WO2017105195A1

WO2017105195A1 - Method for determining the optimum slaughter time and identifying patterns of behaviour of cattle

Info

Publication number: WO2017105195A1
Application number: PCT/MX2015/000203
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jesus Rene VILLALOBOS CANO
Original assignee: Villalobos Cano Jesus Rene
Priority date: 2015-12-17
Filing date: 2015-12-17
Publication date: 2017-06-22

Abstract

The invention relates to a novel method for determining the opportune moment for slaughtering an animal, achieving the maximum profit, and obtaining and identifying patterns of behaviour of a group of animals, by means of an electronic device for detecting behaviour patterns.

Description

METHOD FOR THE DETERMINATION OF THE OPTIMAL TIME OF SACRIFICE AND IDENTIFICATION OF LIVESTOCK BEHAVIOR PATTERNS

BOVINE.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has its preponderant field of application in the field of livestock, particularly in those activities where it is necessary to determine the most appropriate moment, from the economic point of view, for the slaughter of animals and identify patterns of behavior.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The raising of cattle is an important economic activity and involves different stages: it is necessary to invest money in their upbringing to later obtain profits from the sale of their meat. However, there are different considerations that must be taken into account in deciding the appropriate time for the sacrifice of animals. For example, the quantity of meat with commercial value associated with each animal is an important aspect, since if there is weight gain this does not necessarily mean an increase in marketable meat. On the other hand, market prices fluctuate and it is necessary to know their behavior to determine opportune sales moments. Therefore, the determination of the most appropriate time for the sacrifice of an animal should be carried out taking into account these aspects.

On the other hand, the proper handling of livestock is of vital importance, since stressful situations can generate relevant consequences, such as the weight loss of the animal. Therefore, it is necessary to identify behavior patterns that allow the most appropriate decision to be made and reduce the aforementioned consequences.

The most appropriate way to identify behavioral patterns is shown in this proposal: according to the information provided by the scientific literature, a matrix of behavioral patterns is constructed, which It aims to be a reference for observations recorded by a device placed in the animal and thus detect behavioral patterns.

The present proposal shows a novel method for determining the appropriate time for the sacrifice of an animal, as well as a method and device for the study of its behavior.

There are inventions that relate to the subject, but that do not consider the innovative aspects proposed in this document, its characteristics are described below.

The invention WO 2014042501 A1 presents a formula for improving the quality of the meat of fattening animals, has effects on the chemistry of the subjects who ingest it, improving some quality variables in the handling of meat, such as weight, color, shrinkage when cooked, PH and cut resistance. These improvements result in a better organoleptic evaluation as the meat products have a better taste, tenderness and juiciness. This improvement occurs through the chemical and biological performance of the formulations, which modulate the action of catecholamines, corticosterone, cortisol and hormones that cause protein cabatolism, caused during the handling prior to the slaughter or slaughter of said animals.

The invention WO 2014014334 A1 shows a food supplement that acts as a biocatalyst facilitating the chemical reactions that are carried out in living beings, potentiating the immune system and, in the case of meat production (cattle, sheep, goats and pigs ), safety is guaranteed and the fattening period is optimized; in dairy cattle milk production is stimulated and in the four species of cattle, the reproductive functions prevail; In addition to benefiting the environment and the economy of the producer.

The invention CN 101589772 B describes a herbal additive of Chinese medicine for cattle fattening and its application. The additive has the effects of preventing and resisting diseases, promoting growth and fattening, preventing common susceptible livestock diseases, shortening fattening time and improving the economic benefit of livestock. The invention CN 1981595 A presents an additive composed of fodder to promote the growth of beef ox is prepared from 14 raw materials.

The invention US 7904284 B2 shows a system for optimizing an animal production system. The system includes a simulator configured to receive a plurality of information inputs of animal origin and generate a performance projection.

The invention US 5595444 A shows a method for the detection of poor quality of the meat of live animals using infrared thermography. Animals from a group of live domestic animals such as cattle or pigs are scanned to obtain thermographic images. Animals are rejected as having a high probability of producing poor meat quality if the measure of the central tendency for the temperature of that animal differs from the measure of central tendency for the group by more than 0.9 standard deviations. The method is particularly useful in detecting high probability of poor meat quality in groups of animals in an antemortem environment that have average temperatures significantly higher or lower than surface temperatures for normal unstressed animals.

The invention US 6908376 B2 shows a process that systematizes, computerizes and automates the slaughter of cattle and beef processing. The model automates the sequence of the slaughter process to optimize the obtaining of equal and homogeneous programmed cuts.

