GB2154768A - Improvements in animal breeding record keeping - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of maintaining a record of a breeding herd, notably pigs, comprises the steps of entering into a portable electronic unit 10 events and data relating to the breeding cycle, and activating the unit to cause to be displayed, either on an inbuilt LC display 12 or at a printer to which the unit is connected, lists of information which include information computed jointly on the basis of the entered events and dates and data relating to the breeding cycle which is pre-programmed into the unit. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in animal breeding record keeping This invention relates to a method of maintaining a record of an animal breeding herd.

It is important in animal breeding, especially for example pig breeding, to keep accurate and extensive records relating to the condition of the animals and to be aware when actions relating to breeding are due to be taken. Currently, these records are kept manually, or at least only with machine assistance which does not materially assist in knowing when actions fall due without extensive recourse to the records.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method of maintaining a record of an animal breeding herd which comprises the steps of: a) entering into an electronic storage unit having a memory and calendar in relation to individually identified animals, events related to the breeding cycle, whereby these events are stored in the memory in a date-related manner; and b) activating the unit to cause display of event-due lists with identification of the animals thereon, the unit being programmed to include on each event-due list only animals in respect of which a preceding event in the breeding cycle has previously been entered.

If desired, a list which identifies the animals in the herd may be entered as an initial step.

Alternatively, such a list will be developed within the unit memory as events relating to identified animals are entered.

For example, the event that an animal has been served may be entered, and this information will cause the animal's identity to appear in a "due for service" listing for 21 days after the initial service (in the case of pigs). If the animal is "on heat" when checked as a result of appearing in that "due for service" listing, the animal must not be served again and a fresh entry concerning service must be made. Entry of details of a fresh service will cancel the animal's entry from any other listing.

If the animal is found not be on heat, pregnancy is assumed and the animal will appear on a pregnancy check (event-due) list, whereafter if a pregnancy-confirmed (event) is entered, the animal will subsequently appear on a birth-due (event-due) list, or if pregnancy is not confirmed, the animal will re-appear on an animal-due-for-serving (event-due) list.

A pregnancy check will be due a predetermined period (30 days in the case of pigs) after serving, and birth will be due a predetermined period (115 days in the case of pigs) after serving. These predetermined periods will be prestored in the memory, along with an advance-warning period, which may be pre-programmed or user programmable, whereby the event-due lists each comprise those animals wherein one particular event is due within the next seven days or such other advance-warning period as may be applied.

A further important aspect of the method concerns action after birth. Thus, the date of birth and possibly the number of live births can be entered, and the mother will then appear on a weaning-due (event-due) list in due course. The predetermined period applicable will be the breeder's choice of weaning age. Assuming the number of live births are entered, the unit may be arranged to provide an active feed-requirement list throughout weaning, based on the mother's own requirements and the number of live births.

All predetermined and/or selected periods may be initially entered into the storage unit before entry of event data, so that the unit will effect calculations responsive to event entries based on these periods. However, the said periods may alternatively be entered (or changed) at a later stage prior to the time that the unit is called on to make the calculation.

Similarly, basic feed requirements per sow and per piglet will be entered initially, thereby to enable the unit automatically to compute the feed-requirement list.

The unit can also be pre-programmed to provide summaries on a regular basis, eg monthly, half-yearly and yearly, said summaries giving the number of services, farrowings and piglets born alive, stillborn and weaned, together with fundamental herd data as to its size and composition.

The invention also extends to apparatus for carrying out the above-described method. In one aspect, said apparatus comprises apparatus for maintaining a record of breeding herd comprising a portable unit having a memory and a keyboard for data entry; means for utilising data entered into said unit for the calculation of pregnancy test, birth-due, and weaning dates based on memory stored information additional to said data; and extraction means operable at will to provide a display of computed data.In this instance the said portable unit takes the form of a portable computer terminal. in another aspect, said apparatus comprises a unit having means for entry of data therein, means for extraction of data therefrom, a memory means, and computing means for calculating pregnancy test, birthdue and weaning dates based jointly on information stored in the memory means and entered data, and the extraction means being operable at will to provide a display of the computed data. The memory means may have a memory for storage of computed data not yet to be included on an event-due list (dormant data) and a memory for storage of that computed data which is to be so included (active data).The display means may be an LCD array or a printer, and the extraction means may also be capable of displaying the dormant data, provided that it remains possible when required to display the active data only.

