Milk Composition Insight At Every Milking – Coming Soon To DeLaval VMS V300

Turn every milking into a milk‑solids check – no sampling, no consumables. DeLaval has expanded its BioSensors portfolio with Milk Solids Analysis, a new biosensor for the DeLaval VMS V300. Using near‑infrared spectroscopy, the system automatically measures fat, protein, and lactose during milking with high accuracy and without the need for manual sampling or consumables such as chemicals or test reagents.

The product will be launched in the Northern Hemisphere’s autumn — a period when feeding transitions, such as changes in forage or rations, can make milk solids more difficult to manage. However, feeding‑related challenges affect milk composition throughout the year, with different factors influencing results in each season. Ongoing insight therefore remains important well beyond any single period.

How the DeLaval BioSensors Milk Solids Analysis supports feeding, herd health and milk quality
Using near-infrared spectroscopy, the sensor directly measures the major milk solids at every milking without requiring manual sampling or consumables. Mounted directly on the milk pipe of the DeLaval VMS V300, the BioSensor operates continuously, is cleaned automatically, and provides daily data. This data is analyzed and then presented as clear daily and weekly averages on DeLaval Plus, DeLaval’s digital farm‑management portal. This allows farmers to track performance over time, detect deviations at cow, group and herd level early, and respond quickly to changes in feeding or health status.

Milk composition plays a central role in herd performance, reflecting how efficiently cows convert feed into milk, how stable rumen function is, and how early health issues may be developing. Continuous monitoring turns these indicators into actionable insights that support better feeding decisions, earlier detection of metabolic imbalance and improved rumen health.

This level of visibility is designed to help farmers:

• Optimise feeding strategies using consistent milk‑composition insights collected at every milking, rather than relying on periodic sampling
• Identify potential indicators of metabolic disorders early, such as subclinical ketosis or acidosis, supported by changes in the fat‑to‑protein ratio
• Monitor rumen stability, detecting digestive imbalances earlier than with monthly milk recordings
• Improve milk quality, supporting milk payments based on component values

Together, these insights enable more proactive herd management, helping reduce health‑related losses linked to metabolic disease and supporting the overall efficiency and resilience of the farming system.

Guillaume Bailly, Cluster Solution Specialist for Farm Management Support and Digital Services at DeLaval, says: “With the DeLaval BioSensors Milk Solids Analysis, we are providing farmers with accurate and actionable information that supports more efficient feeding, early detection of metabolic imbalances and improved milk quality. The seamless integration into the VMS V300 means that this technology fits easily into everyday routines, helping dairy farmers make informed decisions that support animal health and long‑term farm profitability.”

Key features

• Direct, high‑precision measurement of fat, protein and lactose
• In‑line analysis at every milking
• Milk‑solids insights presented as clear daily and weekly averages in DeLaval Plus
• No reagents or consumables, helping keep operating costs low
• Fully automated calibration, with no specific maintenance required
• Automatic cleaning, integrated into the VMS workflow

Seamless integration for existing and new VMS V300
Milk Solids Analysis is available both as an optional feature on a new DeLaval VMS V300 and as an upgrade for existing VMS V300 milking robots. Designed as part of the DeLaval BioSensors portfolio, it complements other in‑line sensors and strengthens the role of automated milking as a data‑driven management tool.