WO2025136183A1 - Milking system comprising a milk sampler - Google Patents

Abstract

Milking system (100), designed to extract milk from animals (101) The system (100) comprises several components for efficient milk sampling and biomarker detection. It features a magazine (140) holding multiple vials (150), with at least one prepared for biomarker detection. During milking, a milk sampler (300) diverts some milk into a selected vial (150). The system also has an animal identification arrangement (116) for recognizing the animal (101) and an information marking arrangement (370) for labelling the vial with relevant details. The controller (120) is connected to the identification arrangement (116), milk sampler (300), and information marking arrangement (370). It identifies the animal, decides if biomarker detection is needed, and if so, signals the milk sampler to divert milk to the appropriate vial and the information marking arrangement to label the vial with the animal's identity. This system streamlines the process of collecting and analysing milk samples.

Description

MILKING SYSTEM COMPRISING A MILK SAMPLER

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document discloses a milking system comprising a milk sampler for creating milk samples according to the appended claims.

BACKGROUND

On a dairy farm, it is sometimes desired to analyse a milk sample of milk from a particular animal. The reason may be to investigate whether the animal is pregnant, or in heat; or suffering from Mastitis, Ketosis, Urea, or some decease or condition that may affect the milk yield and/ or milk quality; or measuring a parameter reflecting milk quality itself, for example percentage of fat, protein, lactose, etc.

Several biomarker measurements may be made on the animal, such as e.g. measuring levels of progesterone, LDH (Lactate Dehydrogenase), BHB (Beta-Hydroxybutyrat) and urea. Thereby important information concerning e.g. heat detection and/ or pregnancy of the individual animal may be made (based on measured progesterone level), as well as mastitis (based on LDH) and ketosis (based on BHB). Also, the energy balance of the animal may be estimated (based on urea).

By calculating Somatic Cell Count (SCC) of a portion of the milk sample, it may be estimated whether the animal has an infection or not.

Regular monitoring of SCC may be vital for the farmer to ensure the health of their herds and the quality of the produced milk. Sometimes, low SCC may render a payment bonus (and/ or high SCC may render a payment reduction) by the milk processor purchasing the milk, for awarding and promoting high milk quality at the farms.

A common approach to milk sampling according to prior art is that the farmer notices a deviation in milk yield and/ or behaviour of an animal and then extract a manual sample in a vial, which then may be sent to a laboratory for evaluation.

Several disadvantages follow with this approach. The manual approach may lead to confusion of vials, possibly also confusion of animals. Insufficient or incorrect marking of the vials may make them useless or causing incorrect conclusions concerning animal health status or other conditions like heat or pregnancy. Also, manual handling of the vials may bring a risk of contamination of the milk sample in case laboratory sanitary standards cannot be uphold at the farm.

It is desired that no dirt or other non-desired particles is allowed to contaminate the milk sample, as the result of the analyses may be affected.

It is also desired to automate the sampling/ testing process to an as large extent as possible, avoiding or preferably eliminating potential sources of failure during the mixture and human interaction to save work for the farmer. It also has to be assured that liquids/ chemicals used by the milk analytic instrument are not allowed to reach the milk line under any circumstances.

It would be desired through further investigations and development to evolve a concept for preparing a milk sample for the purpose of making an analysis thereof.

SUMMARY

It is therefore an object of this invention to solve at least some of the above problems and facilitate preparation of a milk sample for milk sample analysis.

According to a first aspect of the invention, this objective is achieved by a milking system for extracting milk from an animal during a milking session. The milking system, which may be embodied as a milking robot, stationary milking parlour or rotary parlour, comprises a milk sampler.

The milk sampler comprises a magazine configured to maintain a plurality of vials, of which at least one vial is prepared with a reagent for biomarker detection. The milk sampler also comprises an information marking arrangement configured to mark a vial with information. The milk sampler is arranged to divert a subset of the milk extracted from the animal to one of the vials in the magazine. The information marking arrangement is configured to mark the vial to which the subset of milk has been diverted, with the information.

The milking system also comprises an animal identification arrangement configured to identify the animal; and a controller.

The controller is configured to determine identity of the animal, from which milk is to be extracted by the milking system, via the animal identification arrangement. Also, the controller is configured to determine whether biomarker detection is to be made on a milk sample of the identified animal. In case it is, the controller is configured to determine which type of biomarker detection that is to be made on the milk sample. Also, the controller is configured to generate and provide a signal to the milk sampler in order to divert the subset of the milk extracted from the animal to the vial prepared with the reagent for biomarker detection. The controller is in addition configured to generate and provide a signal to the information marking arrangement, to mark the vial to which the subset of milk has been diverted, with information comprising the identity of the animal.

Thanks to the provided solution, several advantages are achieved, enhancing both the efficiency of the milking process and the monitoring of health status, heat, pregnancy or parameters reflecting milk quality. Yet, simplicity and reduction in workload of the farmer is achieved.

The provided ability to automatically divert a subset of milk into vials prepared with reagents for biomarker detection enables early identification of pregnancy; or in heat. Also, or alternatively, health issues like infections or metabolic diseases could be detected at an early stage. This proactive health management can improve animal welfare and reduce veterinary costs.

Another advantage enabled by the described solution is that the magazine could be composed with vials prepared for biomarker testing according to the requirements and demands of the farmer. By preparing the vials with dry sticks or other reagent for biomarker detection, the testing is easy to manage by the farmer. He/ she does not need to store and handle dry sticks. Thereby, the farmer himself/ herself may check and analyse the prepared vials, which both results in an instant feedback and minimised costs. Also, there is a less contamination risk of the milk sample when being prepared with a reagent for biomarker detection.

Alternatively, the result of the test may be determined directly and automatically in the milk equipment, saving the farmer from even more work.

Targeted testing, a dynamic testing, may be triggered automatically based on the needs and/ or health status of individual animals. This precision animal status monitoring ensures that farmer get relevant and specific health/condition data for each animal.

The animal identification ensures that the milk samples and subsequent health/condition data are correctly attributed to the respective animals. This enhances the reliability of the health/condition monitoring process.

