Abstract: A method for tracking the activity of animals confined in a facility including at least one cage, a plurality of antennae arranged underneath the at least one cage, an RFID reader to which the plurality of antennae are connected, a computer capable of controlling transmission and reception by the RFID reader, and an RFID tag to be fitted to an animal confined in the cage, the method including that the following steps are carried out:—the animal is fitted with the tag,—the RFID reader generates the transmission of an electromagnetic wave at the plurality of antennae,—the RFID reader identifies which antenna(e) has/have received the response transmitted by the tag,—the computer analyses over a given period which antennae have received a signal transmitted by the tag, thus determining the consecutive positions of the animal.

Abstract: A pet feeder includes: a housing, a heat conduction member, a temperature adjustment structure and a heat dissipation member that are arranged in the housing, a tray, a cover, and an actuating mechanism. The temperature adjustment structure includes a thermoelectric cooling member and a control module. The thermoelectric cooling member includes a first side connected to the heat conduction member and a second side in contact with the heat dissipation member. The control module is to control the first side of the thermoelectric cooling member to heat or cool. The tray is arranged in the housing and connected to the heat conduction member, and defines two compartments for placing pet food. The cover is arranged on the tray and defines a window in communication with the at least two compartments. The actuating mechanism is arranged in the housing and is to rotate the tray or the cover.

Abstract: In a headlock system having a plurality of n headlock cells, each of the n cells being adapted to enclose at least one animal; n is an integer greater than 1; a system for locating the position of at least one animal, the system comprising: at least one identification means adapted to transmit at least one identification signal associated with said at least one animal; at least one locating means adapted to generate at least one location signal associated with said at least one animal; and, a data processing system in communication with said at least one identification means and said at least one locating means, adapted to analyze said signals, said analyzed signals comprising the position within a predetermined region in said headlock system of each of said at least one animals as a function of time.

Abstract: A feeding system for feeding individual animals of a herd feed, supplements, and combinations thereof. The feeding system includes one-to-many feed bin assemblies or feeding stations such that the system is able to dispense a specified mass of feed to specific animals at user-defined intervals. In this way, each animal of a herd is provided with optimal, individualized amounts of feed or feed material. Multiple feed bin assemblies in a single pasture, for example, can automatically form a network of feeders so that regardless of the specific feed bin assembly or feeding station within the feeding system that an animal visits, the specified amount and type of feed or feed material is delivered. Each feed bin assembly or feeding station can also be equipped to download, archive/store, and/or synthesize data into an individual animal record and/or to transmit data from additional onboard animal sensors such as activity and rumination sensors.

Abstract: A water dispenser including a body and a water outlet mechanism, the body includes a base and a supply pipe inside of the body, multiple mounting grooves set on the side of the base; the water outlet mechanism arranged on the base, including a diversion component including a diversion pipe and a diversion valve installed in a pipeline of the diversion pipe; an end of the diversion pipe is connected to the supply pipes, the other end of the diversion pipe extending into the mounting groove; a linkage component, an inner end of that connected to the valve, an outer end of that extending into the mounting groove; when the outer end of the linkage component suffers an inward force, making the valve move to conduct the water inlet chamber and the diversion chamber; and a resetting component that connects the base and the linkage component.

Abstract: A method for milking a dairy animal with a robot milking device including a teat position determination system and a controller. The method includes allowing the robot milking device, with the help of the teat position determination system, to make one or more connection attempts for connecting at least one milking cup to a teat of the dairy animal, and milking with all connected milking cups where the controller records a number of failed connection attempts. The number of failed connection attempts #MA in a predefined number of milkings, which number of milkings is at least equal to a predefined number #MB, fulfils a predefined criterion, automatically adapting the milking criterion by means of the controller.

Abstract: According to embodiments disclosed herein, there is provided a system for loading, mixing and transporting feed. The system includes a scoop assembly and a mixing tub that are movable overhead a series of storage bays. The scoop assembly may retrieve commodities from the storage bays and load measured quantities of the commodities into the mixing tub.

Abstract: The present utility model discloses a bird feeding monitoring house. The bird feeding monitoring house comprises a main body and a feeding portion arranged under the main body, wherein a liquid storage area in communication with the feeding portion is formed in the main body, the main body is provided with a cavity having a shape adapted to a camera, the camera is detachably arranged in the cavity of the main body in a penetrating manner, and a photographing area of the camera comprises at least a part of the feeding portion. According to the present utility model, the camera is detachably arranged in the cavity of the main body in a penetrating manner.

