WO2021015683A1

WO2021015683A1 - A herd management system and a tracking sensor

Info

Publication number: WO2021015683A1
Application number: PCT/TR2019/050606
Authority: WO
Inventors: Basat TOMEK
Original assignee: Lakto Hayvancilik Teknoloji̇leri̇ Sanayi̇ Ve Ti̇caret Li̇mi̇ted Şi̇rketi̇
Priority date: 2019-07-23
Filing date: 2019-07-23
Publication date: 2021-01-28

Abstract

The present invention is related to a herd management system used for gathering data by means of various sensors in any kind of animal breeding activities, for decreasing losses in the herd by means of early detection and intervention, for increasing profitability. The present invention is particularly related to a herd management system which is put on the any limb of the animals within the herd, in which there is a geographical location finder that provides the location continuously, which comprises an electronic label on animals (10) those are registered with herds and farms.

Description

A HERD MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND A TRACKING SENSOR

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is related to a herd management system used for gathering data by means of various sensors in any kind of animal breeding activities, for decreasing losses in the herd by means of early detection and intervention, also for increasing profitability.

The present invention is particularly related to a herd management system which is put on the necks, ears or legs of the animals within the herd, in which there is a geographical location finder that provides the location continuously, comprises an electronic label mapped with the number of herds.

PRIOR ART

It becomes gradually widespread to detect the losses in an early manner which has happened within the herd and to make early intervention for increasing the profitability. The losses can be decreased noticeably by means of the early detection and intervention. In this direction, data are gathered from the animals by means of various sensors, they are compared with the previous measurement values and relevant warnings are transmitted to the users over possible deviations.

Today the following sensors which are produced by various trademarks are used in the herd management systems:

- Milkmeter: sudden decreases or decreased trend in the milk productivity of the animals are monitored and the animals which are above the determined threshold values are reported to the user. - Electrical conductivity: generally sudden increases in the electrical conductivity of the milk measured by means of the sensors within the milkmeter shows that udder disease (Mastitis) starts.

- Weighing scale: the change in the live weight of the animals are measured and it is monitored whether they consume sufficient animal feed or not also gives indication for the user if the animal is in negative energy balance.

- Activity meter: usually 2 types are common, a neck collar or a pedometer which is on the leg. This device is put on each individual animal and is used both for defining the individual animal with the radio frequency when required and for heat detection by following (in case it is cattle) the activity of the animal within a day, in case it is put on the leg it will be possible to determine the possible hoof problems of the animal with the decreasing number of steps. Together with the 3 dimensioned position sensor located in some of the devices on the leg, data such as how many times the individual animal lies down and stands up, how long lying position lasts, how long standing position lasts etc. are gathered. The batteries used in these devices cannot be replaced or recharged. The battery life of these devices is 3-8 years depending of the brands and functions. The life of the device depends on the battery in itself. When the battery runs out then the producer shall purchase a new activity meter. The operating cost increases due to the limited lives of these expensive devices.

- Individual feeding station: intensive feed ratio to be given to the individual animals in these stations is introduced to the software. The individual animals which come here received feed during their stay if they had allowances. In case there is a decrease in the feed consumption of the animal then the user receives a report from here due to the decreased consumption.

Herd management systems which comprise all or partial sensors used in the present state of the art cannot be used by the small-medium scale enterprises who produce more than 80% of the animal production in the world due to their high investment requirements. For this reason, the problems which can be treated in a very cheap and fast manner when detected early, leads to an ineffective production of the producers due to their not being detected. Competition opportunity for the family enterprises that make most of the production due to the unpreventable losses is eliminated, thus many family enterprises terminate their production in a very fast manner. Particularly in the developing countries the agricultural enterprises which close up causes an increase in the social and economic problems.

In addition to the expensive investment of the present herd management applications, the assembly of this equipment can be made by very educated technicians during long periods. This makes it difficult to be obtained by the producer due to high assembly costs besides the purchasing cost of the equipment.

