Method and apparatus for drying off livestock

Abstract

A system and method for automatically drying off machine-milked dairy animals by controlling milk production during a gradual drying off period. During the gradual drying off period, the dairy animals are not milked to completion. For each milking during the period, the amount of milk to be removed is determined, the amount of milk to be removed being less than the amount of milk removed at the previous milking. The milking is stopped when the amount of milk for the current milking has been removed from the dairy animal. The start of the gradual drying off period is calculated based on a drying off date, a desired date of the last milking of the current lactation, and a predetermined drying off period.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the patent application for the invention with the application number 201980066575.4, the date of filing of 10 October 2019, and the invention title of “Drying-off method and apparatus for livestock”. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a system and method for drying-off of milk livestock such as dairy cows. BACKGROUND

[0003] It is well known that in order to maintain milk production over several lactations, dairy livestock (e.g. dairy cows) need to have a dry period between lactations during which they do not produce milk. It has been found that in dairy cows, the optimal length of the dry period is typically about 60 days prior to the expected calving.

[0004] Drying-off of dairy livestock typically involves at least one of the following: stopping milking of the dairy livestock on a certain day or at an effort to alleviate stress, including one of the following strategies: increasing the time between milking prior to the final drying-off, or not completely emptying the udder at each milking for a certain time prior to the final drying-off. In either of the above cases, the excess milk in the udder will reduce the milk production and eventually stop it completely. The required dry period can then begin.

[0005] However, over the last few decades, genetic improvements in dairy livestock, as well as other factors, have increased the milk production of dairy cows and have led to a situation in which in many cases, dairy cows that should have been dried-off, still produce a considerable amount of milk 60 days prior to the next calving, and the drying-off process causes a lot of stress to the dairy livestock, which can lead to a number of complications that can occur during the drying-off period:

[0006] • The increase in pressure in the udder, particularly at the beginning of the dry period, when the milk production of the dairy cow is still high, due to the excess milk accumulated over the longer time between milking or the udder not being completely emptied.

[0007] • The increase in pressure in the udder can cause discomfort and pain to the dairy livestock.

[0008] • The increase in pressure in the udder can cause milk to leak from the teat. Milk leakage increases the likelihood of udder infections.

[0009] • Leakage from the teat can prevent the formation of a protective plug in the teat canal, which is a normal part of the drying-off process, which itself protects the udder from infections. Proper formation of the teat plug is essential for udder health and for increasing milk production in the subsequent lactation cycle.

[0010] Prophylactic use of antibiotics is often used to prevent udder infections, but these are less desirable as they increase the cost of care of the dairy animal and can increase antibiotic resistance of bacteria. In addition, there are costs associated with prophylactic use of antibiotics, including the cost of the antibiotics themselves and the cost of the manpower to apply them.

[0011] If it appears that a normal teat plug cannot be formed, an artificial teat plug can be applied, which again increases the cost of care of the dairy animal.

[0012] Various protocols are recommended for drying off a dairy animal.

[0013] Oregon State University (http: / / smallfarms.oregonstate.edu / sfn / su10dryinglivestock) recommends the following protocol for drying off a dairy animal:

[0014] • Reduce the nutritional content of the diet for about 2 weeks to reduce milk production (provide plenty of low-calorie feed and plenty of water).

[0015] • Stop milking after the animal is producing less than 20 pounds per day for cows and 3 pounds per day for goats or after 2 weeks.

[0016] • If there is a history of mastitis, clean with alcohol, apply an antibiotic, and cover with a teat dip.

[0017] The New Zealand dairy organization DairyNZ (https: / / www.dairynz.co.nz / animal / cow-health / mastitis / drying-off) recommends that a dairy animal should be dried off once it is producing 5 liters or less of milk per day. The recommended protocol is:

[0018] • As usual, milk out on the last milking.

[0019] • Apply an antibiotic dry cow therapy (DCT).

[0020] • Apply an internal teat sealant (ITS).

[0021] • Cover the entire surface of the teat with a freshly prepared teat disinfectant.

[0022] • For the next 1 to 2 weeks, the animal should be grazed in a paddock away from the milking herd and milking area so that the animal is not stimulated to let down milk.

[0023] • Feed a “maintenance” diet for the first 7 to 14 days after drying off.

[0024] • The cow's "maintenance" daily dry matter (DM) intake should be maintained for up to 14 days after dry-off. For many low producing cows, this period can be shortened to about 7 days, depending on how quickly the udder swelling begins to subside. Maintenance is about 8 kg DM / day.

[0025] Other dry-off protocols reduce milking frequency; the cows are completely milked each time they are milked, but the milking frequency is gradually reduced over a period of about 2 weeks until the cows are dry. For example, the milking frequency can be reduced from 2 to 3 times per day to once per day, then every other day, until the cows are dry. In some protocols, antibiotics, teat sealants, or both are also used. These protocols require special consideration to prevent the treated animals from being mistakenly milked and contaminating the entire milk volume, which can have serious consequences for the manufacturer.

[0026] Automated computer systems for managing the dry-off of dairy animals have been proposed.

[0027] WIPO Application Publication No. WO07089184 discloses a dairy farm management support system having an input interface for presenting at least one proposed dairy farm decision to a user, a rules engine, a decision engine, and an output interface. The rules engine receives a first set of input parameters D rand reflecting the decision basis for a particular type of dairy farm decision. Via the input interface, the rules engine also receives user-generated input data Dec u representing a number of human decisions regarding the first set of input parameters D rand . In response to the first set of input parameters D rand and the accompanying user-generated input data Dec u , the rules engine generates a set of decision rules R Dec . The decision engine then receives dairy farm data (D) reflecting animal parameters of the same type as the first set of input parameters D rand , applies the set of decision rules R Dec to the dairy farm data (D), and arrives at at least one proposed dairy farm decision of the particular type presented via the output interface. Data for each individual animal, such as milk production and animal condition data, can be collected. From the automatically generated data and the human-entered data, a set of rules can be generated to inform the user of the protocol to be followed. For example, from the generated rules, the user can be advised whether to begin a dry-off protocol.

[0028] However, WO07089184 does not disclose any means or methods by which a dry-off protocol can be automatically implemented, nor does it suggest any particular dry-off protocol to be used.

[0029] Therefore, there is a long felt need to provide a device and method which are not difficult to implement and by which a dairy animal can be dried off which minimizes discomfort to the dairy animal, which minimizes leakage of milk from the teats, which minimizes the necessity of antibiotics, which limits the need for artificial teat plugs, and which avoids subsequent reduction in milk production during lactation. SUMMARY

[0030] It is an object of the present invention to disclose an automated system and method for drying off a dairy animal.

[0031] It is another object of the present invention to disclose a method for automatically drying off a dairy animal, comprising the steps of:

[0032] determining an average milk production of said dairy animal for a gestation duration greater than a predetermined drying off start time;

[0033] for said average milk production being greater than a predetermined milk production:

[0034] setting a start date of gradual drying off as a current milking; and,

[0035] determining a drying off date from said start date and a predetermined drying off period;

[0036] wherein said gradual drying off comprises:

[0037] for each current milking of said dairy animal at or after said start date:

[0038] determining a milk amount to be removed in each milking;

[0039] performing a machine milking of said dairy animal;

[0040] measuring removal of milk in real time during milking; and,

[0041] stopping said current milking at a time when said milk production is greater than said milk amount to be removed.

[0042] It is another object of the present invention to disclose a method as described above, further comprising the step of using abrupt drying off by aborting milking for said average milk production being less than or equal to said predetermined milk production.

[0043] It is another object of the present invention to disclose a method as described above, further comprising the steps of determining a number of days until said drying off date from a current date and said drying off date; and determining said milk amount to be removed and determining said average milk production from said number of days until said drying off date.

[0044] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, wherein said amount of milk to be removed is independent of a flow rate of milk from said dairy animal.

[0045] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, wherein said average milk production is an average daily milk production.

[0046] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of calculating said average milk production from a milk production over a time period in a range between two weeks and from a time interval from one milking to the next milking, said time interval comprising a single milking.

[0047] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of providing a system for milking said dairy animal, said dairy animal being uniquely identifiable, said system comprising:

[0048] a milking controller configured to control removal of said milk from a udder of said dairy animal;

[0049] at least one milk meter in communication with said milking controller, said at least one milk meter being configured to measure an amount of removal of said milk; and

[0050] at least one milking processor configured to determine said amount of milk to be removed by said milking controller; said milking processor being further configured to store at least one previous amount of removed milk for said dairy animal and to generate said average milk production for said dairy animal from said at least one previous amount of removed milk.

[0051] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of controlling initiation of removal of said milk.

[0052] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of controlling initiation of removal of said milk.

[0053] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of determining whether a gradual dry-off is indicated from at least one other consideration.

[0054] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of selecting the at least one other consideration from the group consisting of: health of the dairy animal, feed given to the dairy animal, need to transition to another feed, pasture where the dairy animal is located, requirement to change pasture, demand for milk, number of lactations of the dairy animal, and any combination thereof.

