Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for calculating the body condition score—BCS, the weight of an animal and its state of fertility by means of the mathematical processing of some characteristic morphological traits of the observed subject, which makes use of at least one contact or no-contact detection device of the profile 109 of the animal, at least a data processing unit and a program that implements a specific mathematical method of interpretation. By such a method, the determination of the body condition and its synthetic index or fattening index or FI, is independent of species, race, gender, age and absolute size of the examined animal. This method is also robust to possible errors of positioning of the apparatus by an operator.

Abstract: A feeding stall for an animal that allows a gestating sow or other animal to enter the stall for feeding, in which movement of the sow triggers automatic closure of a gate assembly, without manual intervention from the farmer. This protects the sow from other sows when it is feeding. When the sow has finished feeding, it can readily exit the stall, opening the entrance gate without manual intervention. Opening and closing of the gate is actuated when the sow urges the gate assembly open or closed. The sow need provide only an initial impulse against the gate, with the remainder of the rotation being provided by a biasing member which urges the gate into the fully open or closed position after being tilted past a neutral position.

Abstract: A method of controlling a cooling element in order to decrease the thermal load on animals includes the step: —to start the cooling element when the air temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold value and/or a parameter, dependent on the relative humidity of air, exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: The invention provides a blank of a sheet material suitable for being arranged in an area in which an individual practises an undesired behaviour. The blank has a layered structure with an electrically isolating first layer and an electrically conductive second layer which can carry an electrical charge. Upon contact with an outer surface of the second layer, the individual experience an electric shock.

Abstract: An identifying apparatus which can identify objects having electronic identification devices (EIDs). The identifying apparatus includes multiple EID readers positioned in a spaced apart relationship to define multiple pathways so that EIDs carried by the objects can pass in a single file through any one of the multiple pathways. Each EID reader is adapted to read any EID as the objects pass through any one of the pathways. Each EID carried by an object is recorded only once irrespective of the number of times an EID reader reads an EID.

Abstract: An assembly of a gate for use in animal traffic, and an animal recognition device that is provided with a reading device disposed on the gate and an identification device worn by an animal, the gate comprising two swing doors, that are each pivotable about their own almost vertical axis. The lower side of one of the swing doors is situated at a higher level than the lower side of the other swing door.

Abstract: An apparatus for displacing objects. The apparatus comprises a displaceable support and a holding device for holding objects that is fastened to the support (1). The holding device is detachably fastened to the support (1). An assembly of such an apparatus and a stable with a lying area and a walking area for calves and with a treatment place for calves. The holding device is a gripper or a container for holding a calf.

Abstract: A livestock treatment carousel includes a rotatable platform and a plurality of fences. The rotatable platform has a substantially vertical axis of rotation. The fences define at least one stall for receiving livestock. Each of the fences has an inner end disposed toward the axis of rotation and an outer end opposite the inner end. The rotatable platform extends substantially beyond the stall, either inwardly or outwardly from the stall, or both inwardly and outwardly, for providing one or more walking areas on the platform for one or more attendants treating the livestock. The carousel may incorporate a movable gate at each of the fences. The movable gate closes to contain the livestock in the stall and opens to release the livestock from the stall.

Abstract: Cows are milked at a facility including a robotic milker, a pen, a first passage leading from the pen to the milker, and a second passage leading from the milker to the pen. Each passage includes a one-way gate. Each gate includes a barrier that turns about a horizontal axis from a quiescent position in only a first direction in response to the cows pushing against the barrier and turns in the opposite direction about the axis to the quiescent position after each cow has passed through the barrier. The barrier includes plural tines that turn independently of each other about the axis in both directions. In normal operation, the quiescent position of the tines is vertical. For training, the quiescent position of the tines is displaced from the vertical so the tines are above the heads of the animals but below their backs.

Abstract: A temporary electrified fence enclosure system utilizing movable storable fence posts and flexible electrified ribbons that are retractably reeled within the fence post. Each fence post comprises an internal power source. Each electrified ribbon is coupled mechanically to other fence posts to create the enclosure. The system is preferably stored or removably attached to a trailer, such as a horse trailer, and is quickly and easily set-up.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an apparatus for registering weight and/or water content of fit and sick individuals, where the apparatus includes a weighing cell including at least two electric conducting plates on which is applied a voltage from a power supply, and that the at least two electric conducting plates are disposed with mutually opposite faces and with adjustable spacing, so that an individual or a well-defined part of the individual may be placed between the at least two electric conducting plates. and a measuring unit including means for registering the change in capacity between the at least two electric conducting plates and means for converting the capacity change into a numerical number which is correlated with the weight and/or the water content of the individual.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring an animal includes a light source and an optical source. The light source, which is preferably an array of monochromatic light emitting diodes, at least partially backlights one or more of the animal's legs. The optical sensor or device, which is preferably a single dimension camera or charged-coupled device, opposes the light source and obtains an image that includes silhouettes of one or more legs of the animal. A processor, such as a computer with software and data storage, determines measurements, such as the approximate skeletal trunk length of the animal, from the silhouetted legs in the image. One or more first ultrasound transducers can be arranged to determine an approximate height of the pelvic region, and one or more second ultrasound transducers can be arranged to determine an approximate width of the pelvic region.

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: A milking system including apparatus and a method for facilitating the milking of a large number of animals in a milking parlor. Milking stalls in the parlor are arranged to provide a one way-path of travel through the parlor with a controlled entry and exit to facilitate pre- and post-milking treatment of the animals. The milking stalls are separated by an operator's pit. A platform or person mover disposed in the pit carries an operator from one milking stall to another wherein the proximity of a working side of the platform to the stalls allows the operator to have direct access to an animal without leaving the platform. Movement of the platform to a given stall is controlled by a controller acting responsive to sensors that indicate the occurrence of an event at the given stall requiring the operator's attention.

Abstract: The apparatus is a remote controlled gate assembly. The rotation is accomplished by rotating a plate with an attached yoke to capture the lower rail of the gate. The yoke arrangement permits the gate to be manually operated by lifting it out of the yoke. The plate is itself rotated by a drive shaft passing through a hole in a device attached to the end of the gate. Multiple gates can be driven by a single cable, which moves around pulleys atop the drive shafts. The gate or the drive cable is driven by a remote controlled reversible motor, permitting the operator to open or close the gates without actual contact.

Abstract: A livestock sorting system that uses an activity-based controller for receiving sort signals, opening a sort gate in response to each of said signals, and closing the sort gate only when no sort signals are pending.

Abstract: The cow training device has a bracket attached to the front cross-stanchion of the cow stall, over the neck of the cow. The bracket holds a rear pivotable arm, which has an outer free end adapted to be located spacedly over and proximate the cow's back. The bracket also holds a short selectively powered frontward rotatable whip, linked to a switch which is activated only if the rear arm is upwardly pivoted. If the cow is located at the front portion of its stall and it wants to evacuate, it will arch its back, which will come into upward abutment with the arm outer free end and upwardly pivot the arm. The switch will then be activated, and power will be supplied to the whip which will rotate to sting the cow's neck. To escape this treatment, the cow will normally back up in its stall reactively to position its hind portion over the rear stall gutter. Its arched back will then not abut on the arm outer free end, and the whip will stop rotating, thus relieving the cow of this whipping treatment.

Abstract: An apparatus for managing animals, having a stall, such as a milking stall with an automatic milking machine. The stall comprises an entrance and an exit and is provided for housing one single animal. One or more enticing devices are provided to entice the animal to approach or to leave the stall.

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.