Milking parlor
Milking Parlors
A modern milking parlor is a technological complex that combines equipment and software for efficient and safe milking. AgroTrust offers several types of automated parlors that adapt to the farm size and production goals. Their main purpose is to ensure high productivity, consistent milk quality, and animal comfort.
Automation The parlors operate as a single intelligent system. Automatic animal identification, monitoring of milking parameters, and equipment control occur without operator intervention. This guarantees stable milk quality, eliminates staff errors, and allows for processing a larger number of cows in less time.
Comfort and Safety The design is engineered with the natural behavior of animals in mind. The thoughtful geometry of workspaces and smooth spatial organization reduce stress levels in cows, ensure safe movement, and minimize the risk of injury. For operators, this means ease of work and full control over the process, and for the farm — stable herd health and predictable results.
Hygiene The parlors are equipped with automated cleaning and disinfection systems based on the CIP (Clean-in-Place) principle. Cycles include rinsing, alkaline and acid washing, final rinsing, and disinfection. The operation of the systems is monitored by temperature, level, and conductivity sensors, guaranteeing the correct concentration of solutions and consistent washing quality. This technology eliminates the risk of pathogen spread, ensures compliance with sanitary standards, and maintains high milk quality. For the farm, this means lower maintenance costs, longer equipment life, and confidence in production stability.
Monitoring and Management Intelligent software is not limited to data collection but transforms it into concrete actions. The system records milk yields, animal status, and behavior, generates recommendations, and indicates to staff where attention is required. Staff receive ready-made tasks with priorities and hints, simplifying work and minimizing the likelihood of errors. The manager can control process execution at any moment, both on-site and remotely via computer or mobile device. This ensures transparency, discipline, and manageability of the entire production cycle.
Automation The parlors operate as a single intelligent system. Automatic animal identification, monitoring of milking parameters, and equipment control occur without operator intervention. This guarantees stable milk quality, eliminates staff errors, and allows for processing a larger number of cows in less time.
Comfort and Safety The design is engineered with the natural behavior of animals in mind. The thoughtful geometry of workspaces and smooth spatial organization reduce stress levels in cows, ensure safe movement, and minimize the risk of injury. For operators, this means ease of work and full control over the process, and for the farm — stable herd health and predictable results.
Hygiene The parlors are equipped with automated cleaning and disinfection systems based on the CIP (Clean-in-Place) principle. Cycles include rinsing, alkaline and acid washing, final rinsing, and disinfection. The operation of the systems is monitored by temperature, level, and conductivity sensors, guaranteeing the correct concentration of solutions and consistent washing quality. This technology eliminates the risk of pathogen spread, ensures compliance with sanitary standards, and maintains high milk quality. For the farm, this means lower maintenance costs, longer equipment life, and confidence in production stability.
Monitoring and Management Intelligent software is not limited to data collection but transforms it into concrete actions. The system records milk yields, animal status, and behavior, generates recommendations, and indicates to staff where attention is required. Staff receive ready-made tasks with priorities and hints, simplifying work and minimizing the likelihood of errors. The manager can control process execution at any moment, both on-site and remotely via computer or mobile device. This ensures transparency, discipline, and manageability of the entire production cycle.
Centrus is a high-efficiency "Rotary" type milking parlor designed for medium and large dairy farms where speed, productivity, and comfort for both the operator and animals are priorities. Suitable for farms with 1,200 - 3,000 heads.
Due to the circular system and continuous platform movement, Centrus ensures a stable load, minimizes stress in cows, and allows for high productivity while reducing labor costs.
Advantages of the Centrus Rotary:
Due to the circular system and continuous platform movement, Centrus ensures a stable load, minimizes stress in cows, and allows for high productivity while reducing labor costs.
Advantages of the Centrus Rotary:
- Maximum throughput — milking up to 400 or more cows per hour.
- Minimal physical load on operators thanks to an ergonomic working zone.
- Smooth entry and exit of animals from the platform without delays or conflicts.