[0055] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the steps of: for the at least one other consideration not indicating gradual dry-off, milking the dairy animal at each milking until the average milk production is less than or equal to the predetermined milk production; and for the at least one other consideration indicating gradual dry-off, selecting abrupt dry-off for average milk production less than or equal to the predetermined milk production, and selecting gradual dry-off for average milk production greater than the predetermined milk production.

[0056] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of identifying the dairy animal.

[0057] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of identifying the dairy animal selected from the group consisting of: manual identification, automatic identification, and any combination thereof.

[0058] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of the processor identifying the dairy animal via the automatic identification.

[0059] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of the automatic identification selected from the group consisting of: providing an automatically readable identifier in communication with the dairy animal, biometric identification, and any combination thereof.

[0060] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of providing the automatically readable identifier in communication with an animal attachment member selected from the group consisting of: an ear tag, a body tag, a halter, a neck collar, a harness, a chain attachable on a leg, an implant in the animal, and any combination thereof.

[0061] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of providing the animal attachment member comprising the at least one sensor.

[0062] It is a further object of the present application to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of selecting the step of identifying the biological characteristic from the group consisting of: identifying at least one marking on the animal, identifying a nose-print image of the animal, identifying an iris pattern of the animal, identifying a retinal blood vessel pattern of the animal, facial recognition of the animal, external physical feature recognition of the animal, identifying an ear blood vessel pattern of the animal, and any combination thereof.

[0063] It is a further object of the present application to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of determining the average milk production is an average of the milk production per milking in a production measurement period.

[0064] It is a further object of the present application to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of selecting the production measurement period to be in the range of one day to two weeks.

[0065] It is a further object of the present application to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of selecting the production measurement period to be 7 days.

[0066] It is a further object of the present application to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of selecting the predetermined dry-off start time to be the expected calving date minus a predetermined amount of time before the expected calving plus the predetermined dry-off period.

[0067] It is a further object of the present application to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of selecting the predetermined amount of time before the expected calving to be in the range of 30 to 90 days before the expected farrowing of a cow, 20 to 100 days before lambing of a sheep, 25 to 70 days before lambing of a goat, and 45 to 100 days before calving of a water buffalo.

[0068] It is a further object of the present application to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of selecting the predetermined dry-off period to be in the range of 7 days to 3 weeks.

[0069] It is a further object of the present application to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of selecting the predetermined milk amount to be 10 kg / day.

[0070] It is a further object of the present application to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of selecting the milk amount to be removed to be in the range of 50% to 80% of the average milk production.

[0071] It is a further object of the present application to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of selecting the milk amount to be removed to be 70% of the average milk production.

[0072] It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of determining the milk to be removed as an amount to be removed from the udder or an amount to be removed from each quarter of milkable udder.

[0073] It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of selecting the dairy animal from the group consisting of cows, sheep, goats, buffalos and camels.

[0074] It is another object of the present invention to disclose a method for automatically drying off a dairy animal, comprising the steps of:

[0075] determining an average milk production of the dairy animal for a duration of pregnancy greater than a drying off start time;

[0076] for the average milk production being greater than a predetermined milk production:

[0077] determining from at least one further consideration whether gradual drying off is indicated;

[0078] for the at least one further consideration indicating gradual drying off:

[0079] selecting a current milking as a start date for gradual drying off; and

[0080] determining a drying off date from the start date and a predetermined drying off period;

[0081] wherein the gradual drying off comprises:

[0082] for each current milking of the dairy animal at or after the start date:

[0083] determining a milk to be removed;

[0084] machine milking the dairy animal;

[0085] measuring removal of milk in real time during milking; and

[0086] stopping the current milking when the milk production is greater than the milk to be removed.

[0087] It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of using abrupt drying off by aborting milking for the average milk production being less than or equal to the predetermined milk production.

[0088] It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the steps of determining a number of days until the drying off date from a current date and the drying off date; and determining the milk to be removed and determining the average milk production from the number of days until the drying off date.

[0089] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, wherein said amount of milk to be removed is independent of a flow rate of milk from said dairy animal.

[0090] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, wherein said average milk production is an average daily milk production.

[0091] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of calculating said average milk production from milk production over a time period ranging between two weeks and from a time interval from one milking to the next milking, said time interval comprising a single milking.

[0092] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of providing a system for milking said dairy animal, said dairy animal being uniquely identifiable, said system comprising:

[0093] a milking controller configured to control removal of said milk from a udder of said dairy animal;

[0094] at least one milk meter in communication with said milking controller, said at least one milk meter being configured to measure an amount of removal of said milk; and

[0095] at least one milking processor configured to determine said amount of milk to be removed to be removed by said milking controller; said milking processor being further configured to store at least one previous amount of milk removed for said dairy animal and to generate said average milk production for said dairy animal from said at least one previous amount of milk removed.

[0096] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of controlling initiation of said removal of said milk.

[0097] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of selecting said controlling initiation of said removal of said milk to be either a manual controlling initiation of said removal of said milk or an automatic controlling initiation of said removal of said milk.

[0098] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of selecting said at least one other consideration factor from the group consisting of: a health of said dairy animal, a feed given to said dairy animal, a need for a transition to another feed, a pasture in which said dairy animal is located, a requirement to change a pasture, a demand for milk, a number of lactations of said dairy animal, and any combination thereof.

[0099] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the steps of: for the at least one other consideration not indicating gradual dry-off, milking out at each milking until the average milk production is less than or equal to the predetermined milk production; and for the at least one other consideration indicating gradual dry-off, selecting abrupt dry-off for average milk production less than or equal to the predetermined milk production, and selecting gradual dry-off for average milk production greater than the predetermined milk production.

[0100] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of identifying the dairy animal.

[0101] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of identifying the dairy animal from the group consisting of manual identification, automatic identification, and any combination thereof.

[0102] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of the processor identifying the dairy animal via the automatic identification.

[0103] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of the automatic identification selected from the group consisting of: providing an automatically readable identifier in communication with the dairy animal, biometric identification, and any combination thereof.

[0104] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of providing the automatically readable identifier in communication with an animal attachment member selected from the group consisting of: an ear tag, a body tag, a halter, a neck collar, a harness, a chain attachable on a leg, an implant within the animal, and any combination thereof.

[0105] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of providing the animal attachment member comprising the at least one sensor.

[0106] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of the biometric identification selected from the group consisting of: identifying at least one marking on the animal, identifying a snout print image of the animal, identifying an iris pattern of the animal, identifying a retinal blood vessel pattern of the animal, facial recognition of the animal, external physical feature recognition of the animal, identifying an ear blood vessel pattern of the animal, and any combination thereof.

[0107] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of the determining the average milk production being an average of milk production at each milking over a production measurement period.

[0108] It is another object of the present application to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of selecting said production measuring period in the range of one day to two weeks.

[0109] It is another object of the present application to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of selecting said production measuring period to be seven days.

[0110] It is another object of the present application to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of selecting said predetermined dry-off time as the sum of the expected calving date minus a predetermined amount of time before the expected calving and said predetermined dry-off period.

[0111] It is another object of the present application to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of selecting said predetermined amount of time before the expected calving in the range of 30 to 90 days before calving for a cow, 20 to 100 days before lambing for a sheep, 25 to 70 days before lambing for a goat, and 45 to 100 days before calving for a buffalo.

[0112] It is another object of the present application to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of selecting said predetermined dry-off period in the range of seven days to three weeks.

[0113] It is another object of the present application to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of selecting said predetermined milk amount to be 10 kg / day.

[0114] It is another object of the present application to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of selecting said amount of milk to be removed in the range of 50% to 80% of said average milk production.

[0115] It is another object of the present application to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of selecting said amount of milk to be removed to be 70% of said average milk production.

[0116] It is another object of the present application to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of determining said amount of milk to be removed as an amount to be removed from said udder or an amount to be removed from each milkable teat.

[0117] It is another object of the present application to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of selecting said dairy animal from the group consisting of a cow, a sheep, a goat, a buffalo and a camel.

[0118] It is another object of the present application to disclose a method for automatically dry-off of a dairy animal, comprising the steps of:

[0119] determining an average milking duration of the dairy animal for a gestation duration greater than a predetermined dry-off start time;

[0120] for the average milking duration being greater than a predetermined milking duration:

[0121] setting a dry-off start date as a current milking; and,

[0122] determining a dry-off date from the start date and a predetermined dry-off period;

[0123] wherein the gradual dry-off comprises:

[0124] for each current milking of the dairy animal at or after the start date:

[0125] determining a milking duration;

[0126] machine milking the dairy animal;

[0127] measuring in real-time during the milking the time taken to milk; and,

[0128] stopping the current milking when the time taken to milk is greater than the milking duration.

[0129] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of using abrupt dry-off by aborting milking for the average milking duration being less than or equal to the predetermined milking duration.

[0130] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the steps of determining the milking duration from a current date and the dry-off date, the number of days until the dry-off date; and determining the milking duration from the number of days until the dry-off date and determining the average milking duration.

