Livestock management systems and methods

• US 20080097809A1
• Filed: 12/06/2007
• Published: 04/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MWI Veterinary Supply Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Micro Beef Technologies Ltd (MWI Veterinary Supply Incorporated)
• Inventors: Crain, Scott, Stroman, Richard, Afimiwala, Khurshid, Gibb, James, Niedecken, Timothy, Brink, Philip
• Granted Patent: US 8,433,593 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/35
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063 Operations research, analysis or management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0631 Resource planning, allocation, distributing or scheduling for enterprises or organisations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06315 Needs-based resource requirements planning or analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0635 Risk analysis of enterprise or organisation activities
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06375 Prediction of business process outcome or impact based on a proposed change
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06395 Quality analysis or management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/018 Certifying business or products
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0201 Market modelling; Market analysis; Collecting market data
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0203 Market surveys; Market polls
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange

Abstract

This invention relates to systems and methods for managing livestock, such as cattle, from conception to consumption. More particularly, this invention relates to systems and methods in which users, such as producers, feedlot managers, packers, buyers, sellers, and consumers, are brought together through shared information and improved communication. Users may access one or more applications, tools, and/or systems to increase the value of each animal, monitor and track each animal, and improve the efficiency of their operation.

Claims

1. A method of sorting a plurality of animals into subgroups of animals, said method comprising:

inputting sorting criteria into a central database;

electronically detecting individual animals of said plurality of animals;

electronically identifying individual animals of said electronically detected animals;

operating a plurality of devices to collect information about said identified animals;

storing said collected information in said central database;

comparing said collected information to said sorting criteria; and

sorting said plurality of animals into subgroups based on said comparison.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

sending one or more instructions to a controller based on said sorting, wherein the controller operates a movement mechanism.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing information to a livestock handler to enable said handler to physically indicate which of said animals are in which of said subgroups.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said providing comprises:

transmitting said subgroup information to said handler via a wireless device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said operating said plurality of devices further comprises operating an ultrasound measurement device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said inputting sorting criteria comprises inputting criteria based on process attributes.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said inputting sorting criteria comprises inputting criteria based on physical attributes.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing a user with access to said collected information in said database when said user purchases said animal.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said inputting sorting criteria comprises inputting sales order requirements.

10. A system of sorting a plurality of animals into subgroups of animals, said system comprising:

a server;

a plurality of computers coupled to said server;

a central database coupled to said server; and

a plurality of electronic devices coupled to at least one of said plurality of computers;

wherein said server is configured to;

input sorting criteria into a central database;

electronically detect individual animals of said plurality of animals;

electronically identify individual animals of said electronically detected animals;

operate a plurality of devices to collect information about said identified animals;

store said collected information in said central database;

compare said collected information to said sorting criteria; and

sort said plurality of animals into subgroups based on said comparison.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said server is further configured to:

send one or more instructions to a controller based on said sorting, wherein the controller operates a movement mechanism.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein said server is further configured to:

provide information to a livestock handler to enable said handler to physically indicate which of said animals are in which of said subgroups.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said server is further configured to:

transmit said subgroup information to said handler via a wireless device.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein said server is further configured to:

operate an ultrasound measurement device.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein said server is further configured to:

input sorting criteria comprises inputting criteria based on process attributes.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein said server is further configured to:

input sorting criteria comprises inputting criteria based on physical attributes.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein said server is further configured to:

provide a user with access to said collected information in said database when said user purchases said animal.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein said server is further configured to:

input sales order requirements.