The information marking arrangement marks each vial with relevant data, such as the identity of the animal. This traceability is crucial for maintaining accurate health/condition records and tracking the milk quality and health status over time. Reliability of the tests is enhanced as the risk of for example mixing vials with each other by mistake is eliminated, or at least radically reduced.

By routinely checking for biomarkers, the system helps in maintaining high milk quality standards, which is vital for consumer safety and marketability of the dairy products. Early detection of health issues, heat or pregnancy through regular biomarker analysis leads to timely interventions, potentially reducing the impact of diseases and improving the overall health of the herd, but also enhancing milk quality and increasing milk yield. Automatic milk sampling reduces the labour/ working time required. This automation allows farm staff to focus on other critical tasks.

In summary, this advanced milking system streamlines the milk sampling and integrates health/condition monitoring directly into the workflow, offering a comprehensive approach to dairy farm management. This integration of technology enhances efficiency, test reliability, animal welfare, milk quality, milk yield and farm profitability.

Optionally, the milking system may comprise a memory device communicatively connected to the controller. The memory device may comprise information related to position within the magazine of the respective vials. Also, the memory device may comprise information related to reagent preparation of the respective vials of the magazine.

The controller may be configured to select which vial to use for biomarker detection, based on the information of the memory device. Also, the signal provided to the milk sampler may comprise the positional information for enabling the milk sampler to divert the subset of the milk extracted from the animal to the selected vial prepared with the reagent for biomarker detection.

Optionally, the memory device may comprise information related to status information of the respective vials in the magazine. Also, the controller may be configured to update the status information of the selected vial from “unused” to “used” when milk has been provided by the milk sampler.

By continuously keeping track of the status of the vials, whether used or unused, and position within the magazine, mistakes and mixing up of vials is avoided, thereby enhancing reliability of the milk sample test. Optionally, different vials in the magazine may be prepared with different reagents for biomarker detection.

By preparing different vials with different reagents for detection of different biomarkers, flexibility is achieved, enabling the milk sampler to take different types of tests. The farmer may thereby also tailor make the composition of reagents for biomarker detection of different kinds.

Optionally, the controller may be configured to determine which amount of milk to divert to the vial, depending on the biomarker detection to be made, and to accordingly instruct the milk sampler.

By adapting, i . e. , minimising or at least reducing, the amount of milk required for the respective milk sample types, waste of milk is minimised.

Optionally, the milk sampler may comprise a pump, configured to divert the determined amount of milk to the vial.

Optionally, the biomarker detection may be progesterone, somatic cell count, haptoglobin, p-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), Urea, and/ or Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH).

Optionally, the vial may comprise a dry stick prepared with the reagent for biomarker detection.

Dry sticks offer a convenient, cost-effective, and rapid means of testing milk samples.

Optionally, the vial may comprise a Near Field Communication (NFC) tag and the information marking arrangement may be configured to write the information comprising the identity of the animal in the NFC tag.

An advantage with NFC tags is that information easily could be both read from and written to the NFC tag of the vial. As the access distance is very limited, it is assured that the information concerns the marked vial. The provided information is not disturbed by for example discolouration, dirt, etc., on the vial exterior.

Optionally, the information marking arrangement may comprise a printer, configured to write the information comprising the identity of the animal directly onto the vial, or to a label which is attachable to the vial.

An advantage of printed information (when it comprises letters/ numbers) is that a human could easily read the information, thereby decreasing risks of mixing vials.

Optionally, the information written by the information marking arrangement may comprise, besides the identity of the animal, time when the milk sample is made, and/ or how to handle the vial after the milk sample has been made, for example the vial could be sent to a veterinarian or an external laboratory.

By marking the vial with more relevant information for performing the biomarker detection, the more reliable will the test result be. The same animal may for example be tested (for the same biomarker) at several occasions. By marking them with time of the test, the most relevant (i.e., latest) test could be selected. Alternatively, a trend over time could be extracted from the data and provided to the farmer.

Optionally, the controller may be configured to determine whether biomarker detection is to be made and, if so, which type of biomarker detection to be made on a milk sample of the identified animal, based on a deviation between an obtained measurement related to the animal, and a reference value. The obtained measurement may relate to real time measurements and/ or historical measurements.

Deviations from a defined normality reference is often a reliable indicator of a health/condi- tion status of the animal, which affects milk quality/ yield. By triggering a milk sample and test the milk for a relevant biomarker detection, the health status, heat detection and/or pregnancy check of the animal could be confirmed at an early stage and appropriate measures could be made for e.g. enhancing the recovery of the animal.

Optionally, the obtained measurement related to the animal may relate to milk yield of the animal.

At a dairy farm, milk yield is crucial. By detecting deviations from an expected milk yield of a particular animal and analyse biomarker anomalies, appropriate measures could be initiated at an early stage for health recovery of the animal and thereby also bringing the milk yield back to an expected quantity and quality.

Optionally, the obtained measurement related to the animal may relate to conductivity measurement of the extracted milk, colour of the extracted milk etc.

Optionally, the obtained measurement related to the animal may relate to movement data and/ or food consumption data of the animal.

Some early signs of several medical conditions for mammals are passivity, resting and low/ no fodder intake. By testing animals showing these signs at an early stage, appropriate measures could be initiated early. The convalescence of the animal, and thereby also the temporary drop in milk yield could be minimised.

Optionally, the controller may be configured to determine whether biomarker detection is to be made and, if so, which type of biomarker detection to be made on a milk sample of the identified animal, based on a bio model of the animal, concerning lactation cycle and/ or reproduction cycle.

The lactation cycle and the reproduction cycle for an animal is relatively stable and repeatable for that particular animal. By establishing a bio model of the animal and trigger for example progesterone tests at moments in time when heat is predicted, the optimal time window for conception could be identified and confirmed.

Optionally, the controller may be configured to determine whether biomarker detection is to be made and, if so, which type of biomarker detection to be made on a milk sample of the identified animal, based on manual input from a farmer.

The farmer may desire to check certain biomarker based on his/ her personal observations of animal behaviour and/ or animal production.