The applications used in the present state of the art are only used in the (intensive) enterprises wherein there are animals in the shelter. There is no follow up system in the direction of meadow-pasture (extensive) animal breeding. Sheep/goat and bovine animals in the meadow move away totally from the electronic control/follow up, they are almost left to their fate or left to the initiative of the shepherd who herds. During spreading, it is not known whether the planned route is followed up or not, whether sufficient water is provided for the animals or not, even how many animals return back is not known until they are counted.

As a result, in order to solve the above mentioned problems which are included within the present state of the art, the requirement for a new herd management system and due to insufficient solutions, a development in the relevant technical field is required. AIM OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves all of the above mentioned problems at the same time. Said invention is used commonly is general in both intensive and extensive animal breeding applications, is related to a herd management system used for gathering data by means of various sensors in any kind of animal breeding activities, decreases losses in the herd by means of early detection and intervention, increases profitability.

The most important aim of the invention is to know the location of the animal continuously by means of the geographic location finder within the device.

Another aim of the invention is to enable a solar panel or movement charger located on the unit to charge the battery of the collar or changeable battery unit for extended life of the sensor attached to animal.

Another aim of the invention is to record into the system the events such as which route is followed by the herd that spreads, how long do they stay on the stops, locations of the individual animals within the herd (shepherds, sheep dogs, animals) instantly, birth, lost animal, reason of the lost, wolf attack etc. which happen during grazing.

Another aim of the invention is to warn the shepherd by the system in case there is an animal which is getting far away from him.

Another aim of the invention is to give more information about the situation of the animal by means of a continuous communication after mapping the attached sensor on the animal with other sensors.

Another aim of the invention is to enable software to give automatic body condition score (scoring between 1 to 5) to each animal after taking photo by means of mobile device camera or any camera registered in the system. Another aim of the invention is to determine and report the changes in the behaviors by means of monitoring the activity of the animals via cameras. As an example, detecting the number of laying-waking of the animals, determining how long it walks during a day, determining how many hours its total walk is, determining the animals which jump to each other.

The structural and characteristic features of the present invention will be understood clearly by the following drawings and the detailed description made with reference to these drawings and therefore the evaluation shall be made by taking these figures and the detailed description into consideration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGURE-1 : is a drawing which shows the herd management system of the present invention.

FIGURE-2: is a drawing which shows the herd management system of the present invention.

FIGURE-3: is a drawing which shows the spreading of the herd subject to the present invention on the land.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

10. Electronic Label

11. Solar Panel

12. Bearer

20. Reader

The invention will be understood clearly when it is explained with the reference numbers mentioned above and with reference to the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Said invention is used commonly is general in both intensive and extensive animal breeding applications, is related to a herd management system used for gathering data by means of various sensors in any kind of animal breeding activities, decreases losses in the herd by means of early detection and intervention, increases profitability.

In Figure 1 and Figure 2, a herd management system subject to the invention is shown. In the invention there is an electronic label (10) which is mapped with the individual herd numbers of the individual animals within the herd, is put on the device with a bearer (12) or to another limb of the animals, transmits the recorded data in required periods to the reader (20) by making a long-range transmission. This electronic label (10) is more protected against contaminants compared to its equivalents which are positioned on the foot because it is generally put on the neck. There are solar panels (11 ) with an appropriate size on the external surface of the electronic labels (10), which enables the required energy for operation of the device and charges the battery. Therefore life of the device is extended. The bearer (12) of the electronic labels (10) is sensitive against the assembly-disassembly processes. When possible assembly- disassembly label (10) processes are performed then the hour and geographical locations are recorded.

The geographical location finder within the electronic label (10) continuously determines the location. The electronic labels (10) are mapped with the long range data readers (20). The coordinates gathered by means of each electronic label (10) are transmitted to the reader (20) in data packages at regular intervals by means of the long range transmission. As it can be seen in Figure 3, the reader (20) both shows the locations on the map on the user interface monitor and transmits these data packages to the software in the cloud where these data are processed by means of fixed lines if any or GSM router by gathering the collected data. The shepherd, herd, dogs, lost animals and different animals are shown with different signs on the map. The data base of each farm is stored in the software in the cloud or the data base in the cloud. Changes in the behaviors of the animals are processed here and the reports in terms of the herd can be obtained from the introduction page of the enterprise. In case animal or animals which require intervention are determined then required warning for making a timely intervention is made by sending automatic messages which includes the determined deviation and possible reasons in respect to the animal to the system operator or veterinarian.

