Abstract: A mobile and modular device with movable walls for the dynamic weighing of a bovine animal includes an identification module having a support structure, a processing module, a solar panel, an antenna and an identifier; and a weighing module including a base, a pair of side walls, a weighing platform, a pair of load cells and an amplifier and transmission box. The processing module, the identifier, the solar panel and the antenna are associated on the support structure. The weighing platform, the pair of load cells and the amplifier and transmission box are associated on the base in a fixed way. Each one of the pair of side walls contains a fixed portion and a mobile portion; and each one of the lower ends of the fixed portion contains a mechanism, which is associated to the base in a mobile way, through a first distal end and a second distal end.

Abstract: A livestock animal scale platform includes a panel that has a top side, a bottom side, a front edge, a rear edge, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge. A plurality of lateral supports is mounted on the top side and extends from the first lateral edge to the second lateral edge. A plurality of longitudinal supports is mounted on the bottom side and extends from the front edge to the rear edge. A plurality of fasteners extends through the panel and each of the fasteners engages one of the lateral supports and one of the longitudinal supports. A barrier coating is positioned on and covers entirely the top side. The panel is placed upon one or more load cells to measure a weight of an animal standing on the panel.

Abstract: A livestock feeding station includes an entrance raceway, an exit raceway arranged at an angle relative to the entrance raceway, and a feeder located at an intersection between the entrance and exit raceways. A feed dispensing mechanism selectively dispenses an allotted amount of feed into the feeder. A scale assembly having a platform located in the entrance raceway is used to individually weigh animals within the feeding station. The scale assembly includes a hinged scale platform to allow for easy cleaning, and a cantilevered scale platform extension that extends past an end of the entrance raceway and the feeder to provide a weighing platform assembly that continues to hold an entire animal during normal feeding functions. The scale assembly also includes a basket assembly construction to ensure that an accurate weight measurement can be made even if an animal is leaning against a back or front side of the station.

Abstract: In a farrowing pen which includes a pit and over the pit a first floor portion on which the sow can stand and lie and two further floor portions on each side of the first floor portion for receiving piglets of the sow and confining walls for locating the sow on the first floor portion there is provided an apparatus for lifting the sow away from the piglets to prevent crushing. The apparatus includes a base carries above the pit on a cradle and a gas bag lift mechanism carried on the base above the manure and arranged to raise a plate carrying two parallel rails with the first floor portion thereon. An air valve extends through the flooring and is operated by pressure from contact with the sow for actuating the controlling the flow of the air. The rate of lifting is faster than the rate of lowering. A scissors lever arrangement mounted on the base above the pit acts to support and guide the floor on the bag.

Abstract: A swinging gate assembly is provided for use in an electronic livestock feeding station and an automated sorting system. The gate assembly has a generally V-shaped configuration in plan view with first and second side openings defined on each side of the V-shape. A gate panel has a first side edge pivotally connected to the frame for rotation about a substantially vertical first pivot axis at the apex of the V-shape. The gate panel is swingable about the first pivot axis between a first position in which the first side opening is closed by the gate panel and a second position in which the second side opening is closed by the gate panel. A mechanical actuator and locking assembly is provided for moving the gate panel between the first and second positions and locking the gate panel in a selected one of the positions.

Abstract: A highly automated method and system for providing individual animal electronic identification, measurement and value based management of cattle in a large cattle feedlot. Through the use of (1) a computer system integrated with (2) automatic individual animal identification (3) multiple measurement and remeasurement systems with automatic data input and (4) a cattle handling and sorting system, animals are individually (a) identified and (b) measured by weight, external dimensions and characteristics of internal body tissue. With this information together with animal physiological characteristics and historical data, the computer system calculates the optimum (c) slaughter weight, (d) economic end point and (e) marketing date for shipment to a packing plant. After measurement, individual animals are (f) sorted by direction of the computer in response to calculations from the measurements.

Abstract: A highly automated method and system for providing individual animal electronic identification, measurement and value based management of cattle in a large cattle feedlot. Through the use of (1) a computer system integrated with (2) automatic individual animal identification (3) multiple measurement and remeasurement systems with automatic data input and (4) a cattle handling and sorting system, animals are individually (a) identified and (b) measured by weight, external dimensions and characteristics of internal body tissue. With this information together with animal physiological characteristics and historical data, the computer system calculates the optimum (c) slaughter weight, (d) economic end point and (e) marketing date for shipment to a packing plant. After measurement, individual animals are (f) sorted by direction of the computer in response to calculations from the measurements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating animals that are milked in an automated milking system. For the animals involved or groups of such animals, there is stored a predetermined desired weight pattern for such animals or groups of animals, which weight pattern is based on the animal's actual weight pattern which extends over a relatively long period of time including, at least, each animal's last lactation period, into a computer memory. An animal is weighed in a milking compartment where it is simultaneously milked and fed two to four times in each twenty-four hour period. On the basis of the animal's ongoing weights, having in view its earlier established desired weight values, there is determined average actual weight values taking into account the weight variations due to contents of the animal's digestive tract and udder to provide expected variations around the average value.