NZ566064A - Method and apparatus for detection of milk characteristics during milking - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and apparatus enabling an early detection of abnormal changes in milk characteristics during milking is disclosed. A control unit that controls a two-channel pulsation device is provided to create two short periods of time during milking, each period typically lasting a few seconds. Within the first period of time, milk characteristics and flow rate during milking are measured from only a first half of the udder by temporarily stopping the milk flow from a second half of the udder. This measuring procedure is then alternately repeated within the second period of time for the second half. The control unit is provided for analyzing measurements of the milk characteristics in real-time, while controlling the operation of the two channels separately accordingly.

Description

566064 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTION OF MILK CHARACTERISTICS DURING MILKING FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for an early detection of Mastitis in dairy animals involved in changes of the milk and milk-flow characteristics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Mastitis (udder inflammation) is one of the biggest problems in the dairy industry and cause huge damage to dairy-farmers worldwide both in loosing of milk production as well as in losses due to high somatic cell count in the milk, which reduces the milk quality. In addition, Mastitis is a very common disease in dairy animals, particularly in cows.

Ranges of pathogens having different pathologies cause Mastitis. However, in most cases Mastitis involves changes of milk characteristics, such as color, transparency, electrical conductivity, amount of milk, existence of flakes and other changes. At the first stage, Mastitis usually infects only one of the teats (referred to as quarters in cows) and men may infect other teats.

Unidentified Mastitis leads to marketing of poor quality milk, loss of production and in severe cases, permanent damage to the udder or even death of the animal. Therefore, early detection of Mastitis is a key for successful treatment and high milk quality. Farmer organizations, scientists and commercial firms invest significant resources to reduce / cure this problem.

The prior art of detection of milk and milk characteristics includes US Patent No. 6,823,817 to van der Berg et al, US Patent No. 6,297,045 to Takahashi et al., US Patent No. 4,309,660 to Stephen, US Patent No. 4,325,028 to Takahashi, US Patent No. 3,968,774 to Massie, and US Patent No. 4,225,820 to Rysanelc et al.

The van der Berg patent discloses a method and device for automatically milking a dairy animal, in particular a cow. The method is based on milking each teat separately without the use of a milking claw, thus anticipating the flow rate for each quarter separately. The method comprises the steps of activating the teat cup for milking the teat, measuring a milking parameter during the milking of the teat for obtaining a value of the milking parameter, and deactivating the teat cup when a deactivation threshold has been reached, The deactivation threshold is determined at least partially with the aid of the value of the milking parameter. 566064 The first Takahashi patent provides a Mastitis Diagnosing Apparatus. The apparatus comprises a Mastitis progression data memory for previously recording data on the corresponding relationship between the states of progression of Mastitis. The apparatus further comprises a photo detector for detecting the trace light intensity chemically emitted in the milk. An extractor / converter diagnoses the state of progression of Mastitis corresponding to the light intensity with reference to the Mastitis progression data memory based on the detected trace light intensity.

The Stephen patent discloses methods and apparatus for measuring electrical conductivity. The methods are applied for measuring electrical conductivity particularly, but not solely, for use in detecting Mastitis in individual quarters of a cow's udder. The apparatus employs the cyclical charge and discharge of a capacitor through liquid in a conductivity cell. Based on the potential applied to the capacitor, the charge cycle reverses and a reading of a high reference potential and a low reference potential indicates variations in cycle frequency and the electrical conductivity of the cell.

The second Takahashi patent discloses an examination apparatus for milk drawn from each quarter mamma of a milk cow. The electric conductivity of the milk is measured independently by means of electrodes equipped in each trap associated with a quarter. The difference in value among each quarter mamma is obtained by performing a subtraction between the minimum conductivity selected out among these traps and the other conductivity values. The differential value is compared with predetermined reference values. If the output is higher than an upper limit value, the milk is indicated as abnormal. A warning is given by-sounding a buzzer.

The Massie patent provides a Mastitis detector including a conductivity cell through which milk may be passed. The conductivity cell comprises a generally spherical housing having diametrically opposed inlet and outlet ports with a tubular member supporting two electrodes for making conductivity measurements.