A preferred apparatus is in the form of a portable unit incorporating a microcomputer having an associated memory and device for data recordal, whereby entry of data can be carried out on site. This preferred unit may incorporate a real time clock, so that input of a simple instruction to mark an event will automatically cause the event to be recorded in conjunction with the date. Alternatively, date and/or time recordal may be made fully automatic consequential of entry of other data into the memory.

A practical method and apparatus in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example, for convenience with reference to record keeping in relation to a pig breeding herd, and referring to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a portable recording unit; and Figure 2 is a block circuit diagram.

The invention uses a portable recorder 10 which includes a memory pre-programmed with computation data and a memory into which event data can be entered and recorded in relation to sows identified by number.

Three main events can be recorded. These are serving, farrowing and weaning. Other useful information can be entered at the time events are recorded. The portable unit incorporates a real time clock, so that recordal of dates in relation to entry of event data is automatic.

Fig. 1 shows the portable recorder 10. It has an LC display 12, and a keyboard. The keyboard comprises the following keys:20 "erase' '-to clear memory or delete sow records 22 date/time-to enter or review date or time, to change date or event or to escape from a current programme 24 ''print/review''--to output reports to a printer or review records.

26 "sow' '-to precede entry of sow num ber 28 "event' '-followed by number, precedes entry of event or review of event 30 "data' '-followed by number, precedes entry of sow data or review of sow data 32 "number' '-used to enter numerical data or qualify function keys 34 ''point''~decimal point for use in data entry, minus key for some date, qualify "erase" to indicate total erase of mem ory, or precede entry of group code 36 "OK"--enter recording into memory, overrides queried recordings or steps on to next valid sow when reviewing re cords.

Prior to first use, it is ensured that the recorder, which has rechargeable batteries, is fully charged and that the memory is totally erased. Then the time and date is set on the inbuilt clock.

The recorder is now ready to receive information, starting with an initialisation programme which includes entry of sow identification numbers. Sows are identified by a three-figure number between 1 and 999 and an optional group code if desired. Up to ten groups can be specified, identified by a number in the range 0 to 9 in the recorder but optionally identified by a letter suffix to the sow number when a print-out is obtained by connecting the recorder to a printer. Two or more sows may have the same sow number in differing groups, and the recorder will distinguish between them. Entry of group codes is by use of the "print" key 34 after entering sow numbers. For each sow, the recorder will automatically enter a weaning age of 21 days with an invitation to change it if desired.

Initialisation is normally effected with the recorder connected to the printer, so that data entries can be verified during the procedure.

The date/time key 22 is pressed at the end of the initialisation programme.

The recorder is now ready for entry of events and data. Normally an event will be entered before any data relating thereto. First, the sow number, and group number if applicable, is entered. This will appear on the lefthand side of the LC display 12. Events are recorded using the "event" key in relation to a number, typically as follows: 1 for serving 2 for farrowing 3 for weaning 4 for piglet death 5 for pregnancy confirmation Chevrons on the display cooperate with the marked numerals 40 to indicate which event has been selected. At least for events 1 to 3 a date is recorded. The current date appears alongside the sow number, and if an event is recorded as it occurs it is only necessary to press the "OK" key. If not, the date can be changed without disturbing the running calendar.

Likewise, data can be entered using the "data" key in relation to a number, typically as follows: 1 for illness code 2 for boar code 3 for number of piglets born alive 4 for number of piglets born dead 5 for number of piglets weaned Again, chevrons on the display indicate which kind of data has been selected for entry. Data is entered using the "number" keys 32.

Pressing the "OK" key after an event or data entry causes the information to be recorded in the memory.

If an event is recorded for which a sow is ill, the sow number will flash when the "event" key is pressed and the illness code will be displayed. The "OK" key overrides the warning to enable event recording in the usual way.