Optionally, the milk sampler may be integrated in/ with the milking system. The magazine may be configured to be removably inserted into the milk sampler.

The farmer is thereby enabled to swiftly replace the magazine when all vials have been used, for a new one. The magazine with the used/ filled vials may be provided to a laboratory for analyses. Alternatively, analyses of the milk samples may be made at the farm, i.e. on-site. Anyway, immediate replacement of the magazines assures that all milk samples triggered by the system could be performed.

Optionally, the milking system may comprise one or several automated milking robots in which the milk sampler may be integrated. When the milking system comprises several automated milking robots each, or at least one, automated milking robot may have a milk sampler integrated.

By integrating the milk sampler with the automated milking robot, the milk sample of the selected animal could be partitioned during ordinary milking of the animal.

Optionally, the milking system may comprise an NFC tag reader, communicatively connected to the controller, wherein the NFC tag reader is configured to read an NFC tag of the magazine. The controller may be configured to perform the biomarker detection based on information read from the NFC tag of the magazine, which information comprises an expiration date of the reagent for biomarker detection of the vial of the magazine, a quality marking of the reagent, position of the respective vials within the magazine, and/ or reagent preparation of the respective vials of the magazine.

Thanks to the NFC tag of the magazine, an instant quick check of the magazine is enabled; for example, concerning expiration date, that the content regarding biomarker detection reagents and/ or quality of the reagents are corresponding with the requirements of the farmer.

According to a second aspect of the invention, this objective is achieved by a magazine configured to maintain a plurality of vials. At least one of the vials is prepared with a reagent for biomarker detection. The magazine is configured to be removably inserted into the milking system according to any one of the preceding claims.

The farmer is thereby enabled to swiftly replace the magazine when all vials have been used, for a new one. The magazine with the used/ filled vials may be provided to a laboratory for analyses. Alternatively, analyses of the milk samples may be made at the farm. Anyway, immediate replacement of the magazines assures that all milk samples triggered by the system could be performed.

Optionally, the magazine may comprise an NFC tag to be read by an NFC tag reader of the milking system according to optional embodiments of the first aspect. The NFC tag may comprise an expiration date of the reagent for biomarker detection of the vial of the magazine, a quality marking of the reagent, position of the respective vials within the magazine, and/ or reagent preparation of the respective vials of the magazine.

Thanks to the NFC tag of the magazine, an instant quick check of the magazine is enabled; for example, concerning expiration date, that the content regarding biomarker detection reagents and/ or quality of the reagents are corresponding with the requirements of the farmer.

Optionally the magazine may comprise at least one transparent section, enabling a visual inspection of vials maintained in the magazine without requirement to open the magazine.

The farmer is thereby enabled to check instantly whether the vials of the magazine are unused or used; and/ or estimate how many of them that have been used and calculate when it may be time to change magazines. The farmer may in some cases also instantly interpret the result of the biomarker detection in one or several milk samples without requiring breaking the sealing of the magazine and thereby expose the vials to a possible risk of contamination, which may lead to incorrect result of the biomarker detection.

Other advantages and additional novel features will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description.

FIGURES

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 A illustrates an example of a milking system, according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 B illustrates an example of a milking system, according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 illustrates an example of a magazine comprising vials, according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3A illustrates an example of a milk sampler, according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3B illustrates an example of a milk sampler, according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 illustrates an example of a vial with a dry stick, according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 illustrates an example of farmer communication, according to an embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention described herein are defined as a milking system and a magazine, which may be put into practice in the embodiments described below. These embodiments may, however, be exemplified and realised in many different forms and are not to be limited to the examples set forth herein; rather, these illustrative examples of embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete.

Still other objects and features may become apparent from the following detailed description, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the herein disclosed embodiments, for which reference is to be made to the appended claims. Further, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and, unless otherwise indicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein.

Figure 1A illustrates a milking system 100 for extracting milk from an animal 101.

The animal 101 is a dairy animal and may be comprised in a herd of animals for dairy farming at a farm.

The milking system 100 may with advantage, although not necessarily, comprise an automatic milking facility such as a milking robot, rotary milking parlour, or similar arrangement. The milking system 100 may alternatively be applied during manual milking in a milking parlour.

“Animal” may be any arbitrary type of domesticated female mammal such as e.g., cow, goat, sheep, camel, horse, dairy buffalo, donkey, yak, etc.

In the illustrated embodiment, the milking system 100 comprises a milking robot 115 situated in a closed compartment 110 of the farm. The animal 101 may be identified by an animal identification arrangement 116 when approaching a selection gate 118 and may be allowed to enter the closed compartment 110.

The milking robot 115 may comprise a robotic arm 117 for placing milking equipment/ teat cups 111 on the teats of the animal 101 and commence extraction of milk. The evacuated milk may then be forwarded to a milk tank 114. The milk flow per time unit may continuously be measured by a milk flow meter 112, arranged on a milk line 113. The milk line 113 is forwarding milk extracted from the animal 101 via the teat cups 111a, 111b, 111c, 111 d, to the milk tank 114. When a milk sample is to be extracted for a certain animal, the milk sample is diverted from the milk line 113 during the milking session, to the milk sampler 300, to be dosed into a dedicated vial in a magazine of the milk sampler 300. The extraction of milk samples for a certain animal from the milk line 113 can be done for udder milking or quarter milking and that is not further described here.

Other milk related parameters than milk flow or milk yield may also, or alternatively be measured, in order to be analysed, such as for example milk conductivity (in comparison with a threshold value), colour difference of the milk (in comparison with a reference milk colour), detection of blood in the milk, etc.

The milk related parameter may be measured by an appropriate sensor. Thereby, measurements may be made during milking in real time by the sensor, i.e. , during milking sessions of the animals at the farm. The measured value may be compared with a reference value and an excess may trigger a milk sample extraction.

A milk related parameter, e.g. milk flow of the animal 101 may be measured for the entire udder of the animal 101 , or separately for each teat, referred to as quarter milking, in different embodiments. To measure milk flow or other milk related parameters in conventional or quarter milking systems is not further described here. However, the subsequently presented and discussed examples are focusing on quarter milking.

