Abstract: A system to be employed in a automated method and apparatus for milking animals such as cows wherein the milking apparatus is computer controlled to apply and remove teat cups from the teats of the animals being milked. The apparatus includes an animal recognition system which is communication with the computer whereby it is determined whether or not an animal that approaches or enters a milking compartment will be milked. This determination depended on the number of animals that have been milked after the latest milking turn of an animal that has reported to a milking compartment to be milked. Unless the number of interim milkings exceeds a predetermined numerical value, that animal would not again be milked. The herd of animals to be milked are divided into groups based on their currently expected milk yields as stored in the computer.

Abstract: A method and system enhances automated management and breeding of animals. The animals are identified by system of radiotelemetric communication of identification data and location. When the animals are ready to be bred, they can be fitted with a heat cycle detection and transmission system for communication of the data in concert with the identification data. The system thus appropriately determines when an animal is ready to be bred so that it can be caught in a catch pen system having system controlled access gates. The animal's natural inclination to go to a bait is exploited so that upon such normal and routine movement to bait, such as water, the access gates can be selectively controlled to direct animals into a plurality of catch pens wherein they are somewhat segregated so that the inventory therein is generally associated by common optimal times for breeding.

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: In a method of automatically feeding and milking animals which are allowed to visit individually a milking parlor provided with a milking robot and a feeding station as well as a separate feeding stall provided with a further feeding station, an animal visiting the milking parlor is identified and the current value of an individual milking parameter for the animal is determined, on the basis of which current value there is decided whether or not the animal will be milked and fed during milking. When visiting the separate feeding stall, an animal is identified and the current value of the individual milking parameter for the animal is determined as well, while, on the basis of said current value there is decided whether or not the animal will be fed. In this manner it is achieved that the animals, while visiting the milking robot sufficiently often, are also enabled to eat enough feed/concentrate.

Abstract: A freestall barn for dairy cattle arranged with a plurality of freestall resting areas with resting stalls, and a feed alley; has a feed drive through for a feed delivery vehicle, with feed alleys of the freestall resting areas adjacent and parallel to the feed drive-through. A cow lane crosses the feed drive through forming an intersection with it. The cow lane connects the freestall resting areas, and permits cows to proceed to and from a milking station. A four-way drive-through gate assembly has four horizontal gates disposed to pivot or swing on vertical axes at respective corners of the intersection. In a first position the gates block the drive-through but permit passage of cows along the cow lane. In a second position the gates block the cow lane but permit the feed delivery vehicle to pass through along the drive-through.

Abstract: An arrangement for managing a herd of freely walking animals. The arrangement comprises an area for receiving the animals, a milking station located in the area, automatic milking equipment and a separation device for separating an animal which should be subjected to any kind of special treatment. The animals leaving the milking station have to enter the receiving area, and the separation device is only accessible from the receiving area.

Abstract: An animal sorting module including a general frame (1) assembly defining a passageway (2) through which an animal can travel, the frame having a single entry point opening (3) at or near a first end (4) and two exit point openings (6) at or near a second end (7) wherein the entry point and at least one of the exit points are defined by a pair of elongate substantially cylindrical rollers (8) which can be moved between a first position occluding the opening and a second position exposing the opening.

Abstract: In a method of automatically milking animals, such as cows, the milk obtained from each udder quarter is discharged through separate milk lines to a collector element. When the milk flow from one or more udder quarters has decreased to less than a threshold value, the vacuum in the teat cup or cups connected to the udder quarter is broken. When mastitis has been detected in an udder quarter and after the milk flow originating therefrom, possibly combined with that from one or more other udder quarters, has decreased to below said threshold value, the udder quarter or quarters involved are automatically stripped, either during a predetermined period of time or for receiving a predetermined quantity of milk, or until the milk flow has decreased to less than a second threshold value which is lower than said first threshold value.

Abstract: The present invention evaluates an animal to determine characteristics or traits thereof. The invention evaluates the animal as it moves through first and second scenes that correspond to different first and second fields of view.

Abstract: A livestock cutter gate apparatus includes an elongated alley having a first end presenting an entrance and a second end presenting a main exit and a sort exit, and a first air-driven gate positioned in the alley between the main exit and the sort exit. The first gate is shiftable between a sorting position in which it blocks the main exit and opens the sort exit, and a non-sorting position in which it blocks the sort exit and opens the main exit. A pair of saloon gates are positioned in the alley at the entrance and are shiftable between a closed position in which they block the entrance from incoming livestock and an open position in which they open the entrance.

Abstract: A device for sorting animals has a first electronic sensor for scanning animals, at least one downstream gate swingable back and forth in accordance with indicators that identify the animals detected by the first sensor to provide alternating access to one of at least two exits, and an entrance upstream of the at least one swingable gate. The entrance opens and closes in response to animal-identification indicators detected by a second sensor.

Abstract: A one way animal gate for easy passage of animals in one direction through the gate and for prevention of passage of the animals in the opposite direction. The one way animal gate includes a pair of doors or a single door hinged to a frame, one or more spring elements for normally urging the doors or door to their closed positions, and a stop for preventing movement of the doors or door beyond a desired position to prevent movement of the animals in an undesired direction. The one way animal gate is placed in an opening in a fence line dividing a pasture, paddock or the like.

Abstract: A portable, collapsible livestock corral utilizes a unique two-axis hinge mechanism at the intersection of each of the corral panels making it particularly suitable for use on uneven and/or rough terrain. A winch mechanism is used to facilitate the positioning of the panel units and when making the invention ready for transportation. Double hinged gate panels allow the invention to be conveniently positioned for the entry and exit of livestock into the corral.

Abstract: A method of bovine herd management based upon a dynamic mathematical model. The method gathers data on milk production on a periodic or routine basis for each cow in the herd. The data includes factors denoting both the quantity and the quality of the milk being produced. A database for each cow is established and continuously updated. A mathematical herd management model is used to establish the database, wherein the gathered data is then modified and used to interpret and determine the actual productivity of each cow in the herd for that test day. Using this data, a manager of the herd can then breed those cows having a capability superior to their associates in the herd. Likewise, the less productive members of the herd can be culled or eliminated from the herd. Another aspect of the invention includes the use of the database to quantitatively assess the effect of change, including changes made in formulas, in environmental conditions and in breeding practices.