Abstract: In a headlock system having a plurality of n headlock cells, each of the n cells being adapted to enclose at least one animal; n is an integer greater than 1; a system for locating the position of at least one animal, the system comprising: at least one identification means adapted to transmit at least one identification signal associated with said at least one animal; at least one locating means adapted to generate at least one location signal associated with said at least one animal; and, a data processing system in communication with said at least one identification means and said at least one locating means, adapted to analyze said signals, said analyzed signals comprising the position within a predetermined region in said headlock system of each of said at least one animals as a function of time.

Abstract: An animal ownership management system including an electronic tag configured to be attached to an animal, an accreditation database storing certified ownership data associated with the animal and the current owner, an animal monitoring database in communication with the electronic tag and accreditation database. The animal monitoring database is configured to receive the location of the animal, access the accreditation database and match the location of the animal with a location associated with a property of a new owner stored in the accreditation database, issue an electronic ownership transfer request to the current owner and the new owner, receive a confirmation from the current owner and the new owner, record the new owner as the current owner of the animal in the animal monitoring database, and transmit the electronic ownership transfer request to the accreditation database to record the new owner as the current owner of the animal.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a livestock tracing system and method. The system includes: a feeding module, an adopting and purchasing module, a weighing module, a server, a first commutation module and a second communication module; the feeding module is configured to provide food intake information of livestock and transmit the food intake information to the server via the first communication module; the weighing module is configured to provide weight information of the livestock and transmit the weight information to the server via the second communication module; the adopting and purchasing module is configured to provide vaccine information of the livestock and transmit the vaccine information to the server; and the server is configured to store the food intake information, the weight information and the vaccine information, and obtain corresponding tracing information according to a tracing look-up instruction.

Abstract: An animal tracking system comprising a first LoRa receiver configured as a gateway to receive transmissions on a first set of channels or a second set of channels and forward said transmissions to a first remote server, and a transmitting tag configured to be affixed to an animal. The transmitting tag includes a memory configured to store digital information, a passive RFID receiver configured to detect a close proximity to an RFID transmitter and store detection of the close proximity in comprising in the memory, a processor configured to determine an alarm status according to a frequency of detection of the close proximity, an internal energy source, and a LoRa transmitter configured to transmit signals for a distance greater than 100 meters via energy from the internal energy source.

Abstract: A base of an animal training includes a dispenser that comprises a storage compartment configured to store rewards and to dispense rewards, a base signaling module configured to generate a reward signal, and a base wireless module configured to receive a dispense signal. A first target is detached from the base at a first target location at a first fixed distance from the base. The first target comprises a first target signaling module, a first sensor, and a first target wireless module. A second target is disposed at a second location, wherein the second location is a fixed distance from the base and comprises a second target signaling module, a second sensor, and a second target wireless module. The base further comprises a system configuration module, the system configuration module configured to access and modify configuration information of the dispenser, the first target, and the second target.

Abstract: An apparatus for farming animals, with a trough, a distributing system, an identifying system, a database and a control unit that allows, once an animal has been identified, the time passed ‘t’ since the time T0 corresponding to the last feed of said animal to be measured, a new value of the credit feed weight MC to be computed with the formula MC ? ( t ) = M ? P ? ? T * ( t - T 0 ) + M ? C 0 and a succession of feed portions to be distributed to the trough until the animal is sated or until a zero or negative credit feed weight MC is obtained.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, there are provided methods and systems for real-time beef cattle monitoring utilizing Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) based technologies.

Abstract: A system for remote care of an animal includes a smart bowl that includes an open-faced container for holding a substance, a microprocessor, and a proximity sensor configured to detect the presence of a proximity tag attached to an animal.