In extensive animal breeding, which route is followed by the herd that spreads, how long do they stay at the stops; the locations of all individuals within the herd (shepherds, dogs, animals) are recorded instantly. The shepherd continuously monitors the location of himself, his friend, dog, animals with the interface in his hand. The shepherds process the events to the system such as birth, lost animal, reason of lost, wolf attack etc. during spreading. The processed data is recorder on the map if they are geographical locations. The owner of the herd or any authorized person by the owner follows the location of the herd which is updated continuously via the cloud.

Instant locations and behaviors of each individual within the herd are recorded continuously and thus the authenticity of the shepherd’s records is controlled. For example if it is reported such that a sheep is ruptured by a wolf and wasted, it will be possible to retrospectively monitor the data from the data base such as the behavior of the animals during the wolf attack (escapes, spreading of the herd or gathering together), the location of the shepherd and the dog at that time etc.

In case there are animals which move away from the shepherd then he is warned by the system. For example the ones closer are shown with green color, the animals which are 300-500 meter far away from the shepherd are shown with yellow, the ones which are 500-1000 m far away are shown with orange; the ones which are 1000 m or more far away are shown with red. The user configures the audible alarm from the parameter setting of the system by determining the required distance. If the animal is out of the coverage area and is lost, the identity number of the animal, the last signal hour and location information are seen on the map until an authorized person removes it. If a research is required then the region to start the search is already known.

Instant messaging over the system between the shepherds and the individuals at the center, between the shepherds themselves is possible.

In intensive applications same collars (10) are put on each individual. After the critical locations within the enterprise are introduced to the software, the behavior of the animals during a day is followed continuously; problems in respect to the changes in these behaviors are reported. For example geographic locations of the feeder, bed areas, strolling garden, waterers, itching brush etc. are introduced to the system through the map. The average answers for the following; how long does the animal stay at the feeder, how many times does the animal go to the waterer, how long does the animal stay at the waterer, how long does the animal walk a day, which route is followed (is it the regular walking model, is it drawing circles etc.), is compared and the animals which show deviation are reported. As we know from the behaviors of the animals, individual behavior habits of each animal is different. Possible deviations in these behaviors mean that there are application problems in the farm or the animal has a health problem. In monitoring the animal, the data in respect to the behavior of the animal and how long and how much the animal waits during the day and the relationship between these data are very important signs for early detection. For example: the decrease in the duration at the feeder means poor appetite; decrease in the feeder duration and in the walking distance means leg failure; an increase in the duration at the waterer and frequent visits to the waterer means an infectious disease suspicion; if the whole group do this, it can mean that there is a problem in respect to the waterer. An abnormal increase in the walking distance of the cattle during the day shows the heat of the animal. These behaviors and the relations between them are immediately reported to the farmer after being evaluated with the parameter criterion. Following the location and walking distance of the animal and providing reports lead to decreasing losses which affect the profit of the producer with an early detection and a timely interference.

The required information which shall be entered manually such as birth date of the animal, its mother, father, insemination, controls after birth, control after insemination and examinations and follow up works subject to calendar are made and reported in the software.

This system is not only used in small-medium scale enterprises but also in any size of enterprises, it is an effective herd management system which can be used by means of the smart phones or tablets with a low cost, has easy usage features.

The electronic label (10) is also mapped with the other sensors attached to the animal and it is continuously in communication with thereof. The other sensor data collected by means of the short range frequency are transmitted to the reader (20) together with the geographic location data. Therefore collecting an integral data from the animals will increase, in the software there will be much more data and detections will be made and reports will be prepared in respect to more consistent early warning by means of the relations between these data.

The collected data in the main software is mapped with the application in the reader (20) devices such as the smart phone or tablet of the farmer. The farmer enters all data and report readings to the computer or mobile device with said application. The user may receive the early warning which is sent by the system with the mobile device when necessary.

