use with dairy cattle. In particular, the invention is concerned with a device which assists in the prevention of contamination of milk supplied to the dairy industry from dairy herds. More particularly, the invention provides a milk withdrawal timer.

Background of the Invention The milk supplied by dairy farmers to creameries is an important raw material in the production of a wide range of dairy produce, ranging from liquid milk to cheese, yogurts and the like. Because of constantly increasing standards in the food industry, there is greater emphasis on producing milk of a high standard and quality. In particular, it is important that milk which may have been contaminated during the milking process, does not enter the human food chain. The quality of raw milk is based on its compositional, bacteriological, biochemical and physical characteristics. In addition, contamination of milk may be caused by chemical residues or microorganisms arising from treatment of the cow with veterinary pharmaceuticals such as anthelmintics and antibiotics.

Many milking cows suffer periodically from mastitis, which is an » infection of the mammary gland. One of the more effective, methods of treating mastitis is by the use of an antibiotic therapy. When a dairy ί cow is under antibiotic treatment, it still must be regularly milked.

However, it is most important that the milk taken from a cow under antibiotic treatment does not enter the human food chain.

Contamination of a milk supply by antibiotic or anthelmintic residues can have serious public health implications, can cause off-flavours in the milk and milk products and create problems in fermentation 1692S S7074Q - 2 processes (e.g. cheese production) due to inhibition of the starter organisms. Contamination of the milk supply by antiobiotics is most likely where milk from treated dairy cows is prematurely included in * the creamery supply. All creameries test incoming milk for the presence of contaminants including antibiotics. However, the results of the tests can take up to three hours to obtain by which stage a very large volume of milk can be rendered unfit for human consumption by a contaminated supply.

It is thus very important to ensure that milk from dairy cows under treatment with antibiotics anthelmintics or other veterinary pharmaceutical is not allowed to enter the food chain for a predetermined withdrawal period. The withdrawal period can vary depending upon the treatment, but is usually of the order of three to five days.

Where a small dairy herd is involved, and is milked by a single operator, this often does not present a problem because the operator is aware of the end of the withdrawal period for a particular dairy cow. However, because herds are increasing in size, and because there is often a need to have several milking operators who may be working independently of each other, there is an increasing incidence of contamination occurring because errors are made as to the end of the withdrawal period for particular cows, and contaminated milk is allowed into the creamery supply prematurely. Furthermore, farmers frequently mark cows on withdrawal with paint, inks and the like. These marks frequently remain on the animal after the end of the withdrawal period and can cause confusion.

Ob.iect of the Invention It is an object of the invention to provide an indicator means which » will indicate to the milking operator that a particular cow is under treatment, and which will also indicate the day of the week on which V the withdrawal period for that cow ends. - 3 Summary of the Invention Accordingly, the invention provides an indicator device for use with a dairy cow comprising a support means for indicia indicating the end of a milk withdrawal period, and means for attaching the support to a part of the cow such that the indicia is clearly visible to a milking operator. In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a longitudinal strap adapted for attachment to part of the anatomy of the milking cow including means for attaching the strap to the cow, and an outwardly facing part of the strap having indicia for indicating the end of the withdrawal period. By withdrawal period is meant the period during which milk from a cow, treated with antibiotics, anthelmintics or the like, must be diverted from the creamery milk supply.

Preferably, the indicia comprises letters, for example an abbreviation of the name of the day of the week in which the withdrawal period ends, printed on a surface of the strap. The fastening means for attaching the strap to the milking cow, preferably comprises a loop and hoop type fastening means. However, it will be appreciated that other forms of fastening means could be used, such as a buckle or the like.

