Abstract: A livestock feed system adapted to be modular and readily scalable from one bin assembly to multiple bin assemblies that can be communicatively networked together. The system includes a stainless steel feed bin with an opening on a first surface of the one or more sidewalls for receiving an animal head. The feed bin further includes an access door on a second surface of the one or more sidewalls that is pivotally, slidably, or removably coupled to adjacent portions of the one or more sidewalls to allow easy cleaning of the bin. The system includes a portable support frame supporting the feed bin, and a controller mounted on the support frame. The controller includes a self-contained computer with a processor executing code (programs or software) to provide an animal monitoring and management module that causes the controller to determine intake by an animal accessing the feed bin through the opening.

Abstract: A method for managing health of ruminants or other animals. The method includes providing a feed dispenser for feeding ruminants nutrient supplements, and the feed dispenser includes a gas analyzer where a ruminant places its head. The method includes determining a particular ruminant has accessed the feed dispenser such as by reading an identifier from an RFID ear tag and operating the feed dispenser to provide a ration of methane-controlling nutrient supplement. The method may include using the identifier to determine that the animal should be vaccinated such as based on their age and no record of prior vaccination. The method includes dispensing a dose of a nasal vaccine into the feed dispenser near the animal's nostrils. The method may include discharging a diagnostic agent such as propane or carbon monoxide and processing data collected to diagnose the animal as having a disease or condition such as a lung-related sickness.

Abstract: A method for managing health of ruminants or other animals. The method includes providing a feed dispenser for feeding ruminants nutrient supplements, and the feed dispenser includes a gas analyzer where a ruminant places its head. The method includes determining a particular ruminant has accessed the feed dispenser such as by reading an identifier from an RFID ear tag and operating the feed dispenser to provide a ration of methane-controlling nutrient supplement. The method may include using the identifier to determine that the animal should be vaccinated such as based on their age and no record of prior vaccination. The method includes dispensing a dose of a nasal vaccine into the feed dispenser near the animal's nostrils. The method may include discharging a diagnostic agent such as propane or carbon monoxide and processing data collected to diagnose the animal as having a disease or condition such as a lung-related sickness.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing methane emissions by ruminants. The method includes providing a feed dispenser for feeding ruminants nutrient supplements, and the feed dispenser includes a gas analyzer where a ruminant places its head. The method includes determining a particular ruminant has accessed the feed dispenser such as by reading an identifier from an RFID ear tag and operating the feed dispenser to provide a ration of methane-controlling nutrient supplement. The method includes using the gas analyzer to determine levels of carbon dioxide and methane and operating a data analyzing station to determine a ratio of methane to carbon dioxide and modify the type or amount of nutrient supplement for the ruminant for a next feeding to control methane production or achieve an animal production goal, such as by operating a hopper with supplement compartments. The unit can be monitored remotely and controlled through an Internet connection.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing methane emissions by ruminants. The method includes providing a feed dispenser for feeding ruminants nutrient supplements, and the feed dispenser includes a gas analyzer where a ruminant places its head. The method includes determining a particular ruminant has accessed the feed dispenser such as by reading an identifier from an RFID ear tag and operating the feed dispenser to provide a ration of methane-controlling nutrient supplement. The method includes using the gas analyzer to determine levels of carbon dioxide and methane and operating a data analyzing station to determine a ratio of methane to carbon dioxide and modify the type or amount of nutrient supplement for the ruminant for a next feeding to control methane production or achieve an animal production goal, such as by operating a hopper with supplement compartments. The unit can be monitored remotely and controlled through an Internet connection.

Abstract: A method, and systems implementing such method, for reducing methane emissions by ruminants. The method includes providing a feed dispenser for feeding ruminants one or more nutrient supplements, and the feed dispenser includes a gas analyzer proximate to where the ruminant places its head. The method includes determining a particular ruminant has accessed the feed dispenser such as by reading an identifier from an RFID ear tag and operating the feed dispenser to provide a ration of methane-controlling nutrient supplement. The method includes using the gas analyzer to determine levels of carbon dioxide and methane and operating a data analyzing station to determine a ratio of methane to carbon dioxide and modify the type or amount of nutrient supplement for the ruminant for a next feeding to control methane production or achieve an animal production goal, such as by selectively operating a hopper with two or more supplements compartments.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a binder to the spine of a cover with rivets. A pair of rivet supports holding two rivets in a support position over a pair of anvils is movable between release and support positions with a biasing spring returning the rivet support to the release position. A drive shaft moves the pair of rivets in a downward vertical direction terminating in a downward stroke so as to drive the plain ends of the rivets through the cover spine and the binder. Drive linkage connected to a horizontal rotatable drive bar activated by a lever activates the drive shafts to a limited lowered position and a raised position. The anvils receive the plain ends of the rivets and make the plain ends of the rivets into second heads upon termination of the downward stroke of the drive shafts whereby the rivets secure the binder and the cover spine. Keepers prevent lateral and transverse movement of the binder and and cover.

Abstract: A molded plastic one-piece loose-leaf ring binder for use in binding loose perforated sheets, book pages and the like. A plastic elongated base strip is ridgidified by ribs extending longitudinally thereof, and has paired integral flexible lugs spaced longitudinally on opposite longitudinal sides of the base strip and extending laterally therefrom. The individual lugs each have an integral arm curved along a length of the arm extending laterally away from the corresponding lug and side of the base strip and each curves in a direction back toward the strip. The curved arms have a cross-section thickness greater than the thickness of the corresponding lug so that their curvature is maintained. The curved arms are paired on opposite sides of the strip and are sufficiently rigid as ring-forming elements insertable into holes of perforated sheets and free ends thereof of a pair locked together to define binder rings.