- Reliable and durable construction with anti-corrosion protection.
- Integration with recording, identification, and milking management systems.
- Capability to operate in automatic or semi-automatic mode.
- Compatibility with pre-milking treatment and disinfection equipment.
- Built-in solutions for milk recording, udder health monitoring, and herd management systems.
- Rotating Platform: Cows step onto a circular platform that moves slowly in a circle.
- Automated Milking: Milking units are attached to the cows while the platform is moving.
- Continuous Flow: As soon as a cow finishes milking, she leaves the platform, and the next one enters..
Vectron is a "Parallel" type milking parlor, one of the most common types used on modern dairy farms. Designed for farms where high milking speed, ease of management, and clear organization of animal flow are important. Such a design allows processing a large number of cows with minimal time and labor. Suitable for farms with 400 - 1,700 heads.
Parallel arrangement ensures direct access to the udder from the rear, while the synchronous opening/closing of rear barriers speeds up group changes and improves parlor turnover.
Advantages of the Vectron Parlor:
Parallel arrangement ensures direct access to the udder from the rear, while the synchronous opening/closing of rear barriers speeds up group changes and improves parlor turnover.
Advantages of the Vectron Parlor:
- High animal density and parlor compactness.
- Rapid group change — due to automatic rear barriers.
- Direct access to the udder for convenient and fast milking.
- Reliable modular construction, adaptable to any herd size.
- Capability to integrate with milk recording systems, AfiMilk, and automation.
- Individual feeders and animal identification.
- Automatic or semi-automatic operation mode.
- Integration with pre-treatment and hygiene systems.
Oblix is a classic "Herringbone" type milking parlor that combines reliability, simplicity, and proven efficiency. Suitable for farms with up to 600 heads.
The Oblix parlor features an ergonomic design, an optimal cow positioning angle, and scalability for any herd size.
Advantages of the Oblix Parlor:
The Oblix parlor features an ergonomic design, an optimal cow positioning angle, and scalability for any herd size.
Advantages of the Oblix Parlor:
- Simple and reliable animal entry/exit system.
- Good visibility and convenience during udder preparation.
- Minimal space requirements — the parlor is compact and versatile.
- Suitable for manual, semi-automatic, and automatic milking.
- Reliable construction with anti-corrosion protection and a long service life.
Milking Parlor Management and Automation System
Milking parlor automation involves the implementation of digital and electronic components that allow real-time monitoring of the milking process, ensuring accuracy, stability, and data collection on every cow and every liter of milk.
Standalone is an autonomous cow monitoring system ensuring effective management of reproduction, health, and housing conditions without the need for server or internet connection. This is a ready-to-use solution deployable directly on the farm without complex IT infrastructure.
The system includes:
Standalone Functions:
More about StandAlone
The system includes:
- AfiCollar Neck Sensors: Record rumination, behavior, rest periods, and heat signs.
- AfiAct II Leg Sensors: Measure physical activity, detect heat, stress, hoof problems, and behavioral deviations.
Standalone Functions:
- High-precision heat detection.
- Notifications of approaching or difficult calving.
- Early detection of signs of painful behavior.
- Monitoring of animal activity and comfort.
- Heifer management: growth control, weight, age for first insemination.
- Up to 22 days reduction in open days due to timely insemination.
- Reduced costs due to early response to deviations.
- Increased reproduction efficiency and overall herd productivity.
- Autonomous operation — suitable for farms without server infrastructure.
- Simple installation and use.
More about StandAlone
Afimilk MPC is an intelligent control unit installed at every milking point. It combines all milking processes in one device, displaying key data in real-time right in front of the operator.
The controller displays information about the identified cow, receives and transmits data from milk meters, manages the milking process, and automatically responds to milk metric deviations. MPC signals potential health issues and helps make quick decisions without distraction. It also allows controlling sorting gates and displaying full information about the cow currently at the milking point.