Abstract: The sensor circuit (105) is configured for sensing of an electrolyte solution, such as an aqueous solution (1000) in a chamber (150). The sensor circuit comprises a signal generator configured for generating signals in a predefined frequency range above 1 MHz. It further comprises a capacitive sensor comprising a first and a second electrode (101, 102), wherein the electrolyte solution (1000) constitutes a medium of the capacitive sensor, and an output circuit for conditioning a response into a sensor signal. Herein, the capacitive sensor is part of a secondary, floating circuit which is coupled in a contactless manner to a primary circuit comprising the signal generator and the output circuit, and wherein said response is transmitted from the secondary circuit.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for predicting the methane (CH4) emission of a dairy cow, the method including: a) determining the total amount of milk of a dairy cow per one day; b) determining the energy corrected milk value (ECM) of the milk of the dairy cow of the same day); c) determining the percentage amount of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) of the total milk fat of the dairy cow of the same day) and the percentage amount of stearic acid (C18:0) of the total milk fat of the dairy cow of the same day; d) calculating the daily amount of methane emitted by the dairy cow based on the ECM as determined according to b), the percentage amount of SFAs of the total milk fat as determined according to c), and the percentage amount of C18:0 of the total milk fat as determined according to c).

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide for a system. In some examples, the system includes a computing device configured to capture an image depicting dental characteristics of an animal and a server. The server is configured to receive the image from the computing device, determine a plurality of teeth depicted in the image, determine at least one feature associated with at least one of the plurality of teeth, determine an estimate age of the animal based at least partially on the determined plurality of teeth and the at least one feature, and provide the estimated age of the animal.

Abstract: An animal nutrition system and method for effectively monitoring and managing animal nutrition. The animal nutrition system and method generally includes a food container storing a volume of pet food, a package identification chip attached to the food container, a food serving appliance configured to removably receive the food container, and a scale positioned within the food serving appliance to weigh the food container periodically to generate weight data. The food serving appliance includes a chip reader that communicates with the package identification chip to receive food container data from the package identification chip to acquire data related to the food package.

Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer readable medium and apparatus for performing a person re-identification using an overhead view image are disclosed. For example, the method includes receiving a plurality of overhead view images, detecting a target person in one or more of the plurality of overhead view images, creating a probe image of the target person, receiving a selection of the probe image containing the target person, selecting one or more of the plurality of processed images that has a similar distortion profile as a distortion profile of the probe image based on a radial distance of the target person from a center of a respective overhead view image of the plurality overhead view images used to generate the probe image and performing the person-re-identification of the target person using the one or more of the plurality of processed images that are selected.

Abstract: Animal feed formed with a base of palm fronds and combined with palm fruit, such as dates, is a sustainable and affordable feed product that can be developed in hot climates. Palm fronds with a desired moisture content are shredded, chopped, and/or ground, and mixed with palm fruit. Additives such as urea can increase the nutritional content. Feeds with palm fronds, palm fruit, and/or additives can serve as a base feed for other components. Palm fronds can also serve as a base feed for other components. Animal feeds with a variety of bases can have palm fruit added. Animal feeds with a variety of bases, including palm fronds, can include a variety of other components added.

Abstract: A system for ascertaining the mass of an animal having attached thereto a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The system comprises a scale for supporting the animal and generating mass information indicative of the mass of the animal when so supported. The system comprises a RFID reader for interrogating the RFID tag which when interrogated generates a RFID tag signal from which the RFID reader can derive animal identification information indicative of the identity of the animal.

Abstract: A scale controller is in communication with a weighing scale for receiving a weight signal, translating the weight signal into a weight for the animal, receiving a wireless identification signal from a transmitter on the animal, translating the wireless identification signal into an animal identification value, associating the weight of the animal with the animal identification value, and transmitting to a data storage unit a data packet containing the weight of the animal and the animal identification value.

Abstract: A mobile education robot for a poultry farm having at least one laying area. The robot is configured to move the robot on the ground, prompt movement of at least two different types in order to push the birds present on the ground towards the at least one laying area, and to control the movement prompting. The robot includes mechanical elements for levelling and aerating the ground.

Abstract: A system and method for agricultural exchange includes: one or more animal tags, each animal tag having an animal identification data and configured to be affixed to a live animal; a searchable database containing a product data for each animal tag, a seller data, and a buyer data; and a server communicably coupled to the searchable database that stores and maintains each product data in the searchable database, and receives: (1) an animal information from one or more remote devices, and stores, indexes and updates the animal data using the animal information, (2) a seller information from one or more remote devices, and stores, indexes and updates the seller data using the seller information, and (3) a buyer information from the one or more remote devices, and stores, indexes and updates the buyer data using the buyer information.