The Rysanelc patent introduces an apparatus for diagnosing milk secretion disorders in animals, such as cows. The apparatus is based upon an electric detection of deviations from the properties of a standard milk secretion, and comprises a holder carrying a diagnostic dish divided by partition walls into a number of diagnostic units corresponding to the number of teats of the animal. The diagnostic units are each provided with a measuring probe exposed to the mouths of scavenging nozzles and with a circuit for evaluating the milk quality as by its electrical conductivity. The outlet of said circuit is connected to the- inlet of a display 2 566064 indicating, for example, when the quality of the milk in each diagnostic unit exceeds a predetermined value.

State of the art methods include detection of clinical or sub-clinical Mastitis. Subclinical Mastitis is defined as having a high level of somatic cell count in the milk, wherein no other clinical signs are detected. One of the most common methods known in the art is detection by identification of the rising of electrical conductivity in the milk, as there is known statistical correlation between change in milk conductivity and Mastitis.

One family of products includes systems that monitor the electrical conductivity of the aggregated milk (from all teats) for each animal during milking and store it in a database. In each milking the aggregate milk conductivity is compared to the average of previous milkings, wherein an alert is issued if a significant change is monitored.

Other factors, such as steep decrease in milk production, may be further used as a contributing sign for a real case o f clinical Mastitis.

However, this method suffers from significant limitations, resulting from false alarm signals. Firstly, conductivity sensors are based on metal electrodes and are hard to keep stable, since build up of minerals, for example, changes the conductivity measurements considerably.

Secondly, it is very hard and time consuming to calibrate all conductivity sensors in the milking parlor (usually the number of milking points vary from 3 to 100) to one scale. Therefore, a different conductivity value is monitored from the same animal at different milking points. Additionally, according to this method conductivity value can change significantly due to factors that are not related to Mastitis. For example, the milk of a perfectly healthy animal will show a very different conductivity level if the animal's food is saltier. Such changes will no doubt influence all the teats and provide an alarm, although no real sign of an illness is detected.

The fact that the milk of the infected teat is blended with milk from other healthy teats complicates detection of small changes in conductivity level. In addition, this method requires the usage of a herd management system that includes automatic identification of animals and parlor network to enable the storage, and analysis of the data of each animal.

A different family of products that tries to overcome some of the limitations of the first method is based on measuring the conductivity of each quarter before the milk is blended. The solution is based on providing a sensor for each quarter, which is usually located in the milk claw in a conventional milking system or in the milk tube of each quarter'in systems utilizing quarter milking (e.g. Automatic Milking Systems (AMS), robots, etc.). 3 566064 However, such a method involves the following limitations: Firstly, the milking claw is operated in an unfriendly environment for electrical equipment. The milking claw is subjected to mechanical impacts along with high moisture, and the difficulty of connecting electrical cable to the claw makes it difficult to produce a reliable product. Secondly, calibrating all four sensors 0 the same scale is a complicated procedure.

The Automatic Milking System (AMS), which carries out quarter milking without utilizing a milking claw, is a more efficient method. However, quarter milking is a relatively new method, wherein the vast majority of animals in the world (currently estimated at more then 99.8%) are milked with conventional claw systems.

Since early detection is crucial, it would be desirable to provide devices and methods that are simple to install and operate in existing milking systems for enabling reliable detection of Mastitis in dairy animals in real time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of prior art techniques used for an early detection of Mastitis involved in changes of the milk and milk-flow characteristics during milking.

The present invention discloses an improved and efficient method enabling an early detection of Mastitis using a common sensor. The proposed method measuring milk and milk flow characteristics during milking from only a first half of the udder by temporarily stopping: the milk flow from a second half of the udder and then repeating the measuring process for the second half. Following this measuring process, measurements from the two halves of udder are compared in order to detect deviations in milk characteristics and flow rate within the udder.

This method obtains an accurate and practical measurement of the milk and milk characteristics, while providing a simple installation method and achieving a high performance level insensitive to calibration and sensitivity aspects of the sensor.