MPC Capabilities:
The controller displays information about the identified cow, receives and transmits data from milk meters, manages the milking process, and automatically responds to milk metric deviations. MPC signals potential health issues and helps make quick decisions without distraction. It also allows controlling sorting gates and displaying full information about the cow currently at the milking point.
MPC Capabilities:
- Display: Productivity, milking speed, time, deviations.
- Identification: Linking with the herd management system.
- Alerts: Risk of mastitis, low productivity, or anomalies.
- Sorting Control: Real-time management.
- Compatibility: Any parlor type (Herringbone, Parallel, Tandem, Rotary).
The Afimilk Milk Meter is a high-precision electronic device integrated into the milking management system. It is designed for automatic measurement of milk quantity, control of milk flow dynamics, and early detection of udder problems, including mastitis.
With a measurement accuracy of up to 99.7%, the milk meter ensures reliable recording of each cow's yield, allowing farmers to make operational decisions based on reliable data.
Key Functions:
With a measurement accuracy of up to 99.7%, the milk meter ensures reliable recording of each cow's yield, allowing farmers to make operational decisions based on reliable data.
Key Functions:
- Real-time milk volume measurement.
- Control of milk flow rate and milking duration.
- Recording deviations from the norm, including suspected mastitis.
- Data transmission to the herd management system for further analysis
AfiLab is a high-precision device installed directly in the milk line at each milking point. It performs continuous real-time analysis of milk, recording key components: fat, protein, lactose, and electrical conductivity.
Data collected by AfiLab during milking allows for the prompt assessment of productivity, detection of disease signs such as mastitis or ketosis, and decision-making regarding feeding, treatment, or breeding selection.
Functions and Capabilities:
Data collected by AfiLab during milking allows for the prompt assessment of productivity, detection of disease signs such as mastitis or ketosis, and decision-making regarding feeding, treatment, or breeding selection.
Functions and Capabilities:
- Measurement of milk composition during milking without flow interruption.
- Assessment of fat, protein, lactose content, and electrical conductivity.
- Early disease detection and reduction of milk losses.
- Creation of an individual cow profile based on milk composition.
- Decision support for genetic improvement and ration management.
- Real-time operation without delays or manual sampling.
- Accuracy comparable to laboratory analysis.
- Full integration with the AfiFarm system and Afimilk milk meters.
- Increased profitability through detailed herd information.
The Afimilk Reader is a device for reading and transmitting data from AfiCollar neck tags and AfiTag II leg tags. It ensures constant tracking of animal activity, behavior, and physiological state in real-time, transmitting information to the AfiFarm herd management system.
The device is installed in the barn or milking area and covers the necessary area for stable signal reception from all animals within range. The system operates continuously, ensuring complete 24/7 herd control.
Functions and Capabilities:
The device is installed in the barn or milking area and covers the necessary area for stable signal reception from all animals within range. The system operates continuously, ensuring complete 24/7 herd control.
Functions and Capabilities:
- Reading data from AfiCollar and AfiTag II.
- Transmission of information on rumination, movement, rest, signs of heat, and behavioral deviations.
- Automatic operation without staff intervention.
- Integration with AfiFarm for analysis and decision-making.
- Constant real-time monitoring of the entire herd.
- Increased accuracy in detecting heat and early signs of disease.
- Possibility of installation in different farm zones to expand coverage.
- Secure, wireless data transmission.
The Identification Antenna is a device designed for the automatic reading of unique radio signals from collars or tags attached to cows (AfiCollar, AfiTag II). It ensures precise identification of each animal upon entry to the milking parlor, passage through sorting gates, or at other key points on the farm.
Thanks to the antenna, the Afimilk system accurately determines which animal is in a specific zone and activates the corresponding functions: starting the milking process, data collection, sorting, or displaying information on the controller.
Where it is applied:
Thanks to the antenna, the Afimilk system accurately determines which animal is in a specific zone and activates the corresponding functions: starting the milking process, data collection, sorting, or displaying information on the controller.