Abstract: A system for automatically opening a lid to a grain bin with controller in communication with an actuator for receiving a signal containing a data packet to activate the actuator. An RFID is combined to an unloading device for transmitting the data packet to the controller when the RFID is positioned proximate to the controller. The controller compares the device id with a stored identification value and upon a match the controller activates the actuator to open the lid of the grain bin.

Abstract: A pet door is provided herein. The pet door includes a pivotal flap and a frame that defines a through-way. A rotatable knob is mounted to the frame and has a handle portion and a stop wall. The handle portion and stop wall include various profiles and configurations that work in concert to control the flap's direction of pivotal movement. In a first configuration, the flap may swing outwardly or inwardly. A second configuration prevents the flap from swinging inwardly. A third configuration prevents the flap from swinging outwardly. A fourth configuration places the flap is in a locked position to prevent swinging in either direction. The electronic door also includes an electronic latch mechanism which selectively latches and unlatches the flap. The latch mechanism unlatches the flap in response to a wireless signal from an electronic transmitter that may be affixed to a pet.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for preparing nutrition, health, and/or wellness recommendations for an animal. The systems and methods involve collecting data from the animal, analyzing the data, and providing the nutrition, health, and/or wellness recommendation based upon the analyzed data.

Abstract: Food supply may be tracked, authenticated, and evaluated by a variety of systems, processes, and techniques. In certain implementations, computer systems at various animal producers in the food supply chain (e.g., ranch and feedlot) may record and generate data regarding an animal (e.g., breed, age, location, hydration regimen, health history, etc.) and report this to a server system, which may process the data in an authenticated manner. Entities further down the chain (e.g., retailers) may access the server system to retrieve information about meat products and use this in sales efforts. Consumers may also retrieve information about meat products so that they may make informed buying decisions. Additionally, feedback may be provided to animal producers regarding the meat, which may encourage them to continue producing quality animals. Data may also be monetized, and a portion reinvested back to the food producer to assist in labor costs associated with system compliance.

Abstract: A method of animal corralling and tracking includes: implanting an electronic device within an animal, the electronic device comprising one or more processors with non-transitory memory; receiving, with the electronic device, a GPS (global positioning satellite) signal defining a current location of the animal; selecting, on a digital map, acceptable GPS coordinate locations forming one or more geographic regions with one or more perimeter boundaries; wirelessly programming the electronic device with the selected acceptable GPS coordinate locations; wherein the electronic device non-transitory memory is programmed to: determine if the current location of the animal is approaching the one or more perimeter boundaries, outside of the one or more perimeter boundaries, within a predetermined distance of the one or more perimeter boundaries, or at the one or more perimeter boundaries; and electronically prodding the animal, using the electronic device, based on the determination.

Abstract: A method for operating a piezoelectric speaker for generating sound waves in the audible wavelength spectrum and/or in the ultrasonic range includes at least partially charging a piezo actuator of the piezoelectric speaker with electrical energy of an energy unit and then at least partially discharging the piezo actuator. The method also includes determining at least one present electrical piezo actuator voltage of the piezo actuator. A future input voltage for the piezo actuator is compared with the present electrical piezo actuator voltage prior to charging and/or discharging, and a future differential voltage is derived therefrom. Furthermore, an embodiment of the method can include returning a part of the energy needed to charge the piezo actuator to the energy unit during discharging.

Abstract: A farm system comprising a plurality of smart tags which are each configured to be worn by an animal, a transmitter and receiver unit for wireless communication with the smart tag, one control unit which is communicatively connected to the transmitter and receiver unit and a farm unit which can be controlled by the control unit. Each smart tag comprises at least one sensor and is configured for wirelessly transmitting information obtained by one of the sensors to the transmitter and receiver unit, wherein the transmitter and receiver unit is configured for supplying the received information to the control unit and wherein the control unit is configured for processing the received information and, at least on the basis of this processed information, controlling at least a farm unit and/or generating a report signal for indicating to a user of the system that an activity is to be carried out.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer code products for monitoring the behavior, health, and/or characteristics of an animal are disclosed herein. In one implementation, the animal is positioned inside a waste container placed on a system that is adapted to determine, record and communicate over a network various animal health parameters. These parameters can be processed to determine trends, statistics and changes of animal physiological functions. The results can be used to access animal health conditions and issue warnings, alarms, messages, and other notifications to designated caretakers. These notifications may be displayed using various devices such as computers and/or mobile devices. Data retrieval and review capability can provide improved understanding of an animal's health conditions and facilitate early illness detection.

