US 6,814,025 B2Granted

System for optimizing the production of a milk producing animal herd

AssigneeLattec I/S

InventorsFei Chen, Flemming Larsen, Henrik Hansen, Thomas Mathiasen

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Abstract

A system for optimising the production performance of a milk producing animal herd is provided. The system comprises a milk sampling apparatus, an analytical apparatus comprising separate equipment for analyzing compounds or parameters that in the presence of compounds indicative of the physiological or nutritional condition of the herd member, generates detectable signals, and apparatus directing a part of the milk sample (directing apparatus) to each separate equipment, which is controlled by data for the physiological and nutritional state of a herd member, so that the directing apparatus is only activated at pre-selected points in time or at pre-selected time intervals in the production and/or lactation cycles. Specific compounds are compounds indicative of mastitis, including beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase (NAGase) E.C. 3.2.1.52 and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), protein balance, including milk urea nitrogen (MUN) and total protein, ketosis, including acetolactate, beta-hydroxybutyrate, acetone and lipids, fat and state in reproduction cycle, including a steroid or peptide hormone, e.g., progesterone. Furthermore, the system comprises equipment for signal detection to record and process the signals, equipment to store data and equipment to produce data output. Methods for optimizing the production performance of a milk producing animal herd and an apparatus therefor.

Claims117

Dependent claims

An automated or semi-automated system for optimizing the production performance of a milk producing animal herd comprising a plurality of individual herd members each assigned a unique identification code that is recognizable by the system, the system comprising the following interconnected means:

(a) means for collecting a milk sample from an individual member of said herd, said means for collecting a milk sample being connectable to a herd milking system,
(b) means for recognizing the identification code of the individual herd member,
(c) means for storing data for a physiological condition, a nutritional condition or a combination of the physiological nutritional conditions of said each individual herd member,
(d) means for analyzing a plurality of compounds or parameters in a milk sample being collected, said means for analyzing a plurality of compounds or parameters comprising:
(i) separate means for analyzing individual compounds or parameters in the milk sample, each of said separate means for analyzing individual compounds or parameters being capable of generating a detectable signal in the presence of an individual milk compound or parameter,
(ii) means for directing a part of the milk sample to each separate analyzing means, said directing means being controlled in response to at least one change for at least one parameter in at least one individual herd member recorded by said means for storing data for the physiological state condition, a nutritional condition or a combination of physiological and nutritional conditions of each individual herd member relative to previously-stored data in said means for storing data for said individual herd member such that the directing means is only activated at pre-selected points in time or at pre-selected time intervals in the reproduction or lactation cycles, or said directing means being controlled in response to a signal from said means for storing data such that the directing means is only activated at pre-selected points in time or at pre-selected time intervals in the reproduction or lactation cycles,
(iii) means for detecting signals generated in the presence of a compound or parameter being analyzed,
(e) means for converting the detected signals to a set of data that is indicative of the physiological condition, the nutritional condition or a combination of the physiological and nutritional conditions of said individual herd member,
(f) means for storage of said set of data descriptive of the physiological condition, the nutritional condition or a combination of the physiological and nutritional conditions for said individual herd members, and
(g) data output means for producing data output.

7 more elements

A method for optimizing the production performance of a milk producing animal herd comprising a plurality of individual herd members using an automated or semi-automated system for optimizing the production performance of a milk producing animal herd, the system comprising the following interconnected means:

(a) means for collecting a milk sample from an individual member of said herd, said means is connectable to a herd milking system,
(b) means for recognizing a unique identification code assigned to each of the individual herd members,
(c) means for storing data including data for a physiological state condition, a nutritional condition, or a combination of physiological and nutritional conditions of said each individual herd member or data indicating point in time in the reproduction and lactation cycles,
(d) means for analyzing a plurality of compounds or parameters in a the milk sample being collected, said plurality of compounds or parameters including at least two of the following:
a compound or parameter indicative of mastitis, a compound indicative of the reproduction cycle state, at least one compound indicative of the protein balance of the herd member or at least one compound indicative of the energy balance state of the herd member, said analyzing means comprising
(i) separate means for analyzing individual compounds or parameters in the milk sample, each of said separate means for analyzing individual compounds or parameters is capable of generating at least one detectable signal in the presence of an individual milk compound or parameter, and
(ii) means for detecting the at least one signal generated in the presence of a compound or parameter being analyzed,
(e) means for converting the at least one detected signal to a set of data that is indicative of the physiological condition, the nutritional condition or a combination of the physiological and nutritional conditions of said individual herd member,
(f) means for storage of said set of data indicative of the physiological condition, the nutritional condition or a combination of the physiological and nutritional conditions for said individual herd members, and
(g) a means for producing data output, the method comprising the steps of:
(i) collecting at a milking site a milk sample from each individual member of the herd,
(ii) contacting said sample with the means for analyzing a plurality of compounds or parameters that, in the presence of at least one compound or parameter indicative of the physiological condition, the nutritional condition or a combination of the physiological and nutritional conditions of the herd member, generates at least one detectable signal,
(iii) recording in the signal detection means the character of said at least one detectable signal to provide a set of analytical data indicative of the presence, the amount, or a combination of the presence and the amount of said compound or parameter,
(iv) having the generated data processed to provide a sat of data indicative of the physiological condition, the nutritional condition or a combination of the physiological and nutritional conditions of the individual herd member, and
(v) taking, on the basis of the set of data provided, appropriate steps to improve or correct the physiological condition, the nutritional condition or a combination of the physiological and nutritional conditions of any of the herd members in need of such improvement or correction.

