Abstract: The present invention relates to a livestock management system. The system includes a stockyard. A suspended herder is provided for herding livestock in the stockyard. Advantageously, the herder facilitates the removal of people from within confined spaces where animals are present within the stockyards, whilst still enabling controlled stock movements to be safely, calmly, and efficiently performed.

Abstract: A method of ground anchoring a plurality of posts (11), especially to erect a fence or barrier. The method includes anchoring a first plurality of posts (11) into the ground, preferably simultaneously, using a plurality of post anchoring stations (50) located on at least one movable platform (10) that can be moved along a path, and then anchoring a second plurality of posts (11), again preferably simultaneously, into the ground using the plurality of post anchoring stations (50). In preferred forms there are a plurality of movable platforms which may be mechanically and/or wireless linked.

Abstract: A method of extending the corrosion resistance of a ground anchoring region of a steel or alloy fence or trellis post already having a sacrificial coating or non-sacrificial coating along an entire length of the fence or trellis post, said method including the step of applying at least one additional coating to the ground anchoring region so as to extend the corrosion resistance of the ground anchoring region. The at least one additional coating can be a sacrificial coating and/or non-sacrificial coating.

Abstract: A sprout, fodder or forage production unit (10a) comprising: a tray positioning system comprising a plurality of trays (2a) movable between (1) a substantially vertical stacked configuration whereby the trays (2a) extend in spaced substantially horizontal parallel planes above one another, and (2) a substantially horizontal table configuration whereby the trays (2a) are positioned next to one another on substantially a same horizontal plane. The production unit (10a) further comprises an irrigation system; a lighting system; a heating system; a ventilation system; a control system; a weighing system; and a material dispensing system.

Abstract: This invention relates to a latch (preferably a slam latch) and to methods of operating a door/gate/panel using the latch. The latch comprises: (i) a mounting body; (ii) a latch bolt mounted relative to the mounting body for movement between a locking position and an unlocking position, said latch bolt having a keeper-engaging region extending from the mounting body and terminating at a keeper-engaging end; and (iii) a keeper having at least a first wall and a second wall which are spaced to define an opening for receiving the keeper-engaging region, wherein the first and second walls are adapted to engage the keeper-engaging region of the latch bolt when the latch bolt is in the locking position.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention concerns a metallic bar or post (15) comprising a longitudinal axis; a spine (16) extending along the longitudinal axis; and at least three interconnected arms (17-19), each of which extends along the spine (16) and generally radially from the spine (16), with a free end (20-22) of each said arm (17-19) being tapered in the direction of the free end (20-22) to the spine (16). Other aspects of the invention concern a roll stand and rolling mill for forming the bar or post (15).

Abstract: This invention relates to a latch (preferably a slam latch) and to methods of operating a door/gate/panel using the latch. The latch comprises: (i) a mounting body; (ii) a latch bolt mounted relative to the mounting body for movement between a locking position and an unlocking position, said latch bolt having a keeper-engaging region extending from the mounting body and terminating at a keeper-engaging end; and (iii) a keeper having at least a first wall and a second wall which are spaced to define an opening for receiving the keeper-engaging region, wherein the first and second walls are adapted to engage the keeper-engaging region of the latch bolt when the latch bolt is in the locking position.

Abstract: This invention relates to a latch (preferably a slam latch) and to methods of operating a door/gate/panel using the latch. The latch comprises: (i) a mounting body; (ii) a latch bolt mounted relative to the mounting body for movement between a locking position and an unlocking position, said latch bolt having a keeper-engaging region extending from the mounting body and terminating at a keeper-engaging end; and (iii) a keeper having at least a first wall and a second wall which are spaced to define an opening for receiving the keeper-engaging region, wherein the first and second walls are adapted to engage the keeper-engaging region of the latch bolt when the latch bolt is in the locking position.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a furcated composite post (1) comprising at least two strips (7, 8) that are joined together along their length in a furcated manner. The method comprises the steps of feeding one or more of the strips (7, 8) at a set rate to working rolls of a roll mill for profile rolling to a desired cross section/profile, feeding the strips (7, 8) at the same set rate to positioning rolls for holding the strips (7, 8) in a correct orientation for joining, and joining the strips together, preferably by welding the strips (7, 8) along their length.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention concerns a metallic bar or post (15) comprising a longitudinal axis; a spine (16) extending along the longitudinal axis; and at least three interconnected arms (17-19), each of which extends along the spine (16) and generally radially from the spine (16), with a free end (20-22) of each said arm (17-19) being tapered in the direction of the free end (20-22) to the spine (16). Other aspects of the invention concern a roll stand and rolling mill for forming the bar or post (15).

Abstract: A fence post assembly (120) comprising a fence post (121) and at least one keeper (122) for holding a fencing wire (2) relative to the post (121). The keeper (122) is movable between a holding position in which the wire (2) is held relative to the post (121) and a release position in which the wire (2) may be released from the post (121). The keeper (121) comprises a slot (123) extending within the post (121) for receiving the wire (2) and a retainer (124) connected to the post (121) that is pivotable between the holding and release positions, wherein in the holding position the retainer (124) obstructs the slot (123).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a furcated composite post (1) comprising at least two strips (7, 8) that are joined together along their length in a furcated manner. The method comprises the steps of feeding one or more of the strips (7, 8) at a set rate to working rolls of a roll mill for profile rolling to a desired cross section/profile, feeding the strips (7, 8) at the same set rate to positioning rolls for holding the strips (7, 8) in a correct orientation for joining, and joining the strips together, preferably by welding the strips (7, 8) along their length.

Abstract: A fence post assembly (120) comprising a fence post (121) and at least one keeper (122) for holding a fencing wire (2) relative to the post (121). The keeper (122) is movable between a holding position in which the wire (2) is held relative to the post (121) and a release position in which the wire (2) may be released from the post (121). The keeper (121) comprises a slot (123) extending within the post (121) for receiving the wire (2) and a retainer (124) connected to the post (121) that is pivotable between the holding and release positions, wherein in the holding position the retainer (124) obstructs the slot (123).