Abstract: A feeding analysis system of milk-production livestock includes a plurality of image analysis devices and a central server signally connected to each image analysis device. Each image analysis device is configured to capture a plurality of images of a feeding field, perform a clear processing on the images, identify a plurality of facial images of the plurality of milk-production livestock for feeding action from the cleared images and generate a plurality of capturing signals by capturing the plurality of facial images and a feeding duration corresponding to the facial images, and transmit the capturing signals to the central server. The central server is configured to receive the capturing signals, identify the milk-production livestock identities of the facial images of the corresponding capturing signal and generate a feeding record by integrating the identified milk-production livestock identity and the feeding duration of the capturing signal.

Abstract: A method for distributing feed over multiple separate feeding locations includes determining which feeding locations have a feed requirement; selecting a first feeding location among the feeding locations having a feed requirement; determining a feed composition to be delivered to the first feeding location; determining which further feeding locations have a feed requirement and require the same feed composition; selecting at least one further feeding location; filling the feed delivery device with an amount of the determined feed composition; and distributing the feed, wherein the amount of feed distributed to a selected feeding location depends on the ratio between amount to be delivered to said selected feeding location and the sum of the amounts of feed to be delivered to all selected feeding locations.

Abstract: Animal feeders are disclosed that include a barrier limiting access to feed inside the feeder, doors controlled by an actuator and a control system configured to feed certain species to the exclusion of others by the recognition of those species. Cameras and, in some cases, other detectors are used to detect and identify animals by species. Doors may be configured to be open by default and remain open for the feeding of desired animals with the doors closing to prevent feeding upon the approach of an animal targeted for exclusion.

Abstract: A method for monitoring food intake of livestock animals includes defining a relationship between time an animal spends at a feeding trough and the animals food intake during that time, monitoring the time an animal spends at the feeding trough and determining a quantity of food intake for the animal based on the time spent at the feeding trough and the defined relationship. Optionally, time an animal spends in a feeding position at the feeding trough is monitored and used to determine quantity of food intake.

Abstract: A drinking bucket for feeding livestock a liquid food comprises a holding area configured to hold the liquid food, the holding area further configured to connect to at least one teat. An activity sensor for detecting sucking activity on the at least one teat is connected to an electronic control and configured to evaluate signals from the activity sensor and at least one of a remote data transmission apparatus and a display apparatus connected to the electronic control.

Abstract: A base of an animal training includes a dispenser that comprises a storage compartment configured to store rewards and to dispense rewards, a base signaling module configured to generate a reward signal, and a base wireless module configured to receive a dispense signal. A first target is detached from the base at a first target location at a first fixed distance from the base. The first target comprises a first target signaling module, a first sensor, and a first target wireless module. A second target is disposed at a second location, wherein the second location is a fixed distance from the base and comprises a second target signaling module, a second sensor, and a second target wireless module. The base further comprises a system configuration module, the system configuration module configured to access and modify configuration information of the dispenser, the first target, and the second target.

Abstract: An animal nutrition system and method for effectively monitoring and managing animal nutrition. The animal nutrition system and method generally includes a food container storing a volume of pet food, a package identification chip attached to the food container, a food serving appliance configured to removably receive the food container, and a scale positioned within the food serving appliance to weigh the food container periodically to generate weight data. The food serving appliance includes a chip reader that communicates with the package identification chip to receive food container data from the package identification chip to acquire data related to the food package.

Abstract: A method for distributing feed over multiple separate feeding locations includes determining which feeding locations have a feed requirement; determining a priority for the feeding locations having a feed requirement, wherein a first feeding location has the highest priority; determining a feed composition and a first amount to be delivered to the first feeding location; determining a maximum filling amount of a feed delivery device; determining a remaining filling amount by subtracting the first amount from the maximum filling amount; determining which feeding locations have a feed requirement and require the same feed composition; apportioning at least a part of the remaining filling amount over one or more of the determined feeding locations; and filling the feed delivery device.