In accordance, with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method and apparatus for detecting deviations in milk and milk-flow characteristics during milking of an animal having at least two teats using a milking cluster operating with a pulsation device which applies pulsation during the milking, comprises the steps of: measuring the milk and milk-flow characteristics of milk flowing from the milking cluster to a milk line during the milking; 4 566064 initially momentarily interrupting the pulsation applied to a second half of the animal's udder causing partial interruption of the milking, wherein the milking continues from a first half of the animal's udder; measuring the milk and milk-flow characteristics from the first half of the animal's udder using at least one sensor during the initial momentarily interrupting step; subsequently momentarily interrupting the pulsation applied to the first half of the animal's udder causing partial interruption of the milking, wherein the milking continues from the second half of the animal's udder; measuring the milk and milk-flow characteristics from the second half of the animal's udder using the at least one sensor during the subsequent momentarily interrupting step; and resuming the milking from the first half and the second half of the animal's udder while comparing measurements of the milk and milk-flow characteristics received separately from each of the first half and the second half of the animal's udder.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises the step of alternately momentarily interrupting the milking for conducting an additional round of measurements to provide further accuracy.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises the step of displaying the measurements from the first half and the second half of the animal's udder in order to enable talcing immediate actions when required.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises the step of automatically stopping the milking in case the measurements from the first half and the second half of the animal's udder differ from one another by more than a pre-calibrated threshold.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the step of automatically stopping the milking is carried out by a detacher.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises the step of issuing an alert in case the measurements from the first half and the second half of the animal's udder differ from one another by more than a pre-calibrated threshold.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises the step of issuing an alert for warning against over-milking.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises the step of storing the measurements from the first half and the second half of the 566064 animal's udder in a database in association with the first half and second half of the animal's udder for comparison with measurements received from previous milkings and other animals.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the milk characteristics are from the group of: electrical conductivity, color, absorption of electromagnetic radiation, reflection of electromagnetic radiation, electromagnetic spectrum analysis, velocity of ultrasonic wave in the milk, response to chemicals or reagents, viscosity, and concentration of different substances in the milk.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the milk-flow characteristics are from the group of: momentary flow rate, average flow rate,. accumulated yield, and milk velocity.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the interrupting step by applying the first set and the second set of pulsations is carried out in different stages of the milking.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, data is transferred via a wireless communication.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises the step of automatically sampling only a half of the animal's udder for receiving off-line measurement of the milk characteristics.

An advantage of the present invention involves a method and apparatus providing a simple instillation, obtaining a qualitative measurement of milk and milk-flow characteristics and achieving a high performance level insensitive to changes in sensor calibration and sensitivity or to changes that affect the milk from all teats such as conductivity changes due to changes in the animal's food.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following drawing and description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the invention with regard to the embodiments thereof, reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which like numerals designate corresponding sections or elements throughout, and in which: Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an apparatus for detection of changes in milk characteristics, constructed and operated in accordance with the principles of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 6 566064 Fig. 2 is a graphical illustration of electrical pulses generated by proposed control unit when activating the pulsator during the milking procedure, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The present invention discloses an innovative method and apparatus enabling an early detection of Mastitis or other abnormalities involved in change of the milk and milk-flow characteristics during milking.

The proposed method according to the preferred embodiment detects deviations in milk or milk flow characteristics during milking from an animal having at least two teats using a milking cluster. The milking cluster is provided to operate with a two-channel 1 pulsation device known in the art, usually referred to as a "2 by 2 pulsator". The two-channel pulsator comprises two solenoid vacuum valves that generate vacuum pulses to enable milking.

At least one common sensor is further provided for measuring the milk or milk-flow characteristics of milk flowing from the milking cluster to the milk line during the milking.

A control unit connected to the sensor controls the two-channel pulsator in order to create two short periods of time, each period typically lasting a few seconds, in which milk is flowing from only one half of the udder. The control unit creates these two periods of time by controlling the pulsation device to subsequently momentarily partially interrupt the milking by interrupting the applied pulsation to each of two halves of an animal's udder in alternate fashion. Within the first period of time, milk and milk-flow characteristics are measured from only a first half of the udder. This measuring procedure is then alternately repeated within the second period of time for the second half.

Following this, the characteristics of milk or milk-flow from the two halves of the udder are compared and analyzed to detect variations in the measurements between the two halves.

This method obtains an accurate and practical measurement of deviation in the milk and milk-flow characteristics from one or more of the teats, while providing a simple installation method and achieving a high performance level insensitive to calibration and sensitivity aspects in the sensor. The proposed method further detects even slight changes in milk characteristics indicating the occurrence of an abnormal situation appearing in one or more of the animal's teats.