[0131] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, wherein the milking duration is independent of a flow rate of milk from the dairy animal.

[0132] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, wherein the average milking duration is an average daily milking duration.

[0133] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of calculating the average milking duration from milking durations within a time period ranging between two weeks and from a time interval between one milking and the next milking, the time interval comprising a single milking.

[0134] It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of providing a system for milking the dairy animal, the dairy animal being uniquely identifiable, the system comprising:

[0135] a milking controller configured to control removal of the milk from the udder of the dairy animal;

[0136] at least one milk meter in communication with the milking controller, the at least one milk meter being configured to measure an amount of removal of the milk; and

[0137] at least one milking processor configured to determine the amount of milk to be removed to be removed by the milking controller; the milking processor being further configured to store at least one previous amount of milk removed for the dairy animal and to generate the average milk production for the dairy animal from the at least one previous amount of milk removed.

[0138] It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of controlling initiation of removal of the milk.

[0139] It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of controlling initiation of removal of the milk selected from the group consisting of: manual control of initiation of removal of the milk, semi-automatic control of initiation of removal of the milk, and automatic control of initiation of removal of the milk.

[0140] It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of determining whether to indicate gradual dry-off from at least one other consideration.

[0141] It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of selecting the at least one other consideration from the group consisting of: health of the dairy animal, feed given to the dairy animal, need to transition to another feed, pasture in which the dairy animal is located, requirement to change pasture, demand for milk, number of lactations of the dairy animal, and any combination thereof.

[0142] It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the steps of: for the at least one other consideration not indicating gradual dry-off, milking out at each milking until the average milking duration is less than or equal to the predetermined milk amount; and for the at least one other consideration indicating gradual dry-off, selecting sudden dry-off for average milking duration less than or equal to the predetermined milking time and selecting gradual dry-off for average milking duration greater than the predetermined milking time.

[0143] It is another object of the present application to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of identifying the dairy animal.

[0144] It is another object of the present application to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of identifying the dairy animal from the group consisting of manual identification, automatic identification and any combination thereof.

[0145] It is another object of the present application to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of identifying the dairy animal by the processor via the automatic identification.

[0146] It is another object of the present application to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of selecting the automatic identification from the group consisting of: providing an automatically readable identifier in communication with the dairy animal, biometric identification and any combination thereof.

[0147] It is another object of the present application to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of providing the automatically readable identifier in communication with an animal attachment member selected from the group consisting of: an ear tag, a body tag, a halter, a neck collar, a harness, a chain attachable on a leg, an implant in the animal and any combination thereof.

[0148] It is another object of the present application to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of providing the animal attachment member comprising the at least one sensor.

[0149] It is another object of the present application to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of selecting the biometric identification from the group consisting of: identifying at least one marking on the animal, identifying a snout print image of the animal, identifying an iris pattern of the animal, identifying a retinal blood vessel pattern of the animal, facial recognition of the animal, external physical feature identification of the animal, identifying an ear blood vessel pattern of the animal and any combination thereof.

[0150] It is another object of the present application to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of determining the average milking duration as an average of milking durations of each milking within a continuous measurement period.

[0151] It is another object of the present application to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of selecting the continuous measurement period to be in the range of one day to two weeks.

[0152] It is another object of the present application to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of selecting the continuous measurement period to be seven days.

[0153] It is another object of the present application to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of selecting the predetermined dry-off start time as the expected date of delivery minus a predetermined amount of time before the expected delivery plus the predetermined dry-off period.

[0154] It is another object of the present application to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of selecting the predetermined amount of time before the expected delivery in the range of 30 to 90 days before calving in a dairy cow, 20 to 100 days before lambing in a sheep, 25 to 70 days before kidding in a goat, and 45 to 100 days before calving in a water buffalo.

[0155] It is another object of the present application to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of selecting the predetermined dry-off period in the range of 7 days to 3 weeks.

[0156] It is another object of the present application to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of selecting the predetermined milk yield of 10 kg / day.

[0157] It is another object of the present application to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of selecting the milking duration in the range of 50% to 80% of the average milking duration.

[0158] It is another object of the present application to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of selecting the milking duration of 70% of the average milking duration.

[0159] It is another object of the present application to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of determining the milking duration as the milking duration of the udder or the milking duration of each milkable teat.

[0160] It is another object of the present application to disclose the method as defined above, further comprising the step of selecting the dairy animal from the group consisting of a dairy cow, a sheep, a goat, a water buffalo, and a camel.

[0161] It is another object of the present application to disclose a dry-off system for automatically dry-off a dairy animal, the dry-off system comprising a processor comprising instructions configured to:

[0162] determine an average milk yield of the dairy animal for a gestation duration greater than a predetermined dry-off start time;

[0163] for the average milk yield being greater than a predetermined milk yield:

[0164] set a start date of gradual dry-off as a current milking; and,

[0165] determining a dry-off date from the start date and a predetermined dry-off period;

[0166] wherein the instructions for gradual dry-off are configured to:

[0167] for each current milking of the dairy animal at or after the start date:

[0168] determining a milk volume to be removed;

[0169] performing a machine milking of the dairy animal;

[0170] measuring removal of milk in real-time during the milking; and

[0171] stopping the current milking when the milk yield is greater than the milk volume to be removed.

[0172] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose a dry-off system as described above, further comprising instructions configured to perform abrupt dry-off by aborting the milking for the average milk yield being less than or equal to the predetermined milk volume.

[0173] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose a dry-off system as described above, further comprising instructions configured to determine a number of days until the dry-off date from a current date and the dry-off date; and determine the milk volume to be removed and determine the average milk yield from the number of days until the dry-off date.

[0174] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose a dry-off system as described above, wherein the milk volume to be removed is independent of a flow rate of milk from the dairy animal.

[0175] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose a dry-off system as described above, wherein the average milk yield is an average daily milk yield.

[0176] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose a dry-off system as described above, wherein the average milk yield is calculable from milk yields over a period of time in a range between two weeks and over a time interval from one milking to the next milking, the time interval comprising a single milking.

[0177] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose a dry-off system as described above, the system further comprising a milking system for milking the dairy animal, the dairy animal being uniquely identifiable, the milking system comprising:

[0178] a milking controller configured to control removal of the milk from the udder of the dairy animal;

[0179] at least one milk meter in communication with the milking controller, the at least one milk meter configured to measure an amount of removal of the milk; and

[0180] at least one milking processor configured to determine the amount of milk to be removed to be removed by the milking controller; the milking processor further configured to store at least one previous amount of milk removed for the milk animal and to generate the average amount of milk produced for the milk animal from the at least one previous amount of milk removed.

[0181] It is a further object of the present application to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein the milking controller is further configured to control the initiation of the removal of the milk.

[0182] It is a further object of the present application to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein the initiation of the removal of the milk is selected from the group consisting of: manual initiation of the removal of the milk, semi-automatic initiation of the removal of the milk, and automatic initiation of the removal of the milk.

[0183] It is a further object of the present application to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein the processor further comprises instructions configured to determine from at least one other consideration whether to indicate gradual dry-off.

[0184] It is a further object of the present application to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein the at least one other consideration is selected from the group consisting of: health of the milk animal, feed given to the milk animal, need to transition to another feed, pasture in which the milk animal is located, requirement to change pastures, demand for milk, number of lactations of the milk animal, and any combination thereof.

[0185] It is a further object of the present application to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein, for the at least one other consideration that does not indicate gradual dry-off, the processor further comprises instructions configured to milk out at each milking until the average amount of milk produced is less than or equal to the predetermined amount of milk; and for the at least one other consideration that indicates gradual dry-off, sudden dry-off is selected for average amount of milk produced less than or equal to the predetermined amount of milk and gradual dry-off is selected for average amount of milk produced greater than the predetermined amount of milk.

[0186] It is a further object of the present application to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein the milk animal is identifiable.

[0187] It is a further object of the present application to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein the milk animal is identified is selected from the group consisting of: manual identification, automatic identification, and any combination thereof.

[0188] It is a further object of the present application to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein said processor further comprises instructions configured to identify said dairy animal via said automatic identification.

[0189] It is a further object of the present application to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein said automatic identification is selected from the group consisting of: an automatically readable identifier in communication with said dairy animal, biometric identification, and any combination thereof.

[0190] It is a further object of the present application to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein said automatically readable identifier is in communication with an animal attachment member selected from the group consisting of: an ear tag, a body tag, a head collar, a neck collar, a harness, a chain attachable on a leg, an implant in said animal, and any combination thereof.

[0191] It is a further object of the present application to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein said animal attachment member comprises said at least one sensor.

[0192] It is a further object of the present application to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein said biometric identification is selected from the group consisting of: identifying at least one marking on the animal, identifying a snout print image of said animal, identifying an iris pattern of said animal, identifying a retinal blood vessel pattern of said animal, facial recognition of said animal, external physical feature recognition of said animal, identifying an ear blood vessel pattern of said animal, and any combination thereof.

[0193] It is a further object of the present application to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein said average milk production is determinable from an average of milk production per milking within a production measurement period.