Abstract: A highly automated system to identify, measure, manage and control individual animals in grazing environments to monitor, analyze, model, predict, promote, optimize, and mitigate a variety of conditions and interactions relating to the grazing environment and an animal's health, welfare, performance, productivity, efficiency, quality, economic and genetic value. The system having a transmitters that identify individual animals. A weighing device that weighs the animal while the animal consumes substances and a dispensing device that controls substance provision to individual animals. A computer considers a number of factors in generating control signals sent to the system to dispense a prescribed amount of mineral, vitamin, medicinal or supplement compound to an individual animal. The system models, predicts and estimates a number of conditions related to the animal and its grazing environment that improve animal welfare, increases production, and preserves and conserves resources.

Abstract: The invention relates to a detection tag for the detection of the reproductive status of animals. The detection tag includes two signal transmitters, one of which is activated when the animal is mounted by another animal and the other of which is always on. It can therefore be determined whether the tag is activated or missing. A detection tag in one embodiment comprises a first surface affixable to the hide of an animal, a second and opposite surface including abradable material, first and second electronic signal transmission means configured to transmit first and second electronic signals having detectably different characteristics, the detection tag being configured such that removal of some or all of the abradable material alters the ability of the detection tag to transmit the first signal or alters a characteristic of the first signal.

Abstract: The invention regards an animal monitoring system for determining feed consumption of one or more animals feeding at a feeding area, comprising an imaging unit for range imaging the feeding area, identification means configured to uniquely identify each feeding animal, and processing means configured for assessing the amount of feed consumed by each identified animal by determining the reduction of feed in subsequent images of the feeding area in front of each identified animal.

Abstract: A system, a feeding device, and a method enable a terminal device of a pet owner to directly and/or indirectly communicate with the feeding device. The feeding device can monitor and/or feed the pet. For example, components of the feeding device, along with a sensor worn by the pet and in communication with the feeding device, can monitor the pet. A cloud database may compile and may perform an analysis of health and wellness information and food consumption data sent from the feeding device and may communicate with the terminal device of the pet owner bidirectionally. The analysis can use data from a consumer-club of pets to provide best service. The feeding device can also communicate with the terminal device of the pet owner bidirectionally, either directly using one or more wireless connections or indirectly using the cloud database.

Abstract: Provided is a system for observing and analyzing an animal behavior by utilizing a balance. The animal behavior observation system includes an animal container where an animal move around, a weight measuring apparatus that has a weight detecting unit for obtaining measurement data of the animal on the animal container, an analyzing device enabling calculation of a measurement value in accordance with the measurement data, a recording device that constantly stores the measurement value; and an output device that outputs the measurement value along a time axis.

Abstract: A system that includes a three-dimensional (3D) camera configured to capture a 3D image of a rearview of a dairy livestock in a stall and a processor. The processor is configured to obtain the 3D image, identify one or more regions within the 3D image comprising depth values greater than a depth value threshold, and s to identify a thigh gap region from the one or more regions. The processor is further configured to demarcate an access region within the thigh gap region and demarcate a tail detection region. The processor is further configured to identify one or more tail candidates within the tail detection region, to identify a tail candidate that corresponds with a tail model as the tail, and to determine position information for the tail.

Abstract: A method for distributing feed over multiple separate feeding locations includes determining which feeding locations have a feed requirement; selecting a first feeding location among the feeding locations having a feed requirement; determining a feed composition to be delivered to the first feeding location; determining which further feeding locations have a feed requirement and require the same feed composition; determining a maximum filling amount of the feed delivery device; selecting at least one further feeding location until the required amount of feed exceeds the maximum filling amount with a surplus amount of feed; filling the feed delivery device with the maximum filling amount; and distributing the feed in the feed delivery device. Each selected feeding location receives the respective required amount except the feeding location requiring the most which receives the respective required amount minus the surplus amount.

Abstract: A system for automatically determining pregnancy toxaemia in at least one animal in a group of animals comprises a sensor for obtaining at least one value representative of a liquid or water uptake of the at least one animal, said sensor being adapted to be positioned in the vicinity of a liquid or water supply station or on the at least one animal; and a processing unit configured for comparing the obtained at least one value representative of a liquid or water uptake of the at least one animal to a mean value representative of an average of the at least one value for the group of animals or to a value deduced therefrom; and for generating a signal and/or alert when the obtained at least one value representative of a liquid or water uptake exceeds the mean value or the value deduced therefrom by a pre-determined threshold value.