12 more elements

An apparatus for analyzing a plurality of compounds or parameters in a milk sample of an individual member of a milk producing animal herd, said apparatus comprising:

(i) separate means for analyzing individual compounds or parameters in the milk sample, each of said separate means being capable of generating a detectable signal in the presence of an individual sample compound or parameter,
(ii) means for directing a part of the milk sample to each separate analyzing means, said directing means being controlled in response to at least one change for at least one parameter in at least one individual herd member recorded by said means for storing data for a physiological condition, a nutritional condition or a combination of the physiological and nutritional conditions of each individual herd member relative to the data in said means for storing data for said individual herd member, such that the directing means is only activated at pro-selected points in time or at pre-selected time intervals in the reproduction or lactation cycles, of the individual herd member or said directing means being controlled in response to a signal from said means for storing data such that the directing means is only activated at pre-selected points in time or at pre-selected time intervals in the reproduction or lactation cycles of the individual herd member.

(a) means for collecting a milk sample from an individual member of said herd, said means is connectable to a herd milking system,
(b) means for recognizing a unique identification code assigned to each of the individual herd members,
(c) means for storing data including data for a physiological condition, a nutritional condition or a combination of physiological and nutritional conditions of said each individual herd member or data indicating point in time in the reproduction and lactation cycles,
(d) means for analyzing a plurality of compounds or parameters in a milk sample being collected, said plurality of compounds or parameters including at least one of a compound or parameter indicative of mastitis, a compound indicative of the reproduction cycle state, at least one compound indicative of the protein balance of the herd member or at least one compound indicative of the energy balance state of the herd member, said analyzing means comprising
(i) separate means for analyzing individual compounds or parameters in the milk sample, each of said separate means for analyzing individual compounds or parameters is capable of generating at least one detectable signal in the presence of an individual milk compound or parameter, and
(ii) means for detecting the at least one signal generated in the presence of a compound or parameter being analyzed,
(e) means for converting the at least one detected signal to a set of data that is indicative of the physiological condition, the nutritional condition or a combination of the physiological and nutritional conditions of said individual herd member,
(f) means for storage of said set of data indicative of the physiological condition, the nutritional condition or a combination of the physiological and nutritional conditions for said individual herd members, and
(g) a means for producing data output, the method comprising the steps of:
(i) collecting at a milking site a milk sample from each individual member of the herd,
(ii) contacting said sample with the means for analyzing a plurality of compounds or parameters that, in the presence of at least one compound or parameter indicative of the physiological condition, the nutritional condition or a combination of the physiological and nutritional conditions of the herd member, generates at least one detectable signal,
(iii) recording in the signal detection means the character of said at least one detectable signal to provide a set of analytical data indicative of the presence, the amount, or a combination of the presence and the amount of said compound or parameter,
(iv) having the generated data processed to provide a set of data indicative of the physiological condition, the nutritional condition or a combination of the physiological and nutritional conditions of the individual herd member, and
(v) taking, on the basis of the set of data provided, appropriate steps to improve or correct the physiological condition, the nutritional condition or a combination of the physiological and nutritional conditions of any of the herd members in need of such improvement or correction.

