Design of a low cost mastitis detector in cows by measuring electrical conductivity of milk

Abstract

Mastitis in cows is an inflammation of the mammary gland usually caused by bacterial infection of udder tissues. This disease causes considerable damage to the cattlemen whilst reducing the quantity and the quality of the produced milk. An early detection and corrective action can lead to early cure. Although the universal method to measure mastitis levels is by determining the somatic cell counts per milliliter of milk, the electrical conductivity of milk is a rapid test for checking the acceptability of milk to monitor the effects of udder infection. This work presents the design of a low cost mastitis detector in cows using ac conductivity measurements.