Parts of the display will also flash, as appro- priate, if an attempt is made to record inconsistent events or data. it is then necessary to correct the inconsistency, for example by alteration of the current entry or by correction of an earlier recording or by entry of an earlier event which was inadvertently omitted. Thus, in relation to recording of event for example, the recorder will query recording of a service event if the last recorded event for the sow in question was farrowing, or will query a farrowing entry of no previous service has been recorded. It will also query a farrowing date, for example, if the data is not within a normal variation, say up to 5 days, from the usual 115 days gestation period.In relation to recording of data, the recorder will query any attempt to record data not related to a previous event recording, such as entry of a boar code if the previous event recorded was not service.

The query can be overriden in some instances, but not when a clearly erroneous recording would result.

While a sow is on the farrowing record, the recorder will calculate a sow's feed requirements according to the algorithm.

F = fs + n.fp + or-fc where F is the recommended total feed fs is a basic fixed amount per sow fp is a basic fixed amount per piglet n is the number of piglets, and fc is an amount of feed determined by a condition code The feed calculation stops on entry of the piglets-weaned event.

The basic data for feed computation is entered, in like manner to initialisation, with the recorder connected to the printer. Entry of a condition code is optional. The entries can be altered at any time, and the required feed is recalculated each time a feed list is printed.

From the previously entered events and related data, the recorder is able to provide a number of records and lists via the printer.

First, by use of "print" and "1" keys, it can provide a service record with a list of relevant sows, service dates, boar codes, projected farrowing dates etc. By use of "print" and "2", a corresponding farrowing list is obtainable.

The use of "print" and "3" makes available a print-out of an action list, comprising lists of events due in the next 7 days. These lists are of: 1) sows due on heat (automatically computed as 21 days after service); 2) sows to be checked for pregnancy (automatically computed as 30 days after service); 3) sows due to farrow (computed as 115 days after service); 4) piglets to be weaned (normally computed on a 21-day weaning period). Sows return to action list 1) after weaning.

5) a user-defined action list. The user can define an action list according to his requirements, for example by specifying the event to which the list is to relate and the date (relative to the current date) when the defined event occurred. Thus for example a list of all animals serviced on a particular date or between two dates, may be obtained.

A split action list is available by use of "print" and "3" followed by ".1" or ".2" etc.

The use of "print" and "4" enables a feed list to be obtained, as hereinbefore mentioned.

"Print" and "6" enables a list of sows which are ill to be obtained, together with illness codes etc.

Finally, "print" and "5" causes a printout of herd statistics, constituting a report of herd performance over the preceding month, 3 months, 6 months and/or 1 year. The statistics are updated monthly and are based on a set of simple algorithms which relate to the events and data have been recorded during the period in question.

When the recorder is first used, the facility exists for entering into the memory the records of the herd to date, as taken from book entries and the like. This is enabled by pressing "print" and "8", which sets up the recorder to receive appropriate statistics on a monthly basis working backwards. The originally entered statistics will be updated in the usual way when the recorder has been in normal use for at least a month receiving and recording events and data.

The method of the invention carried out by use of the recorder will now be briefly described: When a sow has been served, the event is recorded. The sow in question is then then included in a service record. At the same time, one or more boar codes can be entered if required. The unit assumes a gestation period of 115 days and on this basis it works out a projected farrowing date from the service date.

If the service has not been successful the sow will come back on heat after 21 days.

Once a sow has been served it appears on an action list 21 days later under the heading "Sows Due on Heat". If the sow does not come back on heat and is not served again it will continue to appear on the action list with an asterisk indicating that it is overdue. After 30 days it will appear on the action list under the heading "Check for Pregnancy". It will then disappear from the action list until it is due to farrow, assuming that the sow is found to be pregnant.

Every time a sow is served, a new farrowing date is calculated and it appears on the action list again after another 21 days.

A list of the service record for the herd can be obtained at any time. This shows, for each sow which has been served, the date of the service, the board code or codes, the number of repeat services and the projected farrowing date.

When a sow is due to farrow it appears on the action list under the heading "Sows Due to Farrow". It will continue to appear on the action list until the farrowing is recorded. If the farrowing is overdue this is indicated by an asterisk.

When the farrowing is recorded, the sow is deleted from the service record and added to the farrowing record. At the same time the number of piglets born, both dead and alive, can be entered.