[0194] It is a further object of the present application to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein said production measurement period is in the range of one day to two weeks.

[0195] It is a further object of the present application to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein said production measurement period is seven days.

[0196] It is a further object of the present application to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein said predetermined dry-off start time is a sum of an expected due date minus a predetermined amount of time prior to expected due date and said predetermined dry-off period.

[0197] It is a further object of the present application to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein said predetermined amount of time prior to expected due date is in the range of 30 to 90 days prior to calving in a dairy cow, 20 to 100 days prior to lambing in a sheep, 25 to 70 days prior to lambing in a goat, and 45 to 100 days prior to calving in a water buffalo.

[0198] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose a dry-off system as defined above, wherein said predetermined dry-off period is in the range of 7 days to 3 weeks.

[0199] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose a dry-off system as defined above, wherein said predetermined milk volume is 10 kg / day.

[0200] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose a dry-off system as defined above, wherein said milk volume to be removed is in the range of 50% to 80% of said average milk production.

[0201] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose a dry-off system as defined above, wherein said milk volume to be removed is 70% of said average milk production.

[0202] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose a dry-off system as defined above, wherein said milk volume to be removed is individually determined for the milk production of each of said at least one milk stall.

[0203] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose a dry-off system as defined above, wherein said dairy animal is selected from the group consisting of a cow, a sheep, a goat, a buffalo and a camel.

[0204] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose a dry-off system for automatically dry- off a dairy animal, said dry-off system comprising a processor comprising instructions configured to:

[0205] determine an average milk production of said dairy animal for a gestation duration greater than a predetermined dry-off start time;

[0206] for said average milk production being greater than a predetermined milk volume:

[0207] determine from at least one further consideration whether gradual dry-off is indicated;

[0208] for said at least one further consideration indicating gradual dry-off:

[0209] select a current milking as a start date for gradual dry-off; and

[0210] determine from said start date and a predetermined dry-off period a dry-off date for said gradual dry-off;

[0211] wherein the instructions for said gradual dry-off comprise:

[0212] for each current milking of said dairy animal at or after said start date:

[0213] determine a milk volume to be removed;

[0214] start machine milking of said dairy animal;

[0215] measuring removal of milk in real time during milking; and

[0216] stopping the current milking when the milk yield is greater than the milk to be removed.

[0217] It is another object of the present invention to disclose a dry-off system as described above, further comprising instructions configured to implement abrupt dry-off by aborting milking for the average milk yield being less than or equal to the predetermined milk yield.

[0218] It is another object of the present invention to disclose a dry-off system as described above, further comprising instructions configured to determine the number of days until the dry-off date from the current date and the dry-off date; and determine the milk to be removed and determine the average milk yield from the number of days until the dry-off date.

[0219] It is another object of the present invention to disclose a dry-off system as described above, wherein the milk to be removed is independent of the flow rate of milk from the dairy animal.

[0220] It is another object of the present invention to disclose a dry-off system as described above, wherein the average milk yield is an average daily milk yield.

[0221] It is another object of the present invention to disclose a dry-off system as described above, wherein the average milk yield is calculated from milk yields over a period of time ranging between two weeks and over a time interval from one milking to the next milking, the time interval comprising a single milking.

[0222] It is another object of the present invention to disclose a dry-off system as described above, the system further comprising a milking system for milking the dairy animal, the dairy animal being uniquely identifiable, the milking system comprising:

[0223] a milking controller configured to control removal of the milk from the udder of the dairy animal;

[0224] at least one milk meter in communication with the milking controller, the at least one milk meter configured to measure the amount of removal of the milk; and

[0225] at least one milking processor configured to determine the milk to be removed to be removed by the milking controller; the milking processor further configured to store at least one previous removal milk yield for the dairy animal and generate the average milk yield for the dairy animal from the at least one previous removal milk yield.

[0226] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein the milking controller is further configured to control the initiation of the removal of the milk.

[0227] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein the initiation of the removal of the milk is selected from the group consisting of: manual initiation of the removal of the milk, semi-automatic initiation of the removal of the milk, and automatic initiation of the removal of the milk.

[0228] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein the at least one other consideration is selected from the group consisting of: health of the dairy animal, feed given to the dairy animal, need to transition to another feed, pasture in which the dairy animal is located, requirement to change pasture, demand for milk, number of lactations of the dairy animal, and any combination thereof.

[0229] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein, for the at least one other consideration that does not indicate gradual dry-off, the processor further comprises instructions configured to milk out the milk at each milking until the average milk production is less than or equal to the predetermined milk production; and for the at least one other consideration that indicates gradual dry-off, sudden dry-off is selected for average milk production less than or equal to the predetermined milk production, and gradual dry-off is selected for average milk production greater than the predetermined milk production.

[0230] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein the dairy animal is identifiable.

[0231] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein the identification of the dairy animal is selected from the group consisting of: manual identification, automatic identification, and any combination thereof.

[0232] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein the processor further comprises instructions configured to identify the dairy animal via the automatic identification.

[0233] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein the automatic identification is selected from the group consisting of: an automatically readable identifier in communication with the dairy animal, biometric identification, and any combination thereof.

[0234] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein the automatically readable identifier is in communication with an animal attachment member selected from the group consisting of: an ear tag, a body tag, a head collar, a neck collar, a harness, a chain attachable on a leg, an implant in the animal, and any combination thereof.

[0235] It is another object of the present application to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein said animal attachment member comprises at least one sensor.

[0236] It is another object of the present application to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein said biometric identification is selected from the group consisting of: identifying at least one marking on the animal, identifying a nose print image of the animal, identifying an iris pattern of the animal, identifying a retinal blood vessel pattern of the animal, facial recognition of the animal, external physical feature identification of the animal, identifying an ear blood vessel pattern of the animal and any combination thereof.

[0237] It is another object of the present application to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein said average milk production is determined from an average of milk production per milking during a production measurement period.

[0238] It is another object of the present application to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein said production measurement period is in the range of one day to two weeks.

[0239] It is another object of the present application to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein said production measurement period is seven days.

[0240] It is another object of the present application to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein said predetermined dry-off start time is a sum of said expected calving date minus a predetermined amount of time before expected calving and said predetermined dry-off period.

[0241] It is another object of the present application to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein said predetermined amount of time before expected calving is in the range of 30 to 90 days before calving in cows, 20 to 100 days before lambing period in sheep, 25 to 70 days before lambing period in goats, and 45 to 100 days before calving in buffalos.

[0242] It is another object of the present application to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein said predetermined dry-off period is in the range of 7 days to 3 weeks.

[0243] It is another object of the present application to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein said predetermined milk amount is 10 kg / day.

[0244] It is another object of the present application to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein said milk amount to be removed is in the range of 50% to 80% of said average milk production.

[0245] It is another object of the present application to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein said milk amount to be removed is 70% of said average milk production.

[0246] It is another object of the present invention to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein the amount of milk to be removed is individually determined as a milk production of each of the at least one milk division.

[0247] It is another object of the present invention to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein the dairy animal is selected from the group consisting of a cow, a sheep, a goat, a buffalo and a camel.

[0248] It is another object of the present invention to disclose a dry-off system for automatically dry-off a dairy animal, the dry-off system comprising a processor comprising instructions configured to:

[0249] determine an average milking duration of the dairy animal for a gestation duration greater than a predetermined dry-off start time;

[0250] for the average milking duration being greater than a predetermined milking duration:

[0251] set a start date of gradual dry-off as a current milking; and,

[0252] determine a dry-off date from the start date and a predetermined dry-off period;

[0253] wherein the instructions for gradual dry-off are configured to:

[0254] for each current milking of the dairy animal at or after the start date:

[0255] determine a milking duration;

[0256] machine-milk the dairy animal;

[0257] measure in real-time a time taken for milking during milking; and

[0258] stop the current milking when the time taken for milking is greater than the milking duration.

[0259] It is another object of the present invention to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, further comprising instructions configured to implement abrupt dry-off by aborting milking for the average milking duration being less than or equal to the predetermined milking duration.

[0260] It is another object of the present invention to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, further comprising instructions configured to determine a number of days until the dry-off date from a current date and the dry-off date; and determine the milking duration and the average milking duration from the number of days until the dry-off date.

[0261] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein the milking duration is independent of the flow rate of milk from the dairy animal.

[0262] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein the average milking duration is an average daily milking duration.

[0263] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein the average milking duration is calculable from milking durations over a period of time in a range between two weeks and from a time interval between one milking and the next milking, the time interval comprising a single milking.

[0264] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, the system further comprising a milking system for milking the dairy animal, the dairy animal being uniquely identifiable, the milking system comprising:

[0265] a milking controller configured to control removal of the milk from the udder of the dairy animal;

[0266] at least one timer configured to measure the time taken for milking; and

[0267] at least one milking processor configured to determine the amount of milk to be removed to be removed by the milking controller; the milking processor being further configured to store at least one previous milking duration for the dairy animal and to generate the average milking duration for the dairy animal from the at least one previous milking duration.