The invention US 6868804 B1 shows an automated animal management system continuously or at selected time intervals to identify, measure, monitor and manage the consumption behavior, body weight and growth of individual animals in their production environment. usual including grass, fodder, dairy products and farm without interrupting typical behaviors in order to determine, analyze, model and predict a variety of conditions related to animal health, productivity, efficiency and quality. A transmitter attached to the animal identifies it by a unique individual code. A weighing device records the weight of the animals while consuming food for generate growth rates. The models predict the animal's health, growth, performance and carcass characteristics.

The invention US 6516746 B2 presents a highly automated method and system for providing individual animal management by electronic identification in a large cattle fattening pen. Through the use of a computer system, weight measurements are recorded to determine the economic end point and the date of marketing for shipment to a packing plant. The computer system stores the individual measurement of an animal, performance and location data, this information is used by the administration to select animals for slaughter at the optimal time. After sending an animal to a slaughter center, its identification in the computer system is used to correlate the physical characteristics of the live animals and the performance data obtained during the slaughter process to build a database.

The invention US 8425434 B2 shows a method and system for monitoring the condition of animals, providing current height and weight measurements in order to automatically obtain a height-weight ratio. This relationship can be used to determine if the general physical condition of an animal is within the tolerance limits in relation to its predetermined development expectations. The feed supply to an animal can be adjusted in response to a deviation in its height weight ratio measured from a target or reference value.

The invention WO 2010094826 A1 presents a device for managing and controlling behavioral routines of a user; that is, learning routines by repetition. This invention is applicable in the field of artificial intelligence and self-learning. The invention US 20070294030 A1 shows how to predict the future behavior of an object such as a vehicle. By recording geographic location and time, a device compares sequences that represent routes and predicts future behavior. On the other hand, the invention US 20130340305 A1 presents an animal tracking and monitoring system, using combined and referenced wireless technology. A user can track the location of livestock and health aspects. The invention US 20100321182 A1 shows an apparatus and a method for monitoring and tracking animals, which includes a GPS implant capable of communicating spatial information related to the location of the animal.

The invention US 6720879 B2 shows a collar-shaped instrument for tracking and locating animals, equipped with a remotely controlled video camera to identify the environment of a lost pet.

The invention US 6172640 B1 describes a pet locator system that provides the rectangular or polar coordinates of the pet's location. The invention US 6263836 B1 registers an apparatus and a method for control and training for dogs, producing training stimuli.

The invention US 7252051 B2, shows a motion detector placed on a dog's neck.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Brief description of the figures:

Figure 1 shows the basic information of the process of determining weight gain curves;

Figure 2 shows the main cost associated with the cattle raising process;

Figure 3 shows elements for decision making for the sacrifice of an animal;

Figure 4 shows the basic sequence of the method of identifying the appropriate moment of sacrifice;

Figure 5 shows the flow chart of the process of determining the timing of sacrifice;

Figure 6 shows the structure of a behavior pattern;

Figure 7 shows the matrix of behavior patterns;

Figure 8 shows the behavior pattern detection device; Figure 9 shows the general scheme of the behavior pattern detection process;

Figure 10 shows the flow chart of the behavior pattern detection process;

In figure 1 there are three elements that make up the basis of the method: measurements on each animal of at least four characteristics: weight, height, age and complexion, concentrated in a database for the generation of a matrix of characteristics with which weight gain curves are determined.

Figure 2 shows that the main cost of livestock corresponds to food, which is essential in the breeding of animals for human consumption. Figure 3 shows at least two elements to consider when making an animal's slaughter decision: the food costs generated and the marketing price of the meat. That is, the evaluation considers whether the slaughter of an animal is appropriate taking as reference the marketing prices of the meat against the expenses generated.

Figure 4 shows the basic sequence of the method, from the weight gain curves an estimate of the marketable proportion of meat is obtained by applying a model that relates both variables. The application of the model, including information on marketing prices, determines the moment of slaughter, with the objective of maximum profit. Figure 5 shows the flow chart of the elements involved in the method of this proposal. From the measurements made to the animals, the proportion of marketable meat is estimated by means of a predictive model; that is, it is not considered bone, fat or skin. According to the history of marketing prices, the appropriate time of sale is determined and, together with the model estimates, a cost-benefit analysis is made for the decision of the animal's slaughter.

Figure 6 shows the theoretical elements considered when defining a pattern of behavior. A series of guidelines are identified: a, b, c, d, e, f, g (seven for this one example), whose specific combinations determine behavior patterns (seven for this example). In the case of the behavior pattern C, it is identified that the guidelines a, f and g are its components.