Where it is applied:
- Entrances to milking parlors.
- Sorting gates.
- Transfer lanes and feeding zones.
- Instant and accurate animal identification.
- Reliable operation in farm conditions (moisture, dust, temperature fluctuations).
- Integration with milking and sorting management systems.
- Automation of record-keeping and increased data accuracy.
Afimilk IDEAL is the central milking parlor controller that coordinates the operation of all connected devices and ensures reliable communication between equipment and the AfiFarm software. It is responsible for precise synchronization and stable operation of the entire milking system.
Key Functions of Afimilk IDEAL:
Key Functions of Afimilk IDEAL:
- Centralized milking parlor management: from pulsation and vacuum to automatic removal.
- Connection and control of milk meters, pulsators, sensors, readers, and sorting gates.
- Continuous operation even during temporary server connection loss — management is performed locally.
- Transmission and synchronization of all data with the AfiFarm system for analysis and record-keeping.
- Increased reliability and fault tolerance.
- Full control over all processes in real-time.
- Flexible integration with existing milking parlor components.
- Support for automatic task distribution across milking points.
AfiSort is an automated animal sorting system integrated into the general farm management cycle. It automatically directs cows to required zones (treatment, insemination, separate group, or exit) based on data from the AfiFarm system.
Functions:
Functions:
- Automatic cow identification upon passage.
- Execution of sorting tasks based on animal status.
- Full integration with AfiFarm for up-to-date route management.
- Real-time operation without delays.
- Elimination of human error during sorting.
- Reduced workload on staff.
- Increased accuracy of technological procedures.
- Optimization of logistics within the farm.
AfiWeight is a built-in automated animal weighing system operating in the background without the need to stop the cow. Scales are installed in the return lane after the milking parlor, in the sorting zone, or on a separate route.
Functions:
Functions:
- Automatic weight recording with each animal passage.
- Operation without stopping or staff intervention.
- Integration with the AfiFarm system.
- Monitoring body weight changes over time.
- Control of animal body condition and feeding efficiency.
- Detection of weight loss as a sign of stress or illness.
Milking Unit
Milking Cluster — devices that, by connecting to the vacuum system and attaching to the udder, perform the actual milking process.
The Claw is the key element of the milking cluster, ensuring reliable milk collection from all four shells and uniform delivery to the milk line. Milk flow stability, process hygiene, and cow comfort depend on its design and quality.
Functions of the Claw:
Functions of the Claw:
- Combines milk flows from four liners.
- Ensures stable vacuum pressure.
- Minimizes milk loss and backflow (cross-contamination).
- Promotes uniform milking of all udder quarters.
- Transparent bowl for visual control of milk flow.
- Ergonomic shape and optimal weight to reduce load on the udder.
- Suitable for various parlor types (Herringbone, Parallel, Tandem, Rotary).
- Integration capability with recording and control systems (e.g., Milk Meters).
- Improved milking quality and reduced trauma.
- Reduced risk of infections due to optimal hygienic design.
- Durability and ease of maintenance.
The Liner is the critical interface of the milking system, directly influencing animal comfort, hygiene, and milking productivity.
Impulse is an innovative system combining:
ImpulseAir — Next Generation Technology ImpulseAir is an advanced system where air enters the liner behind the milk flow (vented liner). This allows:
Impulse is an innovative system combining:
- A unique Shell shape.
- A specially developed Triangular Liner, resistant to twisting and deformation.
ImpulseAir — Next Generation Technology ImpulseAir is an advanced system where air enters the liner behind the milk flow (vented liner). This allows:
- Faster and easier milk removal from the teat.
- Reduced vacuum impact on teat tissue.
- Reduced congestion in the udder.
- Improved overall health and resistance of teats.
- Gentler milking at high productivity.
- Minimization of trauma and congestion processes.
- Improved condition of the udder and teats.
- Reduced risk of cross-contamination between udder quarters.