[0268] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein the milking controller is further configured to control initiation of the removal of the milk.

[0269] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein the initiation of the removal of the milk is selected from the group consisting of: manual initiation of the removal of the milk, semi-automatic initiation of the removal of the milk, and automatic initiation of the removal of the milk.

[0270] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein the processor further comprises instructions configured to determine from at least one other consideration whether gradual dry-off is indicated.

[0271] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein the at least one other consideration is selected from the group consisting of: health of the dairy animal, feed given to the dairy animal, need to transition to another feed, pasture where the dairy animal is located, requirement to change pasture, demand for milk, number of lactations of the dairy animal, and any combination thereof.

[0272] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein, for the at least one other consideration that does not indicate gradual dry-off, the processor further comprises instructions configured to milk out at each milking until the average milking duration is less than or equal to the predetermined milking time; and for the at least one other consideration that indicates gradual dry-off, sudden dry-off is selected for average milking duration less than or equal to the predetermined milking time, and gradual dry-off is selected for average milking duration greater than the predetermined milking time.

[0273] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein the dairy animal is identifiable.

[0274] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein the dairy animal is identifiable.

[0275] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein the processor further comprises instructions configured to identify the dairy animal via the automatic identification.

[0276] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein the automatic identification is selected from the group consisting of: an automatically readable identifier in communication with the dairy animal, biometric identification, and any combination thereof.

[0277] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein the automatically readable identifier is in communication with an animal attachment selected from the group consisting of: an ear tag, a body tag, a head collar, a neck collar, a harness, a chain attachable on a leg, an implant in the animal, and any combination thereof.

[0278] It is a further object of the present invention to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein the animal attachment comprises the at least one sensor.

[0279] It is a further object of the present application to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein said biometric identification is selected from the group consisting of: identifying at least one marking on the animal, identifying a nose print image of the animal, identifying an iris pattern of the animal, identifying a retinal blood vessel pattern of the animal, facial recognition of the animal, external physical feature identification of the animal, identifying an ear blood vessel pattern of the animal and any combination thereof.

[0280] It is a further object of the present application to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein said average milking duration is determined from an average of milking durations of each milking within a continuous measurement period.

[0281] It is a further object of the present application to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein said continuous measurement period is in the range of one day to two weeks.

[0282] It is a further object of the present application to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein said continuous measurement period is seven days.

[0283] It is a further object of the present application to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein said predetermined dry-off start time is a sum of an expected due date minus a predetermined amount of time prior to expected due date and said predetermined dry-off period.

[0284] It is a further object of the present application to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein said predetermined amount of time prior to expected due date is in the range of 30 to 90 days prior to calving in a cow, 20 to 100 days prior to lambing in a sheep, 25 to 70 days prior to lambing in a goat, and 45 to 100 days prior to calving in a buffalo.

[0285] It is a further object of the present application to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein said predetermined dry-off period is in the range of seven days to three weeks.

[0286] It is a further object of the present application to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein said predetermined milk volume is 10 kg / day.

[0287] It is a further object of the present application to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein said milking duration is in the range of 50% to 80% of said average milking duration.

[0288] It is a further object of the present application to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein said milking duration is 70% of said average milking duration.

[0289] It is a further object of the present application to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein said milking duration is determined individually as a milking duration for each of said at least one milk fraction.

[0290] It is another object of the present application to disclose the dry-off system as defined above, wherein the dairy animal is selected from the group consisting of cows, sheep, goats, buffalos and camels. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0291] For a better understanding of the present application, and to show how the same can be carried into practice, there will now be described by way of non-limiting examples only, a number of embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

[0292] Figure 1 The amount of milk produced by a cow during lactation is schematically illustrated;

[0293] Figure 2 The amount of milk produced per day during dry-off according to two different dry-off regimes is schematically illustrated;

[0294] Figure 3 A determined embodiment of a dry-off method is illustrated;

[0295] Figure 4 A determined embodiment of the milking amount during gradual dry-off is illustrated;

[0296] Figure 5 A determined embodiment of a dry-off method is illustrated; and

[0297] Figure 6 A determined embodiment of the milking duration during gradual dry-off is illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0298] The following description is provided, together with the drawings, to further enable any person skilled in the art to which the present application pertains to use the application and to make and use the application, and to set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventors of carrying out the application. However, since the generic principles of the present application have been defined specifically herein, various modifications with respect to the specific embodiments thereof in addition to those specifically described herein can be accomplished by one skilled in the art.

[0299] The term "dairy animal" hereinafter refers to animals such as cows, sheep, goats, pigs, buffalos and camels.

[0300] The term "teat quarter" hereinafter refers to the portion of the udder of a dairy animal that is connected to a single teat. The milk produced by a given teat quarter is typically removed from the body of the dairy animal via a single connected teat. For a non-limiting example, a cow typically has four teat quarters (and four teats), while a goat and a sheep have two teat quarters and two teats.

[0301] Dairy animals require a dry-off period between lactations in order to maintain optimal milk production during lactation.

[0302] The ideal goals of dry period include maintaining the health of dairy animals, minimizing their discomfort during dry period, ideally avoiding pain completely, maintaining their daily lives, and saving money.

[0303] Maintaining a dairy animal's daily routine involves allowing it to rest and be fed as normally as possible, which minimizes stress. Minimizing stress reduces the likelihood of diseases, including mastitis, and also reduces the likelihood of fighting between animals, thus reducing the chance of injury.

[0304] Money can be saved by minimizing the dry period. High-protein diets for lactating animals are significantly more expensive than low-protein maintenance diets for dry animals. Typically, dairy cows transition to a maintenance diet when milk production falls below about 5 liters per day. Therefore, the earlier animals transition to a low-production diet after starting dryness, the sooner they can be placed on a maintenance diet, thus reducing feeding costs.

[0305] However, it should be noted that fetal growth is considerable during the dry period, resulting in high nutritional requirements for dairy cows before calving. In dairy cows, this period of high nutritional demand lasts for approximately three weeks before calving.

[0306] During the dry period, breast tissue remodels in preparation for the dry period, and as the dry period nears its end, breast tissue remodels again in preparation for the next lactation.

[0307] For high-producing dairy cows, the entire cycle from the start of drying off to the next calving is physiologically essential.

[0308] From the perspective of breast health, the goal of dry-livestock management is to enable dairy animals to begin new lactation using healthy, uninfected mammary glands.

[0309] like Figure 1 As shown, during the lactation cycle, milk production increases to a peak, then naturally declines, ceasing at dryness. Peak milk production in dairy cows typically occurs approximately 60 to 70 days after milking. After peak production, milk production begins to decline naturally. Mammary gland degeneration gradually occurs in early lactation, and this degeneration leads to the slow decline in milk production observed throughout the natural lactation cycle.

[0310] Naturally occurring breast degeneration (dry breast) is accompanied by metabolic and immunological adaptations to prevent intramammary infection during this period.

[0311] On the day milk production begins, the transition from a lactating to a non-lactating state is not yet complete. In modern dairy cows, this transition can take up to 3 to 4 weeks after the sudden cessation of lactation.

[0312] Figure 1It is further shown how the daily milk production of a cow has changed over the past four decades. In 1975, a typical high-producing cow would produce (1010) about 25 kg of milk per day at peak production, and would decrease to about 10 kg / day at dry-off (1015), which typically occurs about 320 days after the start of lactation.

[0313] In contrast, in 2012, a typical high-producing cow would produce (1020) about 45 kg of milk per day at peak production. About 320 days after the start of lactation (1115), when dry-off typically occurs in 1975, the 2012 cow is still producing 25 kg / day or more of milk, about the same as it produced at peak production in 1975. Over the approximately 320 days of lactation, more than 25 kg of milk per day is not typical for a bovine somatotropin (BST) treated cow. At the typical time of dry-off, about 720 days (1025) after the start of production, the 2012 cow would typically have about 10 kg / day of production in it. This long period of high production requires modern cows to undergo forced dry-off, also known as acute involution.

[0314] However, current dairy management protocols were established decades ago, and are thus outdated for the typical production levels of modern dairy animals. For example, for cows, current management protocols are designed for animals with the typical milk production levels of cows in 1975, not for modern cows with greatly increased milk production levels.

[0315] Prior to the widespread adoption of blanket antibiotic therapy and teat sealant therapy during dry-off, dry-off was accomplished by reducing milking frequency and providing a lower energy diet. Blanket antibiotic therapy is primarily used for infectious pathogens, and teat sealant therapy is primarily used for environmental pathogens, especially when keratin plug formation is ineffective or does not occur in a timely manner. The combination of these therapies has led to the development of recommended protocols toward abrupt dry-off. However, abrupt dry-off can be very stressful for high-producing dairy animals, and in addition, there is a growing demand, both from consumers and medical personnel who wish to minimize the risk of developing drug-resistant pathogens, to minimize the use of antibiotics.

