Abstract: The disclosed technology includes systems and methods for continuously supplying livestock to a processing plant. The disclosed technology can include an enclosure configured to house livestock. The enclosure can include an enclosure entrance, an enclosure exit, and moveable walls to partition the enclosure into separate pens and automatically direct the livestock from the enclosure entrance toward the enclosure exit. A passageway can be connected to the enclosure exit and include moveable walls to automatically direct the livestock from the enclosure exit toward a processing plant. The moveable walls can be configured to move at a predetermined speed such that the plurality of livestock enter the enclosure as offspring, are reared in the enclosure, and are directed through the enclosure exit into the passageway approximately when the plurality of livestock have reached slaughter weight.

Abstract: A crowding tub apparatus, system and method is described. A crowding tub includes three gates pivotably coupled to a rounded frame, wherein each of the three gates pivot in linked sequence towards an animal exit. A crowding tub includes a first gate coupled to a center post of the frame and rotatable between a first radial side and a second radial side of the frame, the second radial side having an animal exit, wherein the animal exit extends between a door post and a gate post, a second gate rotatably coupled to the second radial side between the gate post and the center post, and a third gate rotatably coupled to the gate post, wherein the three gates are coupled in linked sequence such that rotating the first gate towards the second radial side rotates the second and third gates to obstruct the animal exit.

Abstract: A trap for capturing a plurality of animals is provided. The trap can comprise an enclosure having an opening through which the at least one animal can pass to enter the enclosure. A gate, movable between an open position and a closed position, is positioned therein the at least one opening and can be selectively moved from the open position to the closed position when desired. Methods are also provided for capturing at least one animal by providing a trap with a gate, positioning the gate in an open position, monitoring the trap until at least one animal has entered the trap, and remotely triggering the gate to move from the open position to a closed position.

Abstract: An improved portable wildlife corral apparatus is used for capturing and containing wildlife. The apparatus has a frame; at least one selectively remotely controlled gate; at least one panel assembly; a plurality of lightweight panel members collapsible and foldable against the frame during nonuse, with the panel members being interchangeable with the gates on the panel assembly; and a monitoring system that monitors and alerts a user whenever wildlife enters the corral. When unfolded, the panel members may be easily configured to form one or more corral pens or panel sections by a single person. The apparatus further includes a detachable top cover of panel members that prevents wildlife from escaping from the top of the apparatus.

Abstract: A crowd gate control system includes a holding pen for dairy livestock, wherein the holding pen is adjacent to an entrance to a milking parlor. The system further includes a crowd gate positioned at a side of the holding pen. The crowd gate moves in relation to the entrance to the milking parlor. A controller is initiates a first mode of operation of the crowd gate prior to the crowd gate reaching the entrance to the milking parlor. The first mode of operation is a pre-forward reverse step. The crowd gate moves away from the entrance to the milking parlor prior to initiating movement towards the entrance.

Abstract: A crowd gate control system includes a holding pen for dairy livestock, a crowd gate, and a controller. The holding pen is adjacent to an entrance to a milking parlor. The crowd gate is operable to form a side of the holding pen and move in relation to the entrance to the milking parlor along an axis substantially parallel to two other sides of the holding pen. The controller is operable to store a triggering threshold associated with a counter related to the milking parlor, determine whether the counter has reached the triggering threshold, and initiate a first mode of operation of the crowd gate in response to determining that the counter has reached the triggering threshold.

Abstract: A counterweighted, crowd gate includes parallel overhead tracks extending from end to end of a holding area for cows. A wheeled carriage extends between and rides on the tracks. An electric motor drives the carriage between the entrance and exit of the holding area. A counterweighted gate pivotally attached to the carriage extends perpendicularly to the floor of the holding area. A latch on the carriage holds the gate in essentially a vertical orientation. An operator trips the latch and the counterweight pivots the gate to a substantially horizontal position, so the gate passes over animals in the holding area upon return to the entrance. The gate is pivotally mounted to the carriage by bushings that electrically insulate the gate from the carriage to prevent harm to animals or individuals that come in contact with the gate. A control panel allows operation of the crowd gate from a remote location.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an animal isolator and method for isolating one or more animals from a herd. The animal isolator comprises a meshing enclosure for confining the animals. The meshing enclosure comprises a front wall, a rear wall, and a pair of opposing side walls, a partially closed base partially closing a first end of the open ended enclosure, a vehicle mounting assembly, and a gate. The meshing enclosure is detachably attached to the rear end or the front end of a vehicle using the vehicle mounting assembly and is raised above ground surface. The vehicle is driven through the herd. The meshing enclosure is then lowered over the animals and the animals are captured through the opening of the partially closed base. The captured animals are driven onto the platform and are confined to a region defined by the platform using the gate.