The animal identification arrangement 116 may for example recognise the animal 101 by identifying a tag carried by the animal 101 , emitting wireless signals, for example an RFID tag or Bluetooth tag with a unique encoding which is associated with the animal 101.

The tag may be attached to one or both ears of the animal 101 , arranged in a necklace around the neck of the animal 101 , under the hide of the head of the animal 101 , around a horn of the animal 101 , in a headwear or other similar arrangement of the animal 101.

The tag may comprise an identifying animal unit, i.e., a transponder comprising an identity reference of the animal 101. The tag may emit wireless signals which may be received by the animal identifier 116, which may comprise an appropriate transceiver.

However, the animal identification arrangement 116 may comprise a camera, and the animal

101 may be identified by image recognition, as animals e.g., cows typically have distinctive colour signs on the hide, in combination with size and other differences in body constitution. Also, or alternatively an identification number encoded in a graphic encoding such as e.g., barcode, European Article Number (EAN) code, data matrix, Quick Response (QR) code on the tag or directly on the hide of the animal 101. Any other convenient method for identification may be utilised in some embodiments.

The animal identification arrangement 116 may be communicatively connected to a controller 120. The controller 120 may comprise a digital computer or processing circuitry that controls one or more electrical systems, or electrical sub systems, of the farm, based on e.g., information read from the animal identification arrangement 116 and other sensors of the farm. The controller 120 is communicatively connected to a memory device 130, or data base.

The memory device 130 may comprise a physical device utilised to store data or programs, i.e. , sequences of instructions, on a temporary or permanent basis. According to some embodiments, the memory device 130 may comprise integrated circuits comprising silicon- based transistors. The memory device 130 may comprise e.g., a memory card, a flash memory, a USB memory, a hard disc, or another similar volatile or non-volatile storage unit for storing data such as e.g., ROM (Read-Only Memory), PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable PROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable PROM), etc. in different embodiments.

Various elements of the milking system 100 such as the milk sampler 300, the animal identification arrangement 116, the milking robot 115, the milk flow meter 112, and possibly a time measurement device, etc., may be connected to the controller 120 via wired or wireless communication means.

When the controller 120 successfully has identified the animal 101 , based on the information of the animal identification arrangement 116, a check whether the animal 101 has a valid milking permission may be made. The milking permission of the animal 101 may be stored in the memory device 130, associated with the identity reference of the animal 101.

In case the animal 101 has a valid milking permission, the controller 120 may send a command to the selection gate 118 to open, thereby allowing the animal 101 to enter the closed compartment 110.

Teat cups 111 of the milking robot 115 may then be attached to the teats of the animal 101 , by usage of the robotic arm 117, see Figure 1 B.

The memory device 130 may be configured to store the obtained measurement related to the animal 101. For example, the obtained measurement may comprise milk flow data in form of milk flow rate and/ or milk yield of an animal 101 during a milk session, time of the milk session, longevity of the milk session, a measured time period between two consecutive milk sessions, conductivity, colour difference etc. The obtained measurement may then be stored associated with the identity reference of the animal 101.

The controller 120 may analyse the obtained measurement related to the animal 101 . In case a deviation exceeding a threshold is detected between the obtained measurement and an expected/ reference value, a biomarker detection may be triggered.

The expected/ reference value may be predetermined, for example based on race/ breed of animal, or based on an average value of the population at the farm, or a subset thereof. The expected/ reference value may alternatively be set based on historical values of measurements, either of the individual animal 101, or a group of animals. Thereby, the expected/ reference value may be updated over time.

The measurement may be obtained from sensor/s, and/ or milk flow meters 112 arranged at the milk line 113 (or possibly at some other appropriate position where the extracted milk could be measured by the sensor/ milk flow meters 112), which may measure and provide measurements in real time to the controller 120.

The controller 120 may then analyse the obtained measurements by comparing them in real time with the expected/ reference value. A test sample may then be triggered and performed for the animal 101 already during the same milk session. An advantage therewith is that an instant indication of the biomarker in question could be made. Alternatively, a trigger may be set to divide a milk sample of the animal 101 during the next milk session.

Alternatively, the obtained measurements may be stored in the memory device 130. The controller 120 may then analyse the stored measurements and based there upon, trigger the milk sample for the next milk session.

For example, in case the milk yield is lower than a reference yield (which may be calculated for example based on an average milk yield during the latest milk sessions), it may be concluded that a milk sample is to be extracted from the animal 101 during the subsequent milk session, as the animal 101 may suffer from mastitis. The extracted milk may then be diverted into a vial prepared with a reagent for testing LDH.

In some embodiments, the controller 120 may obtain and analyse other data related to the animal 101 and trigger a sampling for biomarker detection for the particular animal 101. Some examples may be that passivity/ little movement/ laying down and/ or low fodder consumption of the animal 101 may indicate infection, which may trigger an appropriate test.

Movement pattern of the animal 101 , typical for heat (i.e., increased/ restless movements, attempts to ride other animals, stand to be ridden, may stand with back arched and tail in air, spend less time than usual grazing, etc.) may trigger progesterone test.

Progesterone is a hormone that regulates several physiological functions of the animal 101. Progesterone may prepare the uterus for pregnancy, maintain the pregnancy if fertilisation occurs, and inhibit the animal 101 from showing signs of standing oestrus and ovulating when pregnant. Progesterone levels, for example, may rise at the beginning of the pregnancy, and be kept at a high level throughout the pregnancy of the animal 101. Progesterone levels in milk samples may be used to monitor pregnancy, oestrous cycles (heat detection) and/ or postpartum ovarian activity. For these reasons, progesterone levels of animals at the farm are interesting for the farmer to detect and keep track of.

The obtained measurements may be movement data and/or food consumption data. Movement data and/or food consumption data may be collected for example by a tracker associated with each animal 101 , and/ or by a camera at the farm, in conjunction with appropriate software for analysing the movement data and/or food consumption data. The controller 120 may then analyse the obtained measurements by comparing them with the expected/ reference value. Based on a deviation between the obtained measurements and the expected/ reference value a milk sample may be triggered, for example for the next milking session for the animal 101.

