AU2003246017A1 - A Customer Specific Supplementary Feeding System for Animals - Google Patents

Description

A CUSTOMER SPECIFIC SUPPLEMENTARY FEEDING SYSTEM FOR

ANIMALS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention is directed to a feeding system for animals and particularly for animals such as cattle, and where the feeding system can provide a specific feed to overcome mineral/nutritional or other deficiencies in animals.

BACKGROUND ART It is well-known to provide feed supplements to cattle, sheep and other animals in order to improve or maintain the health, weight and well-being of the animals. It is also well-known that certain feed supplements can provide desirable outcomes including calving earlier and more regularly, producing younger and heavier calves for sale at shorter intervals and to reduce the overall waiting periods of stock that may not be at the standard as required by the grower. However, a disadvantage with the use of feed supplements is the cost in doing so. Therefore, there is no advantage in providing an unnecessary excess of feed supplement to a particular animal. There is also no advantage in providing an insufficient amount of feed supplement. There is also no advantage in providing the wrong type of feed supplement. Determining the type of feed supplement required can be achieved by monitoring or testing the animal. The test can be a visual inspection of the animal, a blood sample, or other types of tests such as examining the hair and faeces samples of the animal. Complicating matters is that the type and quantity of feed supplements is also determined by the paddock in which the animal is housed. For instance, the type of grass, the minerals etc in the ground in a particular paddock will have an effect on the health and well-being of the animal and thus will also affect the type of feed supplement that is required.

It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a feeding system that can be "finetuned" to a particular desired outcome earlier calving), for particular animal (e.g.

cattle) and in respect of a particular geographical zone or area a paddock, or other ground area in which the animal will graze).

In one form, the invention resides in a customer specific supplementary feeding system for animals which comprises determining an outcome desired by a particular customer, undertaking a problem analysis, the problem analysis including an analysis of the ground in the animal grazing area and including analysing the animals for any nutritional or other deficiencies, designing an animal feed which may include nutrients and minerals, implementing an animal feeding system using the animal feed, monitoring the animals for any changes, and if required, changing the feed to provide the outcomes desired by the customer.

The feeding system can be used for farm animals including cattle, sheep, and other farm animals although no limitation is meant thereby and it is envisaged that the feeding system can also be used for other animals such as pets, zoo animals and the like. However, the invention will be described with reference to cattle.

The particular customer will typically be a farmer desiring to attain some benefits in respect of the herd. These benefits may include the ability for earlier calving, or regular calving, producing younger and heavier calves for sale at shorter intervals, to reduce the overall waiting periods of stock that may not be at the standard as required by the grower underweight). Of course, no limitation is meant by specifying these certain desirable outcomes.

A problem analysis is undertaken which may determine the "deficiencies" in the herd. The problem analysis includes an analysis of the ground which may include analysis of the ground, the soil and the water to determine the amount and type of minerals, nutrients etc found in a particular paddock. The herd is also analysed and this may include taking of hair and faeces samples. Seasonal changes can be taken into consideration the seasonal changes including temperature, humidity, and the like. Typically, the results of the soil/herd samples are reviewed.

An initial animal feed mix is designed, the design typically depending on the results of the samples as described above. The results may suggest recommended levels of minerals and nutrients required for the animals and may also show the actual levels found through the analysis of the samples. The animal feed mix may therefore include vitamins, minerals, nutrients, particular types of grains and the like.

The grower may then be educated with respect to use of the animal feed mix, the amount of mix to be used, the frequency of use and the like. This may be in the form of a manual.

The animals are monitored and this may be achieved through further hair /faeces samples, a visual inspection and the like to ensure that the desired outcomes are being obtained based on the animal feed mix. If the desired outcome is not being obtained, the feed mix can be changed and the process repeated. Similarly, if the grower desires a different outcome, the feed mix can be changed and the process repeated.

An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying flow chart BEST MODE Flow Chart of Customer Specific Supplementary Feeding System Grower enquiry.

Conversation between the provider of the supplementary feeding system [the provider] and customer that usually takes place by phone.

Determine the grower's desired outcome.

Following a thorough discussion about the property and stock, some of the outcomes for the grower are as follows: o Heifers to calf earlier, more regularly.

o To produce younger and heavier calves for sale at shorter intervals o To reduce overall waiting periods of stock that may not be at the standard as required by the grower.

Undertake problem analysis.

This stage is the necessitating feature, as it is a major element of the overall plan for the management of the Feeding System.

There is an analysis of the ground, being the grass, soil and water amount and type of minerals, nutrients etc., found in a particular paddock). Knowledge of the area plays a vital role in how the system can be utilized to its full extent. Hair and faeces samples are collected by the grower and sent away for analysis, with the results being reviewed by the provider.

Seasonal changes are factors that are taken into consideration at this time. These results will suggest recommended levels of minerals and nutrients required for the stock and show the actual levels found through the analysis of the samples.

Based on analysis, design Feeding Programme.

Once the results have been analysed, usually within a couple of hours, the Start Mix is developed. (This mix will be monitored due to seasonal changes and analysing samples of the faeces on a regular basis).

Produce to design formulations.

The required nutrients, minerals etc can be sourced from commercial supplies.

Advise grower of implementation process.

Detail how and when the feed process should be instigated and monitored, to gain the required outcome.

Monitor results in herd.

Monitoring is done through regular analysis of hair and faeces, and through daily visual contact with the herd on the property.

This process will also require the grower to use an on-farm manual. Notes can be collated showing various facts. (eg. rough in the coat, and faeces being of a sloppy nature). The grower will use all of these facts, to determine the correct mix which will provide the required results.

Flow Chart of Customer Specific Supplementary Feeding System Results OK? o Yes continue with the Feeder System per plan o No Implement new Analysis This will require further investigation into the reasons for not gaining the required outcomes.

Some reasons may be as complex as genetic defects etc.

Changes in growers desired outcomes.

Through the on-farm manual the grower can determine wether or not the system is providing the required results. Should he not be happy with the outcome, the manual will be a guide for the grower to refer to, and in conjunction with the supplementary feed system; an adjusted outcome may be achieved.

The supplementary feeding system will typically extend for a 12 month period and is designed to minimise stock losses, maximise calving percentages and turn off beast waits at minimal cost both in monetary terms as well as labour intensity.

The close monitoring of the feeding system ensures that the desired outcomes are made.

Throughout the specification and the claims (if present), unless the context requires otherwise, the term "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to apply the inclusion of the stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

It should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications can be made to any embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (4)

1. A customer specific supplementary feeding system for animals which comprises determining an outcome desired by a particular customer, undertaking a problem analysis, the problem analysis including an analysis of the ground in the animal grazing area and including analysing the animals for any nutritional or other deficiencies, designing an animal feed which may include nutrients and minerals, implementing an animal feeding system using the animal feed, monitoring the animals for any changes, and if required, changing the feed to provide the outcomes desired by the customer.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the animals comprise cattle and sheep.

3. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein an outcome includes the ability for earlier calving, or regular calving, producing younger and heavier calves for sale at shorter intervals, to reduce the overall waiting periods of stock that may not be at the standard as required by the grower.

4. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the problem analysis includes an analysis of the ground which may include analysis of the ground, the soil and the water to determine the amount and type of minerals, nutrients etc found in a particular paddock. A system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the flowchart. Dated this 10 t h day of September 2003 Coleman Stock Feeds Pty Ltd By their Patent Attorneys CULLEN CO.