Referring now to Fig. 1 is a block diagram of apparatus 10 for detection of changes in milk and milk flow characteristics, constructed and operated in accordance with the principles of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 7 566064 Apparatus 10 comprises a control unit 36 provided to control a "2 by 2"pulsator known in the art. The pulsator includes two vacuum solenoid valves (numerals 28 and 30). Solenoid valves 28 and 30 are provided for a normal milking action according to milking techniques known in the art. When electrical voltage is supplied to the solenoid valves, the solenoid valve can alternate vacuum and atmospheric pressure to the teat cups. Vacuum is supplied to the pulsator through line 42.

The output of solenoid valve 28 is connected through tube 32 to the shell of teat-cups 16 and 17, wherein the output of solenoid valve 30 is connected through tube 34 to the shell of teat-cups 14 and 15. The connection between the pulsator and the teat-cups are according to a common milking technique known in the art.

The inner liners of teat-cups 14 to 17 are connected to claw 13, all being part of a common milking cluster known in the art. Milk tube 18 is provided for connecting claw 13 to the milk line 24. At least one sensor (numeral 20) is provided for an online measurement of the milk characteristics flowing within milk tube 18. A milk meter 22 is further connected to monitor the milk-flow characteristics (e.g. flow rates and accumulated yield) within milk tube 18.

Control unit 36 is further connected both to sensor 20 and to milk meter 22 and is capable of collecting data measurements made by sensor 20 and milk meter 22.

In the initial phase of the milking procedure, teat-cups 14 to 17 are attached to the teats of the animal's udder (numerals 1 to 4), thus enabling a normal milk flow within apparatus. 10. During this phase, control unit 36 applies electrical pulses to activate both halves of the pulsator (numerals 28 and 30), such that milking is performed in a normal manner (numeral 54, see Fig. 2). In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, teat-cup 14 is attached to teat 1, teat-cup 15 is attached to teat 3, teat-cup 16 is attached to teat 2 and teat-cup 17 is attached to teat 4.

In the second phase (see numeral 56 of Fig. 2), control unit 36 stops applying electrical pulses to solenoid valve 28. As a result, no vacuum pulses are generated into tube 32 and the secretion of milk from teats 2 and 4 is discontinued. Therefore, in this phase, milk flow is enabled only from teats 1 and 3.

While the milk flow through tube 18 is only from teats 1 and 3, sensor 20 and milk meter 22 measure milk and milk-flow characteristics of the milk flowing from these teats 1 and 3 only. Control unit 36 then stores these measurements, in association with teats 1 and 3.

In the next phase (see numeral 58 of Fig. 2),-after'measurements of milk characteristics are stored as valid data from teats 1 and 3, control unit 36 stops applying electrical pulses to 8 566064 solenoid valve 30. As a result, vacuum pulses through tube 34 stops. In addition, electrical pulses to solenoid 28 and vacuum pulses through tube 32 are restored. Hence, milk secretion from teats 1 and 3 is discontinued, wherein the secretion of milk from teats 2 and 4 is restored. This phase is carried out until milk flow from teats 2 and 4 is stabilized and, in contrast, milk flow from teats 1 and 3 within tube 34 is stopped.

While the milk flow through tube 18 is only from teats 2 and 4, sensor 20 and milk meter 22 measure milk and milk-flow characteristics of the milk flowing from teats 2 and 4. Control unit 36 then stores these measurements, in association with teats 2 and 4.

In the last phase (see numeral 60 of Fig. 2), the operation of solenoid valve 30 resumes normal operation. Therefore, secretion of milk from all teats (1 to 4) is restored to normal. Control unit 36 then analyzes the data measurements in real-time by comparing the measurements of the two halves (teats 1 and 3 vs. teats 2 and 4).

If some' or all of the milk and milk-flow characteristics of the two halves (teats 1 and 3 vs. teats 2 and 4) differ from one another by more then a pre-calibrated threshold, then the pulsation can be stopped to stop milk secretion automatically. A detacher may further be provided for automatically removing the cluster from the udder. .

Analyzed data measurements may be displayed on a display or monitoring device 38, thus issuing an alert for the operator to check the animal. Asa result, the farmer is able to take immediate actions, such as checking on the animal, diverting the milk and treating the animal if needed.