[0316] It is well known that the high-risk period for new intermammary infections (IMI) is the transition period, (1) when the mammary gland is transitioning from a lactating state to a non-lactating state, and (2) when the mammary gland is transitioning from a non-lactating state to a lactating state. IMI acquired during the transition period can persist into the lactation period. For example, more than 50% of environmental mastitis cases that occur during the first 100 days of lactation are acquired during a previous transition period.

[0317] The highest susceptibility period during the transition is shortly after the cessation of milking, when the protective barrier has not yet been established, and during colostrogenesis (the 7 days before calving), when the protective barrier established during the dry period disappears.

[0318] In contrast, during the complete dry period, when the mammary gland is completely regressed, new IMI are less likely to develop.

[0319] Compared to low-yielding dairy animals, high-yielding dairy animals are at a much greater risk of acquiring new IMI during the high-risk period at the beginning of the dry period. Reasons include:

[0320] • The time required until complete milk absorption and complete regression of the mammary gland is long.

[0321] • Milk leaks and fails to establish a keratin plug in the teat canal, leaving the teat canal open to invading bacteria.

[0322] • The establishment of local immune defences inside the mammary gland is slow, so that it takes longer to reach the appropriate concentrations and activities of leukocytes, lactoferrin and immunoglobulins, resulting in a delayed protective effect of the immune defence.

[0323] • Forced dry-off induces a general inflammatory reaction in the udder, which resembles necrosis during wounding and weakens the natural defence mechanisms.

[0324] The yield under dry-off and dry-off method has important consequences for udder health and milk yield during the next lactation.

[0325] Some conditions associated with dry-off and their associated effects are listed in Table 1. These conditions are given for dairy cattle, but many, if not all, conditions apply to other high-yielding dairy animals as well.

[0326] Table 1

[0327]

[0328]

[0329] It should be noted that the likelihood of leaking is not at the beginning of dry-off, but 1 to 2 days later. The reason for this is that in the bovine mammary gland, milk flows from the primary ducts into the cistern. The cistern has a very high storage capacity, which is reached after about 40 hours. Thus, when the cistern becomes overfilled and udder pressure peaks, leaking can be delayed 1 to 2 days after the start of dry-off.

[0330] The dry-off method of the invention minimizes stress on the dairy animal by providing a more natural dry-off that allows the dairy animal to stay with its social group during the dry-off, and by reducing the maximum pressure inside the udder during the dry-off, reduces the chance of milk leakage, increases the likelihood of a natural teat plug forming, and reduces the likelihood of infection within the udder.

[0331] In the dry-off method of the invention, the yield and milk flow are monitored so that:

[0332] • it can be automatically decided whether the dairy animal needs to be gradually stopped, or whether a sudden dry-off can be used.

[0333] • the yield can be monitored to ensure the success of the gradual stop by ensuring that the reduction in yield follows the desired yield drop curve.

[0334] • in embodiments where the dairy animal carries an advanced animal identification tag comprising at least one sensor in communication with at least one sensor processor, the at least one sensor and at least one processor can be configured to determine a health index of the dairy animal, so that the health and well-being of the dairy animal during this process can be monitored.

[0335] Figure 2 The method of sudden dry-off (1500, solid line) and the interval between milking (1600, dotted line) are schematically shown in comparison with the method of the invention (1700). In all methods, there is a dry-off date (1830), the date of the last milking, which is typically about 180 days after insemination or about 60 days before the expected calving date of the cow.

[0336] The dry-off date is typically in the range of 55 to 65 days before calving in cows, 30 to 90 days before lambing in sheep, 40 to 60 days before kidding in goats, and 60 to 90 days before calving in buffaloes. They can be in the range of 30 to 90 days before calving in cows, 20 to 100 days before lambing in sheep, 25 to 70 days before kidding in goats, and 45 to 100 days before calving in buffaloes. No milking is performed after the dry-off date.

[0337] In sudden dry-off (1500), the dairy animal is normally milked up to the dry-off date (1830), and can produce a considerable amount of milk at the start of dry-off (1510). In the illustrative example, the exemplary cow produces more than 25 liters per day at the dry-off date (1830). After the start of dry-off (1840), the dairy animal’s milk production does not stop, despite the cessation of milking; the dairy animal can continue to produce milk for many days thereafter.

[0338] In a typical increase interval method (1600, dotted line) in the prior art, there is a time interval, the dry-off period (1800), which is usually about 10 days to 2 weeks, minimally about 5 days and maximally about 3 weeks, before the dry-off date (1830). During the dry-off period (1800), the time interval between milking is increased, although the dairy animal is usually milked at each milking. During this period, the milk production will be reduced more than with abrupt dry-off (1500), but there can still be a substantial amount of milk production at the dry-off date (1830) (1610) and after (1840).

[0339] In the gradual dry-off method (1700, dashed line) of the present invention, as disclosed herein, the start (1820) of the dry-off period (1800) can be determined from a combination of factors measured during at least one milking (1810). When the criteria for gradual dry-off have been met, the dry-off period (1800) starts (1820) at a predetermined subsequent milking, such as the next milking or the first milking of the next day. During the dry-off period (1800), the interval between milking is not changed, but the dairy animal is not milked; only a portion of the milk calculated to be a predetermined amount of milk in the udder (or teat for teat milking) is removed. The intra-teat pressure from the milk remaining in the udder causes a relatively rapid decrease in the milk production of the dairy animal, such that when the dry-off date (1830) is reached, the actual milk production (1710) of the dairy animal is significantly less than would be expected with abrupt dry-off (1500) or the increase interval method (1600).

[0340] It should be noted that the dairy animal will not be dry at the dry-off date (1830) when dry, but using the method of the present invention, her total milk production will be sufficiently low (typically less than 5 kg / day) that discomfort at dry-off will thereby and pressure be minimized, such that a natural teat plug will form and the likelihood of udder infection will be minimized.

[0341] The dairy animal can be identified manually, automatically, and any combination thereof.

[0342] For non-limiting examples, as disclosed below, manual identification can operate to identify the animal by animal marking, by animal movement patterns, by animal interaction with other dairy animals, by a human readable identifier in communication with the animal, or by manual determination of biometric identification.

[0343] Automatic identification can be by means of an automatically readable identifier or by means of biometric identification.

[0344] The dairy animal can communicate with the automatically readable identifier. The automatically readable identifier is typically in communication with, attached to, or comprises a portion of an animal attachment member selected from the group consisting of an ear tag, a body tag, a head collar, a neck collar, a harness, a leg-attachable chain, an implant in the body of the dairy animal, and any combination thereof. In many dairy animal identification systems, an ear tag is used.

[0345] The advanced animal identification tag can further comprise one or more sensors configured to enable determination of the health of the dairy animal, and can further enable determination of the distress of the dairy animal.

[0346] The biometric identification can be selected from the group consisting of identifying at least one marking on the animal, identifying a nose-print image of the animal, identifying an iris pattern of the animal, identifying a retinal blood vessel pattern of the animal, facial recognition of the animal, identifying an external physical feature of the animal, identifying an ear blood vessel pattern of the animal, and any combination thereof.

[0347] Non-limiting examples of external physical features include a shape of a portion of the dairy animal, a size of a portion of the dairy animal, a color of a portion of the dairy animal, a relationship between a shape of a portion of the dairy animal, a size of a portion of the dairy animal, a color of a portion of the dairy animal, and any combination thereof.

[0348] Non-limiting examples of ways in which at least one external physical feature can be identified include an image of at least a portion of the dairy animal taken from the back, an image of at least a portion of the dairy animal taken from the side, an image of at least a portion of the dairy animal taken from the front, an image of at least a portion of the dairy animal taken from above, and an image of at least a portion of the dairy animal taken from below.

[0349] In some embodiments, the dairy animal enters a milking stall, where a milking stall is any area that allows milking. The milking stall can be a hutch, a milking parlor, a milking robot, or any other conventional means of providing access to a device for machine milking of the dairy animal. The device for machine milking can include, but is not limited to, a bucket milker, a pipeline milker, a hutch, a milking parlor station, a voluntary milking system station, a rotary milking system station, a herringbone milking system station, a milking robot, and any combination thereof.

[0350] The dairy animal is automatically identified, and the milking history includes at least the amount of milk produced during a previous milking, preferably the amount produced for each of a plurality of consecutive previous milkings, and more preferably the amount produced for each of the milkings of the previous week. The amount produced can be stored as an amount per milking per milking stall, or can be stored as a total amount produced by all milking stalls.

[0351] Figure 3 An embodiment of a method for determining whether a milking system will use gradual dry-off or abrupt dry-off in the case of measuring total milk production is shown. Using the identity of the dairy animal, the duration of pregnancy of the dairy animal is determined. If the duration of pregnancy (205) is less than a predetermined time (dry-off start time), the dairy animal is milked out (230).