Figure 7 shows the arrangement of the information in the patterns that make up the behavior patterns in a matrix. If the pattern is part of a behavior pattern, then it is indicated with the number 1, if it is not part of the pattern it is indicated with 0.

Figure 8 shows the different options for the placement of the electronic device for behavioral patterns in an animal: on an earring, on a necklace or on a bracelet.

A general outline of the process is presented in Figure 9. Stimuli are identified that, when generating patterns, combine to define patterns of behavior. Subsequently, the animal manager can make the best decision for handling.

The process flow diagram is shown in Figure 10: an animal is placed with a pattern detecting device, which allows for appropriate decision making for livestock management.

Claims

1. Methods and device implemented within a livestock organization, which allow obtaining optimized times for the slaughter of animals and the identification of behavior patterns, characterized by: · Registration of a data matrix with the physical characteristics of the animals ;

• Determination of weight gain curves;

• Determination of inflection points in the curves of weight gain;

• Estimation of the proportion of marketable meat per animal;

• Registration of commercial prices of meat;

· Record of food expenses;

• Determination of the opportune moment of sacrifice;

• Obtaining the maximum gain;

• Registration of an array of behavior patterns;

• Electronic device pattern detector;

· Placement of the device in the animal;

• Registration of guidelines detected by the device;

• Identification of a pattern of behavior;

• Decision making;

2. The system according to claim No. 1, wherein the physical characteristics of all animals are recorded in a database;

3. The system according to claim No. 2, wherein the information in the database is integrated into a matrix of characteristics;

4. The system according to claim No. 1, wherein the characteristic matrix is used for determining individual weight gain curves;

5. The system according to claim No. 1, wherein the inflection point or time at which the weight gain begins to decrease is determined;

6. The system according to claim No. 1, wherein the estimation of the proportion of marketable meat in an animal is made;

7. The system according to claim No. 6, wherein the marketable meat does not include bones, fat or skin;

8. The system according to claim No. 1, wherein the marketing prices of meat are recorded;

9. The system according to claim No. 8, wherein the marketing prices are analyzed for the estimation of the appropriate sales time;

10. The system according to claim No. 1, wherein the expenses involved in the maintenance of an animal, specifically feeding, are recorded;

11. The system according to claim No. 1, wherein the appropriate time of slaughter of an animal is obtained by combining the estimation of the model for the proportion of meat and the commercial behavior of sale prices;

12. The system in accordance with claim No. 1, wherein the determination of the timing of sacrifice is important for the maximum sale profit;

13. The concordance system with claim No. 1, wherein a pattern of behavior (PC) is defined as a sequence of Pi patterns, where i = 1, 2, 3, ... m, where m is the total number of guidelines;

14. The system of concordance with claim No. 13, wherein a guideline is considered a specific part or subdivision of a pattern of behavior;

15. The system of concordance with claim No. 13, wherein the set of behavior patterns are integrated into a matrix, where its elements are 1 (the pattern is part of the pattern) or 0 (the pattern is not part of the pattern) ;

16. The system of concordance with claim No. 13, wherein, based on the scientific literature, patterns of behavior are established;

17. The system of concordance with claim No. 16, wherein a pattern of behavior is considered stereotyped if a sequence of patterns is presented in a predictable manner in response to a stimulus;

18. The system of concordance with claim No. 16, wherein a pattern of behavior is considered simple if a sequence of patterns is invariably presented as a consequence of the presentation of a stimulus;

19. The system of concordance with claim No. 16, wherein a pattern of behavior is considered complex if a sequence of patterns is presented in a different variable manner in response to different stimuli;

20. The system of concordance with claim No. 16, wherein a pattern of behavior is considered hierarchical if a sequence of patterns is presented in such a way that several chained stimuli act to trigger subsequent patterns;

21. The system of concordance with claim No. 1, wherein the registration of guidelines is carried out by an electronic device;

22. The system of concordance with claim No. 21, wherein the registration of guidelines is sent wirelessly for the identification of behavior patterns;

23. The system according to claim No. 1, wherein the electronic pattern detecting device is placed in the animal;

24. The system according to claim No. 23, wherein the electronic pattern detecting device is implemented in at least three different ways: earring, necklace and bracelet; ^

25. The system of concordance with claim No. 1, wherein the identification of a pattern of behavior is performed by analyzing the registrations of the electronic device;

26. The system of concordance with claim No. 25, wherein the identification of a behavior pattern is performed according to the behavior pattern matrix;

27. The system of concordance with claim No. 1, wherein the identification of behavior patterns allows decision making regarding the handling of the group of animals.