Abstract: A safety bypass gate is provided for use with a livestock management system having a sorting scale arranged between watering and feeding areas. The safety bypass gate changes from a closed position to an open position to provide an emergency exit from the watering area when a condition exists that prevents animals from passing over the sorting scale. The safety bypass gate includes a pair of pivoting gate members and a channel member that fits over the top edges of the gate members to secure them closed. The channel member is attached to a pneumatic actuator that uses air pressure to hold the channel member in its locked position, and a spring return that moves the channel member to its unlocked position upon a drop in air pressure. Springs bias the gate members from their closed positions to their open positions when the channel member moves to its unlocked position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an animal isolator and method for isolating one or more animals from a herd. The animal isolator comprises a meshing enclosure for confining the animals. The meshing enclosure comprises a front wall, a rear wall, and a pair of opposing side walls, a partially closed base partially closing a first end of the open ended enclosure, a vehicle mounting assembly, and a gate. The meshing enclosure is detachably attached to the rear end or the front end of a vehicle using the vehicle mounting assembly and is raised above ground surface. The vehicle is driven through the herd. The meshing enclosure is then lowered over the animals and the animals are captured through the opening of the partially closed base. The captured animals are driven onto the platform and are confined to a region defined by the platform using the gate.

Abstract: A portable retractable controlling barrier for animals includes a biased retractable support assembly and an animal sensitive barrier member releasably mounted to the biased retractable support assembly wherein the animal sensitive barrier member is extendible and retractable. The portable tractable controlling barrier therefore is biased to the retracted position and therefore extends under tension to the desired length and then is biased back towards the retracted position.

Abstract: Device for driving animals in an oblong corridor section using a driving gate which can be moved from one end to the other of the corridor section. A first transport arrangement moves the driving gate in the corridor section in a longitudinal direction of the section, and moves the gate in the opposite direction after it has been brought outside the corridor section. A second transport arrangement pulls the gate sideways out from the corridor section in the plane of the gate through a gap in one side wall of the corridor section.

Abstract: An apparatus for demarcating an area for restricting the freedom of movement of animals that may be in the area for grazing purposes. The demarcation element, as such, may be a cord, band, ribbon, strip, cable, rope or electrified or communication wire which may be two parallel wires separated by a flexible insulating material. The demarcation element is supported by a plurality of vehicles although one or two ends of same may be secured at a reference point. The vehicle is supported by two relatively large wheels which are independently connected to motors and the center of gravity of vehicle is lower than the centers of the wheels which may be perpendicular to the ground or slanted inwardly. The vehicle carries solar panels which may be mounted on the wheels if they are slanted. A connection for the demarcation element is carried on each vehicle which may include a guide member and tightening device.

Abstract: Animals such as pigs which are free to otherwise roam in an alley are confined in the alley against movement past a gate assembly which includes a base with remotely steered and driven ground wheels for transporting the base along the alley floor between the alley sides. A planar barrier extending across the alley is carried by the base along the alley to a location where the animals are to be confined which has side edges shaped and arranged to co-operate with the alley sides and a bottom edge shaped and arranged to co-operate with the alley floor to close the alley against passage of the animals. The barrier can expand transversely to change its size to accommodate different width alleys and may have pivoting panel portions to close off non-vertical areas of the sides of the alley. A clamping arrangement is provided which may be on the barrier itself to engage the alley sides to clamp the gate assembly at the required position.

Abstract: The invention provides an animal confinement pen comprising a front panel, a rear panel comprising a rear gate, a first side panel comprising a fixed front side panel and a movable rear side panel, and a second side panel; means to confine an animal against the first side panel with the animal's head extending through a head gate incorporated in the front panel; means to lock the rear side panel into substantial alignment with the front side panel adjacent the confined animal and to release the rear side panel allowing same to move away from the rear portion of the confined animal; means to move the rear gate away from the rear end of the confined animal; whereby all parts of the pen may be moved away from the rear end and a rear portion of the confined animal thereby allowing access thereto by the pen operator. A two-way gate provides operational advantages similar to those found in prior art pens.

Abstract: A training installation for allowing horses to trot around an enclosed course with side walls. A driving element, which is rotatable around the course, is formed by a number of flexible rod elements, a first end of which is attached to an arm and a second end of which hangs free above the course. A driving device is formed by the rod elements, it being possible for individual rod elements to be simply replaced and a high measure of safety for the horses being obtained as a result of the flexible characteristics of the rod elements. Preferably, the outer surface of each rod element is electrically conductive, such as, by, an aluminium foil being wound around. The rod elements themselves can be formed by a plastic tube.

Abstract: A brisket barrier for milking parlors includes a transverse bar mounted for sliding movement on vertical supports. The bar has a release position at floor level, a retaining position at brisket level, and an index position where it presses rearward against the brisket. The arrangement provides for uniform positioning of cows in standard stalls, regardless of the cows' size. The cows simply step over the lowered bar to exit the stall.

Abstract: A roll-up crowd gate comprises an electrically charged drum that is rotatable in a carriage. Long cables connected to the drum are also electrically charged. A rope translates the carriage in tracks between upstream and downstream locations. Translation of the carriage in the downstream direction when the cables are unrolled from the drum urges a first herd of cows to the downstream location. Carriage stops in the tracks stop carriage translation at the downstream location, but continued operation of the rope when the carriage is against the stop causes the drum to roll up the cables. Reverse operation of the rope translates the carriage above the first herd to the upstream location. A carriage stop at the upstream location stops carriage translation, but continued operation of the rope rotates the drum and unrolls the cables behind a second herd of cows.

Abstract: Two center-pivot irrigation systems utilized for controlled grazing. A preceding and succeeding center-pivot system contain electrified fences for containing herds and controlling the extent of their grazing. The preceding system contains water tanks for the herd and the succeeding system irrigates the pasture. Together the systems eliminate overgrazing and improve the quality of the herd.