- Prevention of milk backflow spraying onto teats.
The Shell is the crucial outer component of the milking cluster, directly influencing milking efficiency, animal comfort, and operator convenience. Thanks to thoughtful design and modern materials, the shells ensure stable attachment, sensitive pulsation, and minimal mechanical impact on the udder.
Key Advantages:
Key Advantages:
- Lightweight: Reduces load on the animal's udder and reduces operator fatigue during manual attachment.
- Triangular Internal Profile: Reduces the air chamber volume between the shell and liner, increasing sensitivity to pulsation and improving milk let-down.
- Anti-Twist System: Ensures correct positioning of the liner and stable operation.
- Adjustable Weight: By combining special weight rings, the total unit weight can be precisely adjusted to herd specifics and milking conditions.
Milk and Vacuum Tubing are integral parts of the milking system, ensuring safe and stable milk transport and vacuum pressure maintenance throughout the circuit. The quality of tubing determines not only the uninterrupted operation of the installation but also the sanitary condition of the obtained milk.
Advantages of Milk Tubing:
Advantages of Milk Tubing:
- Made of food-grade silicone or high-quality transparent PVC (e.g., Ultraclean+).
- Full inertness to milk — does not affect taste or composition.
- Resistant to high and low temperatures.
- Transparency allows visual control of milk flow.
- Easy to clean, suitable for CIP (Clean-in-Place).
- High resistance to pressure drops and deformation.
- Durable, elastic, and resistant to cracking.
- Maintains airtightness even after long-term use.
- Retains shape and elasticity over time.
- Various diameters and lengths for all types of milking installations.
- Tubing with and without marking.
- Combined solutions with milk and twin pulsation lines.
The ACR (Automatic Cluster Remover) is a device designed to automatically detach the milking cluster from the cow's udder upon completion of milking. It ensures precise detection of the end of milk flow and guarantees timely removal without operator intervention.
How it works: After the milk flow stops, the system:
How it works: After the milk flow stops, the system:
- Detects the drop in milk yield.
- Signals the end of milking.
- Shuts off the vacuum.
- Activates the mechanism to retract the cluster.
- Eliminates over-milking.
- Reduces the risk of teat and udder injury.
- Improves hygiene and animal comfort.
- Increases productivity and reduces staff workload.
- Ensures stable and controlled milking quality.
The Pulsator is the key device of the milking system responsible for alternating vacuum and atmospheric pressure in the shells. It creates the rhythmic pulsation of the liner, simulating the natural sucking process of a calf.
How the Pulsator Works:
How the Pulsator Works:
- Manages vacuum and air supply to the shell chambers.
- Ensures cyclical compression (massage) and relaxation (milking) of the liner.
- Maintains a stable milking rhythm (e.g., 60:40 or 70:30).
- Ensures gentle, physiological milking.
- Minimizes stress and teat trauma.
- Supports uniform milk let-down.
- Operates stably under various loads and regimes.
- Compatible with automated management systems (e.g., MPC/Milk Meters).
The Vacuum System is the centralized technical unit ensuring the stable creation and maintenance of vacuum necessary for the operation of all milking parlor components. Without reliable vacuum, the correct operation of clusters, pulsators, and cleaning systems is impossible.
Functions of the Vacuum System:
Functions of the Vacuum System:
- Provides vacuum for Cluster operation.
- Maintains pulsation rhythm via Pulsators.
- Manages Automatic Cluster Removal (ACR).
- Ensures the operation of the CIP (Clean-in-Place) system.
- Stable and uniform pressure without fluctuations.
- Reliable operation even under high load (simultaneous milking, washing, etc.).
- Compatibility with any type of milking installation.
- Easy maintenance and automatic parameter control.
The Milk Line (Pipeline) is the main transport artery of the milking parlor, designed for safe and hygienic milk transfer from the clusters to the receiving equipment. A properly designed pipeline scheme ensures continuous milk flow, protection from contamination, and minimal losses during transport.
