Method and system for livestock data collection and management

• US 6,664,897 B2
• Filed: 02/11/2002
• Issued: 12/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aginfolink Holdings Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Andrew J. Dolan, Leland D. Curkendall, Matthew J. Morrison, Olin M. Armentrout, William R. Pape
• Inventors: Dolan, Andrew J., Pape, William R., Curkendall, Leland D., Armentrout, Olin M., Morrison, Matthew J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mullen, Thomas J
• Application Number:
  US10/073,485
• Publication Number:
  US 20020158765A1
• Time in Patent Office: 673 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.3, 340/573.1, 119/51.02, 600/300
• US Class Current: 340/573.3
• 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 11/007 Boluses
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 29/005 Monitoring or measuring activity, e.g. detecting heat or mating
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

An efficient method and apparatus for livestock data collection and management is described to provide quality assurance source verification data and performance tracking for individual animals throughout the production cycle. Individual animal data is efficiently collected, transferred, and shared in a transactional, event-oriented, row-oriented structure with few columns without need for creating relational structures. The BeefLink™ software includes components for data collection and real-time data lookup components; share, switch, route, and interface components; extract, transform, and load components; and report and analyze data components. Embodiments include data acquisition from multiple RFID reader locations; a web-based information system for a beef marketing alliance; value-based procurement, and supply chain management.

Claims

1. A wireless livestock data collection system comprising

a host computer with data collection software;

a base station connected to the host computer;

a means for unique animal identification;

a plurality of unique animal identification readers in wireless communication with the base station; and

a plurality of data measurement devices in wireless communication with the base station.

2. The wireless livestock data collection system of claim 1 wherein the base station includes a global positioning system device.