11 more elements

(a) means for collecting a milk sample from an individual member of said herd, said means is connectable to a herd milking system,
(b) means for recognizing a unique identification code assigned to each of the individual herd members,
(c) means for storing data including data for a physiological state condition, a nutritional condition or a combination of physiological and nutritional conditions of said each individual herd member or data indicating point in time in the reproduction and lactation cycles,
(d) means for analyzing a plurality of compounds or parameters in a milk sample being collected, said plurality of compounds or parameters including at least one of a compound or parameter indicative of mastitis, a compound indicative of the reproduction cycle state, at least one compound indicative of the protein balance of the herd member or at least one compound indicative of the energy balance state of the herd member, said analyzing means comprising
(i) separate means for analyzing individual compounds or parameters in the milk sample, each of said separate means for analyzing individual compounds or parameters is capable of generating at least one detectable signal in the presence of an individual milk compound or parameter, and
(ii) means for detecting the at least one signal generated in the presence of a compound or parameter being analyzed,
(e) means for converting the at least one detected signal to a set of data that is indicative of the physiological condition, the nutritional condition or a combination of the physiological and nutritional conditions of said individual herd member,
(f) means for storage of said set of data indicative of the physiological condition, the nutritional condition or a combination of the physiological and nutritional conditions for said individual herd members, and
(g) a means for producing data output, the method comprising the steps of:
(i) collecting at a milking site a milk sample from each individual member of the herd,
(ii) contacting said sample with the means for analyzing a plurality of compounds or parameters that, in the presence of at least one compound or parameter indicative of the physiological condition, the nutritional condition or a combination of the physiological and nutritional conditions of the herd member, generates at least one detectable signal,
(iii) recording in the signal detection means the character of said at least one detectable signal to provide a set of analytical data indicative of the presence, the amount, or a combination of the presence and the amount of said compound or parameter, said character indicating a change in the presence, the amount or a combination of the presence and the amount of said compound or parameter for at least one member of the herd, relative to the date in said means for storing data, for said herd member,
(iv) having the generated data processed to provide a set of data indicative of the physiological condition, the nutritional condition or a combination of the physiological and nutritional conditions of the individual herd member,
(v) changing the frequency or the timing of the contacting of a part of a milk sample with the analyzing means until the physiological condition, the nutritional condition or a combination of the physiological and nutritional conditions of said herd member is improved or corrected, and
(vi) taking, on the basis of the set of data provided, appropriate steps to improve or correct the physiological condition, the nutritional condition or a combination of the physiological and nutritional conditions of any of the herd members in need of such improvement or correction.

12 more elements

(a) means for collecting a milk sample from an individual member of said herd, said means is connectable to a herd milking system,
(b) means for recognizing a unique identification code assigned to each of the individual herd members,
(c) means for storing data including data for a physiological state condition, a nutritional condition or a combination of physiological and nutritional conditions of said each individual herd member or data indicating point in time in the reproduction and lactation cycles,
(d) means for analyzing a plurality of compounds or parameters in a milk sample being collected, said plurality of compounds or parameters including at least two of the following:
a compound or parameter indicative of mastitis, a compound indicative of the reproduction cycle state, at least one compound indicative of the protein balance of the herd member or at least one compound indicative of the energy balance state of the herd member, said analyzing means comprising
(i) separate means for analyzing individual compounds or parameters in the milk sample, each of said separate means for analyzing individual compounds or parameters is capable of generating at least one detectable signal in the presence of an individual milk compound or parameter, and
(ii) means for detecting the at least one signal generated in the presence of a compound or parameter being analyzed,
(e) means for converting the at least one detected signal to a set of data that is indicative of the physiological condition, the nutritional condition or a combination of the physiological and nutritional conditions of said individual herd member,
(f) means for storage of said set of data indicative of the physiological condition, the nutritional condition or a combination of the physiological and nutritional conditions for said individual herd members, and
(g) a means for producing data output, the method comprising the steps of:
(i) collecting at a milking site a milk sample from each individual member of the herd,
(ii) contacting said sample with the means for analyzing a plurality of compounds or parameters that, in the presence of at least one compound or parameter indicative of the physiological condition, the nutritional condition or a combination of the physiological and nutritional conditions of the herd member, generates at least one detectable signal,
(iii) recording in the signal detection moans the character of said at least one detectable signal to provide a set of analytical data indicative of the presence, the amount or a combination of the presence and the amount of said compound or parameter said character indicting a change the presence, the amount or a combination of the presence and the amount of said compound or parameter for at least one member of the herd, relative to the data in said means for storing data, for said herd member,
(iv) having the generated data processed to provide a set of data indicative of the physiological condition, the nutritional condition or a combination of the physiological and nutritional conditions of the individual herd member,
(v) changing the frequency or the timing of the contacting of a part of a milk sample with the analyzing means until the physiological condition, the nutritional condition or a combination of the physiological and nutritional conditions of said herd member is improvement or corrected, and
(vi) taking, on the basis of the set of data provided, appropriate steps to improve or correct the physiological condition, the nutritional condition or a combination of such improvement or correction.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/091,782Filed 7 Mar 2002 · us provisional application
Priority: EP 016100227 Mar 2001
Published: US 2002/0124803 A112 Sep 2002
Granted: 9 Nov 2004
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

A01K 1/12
Housing animals; Equipment therefor: milking stations
A01J 5/01
Monitoring milking processes; Control or regulation of milking machines: milkmeters; Milk flow sensing devices
A01J 5/0131
On-site detection of mastitis in milk: by analysing the milk composition, e.g. concentration or detection of specific substances
A01K 11/006
Marking of animals: automatic identification systems for animals, e.g. electronic devices, transponders for animals