Method of managing feed and diet for farm animals

• US 20040226519A1
• Filed: 02/06/2004
• Published: 11/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Digi-Star LLC (Topcon Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Digi-Star LLC (Topcon Corporation)
• Inventors: Doucette, Timothy Paul, Codding, Bernard Natt
• Application Number:
  US10/773,984
• Publication Number:
  US 20040226519A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 119/51.02
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

A farm animal feed management system that can be used to order feed and adjust rations automatically. A local database transmits animal, production, and ration data for analysis by a service provider such as a nutritionist, veterinarian or feed supplier. The service provider can compare this data to other farms, and use such information to adjust rations, order feed or suggest examination by a veterinarian. Alternatively, the local database transmits the data to a first remote database that transmits the data to a service provider. Comparisons between farms and other data analysis can be done at the first remote database.

Claims

1. A method of processing data from farms, the method being implemented on a computer system and comprising the steps of:

(a) inputting information into a local database located on a farm;

(b) electronically transmitting selected data to a remote location;

(c) analyzing at least the selected data; and

(d) electronically transmitting data from the remote location to the local database.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the data that is electronically transmitted from the remote location to a local database may be analyzed data, new information, new data, revised data, or unaltered data.

3. The method of claim 1, where said remote location is a mill, feed supplier, veterinarian, farm corporation, farm cooperative, nutritionist, or a farmer'"'"'s home.

4. The method of claim 1, comprising the additional steps of:

(a) electronically transmitting at least selected data to a second remote database; and

(b) analyzing at least the selected data.

5. The method of claim 4, comprising the additional step of electronically transmitting data to a first remote database.

6. The method of claim 4, comprising the additional step of electronically transmitting data to a local database.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein second remote database is located at a mill, feed supplier, veterinarian, farm corporation, farm cooperative, nutritionist, or a farmer'"'"'s home.

8. A method for processing feed-related data from farms having a local database, the method being implemented on a computer system and comprising the steps of:

(a) assigning an identification number to a local database for recognition by at least one remote database compatible therewith;

(b) storing information on the local database regarding the feeding and production of penned animals at the farm;

(c) electronically accessing at least selected data from the information from the local database to the at least one remote database compatible therewith, wherein the source of the selected data is identified by the identification number;

(d) analyzing the selected data obtained from the local database;

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of electronically transmitting selected data to the local database having the identification number;

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of electronically transmitting selected data to delivery vehicles.

11. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of electronically transmitting selected data to delivery vehicles.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the selected data relates to feed rations, animal production, farm costs, medical information, nutrition, health, market price of animal products, or type of animal.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the remote database is located at a mill, feed supplier, veterinarian, farm corporation, farm cooperative, nutritionist, or a farmer'"'"'s home.

14. The method of claim 8, further including the step of electronically transmitting selected data to at least one second remote database, wherein said second database is located at a mill, feed supplier, veterinarian, farm corporation, farm cooperative, nutritionist, or a farmer'"'"'s home.

15. The method of claim 8, wherein the steps of electronically transmitting are performed using e-mail.

16. The method of claim 15, further including the step of setting up two-way e-mail communication between the local database and at least one remote database, the step comprising:

inputting a server name, an e-mail address and a password on the local database and each at least one remote database.

17. The method of claim 15, further including downloading data contained in the e-mail and deleting the e-mail thereafter to avoid data from be entered onto the local database or the at least one remote database more than once.

18. The method of claim 8, wherein the identification number is a serial number that is unique to a local database.

19. A method for providing care or new feeding rations to herds of farm animals at a farm having a local database, comprising the steps of:

(a) entering farm specific information into a first remote database;

(b) obtaining necessary data relating to each animal herd;

(c) electronically sending the necessary data from the local database to the first remote database;

(d) using the remote database to analyze the necessary data to determine if medical care is needed or if animal feeding rations need adjustment; and

(e) sending electronically from the first remote database to the local database prescribed instructions relating to either adjusted animal feeding or medical care.

20. The method of claim 19 further including the step of sending the prescribed instructions via e-mail to a second service provider so that the prescribed instructions can be carried out without input from the farm.

21. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of sending the data and prescribed instructions to a second remote database.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein said second remote database is located at a mill, feed supplier, veterinarian, farm corporation, farm cooperative, nutritionist, or a farmer'"'"'s home.