Purpose and Functions:
Purpose and Functions:
- Moving milk from milking points to the Milk Receiver.
- Reducing product contact with the environment.
- Ensuring stable flow speed.
- Maintaining hygiene and milk quality at all stages.
- Participating in the automatic CIP process.
- Made of food-grade stainless steel.
- Includes milk pipes, receiver, pumps, valves, and sensors.
- Designed with slopes, turning radii, and technical zones in mind.
- Ensures complete drainage without residual milk accumulation.
- Integrates with recording and automation systems.
The Milk Line is a system of equipment ensuring centralized reception, filtration, and pumping of milk from clusters to cooling tanks.
Milk Receiver Receives milk from all milking units and equalizes its flow, preventing pressure fluctuations in the system. The size and volume of the receiver are selected depending on the parlor type and work intensity. Its role is to ensure uniform milk supply to the next processing stage.
Milk Pump Responsible for pumping milk from the receiver to the cooling tank. Pump power is calculated based on parlor configuration and milk volume. The pump operates automatically, ensuring stable pressure and rapid milk transport without losses.
Milk Filter Installed between the pump and the cooling tank. It traps mechanical impurities, preventing them from entering the cooler. This ensures compliance with sanitary standards and preservation of high milk quality during storage.
Milk Receiver Receives milk from all milking units and equalizes its flow, preventing pressure fluctuations in the system. The size and volume of the receiver are selected depending on the parlor type and work intensity. Its role is to ensure uniform milk supply to the next processing stage.
Milk Pump Responsible for pumping milk from the receiver to the cooling tank. Pump power is calculated based on parlor configuration and milk volume. The pump operates automatically, ensuring stable pressure and rapid milk transport without losses.
Milk Filter Installed between the pump and the cooling tank. It traps mechanical impurities, preventing them from entering the cooler. This ensures compliance with sanitary standards and preservation of high milk quality during storage.
The Washing System is an automated solution for the sanitary treatment of all internal surfaces of milking and milk equipment. It ensures effective removal of milk residues, fat, and protein deposits, and prevents bacterial growth in tubing and system nodes.
Functions:
Functions:
- Cleaning of milk lines, receiver, pumps, filters, and other elements.
- Automatic supply of detergent and disinfectant solutions.
- Washing with hot and cold water according to set cycles.
- Control of temperature, solution concentration, and washing time.
- Wash Control Unit (Top Wash): A complex of devices ensuring automation and efficiency of cleaning. It ensures correct switching between milking and washing modes.
- Air Injector: Supplies air pulses ("slugs") during washing, creating turbulence for better mechanical impact.
- Automatic Valves: Switch flows between milking and washing modes.
- Jetters (Wash Cups): Connection points for clusters during sanitary cleaning. They allow creating a closed washing circuit.
- Guarantee of high hygiene and milk quality.
- Elimination of manual labor and minimization of human error.
- Savings on water, energy, and detergents through process optimization.
- Compliance with sanitary standards.
The Scrubber System (Teat Scrubber) is designed for washing, disinfection, and stimulation of cow teats before milking, reducing the risk of mastitis, improving hygiene, and promoting abundant milk let-down.
Puli-Smart Scrubber Kit includes: Two washing brushes, control panel with one dosing pump, pulleys, power cable, air hose, water hose, steel cable, mounting brackets, swivels, fittings, water valve, water filtration system, air pressure regulator. Consumables: 40 spare brushes; 2 brush housings.
Advantages:
Puli-Smart Scrubber Kit includes: Two washing brushes, control panel with one dosing pump, pulleys, power cable, air hose, water hose, steel cable, mounting brackets, swivels, fittings, water valve, water filtration system, air pressure regulator. Consumables: 40 spare brushes; 2 brush housings.
Advantages:
- Saves and provides data on every cycle.
- Ergonomic handle.
- Significantly reduces milking time.
- Cleaning and disinfection in just 8 seconds per cow.