However, milk sampling of the animal 101 may also, or alternatively be triggered based on a bio model of the animal 101 , concerning lactation cycle and/ or reproduction cycle. In some embodiments, milk samples may be periodically at a regular, configurable, time interval for example every 10^th milk session.

Some examples of milk sampling triggered by the bio model may be heat/ pregnancy test around a predicted time period for oestrus. Test for Ketosis based on BHB may be made at regular time intervals during the initial part of the lactation cycle.

Alternatively, milk sample may be triggered manually by the farmer or a veterinarian for the specific animal 101 (based on visual observations or milk data analysis made by him/ her). In yet other embodiments, milk sampling of the animal 101 may be triggered by previously made test results, indicating requirements for further health monitoring.

The magazine 140, which may be replaceable, may comprise a number of vials 150. Some of the vials 150 in the magazine 140 may be prepared with a reagent for biomarker detection, such as for example a dry stick. Different vials 150 may be prepared with different reagents for different biomarker detection in some embodiments. In other embodiments, all vials 150 may be prepared with the same reagent/ for the same biomarker detection.

Some vials 150 in the magazine 140 may not be prepared with reagent, i.e., they may be intended for collecting a milk sample, which then is to be analysed by a reagent (or in another way) at a laboratory.

In some embodiments, the vials 150 may comprise information concerning the reagent/ biomarker detection, expiration date of the reagent and other similar information. The information may for example be printed on a label on the vial 150 in some embodiments. Alternatively, the vials 150 may comprise a Near Field Communication (NFC) tag 155.

A correct marking of each individual vial 150, both before the milk sample is applied, and after, eliminates, or at least radically reduces the risk of mistakes/ mixing the vials up.

Figures 3A and 3B illustrate examples of the milk sampler 300, in two different views.

The milk sampler 300 and the magazine 140 therein may be an integrated part of the milking system 100, such as the milking equipment/ milking robot 115. Yet, the milk sampler 300 may be releasably attached to the milking equipment/ milking robot 115. It thereby becomes possible, in case of a future malfunction or service requirement, to detach the milk sampler 300 and send it to a service technician for service/ repair. Possibly, a replacement milk sampler 300 may be used during the repairment.

The magazine 140 may in turn be releasably attached to the milk sampler 300, so that the farmer easily could attach/ remove the magazine 140, preferably without using any particular tool. In different embodiments, the magazine 140 may be fixated in correct position by for example a bolted joint, a pin, a snap fastener, a magnet, a hook-and-loop fastener, etc.

The magazine 140 may comprise a predetermined number of vials 150. At least one vial 150 in the magazine 140 is prepared with a reagent for biomarker detection; possibly all vials 150. Different vials 150 may be prepared with different reagents in some embodiments. In other embodiments, all (or substantially all, or at least a majority) of the vials 150 may be prepared with the same reagent.

The configuration of the vials 150 in the magazine 140, i.e., the number of vials 150 prepared with different reagents, may be adapted to the requirements of the farm/ desires of the farmer and/ or veterinarian.

Positional information defining the position within the magazine 140 of the vials 150 with the respective reagents may be maintained and stored in the memory device 130. This positional information may for example comprise a coordinate in a coordinate system. Thereby, the extracted milk sample could be applied to a vial 150 comprising the desired reagent.

The memory device 130 may also comprise information related to status information of the respective vials 150 in the magazine 140, i.e., whether it has been used or is unused. This information concerning the status may be continuously updated when an unused vial 150 is used.

Possibly, the memory device 130 may also comprise last day of usage for the vial/ reagent (which possibly may be different for different reagents).

The controller 120 and the memory device 130 may be communicatively connected via a wired or wireless communication interface. The controller 120 is enabled to obtain an expected/ reference value associated with an identity reference of the animal 101 , from the memory device 130. The measurement obtained from the milk flow meter 112, or other relevant sensor may be compared by the controller 120 with the expected/ reference value. In case the measurement exceeds the expected/ reference value, the controller 120 may initiate the extraction of a milk sample for the animal 101 , to be provided to a vial 150. The measurement value may also be provided to the memory device 130 to be stored therein, associated with the identity reference of the animal 101 and a time reference.

The magazine 140 may be labelled with relevant information concerning the vials 150, such as for example number of vials 150, size of the vials 150, type of reagents of respective vial 150, expiry date, a quality marking of the reagent, position of the respective vials 150 within the magazine 140, etc. The label may comprise a visual sign, for example text, bar code, QR code, etc., and/ or an NFC tag 360, to be read by an NFC tag reader 350 of the milking system 100 or the milk sampler 300.

The magazine 140 may have an asymmetric, “fail-safe” design, making it impossible to mount the magazine 140 in the wrong way/ in the reversed direction, or upside down. In some embodiments, the magazine 140 may be a closed box. Further, in some embodiments the magazine 140 may comprise at least one transparent section, enabling a visual inspection of vials 150 maintained in the magazine 140 without requirement to open the magazine 140.

The magazine 140 may comprise an open box in some embodiments, thereby providing easy access to the vials 150. In other embodiments, the magazine 140 may be inserted into a separate box of the milking system 100, for example the milking robot. This separate box of the milking system 100 may in some embodiments be at least partly transparent. For example, the top lid may be transparent, making it easy for the farmer to see for example how many unused vials 150 that are left in the magazine 140 before it need to be changed, for example.

The farmer is thereby enabled to see how many vials 150 that has been used/ are left unused without opening the magazine 140 (which may contaminate the vials 150). In case the reagent comprises a dry stick or a reagent that changes colour upon biomarker detection, the farmer may visually determine the result of the test.

In some embodiments, a camera which may be arranged in the milking system, preferably arranged in the milk sampler, may inspect the reagent of the vials 150 and forward images thereof to the controller 120, where appropriate software may detect biomarker presence based on the obtained images.