If no immediate action must be taken, then the milking procedure continues in a normal manner until a manual or automatic detachment of the milking cluster (teat-cups 14 to 17 together with claw 13) from the udder 12 at the end of the milking is performed.

Milk characteristics measured in this method may be in the form of electrical conductivity, color, absorption of electromagnetic radiation, reflection of electromagnetic radiation, electromagnetic spectrum analysis, velocity of ultrasonic wave in the milk, response to chemicals or reagents, viscosity and any other measurable milk characteristic.

Milk-flow characteristics can be one of: momentary flow rate, average flow rate, accumulated yield, milk velocity and any other measurable attributes of the flow of the milk.

A common sensor 20 and milk meter 22 measure the milk and milk-flow characteristic. Therefore, the existence of a difference in one of the measured characteristics between the two halves may only derive from a real change in characteristic in one or more teats, regardless of calibration or sensitivity aspects in the sensor. 9 566064 In the preferred embodiment of the present invention control unit 36 is designed in such a way that if it does not receive reliable measurements according to a predefined setting, control unit 36 is provided to conduct an additional round of measurements, as explained above.

In another embodiment of the present invention, sensor 20 may be integrated within milk meter 22.

An optional computerized management system 40 is further provided to integrate the data measurements received from control unit 36. The integrated measurement results are stored in a database along with the animal's identity for comparison with measurements received from previous milking and other animals. The computerized management unit 40 produces reports for detecting the required animal, which are especially useful in large herds containing many animals.

Fig. 2 is a graphical illustration of electrical pulses generated by the control unit when activating solenoid valves 28 and 30 of the pulsator during the milking procedure, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The black line 50 represents electrical pulses generated to operate solenoid valve 30. The dotted line 52 represents electrical pulses generated to operate solenoid valve 28.

In the first phase 54, both solenoid valves (numerals 2 8 and 30, see Fig. 1) operate at normal manner of operation know in the art. At this phase, milk is secreted from all teats (numerals 1 to 4, see Fig. 1).

In phase 56, electrical pulses to solenoid valve 28 are discontinued. As a result, milk secretion from second half of udder (teats 2 and 4) is stopped, so milk is secreted only from the first half of the udder (teats 1 and 3).

In phase 58, electrical pulses to solenoid valve 30 are discontinued, whereas electrical pulses to solenoid valve 28 are resumed. Therefore, milk secretion from second half of teats (teats 1 and 3) is stopped, while the secretion of milk from second half is resumed. As a result, milk is secreted in this phase only from the first half of udder (teats 2 and 4).

In phase 60, electrical pulses to solenoid valve 30 are resumed, so both solenoid valves 28 and 30 operate at normal state. As a result, milk-flow is re-enabled from all teats (numerals 1 to 4) once again. This stage is carried out until a manual or automatic detaching of teat-cups 14 to 17 at the end of the milking procedure is performed.

A discontinuation notation 62 is further shown upon the electrical pulses at the different phases, thus pointing out that the length of these phases may be actually longer and not necessarily limited to the three cycles illustrated herein for each of those phases. 566064 Although the method as described above relates to dairy cows, it is to be understood that the description is not meant as a limitation, since the proposed method according to the present invention is provided for any other dairy animal with two or 4 teats, such as goats, sheep, buffalos, camels etc.

Having described the invention with regard to a certain specific embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that the description is not meant as a limitation, since further modifications will now suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and it is intended to cover such modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims. 11 566064

Claims (28)