Once a sow has farrowed the unit will calculate its feed requirements based on a fixed quantity per sow plus a given quantity for each piglet. These quantities are entered by the user while the unit is plugged into a printer. The user can also enter a condition code against the sow number to reduce the recommended feed quantity by a set amount.

The unit uses a predetermined weaning age, which has to be entered by the user in advance, to determine when the piglets should be weaned. At this time the sow appears on the action list under the heading "Piglets to be Weaned".

When the weaning is recorded, the number of piglets successfully weaned may be entered. At this point the unit ceases to list the required feed for the sow in question.

A listing of the farrowing record may be obtained at any time. This will give the farrowing date and weaning age plus the number of piglets, born alive, born dead, and successfully weaned.

After the piglets have been weaned the sow will appear back on the action list after a minimum of 3 days under the heading "Sows due on Heat". The action list will show the number of days elapsed since weaning. Once the sow has been served it will appear once more in the service record.

After weaning, the sow will continue to be shown in the farrowing record for a minimum of 7 days, even if it is served during this time.

Herd records are also maintained by the unit on a monthly basis. A record is kept of the number of services and number of farrowings recorded together with the total number of piglets born alive, born dead and weaned.

At the start of each month the number of sows recorded in the unit is saved, together with other herd data which is evaluated at this time.

A A herd summary for the previous month may be obtained at any time. Herd summaries are held for 12 months enabling the data to be averaged over a longer period producing quarterly, half-yearly or yearly results. The following information can be given:- average number of sows, % of successful services, number of piglets/litter, born alive, dead or weaned, number of litters and number of pigs reared/sow/year and the % mortality of piglets born alive. Clearly, herd summaries can only be given when there is sufficient data available. The unit includes a facility for entering in previous herd records when it is used for the first time. Monthly records are entered, if possible. If records are entered for a longer period, identical data will be recorded for each month covered by the period.

For completeness, Fig. 2 is a block circuit diagram of the recorder 10. It includes a microprocessor 50 connected via a data bus 52 to RAM and ROM memories 54, 56, and having an input from a crystal oscillator 58 to establish the calendar and an output to an audible alarm 59 (eg to indicate an erroneous entry). The data bus 52 also connects to a display driver 60 and a keyboard 62 associated with a switch matrix 64. The display driver 60 drives four sections of the LC display, namely date/time section 66, sow number section 68, event section 70 and data section 72. An address bus 74 also connects with the microprocessor, memory, the display drives and the keyboard/switch matrix. Power from a battery supply 76 is fed via a connector 78 and buffer 80, the latter also enabling connection to the printer (not shown).

The microcircuitry is of the low-power cMOS type and is based on a 6805 microprocessor, whilst the programme is resident in the internal non-volatile memory and is selfstarting. As the recorder is available for hand use on site, not only is the casing (polycarbonate) water and dustproof, but in addition the circuitry is fully operational throughout the range 0 to 35 degrees centigrade. The battery pack (rechargeable) can give up to 48 hours' use. Approximate size of the recorder is 50mm by 96mm by 275mm.

The principle of the invention is the maintenance of an active list divided into different headings, and which may be considered to constitute a series of event-due lists, one for each type of action required. The data on these lists is computed jointly from initialising data and from recorded event data, and in most instances the computation takes place at the time an event is entered, whilst the computed data only appears on the event-due list some time later. In the meantime, computed data is kept dormant, ie stored on dormant lists. In accordance with the pre-programmed initialising data, computed data is transferred, each item at the appropriate time, from the dormant lists to the active lists.

However, whereas the unit is described with reference to the drawings is a self-contained portable unit, the invention may alternatively be practised with a portable unit in the form of a terminal for data recordal and which is adapted for use with a computer.

Claims (26)

1. A method of maintaining a record of an animal breeding herd which comprises the steps of: a) entering into an electronic storage unit having a memory and calendar, in relation to individually identified animals, events related to the breeding cycle, whereby these events are stored in the memory in a date-related manner; and b) activating the unit to cause display of event-due lists with identification of the animals thereon, the unit being programmed to include on each event-due list only animals in respect of which a preceding event in the breeding cycle has previously been entered.