The milk sampler 300 of Figures 3A-3B comprising the magazine 140 may comprise various parts in different embodiments, in order to enable extraction of a milk sample of the animal 101 , when triggered by the controller 120, via generated and provided signal. The milk sampler 300 then diverts a portion of the extracted milk during the milk session, into a designated vial 150.

The milk sample may be extracted at any time of the milk session, to ensure that the sample is representative of the milk being produced by the animal 101 at that time. The extracted milk sample may be forwarded via a milk sample tube by a milk supply regulator 320 (pump or possibly valve) to an injection segment 380 of the milk sampler 300. The injection segment 380 may comprise an injection needle 385, which may provide the milk sample to the vial 150.

The milk sample tube and possibly also other tubings of the milk sampler 300 and/ or the system 100 may comprise a piece of elastic hose comprising or being fabricated of for example plastic (e.g., nylon, polyurethane, polyethylene, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)); or synthetic or natural rubber. The milk sample tube may have a substantially circular cross section. The inner diameter of the milk sample tube may be for example between 1-5 mm (non-limiting example).

To avoid that any impurities such as dirt, hair, pieces of bedding/ fodder and other particles in the extracted milk is forwarded to the injection segment 380 and the vial 150, the milk sample tube may pass a filter to disallow entrance of impurities into the vial 150, which may affect the result of the test.

Also, in some embodiments, the milk sample tube may pass a bubble detector 330, or other similar sensor in some embodiments. The bubble detector 330 may be connected to the controller 120. It may thereby be confirmed that the milk sample has successfully passed the bubble detector 330. Based on ultrasonic detection of the bubble detector/s, air bubbles may be detected in the milk sample tube. Thereby, liquid passage/ monitoring is enabled in a non- invasive, contamination-free manner.

The milk supply regulator 320 may comprise a valve or a pump in different embodiments. The pump may be for example a peristaltic pump, hose pump, roller pump, tube pump, or similar arrangement in different embodiments, configured to act on the milk sample tube for forwarding the milk sample to the injection segment 380. The milk supply regulator 320 may be connected to the controller 120.

The milk supply regulator 320, or pump, may in some embodiments divert different amounts of milk depending on the biomarker detection to be made, according to instructions obtained from the controller 120. Thereby, a minimum amount of milk is diverted from the milk yield, minimising the loss in milk production due to the milk samples, yet assuring that there is enough milk in the milk sample for each respective reagent to successfully perform the biomarker detection. The milk sampler 300 may also comprise a mechanism for enabling the injection needle 385 of the injection segment 380 to apply the milk sample to the dedicated/ intended vial 150. The mechanism may move the injection segment 380 and the injection needle 385 in relation to the vials 150 of the magazine 140. In some embodiments, the mechanism may move the magazine 140 and/ or the vials 150 in relation to the injection segment 380 and the injection needle 385, as illustrated in Figure 3A-3B.

The magazine 140 may be maintained in a tray carrier 355, which in turn may be attached to a linear drive 310, see Figure 3A. The magazine may be releasably attached to the tray carrier 355 so that the farmer easily could attach/ remove the magazine 140, preferably without using any particular tool. In different embodiments, the magazine 140 may be fixated in correct position by for example a bolted joint, a pin, a snap fastener, a magnet, a hook-and- loop fastener, etc.

The linear drive 310 may comprise an actuator or motor, for example an electric motor, and a screw mechanism comprising a threaded screw that works with a nut, wherein the mechanism converts rotational movement of the motor into linear motion along the threaded screw. As the screw rotates, the nut, attached to the tray carrier 355 moves along the threads, creating linear motion, substantially horizontal. Thereby, the magazine 140 and the vials 150 may be adjusted in relation to the injection segment 380 and the injection needle 385.

Alternatively, a linear drive or similar mechanism is configured to move the injection segment 380 substantially horizontally. Thereby, the injection segment may be adjusted in relation to the magazine 140 and the vials 150.

Also, the injection segment 380 may be inset in a corresponding linear drive 340 for vertical movement of the injection segment 380 and the injection needle 385 towards the dedicated vial 150 for application of the milk sample into the vial 150.

The milking system 100, and/ or the milk sampler 300 may also comprise an NFC tag reader 350, communicatively connected to the controller 120.

The NFC tag reader 350 may be configured to read, and possibly also write information from/ to an NFC tag 360 of the magazine 140. The controller 120 may thereby be enabled to perform the biomarker detection based on information read from the NFC tag 360, which information may comprise e.g., an expiration date of the reagent for biomarker detection of the vial 150 of the magazine 140, a quality marking of the reagent, position of the respective vials 150 within the magazine 140, and/ or reagent preparation of the respective vials 150 of the magazine 140. In other words, the controller may be able to select vials in the magazine based on the information on the NFC tag 360.

The milking system 100 may comprise an information marking arrangement 370, configured to mark the vial 150 with information. In case the vial 150 comprises an NFC tag 155, the information marking arrangement 370 may be configured to write the information comprising the identity of the animal 101 in the NFC tag 155 of that vial 150. Other information may also be written into the NFC tag 155 by the information marking arrangement 370, such as for example time when the milk sample is made, and/ or how to handle the vial 150 after the milk sample has been made.

The information marking arrangement 370 may also be configured to read information from the NFC tag 155 of the vials 150, for example concerning which reagent/ biomarker detection that the vial 150 is prepared for, expiry date of the reagent, amount of milk required for the milk sample, etc.

In other embodiments, the information marking arrangement 370 may comprise a printer, configured to write the information comprising the identity of the animal 101 directly onto the vial 150, or to a label which is attachable to the vial 150. The printer may print humanly comprehensive letters and/ or numbers; alternatively, a code such as a bar code, QR code or similar.

The information marking arrangement 370 may be connected to the controller 120 and the marking is triggered by the controller, via generated and provided signal.

By marking the vial 150 with a unique animal identity, it is assured that the milk sample of the vial 150 is associated with the correct animal 101 , i.e., the animal 101 from which the milk sample has been extracted. Also, other information may be provided to the vial 150, such as date/ time of the milk sample, farm identity, milk sampler identity, information concerning which biomarker detection to be made, desired laboratory, etc.

