System Operation

Cows with Mastitis or Low Yield:

From the cow information in the database the system automatically identifies cows likely to have mastitis and ranks these starting with the most severely infected. It also ranks cows on yield starting from the lowest yield. These cows are subsequently shown on a large format display on entry to the dairy.

A drafting alert can be activated by a single pull-string request at the start of any milking. This will result in the worst infected cows or lowest yield cows being identified by a flashing display and sounder as they exit for manual or automatic drafting.

Operation in this way ensures user interaction is minimal. Consider a farm manager concerned about a rising bulk milk sematic cell count (BMSCC). The only action required to manage the BMSCC is to initiate drafting with the single pull-string request. The worst cows are then automatically identified for drafting during the milking. At the end of milking the drafted cows can be tested and the desired remedial steps taken.

Cows requiring manual drafting

The pull-string can also be used for manual drafting. This may be required if for example a cow is observed to have a limp and further investigation is required. A short pull-string request selects the cow in the stall adjacent to cups on. This results in the alert/sounder for drafting at the exit as before.

From the plant information in the database the system automatically identifies stalls that are not milking or cleaning properly. These are ranked starting with the poorest performing stall. The worst 5 stalls are shown on the display as part of a bulletin summary at the completion of that cleaning session. The stalls identified can then be examined and repaired to ensure efficient and hygienic plant operation

The bulletin summary used to show poor performing plant also shows a drafting summary for the preceding milking.

Although the system is designed to give practical benefits in the dairy with little or no user input it also provides detailed management reports where required. These are available as email or web based reports to the office or home PC.

Cow ID

Electronic cow ID comes as an integral part of the MilkHub system. This enables management reports identify cows by both electronic and visual tag numbers.