Method for short-term prediction of milk yield at the quarter level to improve udder health monitoring.

Udder health problems are often associated with milk losses. These losses are different between quarters, as infected quarters are affected both by systemic and pathogen-specific local effects, whereas noninfected quarters are only subject to systemic effects. To gain insight in these losses and the milk yield dynamics during disease, it is essential to have a reliable reference for quarter-level milk yield in an unperturbed state, mimicking its potential yield.

A novel system for on-farm fertility monitoring based on milk progesterone.

Timely identification of a cow's reproduction status is essential to minimize fertility-related losses on dairy farms. This includes optimal estrus detection, pregnancy diagnosis, and the timely recognition of early embryonic death and ovarian problems. On-farm milk progesterone (P4) analysis can indicate all of these fertility events simultaneously.

Mathematical characterization of the milk progesterone profile as a leg up to individualized monitoring of reproduction status in dairy cows.

Reproductive performance is an important factor affecting the profitability of dairy farms. Optimal fertility results are often confined by the time-consuming nature of classical heat detection, the fact that high-producing dairy cows show estrous symptoms shorter and less clearly, and the occurrence of ovarian problems. Today's commercially available solutions for automatic estrus detection include monitoring of activity, temperature and progesterone.

Effect of ultrasonic homogenization on the Vis/NIR bulk optical properties of milk.

The size of colloidal particles in food products has a considerable impact on the product's physicochemical, functional and sensory characteristics. Measurement techniques to monitor the size of suspended particles could, therefore, help to further reduce the variability in production processes and promote the development of new food products with improved properties. Visible and near-infrared (Vis/NIR) spectroscopy is already widely used to measure the composition of agricultural and food products.