1. I. A method for detecting deviations in milk and milk-flow characteristics during milking of an animal having at least two teats using a milking cluster operating with a pulsation device which applies pulsation during the milking, said method comprising the steps of: measuring the milk and milk-flow characteristics of milk flowing from the milking cluster to a milk line during the milking; initially momentarily interrupting the pulsation applied to a second half of said animal's udder causing partial interruption of the milking, wherein the milking continues from a first half of said animal's udder; measuring the milk and milk-flow characteristics from said first half of said animal's udder using at least one sensor during said initial momentarily interrupting step; subsequently momentarily interrupting the pulsation applied to said first half of said animal's udder causing partial interruption of the milking, wherein the milking continues from said second half of said animal's udder; measuring the milk and milk-flow characteristics from said second half of said animal's udder using said at least one sensor during said subsequent momentarily interrupting step; and resuming the milking from said first half and said second half while comparing measurements of said milk and milk-flow characteristics received separately from each of said first half and said second half of said animal's udder.
2. 2. The method of claim I5 further comprising the step of alternately momentarily interrupting the milking for conducting an additional round of measurements to provide further accuracy.
3. 3. The method of claim I5 further comprising the step of displaying said measurements from said first half and said second half of said animal's udder in order to enable taking immediate actions when required.
4. 4. The method of claim I5 further comprising the step of automatically stopping the milking in case said measurements from said first half and said second half of said animal's udder differ from one another by more than a pre-calibrated threshold.
5. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein said step of automatically stopping the milking is carried out by a detacher.
6. 6. The method of claim I5 further comprising the step of issuing an alert in case said measurements from said first half and said second half of said animal's udder differ from one another by more than a pre-calibrated threshold. 12 WO 2007/015226 566064 PCT/IL2005/000817
7. 7. The method of claim I, further comprising the step of issuing an alert for warning against over-milking.
8. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of storing said measurements from said first half and second half of said animal's udder in a database in association with said first half and second half of said aromaVs udder for comparison with measurements received from previous milkings and other animals.
9. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the milk characteristics are from the group of: electrical conductivity, color, absorption of electromagnetic radiation, reflection of electromagnetic radiation, electromagnetic spectrum analysis, velocity of ultrasonic wave in the milk, response to chemicals or reagents, viscosity, and concentration of different substances in the milk.
10. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the milk-flow characteristics are from the group of: momentary flow rate, average flow rate, accumulated yield, and milk velocity.
11. 11. The method of claim 1' wherein said initial momentarily interrupting step is earned out in different stages of the milking.
12. 12. The method of claim 1 wherein said subsequent momentarily interrupting step is carried out in different stages of the milking.
13. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein data is transferred via a wireless communication.
14. 14. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of automatically sampling only a half of the animal's udder for receiving off-line measurements.
15. 15. An apparatus for detecting deviations in milk and milk-flow characteristics during milking from an animal having at least two teats using a milking cluster operating with a pulsation device which applies pulsation during the milking, said apparatus comprises: a sensor provided for measuring the milk characteristics of milk flowing from the milking cluster to a milk line during the milking; and a control unit connected to said sensor provided for controlling the pulsation device, by subsequently momentarily partially interrupting the milking by interrupting the applied pulsation to each of two halves of an animal's udder in alternate fashion, while comparing measurements of the milk and the milk-flow characteristics received from said each of two halves of said animal's udder separately for deviation detection.
16. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising means for measuring the milk-flow characteristics of milk flowing from the milking cluster to said milk line during the milking.
17. 17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said means for measuring the milk-flow characteristics is integrated with said sensor. 13 WO 2007/015226 566064 PCT/IL2005/000817
18. 18. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising means for displaying said measurements of the milk and milk-flow characteristics during the milking in order to enable taking immediate actions when required.
19. 19. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising means for issuing an alert in case said measurements of the milk and milk-flow characteristics differ from one another by more than a defined threshold.
20. 20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said control unit is integrated within the pulsation device.
21. 21. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising means for warning against over-milking.
22. 22. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a computerized management unit, wherein said computerized management unit manages a database for storing said measurements of the milk and milk-flow characteristics for comparison with measurements received from previous milkings and other animals.
23. 23. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the milk characteristics are from the group of: electrical conductivity, color, absorption of electromagnetic radiation, reflection of electromagnetic radiation, electromagnetic spectrum analysis, velocity of ultrasonic wave in the milk, response to chemicals or reagents, viscosity, and concentration of different substances in the milk.
24. 24. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the milk-flow characteristics are from the group of: momentary flow rate, average flow rate, accumulated yield, and milk velocity.
25. 25. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein data is transferred via a wireless communication.
26. 26. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising an automatic sampling device for receiving off-line measurements of the milk characteristics only from a half of the animal's udder. 14 566064
27. Claim 27 A method for detecting deviations in milk and milk flow characteristics during milking of an animal as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
28. Claim 28 A apparatus detecting deviations in milk and milk flow characteristics during milking of an animal as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 16 566064 Claim 27 A method for detecting deviations in milk and milk flow characteristics during milking of an animal as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Claim 28 A apparatus detecting deviations in milk and milk flow characteristics during milking of an animal as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 16