[0352] The dry-off start time is determined by subtracting a predetermined dry-off period from a predetermined date before parturition, the dry-off start time being before the predetermined date before parturition. The date before parturition is typically in the range of 30 to 90 days before calving in cows, 20 to 100 days before lambing in sheep, 40 to 60 days before kidding in goats, and 60 to 90 days before calving in buffaloes, but can be in the range of 30 to 90 days before calving in cows, 20 to 100 days before lambing in sheep, 25 to 70 days before kidding in goats, and 45 to 100 days before calving in buffaloes. The predetermined dry-off period is typically between 7 days and 3 weeks, preferably between 10 days and 2 weeks.

[0353] If the date provided by the duration of pregnancy (205) is later than the dry-off start time, the average milk production per milking is determined (210) for a predetermined period of time (production measurement period), wherein the production measurement period is in the range of one day to two weeks, wherein a preferred production measurement period is 7 days.

[0354] If the average milk production (215) is less than a predetermined milk amount (e.g. 10 kg / day for the dairy animal), an abrupt dry-off method is used (220), and milking is stopped immediately, the current milking just completed being the last milking of this lactation period. However, the dairy animal can remain with its social group and can continue to follow its normal daily routine, including entering the milking parlor as usual, although she will not be milked.

[0355] If the average milk production (215) is greater than the predetermined milk amount and no other considerations (225) or at least one other consideration (225) indicates gradual dry-off, an embodiment of the gradual dry-off method of the invention is started (235).

[0356] If the average milk production (215) is greater than the predetermined amount and at least one other consideration (225) does not indicate gradual dry-off, the dairy animal is milked out (230).

[0357] The other considerations can include, but are not limited to, the health of the dairy animal, the feed given to the dairy animal, the desire to transition to another feed, the pasture the dairy animal is on, the requirement to change pastures, the demand for milk (commercial demand or community health related demand), the number of lactations of the dairy animal, and any combination thereof.

[0358] Typically, the loss in weekly milk production for a dairy animal is about 30%, in the range of about 20% to about 40%.

[0359] The desired rate of reduction in milk production (or the desired rate of reduction in the amount of milk removed from a milk fraction) can be the same for all dairy animals in the herd, or this can be customized for each dairy animal.

[0360] Figure 4 Embodiments of a method for determining the amount of milk to be removed from a dairy animal during a single milking session in a system that measures total milk production are shown. It should be noted that the amount can be calculated for each dairy animal, or can be calculated separately for each milking fraction of each dairy animal. The process is the same in either case, although a separate sensor will be required to measure the production of each milk fraction for each milking, and only a single sensor will be required if the amount is per udder. For simplicity, the amount of milk described below will be referred to as being per udder; it should be understood that embodiments of the method implicitly include application to each milk fraction, as the method works in the same way for both udder milking (measurement for the entire udder, with milking stopped for all teats at the same time) and milk fraction milking (measurement for each milk fraction, with milking stopped for each teat individually).

[0361] It should be noted that in use, the method can be applied to dairy animals for which not all milk fractions are milked. For a non-limiting example, if a dairy animal is known to have one or more non-functional milk fractions, it is not necessary to apply a teat cup to the teats of the non-functional milk fractions. In another non-limiting example, if a teat or milk fraction is injured, it can be prudent not to milk the milk fraction. Typically, the milk fraction is known to be non-functional prior to starting the gradual dry-off, so that the method can be applied normally to the functional milk fractions.

[0362] In embodiments of the method, Figure 4 the average milk production per milking is determined over a predetermined period of time (production measurement period), wherein the production measurement period is in the range of one day to two weeks, wherein a preferred production measurement period is 7 days.

[0363] The number of days remaining until dry-off date is determined (310). From the average milk production and the number of days remaining until dry-off date, the expected reduction in milk production for the next time period (e.g., until the next milking, one day, one week) can be calculated. From the expected reduction in milk production (315), the expected amount of milk remaining in the udder (resulting in elevated intramammary udder pressure and natural reduction in milk production) can be calculated, and the expected amount to be removed is determined, which is the difference between the total amount expected in the udder and the amount remaining in the udder. Typically, the amount to be removed will be expressed as a fraction or percentage of her average milk production, as determined above.

[0364] The expected amount to be removed is between 50% and 80% of the average milk production.

[0365] The dairy animal can then be machine milked. Preferably, preparation for milking (such as but not limited to cleaning the teats) is performed automatically by methods known in the art.

[0366] Preferably, attachment of the teat cup to the teat is performed automatically by methods known in the art. Machine milking is performed automatically by methods known in the art. The milking controller, the device for machine milking can include but is not limited to a bucket milker, a pipeline milker, a tethered stall, a parlor stall, a voluntary milking system stall, a rotary milking system stall, a herringbone milking system stall, a milking robot, and any combination thereof.

[0367] Milk production, amount of milk removed can be measured as weight of milk removed, volume of milk removed, and any combination thereof. Using a known density of milk, volume can be converted to weight, and vice versa.

[0368] Measuring milk production is performed automatically by methods known in the art, typically in real time with the aid of a milk meter. The milk meter can be any conventional milk meter, such as but not limited to a inline milk meter, a scale in communication with the milking processor, a container configured to measure volume in communication with the milking processor, and any combination thereof. When the expected amount is removed from the udder, milking is stopped (320). Unlike the prior art, the onset flow rate is irrelevant; milk flow rate is not used to determine when to stop milking. The teat cup can then be removed from the teat; in some embodiments, post-milking udder treatment is applied. After the teat cup is removed and any post-milking treatment, the dairy animal can be removed from the milking stall, can be allowed to remove itself from the milking stall, can be caused to leave it, or can be caused to leave the milking machine.

[0369] Any step in the milking process can be performed manually, and any step in the milking process can be performed automatically, in addition to the milking itself. In addition to the steps of machine milking as described above, including the step of stopping milking, the milking process from moving the milking animal into the milking stall (or moving the milking machine to the milking animal) to moving the milking animal to the rest area, feeding area, or treatment area after milking can include any combination of manual and automatic steps.

[0370] In some embodiments, the milk flow rate is measured for the milking animal before the dry-off is initiated, wherein the milking is stopped when the milk flow rate is below a predetermined amount before the dry-off is initiated. In these embodiments, the duration of milking, i.e., the time between the initiation of milking and the stopping of milking, is measured and recorded. In such embodiments, the total amount of milk produced can or can not be measured.

[0371] Figure 5 Embodiments of a method for determining whether to use gradual dry-off or abrupt dry-off in a system in which each milking is defined by a total milking duration are shown. Using the identity of the milking animal, the duration of pregnancy for the milking animal is determined.

[0372] If the duration of pregnancy (405) is less than a predetermined time (dry-off start time), the milking animal is milked out (230).

[0373] The dry-off start time is determined by subtracting a predetermined dry-off period from a predetermined date before parturition, the dry-off start time being before the predetermined date before parturition. The date before parturition is typically in the range of 55 to 65 days before calving in dairy cattle, 30 to 90 days before lambing in sheep, 40 to 60 days before kidding in goats, and 60 to 90 days before calving in water buffalo, but can be in the range of 30 to 90 days before calving in dairy cattle, 20 to 100 days before lambing in sheep, 25 to 70 days before kidding in goats, and 45 to 100 days before calving in water buffalo. The predetermined dry-off period is typically between 7 days and 3 weeks, preferably between 10 days and 2 weeks.

[0374] If the date provided by the duration of pregnancy (405) is later than the dry-off start time, the duration of milking (410) for each milking is determined for a predetermined period of time (production measurement period), wherein the production measurement period is in the range of one day to 2 weeks, wherein a preferred production measurement period is 7 days.

[0375] If the duration of milking (415) is less than a predetermined amount (typically 5 to 6 minutes), the abrupt dry-off method (420) is used and milking is stopped immediately, the current milking just completed being the last milking of the lactation. However, the milking animal can remain with its social group and can continue to follow its normal daily routine, including entering the milking stall as usual, although she will not be milked.

[0376] If the milking duration (415) is greater than the predetermined amount and no other considerations (425) are taken into account or at least one other consideration (425) indicates gradual dry-off, then an embodiment of the gradual dry-off method of the invention is started (435).

[0377] If the milking duration (415) is greater than the predetermined amount and at least one other consideration (425) does not indicate gradual dry-off, then the dairy animal is milked out (430).

[0378] The other considerations can include, but are not limited to, the health of the dairy animal, the feed being given to the dairy animal, a desire to transition to another feed, the pasture on which the dairy animal is located, a requirement to change pastures, the demand for milk (either commercial demand or community health related demand), the number of lactations of the dairy animal, and any combination thereof.

[0379] The desired rate of reduction in milk production (or the desired rate of reduction in milking duration) can be the same for all dairy animals in the herd, or this can be customized for each dairy animal individually.

[0380] Figure 6 Embodiments of the method are shown in which the milking duration is determined for a single milking session. It should be noted that the duration can be calculated for each dairy animal, or can be calculated separately for each teat stall of each milking of each dairy animal. The process is the same in either case, although a separate timer will be required for each teat stall to measure the duration of each teat stall, and only a single timer will be required if the duration is the duration of each teat. For simplicity, the duration described below will be referred to as being the duration of each teat; it should be understood that embodiments of the method are implicitly included for each teat stall application, as the method works in the same way for both teat milking (with the duration for the entire teat, and with the milking stopped for all teats simultaneously) and teat stall milking (with the duration for each teat stall, and with the milking stopped for each teat individually).

