Method of herd management

• US 20030140865A1
• Filed: 01/30/2002
• Published: 07/31/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James Fuqua
• Original Assignee: James Fuqua
• Inventors: Fuqua, James
• Granted Patent: US 7,278,373 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 119/174
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 11/004 with electronic identification means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 11/006 Automatic identification systems for animals, e.g. electronic devices, transponders for animals identification systems for access to feeding pens A01K1/0209; ear tags with electronic identification means A01K11/004
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 29/00 Other apparatus for animal husbandry

Abstract

A method and system to generate the highest level of return on investment of a cattle ranch producing beef to the consumer. Through the use of computer software integrated with an individual cow and calf identification system, the method and system disclosed herein allows a cattle producer to analyze the yearly production characteristics of each individual cow'"'"'s calf or calves through all the various phases of growth and production with an accumulation of the economic cost and gain of value up to the end product as a feeder or cull.

The total value of the carcass at the end of production, expressed as a sum of the costs associated with producing each animal minus the market value of the animal, allows the animal'"'"'s economic value to be expressed by one figure which can then be used to judge the cow'"'"'s ability to produce animals that meet all predetermined economically important genetic traits. This system and method of cow herd management provides a continuing improvement in the efficiency of the ranching operation and a better product for the consumers.

Claims

1. A method of managing a cow herd for optimal production comprising:

identifying a calf in a cow herd;

collecting data on the calf produced from the cow herd;

targeting a base market; and

,

selecting the calf as a feeder or a cull based on the collected data.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the identification of a cow herd comprises at least one of visual identification or electronic identification.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the collection of data includes at least one of ear tag number weight, location, service year, vaccination type, vaccination lot number, vaccination date, weaning weight, weaning date and percentage of cow'"'"'s body weight.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the collection of data on a feeder calf includes at least one of shipping weight, shipping date, gain at stocker and feedlot location.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the collection of data on a feeder calf in the carcass phase of production includes at least one of days on feed, feed in weight, feed out weight, hot carcass weight, average daily weight gain, dressing percentage, ribeye area, back fat, kidney/pelvic/heart fat, yield grade and marbling score.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the targeting of the base market includes a statistical numerical analysis of the collected calf data and a determination of the economic costs and gains associated with the production of the calf.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the targeting of the base market includes a predetermined yield grade.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the targeting of the base market includes a predetermined quality grade.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the targeting of a base market includes at least one of a predetermined shipping weight, days on feed, feed in weight, feed out weight, hot carcass weight, average daily weight gain, dressing percentage, ribeye area, back fat, kidney/pelvic/heart fat, and marbling score.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the targeting of a base market includes the genetic lineage of the calf.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the selection of a calf as a feeder or a cull is based on at least one of a predetermined shipping weight, days on feed, feed in weight, feed out weight, hot carcass weight, average daily weight gain, dressing percentage, ribeye area, back fat, kidney/pelvic/heart fat, and marbling score.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the selection of a calf as a feeder or a cull is based upon the genetic lineage of the calf.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the selection of a calf as a feeder or a cull includes a statistical numerical analysis of the collected calf data and a determination of the economic costs and gains associated with the production of the calf.

14. A system for managing a cow herd for optimal production comprising:

means for identifying a calf in a cow herd;

means for collecting data on the calf produced from the cow herd;

means for targeting a base market; and

,

means for selecting the calf as a feeder or a cull based on the collected data.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the means for identifying a cow herd comprises at least one of visual identification or electronic identification.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein the means for collecting data include at least one of visual observation and wireless electronic monitoring of calf physical data.

17. The system of claim 14 wherein the means for targeting a base market includes a statistical numerical analysis of the collected calf data and a determination of the economic costs and gains associated with the production of the calf.

18. The system of claim 14 wherein the means for targeting a base market includes a predetermined yield grade.

20. The system of claim 14 wherein the means for targeting a base market includes a predetermined quality grade.

21. The system of claim 14 wherein the means for targeting a base market includes at least one of a predetermined shipping weight, days on feed, feed in weight, feed out weight, hot carcass weight, average daily weight gain, dressing percentage, ribeye area, back fat, kidney/pelvic/heart fat, and marbling score.

22. The system of claim 14 wherein the means for targeting a base market includes the genetic lineage of the calf.

23. The system of claim 14 wherein the means for selecting a calf as a feeder or a cull includes a statistical numerical analysis of the collected calf data and a determination of the economic costs and gains associated with the production of the calf.

24. The system of claim 14 wherein the means for selecting a calf as a feeder or a cull includes at least one of a predetermined shipping weight, days on feed, feed in weight, feed out weight, hot carcass weight, average daily weight gain, dressing percentage, ribeye area, back fat, kidney/pelvic/heart fat, and marbling score.

25. The system of claim 14 wherein the means for selecting a calf as a feeder includes the genetic lineage of the calf.

26. A method of tracking a meat product from creation to conception comprising:

selecting a breeding pair;

birthing a calf;

identifying the calf;

developing the calf as a feeder in a feedlot;

grading the calf at the feedlot;

slaughtering and processing the calf;

creating a meat product; and

,

consuming the meat product.

27. The method of claim 26 further comprising:

collecting the physical data of the calf during the production phase.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein the data collected during the production phase is matched the identified calf.