Brief description of the drawings One embodiment of the invention is hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a front view of an indicating device of the invention to a reduced scale; Figure 2 is a rear view of the device of Figure 1; and * Figure 3 is a perspective view of the device in a closed position; j and Figure 4 is a perspective view of part of a milking parlour showing the device in use on a cow during milking. - 4 Detailed Description of the preferred embodiments A preferred embodiment of an indicator device according to the * invention is hereinafter described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings. The indicator device comprises a support 1 in the form * of a longitudinal strap. The longitudinal strap 1 can be made from a polyamide material, and comprises an indicia support portion 2 which has a substantially plain front surface suitable to receive printed matter comprising the indicia. In the embodiment shown the indicia 3 comprises the letters THU, as an abbreviation for Thursday. The letters 3 are printed in bold on the front surface 2. For example, the letters 3 may be printed using an ink comprising a mixture of acrylic resin, polyvinyl chloride resin and carbon black. The ink must be capable of withstanding repeated washing.

The support part 2 is permanently affixed, by means of an ultrasonic weld 4 to a fastening part 5 of the tape.

Suitably, the part 5 is also made from a polyamide material. The part 5 is formed on its outwardly facing surface with the loops of a hook and loop fastening means such as that available under the Trade Mark VELCRO.

The rear of the device 1 is shown in Figure 2. As will be noted in Figure 2, a rear surface of the support part 2, is formed with hooks 7 of the hook and loop fastening means.

The device is shown in a closed position in Figure 3, that is the position which will be adopted if the device were fastened around the limb of an animal. As shown in Figure 3, a portion of the support part 2, having the loops 7, overlaps and engages with a complementary portion of the fastening part 5, having the loops 6, to form a joint at u 8. t The overlap between the parts 2 and 5, may be adjusted so as to fasten the device firmly around the limb of the animal.

Figure 4 illustrates the device of the invention in use. Figure 4 shows part of a conventional herring-bone milking shed, and shows a plurality of cows 9 on a raised cow standing 10, as viewed from the milking pit 11 where the operator is usually located. The cows are fitted in the usual way with milk clusters 12.

In this case, the first cow 9a has been administered with an antibiotic. The expiry date for the withdrawal period for that cow is Thursday. Thus, the cow 9a has the device 1 attached to the hock 13 of the cow where it is clearly visible, at eye level, to an operator in the pit 11. Thus, the operator can know at a glance when milking the cow that the milk taken from that cow must be diverted and must not be allowed to enter the human food chain. After Thursday has passed, the device 1 may be removed from the hock of the cow, and the cow can then enter the usual milking routine.

It will be appreciated, that there is a separate device 1 bearing indicia for each day of the week. For example, a support part 2 of the devices are marked, respectfully, with the abbreviations MON, TUES, WED, THU, FRI, SAT and SUN. Thus, the milking operator selects the indicator device having the required day of the week on which the withdrawal period ends.

Preferably, the tape 1 has a vivid colour, for example, luminous green, so that it can be easily seen.

The indicator device 1 may contain other written matter, for example, usage information for pharmaceuticals such as antibiotics, advertisements and the like.

The strap 1 should be of sufficient length that it may be passed around the hock or other part of the anatomy of the cow. An overall length of about 50 to 53 cm, and a width of about 5cm has been found suitable. Suitably, the letters 3 are from 3.5 to 4 cm in height.

Claims (5)

claims

1. An indicator device for use with a dairy cow comprising a support means for indicia indicating the end of a milk withdrawal period, and means for attaching the support to a part of the cow such that the indicia is clearly visible to a milking operator.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the support means for the indicia comprises a longitudinal strap adapted for attachment to part of the anatomy of the milking cow including means for attaching the strap to the cow, and an outwardly facing part of the strap having indicia for indicating the end of the withdrawal period.

3. A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the indicia comprises letters, for example an abbreviation of the name of the day of the week in which the withdrawal period ends, printed on a surface of the strap.

4. A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the indicia comprises a loop and hoop type fastening means.

5. A device as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the strap comprises a support part having a front surface on which the indicia is printed, and a rear portion comprised of hooks (or loops) of a hook and loop fastening means, and the support part of the strap is attached to a fastening part (for example by welding) which has on a front surface thereof the complementary loops (or hooks) of the fastening means such that the parts may be attached around a limb of the cow and the ends fastened together.