[0381] It should be noted that in use, the method can be applied to dairy animals for which not all teat stalls are milked. For a non-limiting example, if a dairy animal is known to have one or more non-functional teat stalls, then it is not necessary to apply a teat cup to the teats of the non-functional teat stall. In another non-limiting example, if a teat or teat stall is injured, then it can be prudent not to milk the teat stall. Typically, the teat stall is known to be non-functional prior to starting gradual dry-off, such that the method can be applied normally to the functional teat stalls.

[0382] In Figure 6In embodiments, the average milking duration per milking is determined over a predetermined time period (505), wherein the minimum predetermined time period is one day, the maximum predetermined time period is two weeks, and the preferred predetermined time period is seven days.

[0383] The number of days remaining until the dry-off date is determined (510). From the average milking duration and the number of days remaining until the dry-off date, the expected reduction in milking duration for the next time period (e.g., until the next milking, one day, one week) can be calculated. From the expected reduction in milking duration (515) which will result in milk remaining in the udder (resulting in increased intra-mammary pressure and natural reduction in milk production), the current milking duration can be calculated which is the expected milking duration for at least the next milking.

[0384] The current milking duration will be between 50% and 80% of the average milking duration.

[0385] The milking machine can then be used to milk the animal. Preferably, the preparation for milking (such as but not limited to cleaning the teats) is performed automatically by methods known in the art.

[0386] Preferably, the attachment of the teat cups to the teats is performed automatically by methods known in the art. The milking machine is performed automatically by methods known in the art. Although not necessary, the milk production can be measured. If done, the measurement of the milk production is typically performed automatically by methods known in the art, typically by means of a milk meter. The milk meter can be any conventional milk meter, such as but not limited to a inline milk meter, a scale in communication with the milking processor, a container configured to measure volume in communication with the milking processor, and any combination thereof. When the expected milking duration has been exceeded, then the milking is stopped (520). Unlike the prior art, once gradual dry-off has been initiated, the start flow rate is irrelevant; the milk flow rate is not used to determine when to stop milking. The teat cups can then be removed from the teats; in some embodiments, post-milking udder treatment is applied. After the teat cups are removed and any post-milking treatment, the animal can be removed from the milking stall, can be allowed to remove itself from the milking stall, can be caused to leave the milking machine, or can be caused to leave the milking machine.

[0387] Any step in the milking process, other than the milking itself, can be performed manually, semi-automatically, or automatically. In addition to the steps of the machine milking as described above (wherein the steps of the machine milking include stopping the milking), the milking process from moving the animal into the milking stall to moving the animal to the rest area, feeding area, or treatment area after milking can include any combination of manual and automatic steps.

[0388] For a non-limiting example, the act of starting milking, i.e., starting the removal of milk from the teat, can be manual, wherein for a non-limiting example, after the teat cup is placed on the teat, a button is pressed or a switch is flipped to start the milking machine. Starting milking can be semi-automatic, wherein for a non-limiting example, after the teat cup is placed on the teat, a button can be pressed or a switch flipped to start the milking machine after receiving a signal from an automatic check that the milking apparatus is in proper condition to proceed with milking. In automatic starting milking, milking is started automatically after the teat cup is placed on the teat.

[0389] In embodiments in which other considerations can be monitored manually or via advanced identification tags, adjustments can be made to the gradual dry-off rate in order to minimize stress on the dairy animal during gradual dry-off in response to changes in the considerations and any combination thereof.

[0390] It should be noted that although recommended values can be given and a recommended range provided, a user of the system can change at least one of the following via the system: dry-off date (e.g., as days before expected calving, as days after insemination, as days after start of pregnancy), dry-off period (time period between start of gradual dry-off and dry-off date), predetermined amount of milk that will be used to determine whether sudden dry-off or gradual dry-off will be used, predetermined dry-off start time, and amount of milk to be removed at each milking (as a fraction of average milk production), duration of milking (as a fraction of average milking duration), and production measurement period (time during which milk production is measured).

Claims

1. A method for automatically drying off a dairy animal, comprising the steps of: when a gradual dry-off criterion is met: determining an average milking duration for the dairy animal; for the average milking duration being greater than a predetermined milking duration: setting a start date for gradual dry-off as a current milking; and, determining a dry-off date from the start date and a predetermined dry-off period; wherein the gradual dry-off comprises: for each current milking of the dairy animal up to the dry-off date of the predetermined dry-off period: determining a milking duration; machine milking the dairy animal; measuring in real-time during the milking the time taken to milk; and, stopping the current milking when the time taken to milk is greater than the milking duration.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: for the average milking duration being less than or equal to the predetermined milking duration, using abrupt dry-off by aborting milking.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: determining the milking duration from a current date and the dry-off date, a number of days until the dry-off date; and determining the milking duration from the number of days until the dry-off date and determining the average milking duration.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the milking duration is independent of a flow rate of milk from the dairy animal.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the average milking duration is an average daily milking duration.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: calculating the average milking duration from milking durations over a period of time ranging between two weeks and from a time interval between one milking and the next milking, the time interval including a single milking.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a system for milking the dairy animal, the dairy animal being uniquely identifiable, the system comprising: a milking controller configured to control removal of milk from a udder of the dairy animal; at least one milk meter in communication with the milking controller, the at least one milk meter configured to measure an amount of removal of the milk; and at least one milking processor configured to determine an amount of milk to be removed to be removed by the milking controller; the milking processor further configured to store at least one previous amount of milk removed for the dairy animal and to generate an average milk production for the dairy animal from the at least one previous amount of milk removed.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of determining whether gradual dry-off is indicated from at least one other consideration.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of selecting the at least one other consideration from the group consisting of: a health of the dairy animal, a feed given to the dairy animal, a need to transition to another feed, a pasture in which the dairy animal is located, a requirement to change pastures, a demand for milk, a number of lactations of the dairy animal, and any combination thereof.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of: for the at least one other consideration factor that does not indicate gradual dry-off, expressing milk at each milking until the average milking duration is less than or equal to a predetermined milk volume; and for the at least one other consideration factor that indicates gradual dry-off, selecting abrupt dry-off for an average milking duration that is less than or equal to the predetermined milking duration, and selecting gradual dry-off for an average milking duration that is greater than the predetermined milking duration.

11. A dry-off system for automatically dry-off of a dairy animal, the dry-off system comprising a processor comprising instructions configured to: when criteria for gradual dry-off are met: for an average milking duration that is greater than a predetermined milking duration: setting a start date for gradual dry-off as a current milking; and, determining a dry-off date from the start date and a predetermined dry-off period; for each current milking of the dairy animal at or after the start date: determining a milking duration; machine milking the dairy animal; measuring in real-time during the milking the time taken to milk; and stopping the current milking when the time taken to milk is greater than the milking duration.

12. The dry-off system of claim 11, further comprising instructions configured to implement abrupt dry-off by aborting milking for the average milking duration that is less than or equal to the predetermined milking duration.

13. The dry-off system of claim 11, further comprising instructions configured to determine a number of days until the dry-off date from a current date and the dry-off date; and determine the milking duration and the average milking duration from the number of days until the dry-off date.

14. The dry-off system of claim 11, wherein the milking duration is independent of a flow rate of milk from the dairy animal.

15. The dry-off system of claim 11, wherein the average milking duration is an average daily milking duration.

16. The dry-off system of claim 11, wherein the average milking duration is calculated from milking durations over a period of time in a range between two weeks and from a time interval between one milking and the next milking, the time interval including a single milking.

17. The dry-off system of claim 11, further comprising a milking system for milking the dairy animal, the dairy animal being uniquely identifiable, the milking system comprising: a milking controller configured to control removal of the milk from a udder of the dairy animal; at least one timer for measuring a time taken to milk; and at least one milking processor configured to determine a volume of milk to be removed to be removed by the milking controller; the milking processor further configured to store at least one previous milking duration for the dairy animal and generate the average milking duration from the at least one previous milking duration for the dairy animal.

18. The dry-off system of claim 11, wherein the processor further comprises instructions configured to determine whether to indicate a gradual dry-off from at least one other consideration.

19. The dry-off system of claim 18, wherein the at least one other consideration is selected from the group consisting of: health of the dairy animal, feed being given to the dairy animal, need to transition to another feed, pasture in which the dairy animal is located, requirement to change pastures, demand for milk, number of lactations of the dairy animal, and any combination thereof.

20. The system according to claim 18, wherein, For the at least one other consideration that does not indicate a gradual dry-off, the processor further comprises instructions configured to express milk at each milking until the average milking duration is less than or equal to the predetermined milking duration; and for the at least one other consideration that indicates a gradual dry-off, to select a sudden dry-off for average milking durations less than or equal to the predetermined milking duration, and to select a gradual dry-off for average milking durations greater than the predetermined milking duration.

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