In some embodiments, the information marking arrangement 370 may also be configured to mark the magazine with information related to the identity of the animal/s for each vial stored in the magazine 140. Figure 4 illustrates a vial 150 and an injection needle 385 penetrating a protective layer of the vial 150 for providing the milk sample to the vial 150. Thus, the milk sample is less likely to be contaminated. The vial 150 comprises a reagent in form of a dry stick410, the dry stick, or another type of reagent, is prepared into the vial 150 prior the providing of the milk sample. The reagent is prepared for biomarker detection of a particular biomarker.

The dry stick 410 may alternatively be referred to as a “dry reagent strip”, a “test strip,” or similar expression. The dry stick 410 is a diagnostic tool which may be used to detect and measure specific biomarkers in the milk sample.

The dry stick 410 may be made of an absorbent material like paper or a synthetic polymer. This material is designed to wick the milk sample through capillary action. Embedded within the dry stick 410 are one or more test zones. These zones contain dry reagents that are specific to the biomarker being tested. The reagents are chemicals or biological molecules (like e.g., antibodies or enzymes) that react specifically with the biomarker of interest.

The dry stick 410 may comprise control indicators to validate the test's functionality. These indicators confirm that the milk sample was properly absorbed, and the reagent reacted correctly.

Thus, a small amount of the milk sample may be applied via the injection needle 385 to the vial 150. The dry stick 410 may absorb milk by capillary action, moving into the test zones of the dry stick 410. In the test zones, the milk sample reacts with the dry reagents. This reaction may be designed to produce a colour change or a visual marker.

Dry stick technology is known from prior art and therefore not presented in further detail herein.

The result of the test may be read either visually by the farmer or other human (by detecting a colour change, appearance of lines, or symbols) or by using a camera in conjunction with appropriate software. The presence, absence, or intensity of the visual change indicates the presence and possibly the concentration of the biomarker in the milk sample.

The use of dry sticks 410 has several advantages. They are for example rapidly providing a result. Dry sticks 410 are also easy to use, easy to handle, they may be stored for considerable time and are associated with relatively low cost. However, other types of reagents may be applied in other embodiments. For example, for somatic cell count, fluorescent dye/ stainer may be applied for staining somatic cells, thereby enabling/ facilitating cell count (under a microscope or similar). Some non-limiting examples of stainer may be Trypan Blue, Methylene Blue, Pyronin Y-methyl green, Propidium iodide, Safranin.

By colouring cell nucleus of the milk mixture with the fluorescent dye/ stainer, SCC is enabled. SCC is a measure of the number of somatic cells, primarily white blood cells (leukocytes) and possibly epithelial cells, present in milk sample. SCC is often used as an indicator of milk quality and the health of the animal. High SCC is often associated with mastitis, an inflammation of the mammary gland usually due to infection.

The somatic cells of a milk sample, thanks to the colouring of the fluorescent dye/ stainer, could then be counted, for example manually by counting the number of coloured cells, or by taking a photo and analyse the images by an image detecting computer program. Yet another possibility may be electronic counting, wherein the milk sample is stained with the stainer and then passed through a flow chamber. As coloured cells pass through a laser beam, they scatter light and fluoresce, thereby enabling counting of the coloured cells.

After having determined the SCC, the results may be compared to a threshold value, for example 200 000 cells/ ml. In some countries/ regions, there are legal limits for SCC in milk intended for human consumption (> 400 000 cells/ ml in European Union (EU)), as high counts can affect milk quality, shelf life, and its suitability for certain processed products such as cheese.

California mastitis test (CMT) reagent may be used for mastitis detection. The reagent may comprise a soap solution that reacts with DNA and proteins in the milk, causing gel formation in the presence of elevated somatic cell counts.

Urea may be detected by a pH indicator, as urease breaks down urea, and the resulting pH change may be indicated by a pH-sensitive dye.

Pregnancy-Associated Glycoproteins reagents may comprise monoclonal/ polyclonal antibodies, which may be used for early pregnancy detection in the animal 101 from which the milk sample has been extracted.

Figure 5 schematically illustrates a scenario in which a milk sample of a specific animal 101 has been provided to a vial 150. In some embodiments, for example when the farmer has triggered the testing of the animal 101 , the controller 120 may emit information to the farmer, e.g. to a mobile device such as a mobile phone, confirming that the animal 101 has been tested and that the farmer is invited to inspect the vial 150 for obtaining a result of the biomarker detection.

Due to this direct information to the farmer, he/she can collect the vials comprising a milk sample substantially instantly after receiving the information. Thus, the milk samples are less likely to be contaminated.

In other embodiments, an analysis may be made, and the result of the tests may be output to the farmer.

The information may be provided via a wired or wireless communication interface. The wireless communication interface may comprise, or at least be inspired by wireless communication technology such as Wi-Fi, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), Bluetooth (BT) to name but a few possible examples of wireless communications in some embodiments. Alternatively, radio access technologies may be applied, such as e.g., 5^th Generation wireless system; 4^th Generation wireless system; 3^rd Generation wireless system, etc.

The terminology used in the description of the embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings is not intended to be limiting of the described distribution unit 110. Various changes, substitutions and/ or alterations may be made, without departing from invention embodiments as defined by the appended claims.