2. A method of maintaining a record of an animal breeding herd, comprising the steps of:- a) entering into a portable electronic storage unit having a memory, a calendar and a keyboard, a list which identifies the animals in the herd; b) entering into the unit via the keyboard, in relation to individually identified animals, events and data related to the breeding cycle, whereby the events and data are stored in the memory in a date-related manner, and c) connecting the portable unit to a display unit and activating the unit to cause display of lists computed on the joint basis of preprogrammed data related to the breeding cycle of the animals and the stored events and data which have been entered via the keyboard.

3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2, including the steps of entering into the unit the event that an animal has been served, and activating the unit to cause a pregnancy check list to be displayed.

4. A method according to claim 3, including the steps of entering into the unit that an animal is pregnant, and activating the unit to cause a list of animals due to give birth to be displayed.

5. A method according to claim 4, including the steps of entering into the unit that an animal has given birth, and activating the unit to display a list of animals due to complete weaning of young.

6. A method according to claim 5, including the step of entering into the unit that young animals have been weaned, and activating the unit to cause to be displayed a list of animals due to be serviced, including animals that have completed weaning of young.

7. A method according to any of claims 3 to 6, according to which the list displayed comprises animals for which a particular event is due within a predetermined period from the current date.

8. A method according to claim 2, according to which the data entered into the unit via the keyboard is so entered in relation to an entry of an event, and comprises any one or more of an illness code, one or more boar codes, the number of young animals born alive and/or dead, and the number of young animals weaned.

9. A method according to claim 8, according to which the events entered into the unit via the keyboard comprise any one or more of animal being served, an animal farrowing, young animals being weaned, death of young animals, and confirmation of pregnancy.

10. A method according to claim 8 or claim 9, according to which each kind of event and data is allotted a numerical code and a number is entered via the keyboard to select the kind of entry to be made.

11. A method according to any preceding claim, including the step of activating the unit to cause to be displayed additional lists based on entries made via the keyboard, including any one or more of a list of animals which have been served, a list of animals which are pregnant, a list of animals which have given birth and a list of animals which are ill.

12. A method according to any preceding claim, including the step of entering into the unit information relating to an animal which has given birth, and activating the unit to display the feed requirements for the animal during weaning, the unit being pre-programmed with an algorithm to enable computation of said feed requirements based on the entered information.

13. A method according to any of claims 1 to 12, including the step of activating the unit to display a herd summary covering one or more predetermined periods, said summary comprising statistical data relating to entered events and data throughout said one or more periods and being computed on the basis of algorithms pre-programmed in the unit.

14. A method of maintaining a record of a breed here substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

15. Apparatus for maintaining a record of a breeding herd comprising a portable unit having a memory and a keyboard for data entry; means for utilising data entered into said unit for the calculation of pregnancy test, birth-due, and weaning dates based on memory stored information additional to said data; and extraction means operable at will to provide a display of computer data.

16. A portable electronic unit having keyboard means for the entry of information into a memory means, means for the extraction of data therefrom, and computing means for calculating pregnancy test, birth-due and weaning dates based jointly on information stored in the memory means and the entered information, and the extraction means being operable at will to provide a display of the computed data.

17. A unit according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the memory is capable of storing at least one (and preferably more than one) additional item of information relating to any event entered therein.

18. A unit as claimed in claim 17, wherein the means for utilising the data (or the means for extracting the data) can be adapted by the user to sort the event data in relation to said additional items.

19. A unit according to any of claims 15 to 18, having a port for connection to a printer to enable the display of the computed information.

20. A unit according to any of claims 1 5 to 19, having an electronic calendar therein.

21. A unit according to any of claims 15 to 20, preprogrammed with an algorithm for computing feed requirements during weaning.

22. A unit according to any of claims 15 to 21, preprogrammed with algorithms for computing herd statistics over one or more predetermined periods.

23. A unit according to any of claims 15 to 22, having an LC display with sections for display of animal identification, date/time, designation of an event in relation to an identified animal, and designation of data in relation to an identified animal or event.

24. A unit according to any of claims 15 to 23, having a waterproof and dustproof casing.

25. A unit according to any of claims 15 to 24, having a port to enable recharging of a rechargeable battery pack.

26. A portable electronic unit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.