Together with the camera of the mobile device, it will be possible to give a body condition score (BCS) to the animals by means of the application. BCS is an index wherein the condition of the animals is evaluated between 1 and 5. 2 point means cachectic-5 point means very fat. BCS is a subjective data which requires expertise. If BCS is made by the same person all the time in respect to a herd, it will decrease possibility of failure. However because it is a subjective method based on the eye memory, BCS shall not be neglected for the producer who does not have such an expertise.

The user takes the photos of the animal to be subjected to BCS from a predetermined distance, from the rear and/or sides. The mobile device application automatically assigns the BCS point to the animal by comparing the recorded algorithm photos and thousands of photos taken previously and BCS assigned to them and the picture of the animal. In case the user contemplates to make a correction then the value is changed manually.

The protection scope of the present invention is defined in the claims and cannot be limited with the above descriptions which are made only for illustrative purposes, it is clear that a person qualified in the art will be able to present the novelty presented with the invention by means of similar embodiments and/or will be able to apply this in the other areas with similar aims used within the relevant art. Therefore it is explicit that such embodiments will lack novelty and particularly the inventive step criteria.

Claims

1) The present invention is related to a herd management system used for gathering data by means of various sensors in any kind of animal breeding activities, decreasing losses in the herd by means of early detection and intervention, increasing profitability, characterized in that; it comprises at least one electronic label (10) which is put on anywhere on the body of the animals within the herd, enables the location continuously with the geographical location finder within itself, is mapped with the numbers of the herd.

2) A herd management system with electronic label according to claim 1 , characterized in that; it comprises a solar panel (11 ) which is located on the exterior surface of the electronic label (10), enables the required energy for the operation of the device and extends the life of the device by means of charging the battery.

3) A herd management system according to claim 1 , characterized in that; electronic labels (10) are also mapped with the other sensors attached to the animal and are continuously in communication with them and transmits data to the system.

4) A herd management system according to claim 1 , characterized in that; it comprises bearer (12) which are sensitive to the assembly-disassembly processes of the electronic labels (10).

5) A herd management system according to claim 1 , characterized in that; when possible electronic label (10) assembly-disassembly process is performed, the hour and geographic locations are recorded.

6) A herd management system according to claim 1 , characterized in that; each electronic label (10) transmits the collected data by means of gathering them in data packages to the reader (20) at regular intervals via long range transmission and shows the locations on the map which is found on the interface monitor of the user.

7) A herd management system according to claim 1 , characterized in that; the shepherd, herd, dogs, lost animals and different animals are shown with different signs on the map.

8) A herd management system according to claim 1 , characterized in that; after processing the behavioral changes in the animals to the system, a warning is made by sending automatic messages in terms of the situations which require intervention, includes determined deviations and possible reasons with respect to the animals to the owner of the enterprise or veterinarian.

9) A herd management system according to claim 1 , characterized in that; The shepherds process the events to the system such as birth, lost animal, reason of lost, wolf attack etc. during grazing/spreading at pasture or meadow.

10) A herd management system according to claim 1 , characterized in that; the authenticity of the reports of the shepherd is controlled because instant locations and behaviors of each individual within the herd are continuously recorded.

11) A herd management system according to claim 1 , characterized in that; the system warns the shepherd when there are animals which are far away.

12) A herd management system according to claim 1 , characterized in that; instant messages are sent over the system between the individuals at the center and shepherds and between the shepherds themselves.

13) A herd management system according to claim 1 , characterized in that; in intensive applications after the critical places in the enterprise are introduced to the software, behaviors of the animals such as how long do they stay at the feeder during the day, how many times do they go to the waterer, how long do they stay at the waterer, how long do they walk during the day; which is the route they followed, the problems in connection with the deviations in these behaviors are reported.

14) A herd management system according to claim 1 , characterized in that; the required information which shall be entered manually such as birth date of the animal, its mother, father, impregnation, controls after birth, control after impregnation and examinations and follow up works subject to calendar are made and reported in the software.

15) A herd management system according to claim 1 , characterized in that; the producer enters all data and report readings to the computer or mobile device with said application.

16) A herd management system according to claim 1 , characterized in that; the user takes the photos of the animal from a predetermined distance, from the rear or sides, and automatically gives the body condition score to the animal after comparing the application photos recorded algorithms and tens of thousands of photos which are previously taken and the points given to them.