As used herein, the term “and/ or” comprises any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The term “or” as used herein, is to be interpreted as a mathematical OR, i.e., as an inclusive disjunction; not as a mathematical exclusive OR (XOR), unless expressly stated otherwise. In addition, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are to be interpreted as “at least one”, thus also possibly comprising a plurality of entities of the same kind, unless expressly stated otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes”, “comprises”, “including” and/ or “comprising”, specifies the presence of stated features, actions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/ or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, actions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/ or groups thereof. A single unit such as e.g., a processor may fulfil the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures or features are recited in mutually different dependent claims, illustrated in different figures or discussed in conjunction with different embodiments does not indicate that a combination of these measures or features cannot be used to advantage. A computer program may be stored/ distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium supplied together with or as part of other hardware but may also be distributed in other forms such as via Internet or other wired or wireless communication system.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. A milking system (100) for extracting milk from an animal (101) during a milking session, wherein the milking system (100) comprises: a milk sampler (300), in turn comprising a magazine (140) configured to maintain a plurality of vials (150), of which at least one vial (150) is prepared with a reagent for biomarker detection; an information marking arrangement (370) configured to mark a vial (150) with information; wherein the milk sampler (300) is arranged to divert a subset of the milk extracted from the animal (101) to one of the vials (150) in the magazine (140); and the information marking arrangement (370) is configured to mark the vial (150) to which the subset of milk has been diverted, with the information; an animal identification arrangement (116) configured to identify the animal (101); a controller (120), configured to: determine identity of the animal (101), from which milk is to be extracted by the milking system (100), via the animal identification arrangement (116); determine whether biomarker detection is to be made on a milk sample of the identified animal (101); and in case it is: determine which type of biomarker detection that is to be made on the milk sample; generate and provide a signal to the milk sampler (300) in order to divert the subset of the milk extracted from the animal (101) to the vial (150) prepared with the reagent for biomarker detection of the determined type; generate and provide a signal to the information marking arrangement (370), to mark the vial (150) to which the subset of milk has been diverted, with information comprising the identity of the animal (101).

2. The milking system (100) according to claim 1 , comprising a memory device (130) connected to the controller (120), wherein the memory device (130) comprises information related to: position within the magazine (140) of the respective vials (150), reagent preparation of the respective vials (150) of the magazine (140), and wherein the controller (120) is configured to select which vial (150) to use for biomarker detection, based on the information of the memory device (130); and wherein the signal provided to the milk sampler (300) comprises the positional information for enabling the milk sampler (300) to divert the subset of the milk extracted from the animal (101) to the selected vial (150) prepared with the reagent for biomarker detection.

3. The milking system (100) according to claim 2, wherein the memory device (130) comprises information related to status information of the respective vials (150) in the magazine (140); and wherein the controller (120) is configured to update the status information of the selected vial (150) from “unused” to “used” when milk has been provided by the milk sampler (300).

4. The milking system (100) according to any one of claims 2-3, wherein different vials (150) in the magazine (140) are prepared with different reagents for biomarker detection.

5. The milking system (100) according to claim 4, wherein the controller (120) is configured to determine which amount of milk to divert to the vial (150), depending on the biomarker detection to be made, and to accordingly instruct the milk sampler (300).

6. The milking system (100) according to claim 5, wherein the milk sampler (300) comprises a pump, configured to divert the determined amount of milk to the vial (150).

7. The milking system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the biomarker to be detected comprises any one of progesterone, somatic cell count, haptoglobin, |3- hydroxy butyrate “BHB”, Urea, and/ or Lactate Dehydrogenase “LDH”.

8. The milking system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vial (150) comprises a dry stick (410) prepared with the reagent for biomarker detection.

9. The milking system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vial (150) comprises a Near Field Communication “NFC” tag (155) and the information marking arrangement (370) is configured to write the information comprising the identity of the animal (101) in the NFC tag (155).

10. The milking system (100) according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein the information marking arrangement (370) comprises a printer, configured to write the information comprising the identity of the animal (101) directly onto the vial (150), or to a label which is attachable to the vial (150).

11. The milking system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the information written by the information marking arrangement (370) comprises, besides the identity of the animal (101), time when the milk sample is made, and/ or how to handle the vial (150) after the milk sample has been made.

12. The milking system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller (120) is configured to determine whether biomarker detection is to be made and, if so, which type of biomarker detection to be made on a milk sample of the identified animal (101), based on a deviation between an obtained measurement related to the animal (101), and a reference value; wherein the obtained measurement relates to real time measurements and/ or historical measurements.

13. The milking system (100) according to claim 12, wherein the obtained measurement related to the animal (101) relates to milk yield of the animal (101).

14. The milking system (100) according to claim 12, wherein the obtained measurement related to the animal (101) relates to movement data and/ or food consumption data of the animal (101).

15. The milking system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller (120) is configured to determine whether biomarker detection is to be made and, if so, which type of biomarker detection to be made on a milk sample of the identified animal (101), based on a bio model of the animal (101), concerning lactation cycle and/ or reproduction cycle.

16. The milking system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller (120) is configured to determine whether biomarker detection is to be made and, if so, which type of biomarker detection to be made on a milk sample of the identified animal (101), based on manual input from a farmer.

17. The milking system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the milk sampler (300) is integrated with the milking system (100); and wherein the magazine (140) is configured to be removably inserted into the milk sampler (300).

18. The milking system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the milking system (100) comprises one or several automated milking robots in which the milk sampler (300) is integrated.

19. The milking system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an NFC tag reader (350), communicatively connected to the controller (120), wherein the NFC tag reader (350) is configured to read an NFC tag (360) of the magazine (140); and wherein the controller (120) is configured to perform the biomarker detection based on information read from the NFC tag (360) of the magazine (140), which information comprises an expiration date of the reagent for biomarker detection of the vial (150) of the magazine (140), a quality marking of the reagent, position of the respective vials (150) within the magazine (140), and/ or reagent preparation of the respective vials (150) of the magazine (140).

20. A magazine (140) configured to maintain a plurality of vials (150), of which at least one vial (150) is prepared with a reagent for biomarker detection; wherein the magazine (140) is configured to be removably inserted into the milking system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.

21. The magazine (140) according to claim 20, comprising an NFC tag (360) to be read by an NFC tag reader (350) of the milking system (100) according to claim 19; which NFC tag (360) comprises an expiration date of the reagent for biomarker detection of the vial (150) of the magazine (140), a quality marking of the reagent, position of the respective vials (150) within the magazine (140), and/ or reagent preparation of the respective vials (150) of the magazine (140).

22. The magazine (140) according to any one of claims 20-21, wherein the magazine (140) comprises at least one transparent section, enabling a visual inspection of vials (150) maintained in the magazine (140) without requirement to open the magazine (140).