JP3954000B2 - Livestock management system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a system for measuring environmental data of a livestock barn and managing the livestock barn environment based on the measured data.

In the production management of dairy cattle, beef cattle and other livestock, management of individual animals or management of milk quality and meat quality was performed exclusively. For example, in Patent Document 1, dairy cow health management is performed by data analysis of milk components.
JP-A-7-194273

  By the way, conventionally, in the management of livestock houses, little attention has been paid to the amount and quality of drinking water. For example, a plurality of drinking tanks are installed in a livestock house that accommodates a plurality of domestic animals, and each drinking tank is connected to a water supply pipe (water supply). Each drinking tank is automatically replenished with water through an appropriate valve device so that it is always filled with a constant amount of water. In such conventional drinking water facilities, drinking water for livestock is hardly managed in terms of quantity and quality, and the amount of water supplied can only be recognized from a water meter.

  However, it has been found that the amount and quality of drinking water have a great relationship with the health of livestock. In particular, in dairy cows, since the amount of drinking water is almost directly reflected in the milking amount, grasping the amount of drinking water is extremely important for production management.

  Therefore, the present invention is a system for maintaining the health of livestock and efficiently managing production in a livestock house where a plurality of drinking tubs connected to a water supply pipe are installed, particularly by managing drinking water with priority. It aims at realizing.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following configurations.
(1) A livestock bar management system according to claim 1 includes a livestock bar having a plurality of drinking tubs connected to a water supply pipe, and a live barn management computer for managing the live barn environment.
Further, the drinking water tank includes a water meter that measures the amount of water automatically supplied from the water supply pipe and outputs a water amount measurement signal, a water temperature measuring device that measures the water temperature and outputs the water temperature measurement signal, and a water temperature control signal. And a heater that operates according to the above.
Still further, the livestock management computer includes a data file for storing a water quantity reference value and a water temperature reference value, a receiving means for receiving the water quantity measurement signal and the water temperature measurement signal, and a water quantity measurement value based on the water quantity measurement signal; reduced water consumption by the first comparison means and said first comparing means determines that the amount of water reference value and the water content measured value by comparing the water consumption the less than water amount reference value is decreased When the water temperature measurement value is lower than the water temperature reference value by comparing the water temperature measurement value based on the water temperature measurement signal and the water temperature reference value when it is determined that the water temperature is lower than the water temperature reference value. Second comparing means for determining the cause, and transmitting means for transmitting the water temperature control signal to operate the heater when the second comparing means determines that the water temperature decrease is the cause of the decrease in the amount of drinking water. To do.

(2) A livestock barn management system according to claim 2 according to claim 1, wherein the drinking tub measures a water quality and outputs a water quality measurement signal, and an alarm indicator operated by an alarm control signal. Are further provided. Further, the livestock barn management computer compares the data file for storing the water quality reference value, the receiving means for receiving the water quality measurement signal, the water quality measurement value based on the water quality measurement signal and the water quality reference value. And a transmission means for transmitting the alarm control signal to operate the alarm indicator based on the comparison result by the third comparison means.

(3) The livestock bar management system according to claim 3 is operated by the indoor temperature measuring device according to claim 1 or 2 that measures the temperature in the livestock bar and outputs the indoor temperature measurement signal, and the indoor temperature control signal. Air-conditioning equipment to be installed. Further, the livestock barn management computer includes a data file for storing a room temperature reference value, a receiving means for receiving the room temperature measurement signal, a room temperature measurement value based on the room temperature measurement signal, and the room temperature reference value. And a transmission means for transmitting the room temperature control signal to operate the cooling / heating device based on a comparison result by the fourth comparison means.

(4) The livestock bar management system according to claim 4 is the indoor humidity measuring instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which measures humidity in the livestock bar and outputs an indoor humidity measurement signal, and indoor humidity control. Install a humidifier / dehumidifier activated by a signal,
The livestock bar management computer compares a data file for storing a room humidity reference value, a receiving means for receiving the room humidity measurement signal, a room humidity measurement value based on the room humidity measurement signal, and the room humidity reference value a fifth comparison means for, to a transmitting means for transmitting said fifth the indoor humidity control signal so as to operate the insertion and deletion humidity device based on the comparison result by the comparison means.

  The livestock bar management system of the present invention includes a livestock bar having a plurality of drinking tubs connected to a water supply pipe, and a livestock barn management computer for managing the livestock barn environment. The measured value data of the amount of water supplied to each drinking tub and the water temperature is output by the water meter and the water temperature provided in each drinking tub, and transmitted to the livestock barn management computer. The livestock barn management computer stores a reference amount of water in the normal range in advance. This is compared with the measured water amount, and if the measured water value is lower than the water reference value, it is determined that the amount of drinking water has decreased. In that case, the water temperature reference value and the water temperature measurement value are then compared. When the water temperature measurement value is lower than the water temperature reference value, a decrease in water temperature is considered to be a cause of a decrease in the amount of drinking water, so the water temperature needs to be raised to a normal range. Each water tank in the livestock bar is provided with a heater, and the livestock bar management computer transmits a control signal for operating each heater. Thereby, a heater operates and the water temperature of a drinking tank rises. As a result, the amount of water consumed by livestock can be recovered.

More preferably, the water quality measuring device provided in the drinking fountain outputs the water quality measurement value data and transmits it to the livestock barn management computer. The livestock bar management computer stores a water quality reference value in a normal range in advance. This is compared with the water quality measurement value, and if the water quality measurement value is not in the normal range, it is determined that the water quality is poor. If the water quality is poor, an alarm control signal is transmitted to activate the alarm indicator. The alarm indicator is, for example, a visually recognizable warning display or an audibly recognizable warning sound. Thereby, water quality abnormality can be known.

  Further preferably, an indoor thermometer provided in the livestock bar outputs room temperature measurement value data and transmits it to the livestock barn management computer. The livestock bar management computer stores a room temperature reference value in a normal range in advance. This is compared with the room temperature measurement value, and when the room temperature measurement value is not in the normal range, it is determined that the room temperature is abnormal. When the room temperature is abnormal, a control signal for operating the air conditioner of the livestock barn is transmitted. As a result, the air conditioner operates, and the room temperature can be brought into the normal range.

  More preferably, an indoor hygrometer provided in the livestock bar outputs indoor humidity measurement value data and transmits it to the livestock barn management computer. The livestock barn management computer stores the indoor humidity reference value in the normal range in advance. This is compared with the indoor humidity measurement value, and if the indoor humidity measurement value is not in the normal range, it is determined that the humidity is abnormal. When the humidity is abnormal, a control signal for operating the humidifying / dehumidifying device in the livestock barn is transmitted. As a result, the humidifying / dehumidifying device is activated, and the room humidity can be set within the normal range.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically and schematically showing a livestock barn management system according to the present invention. The main components of the livestock barn management system are the livestock barn 10 provided with various measuring devices and environmental control devices, and the livestock barn management computer 40. The livestock house 10 contains a plurality of livestock such as dairy cows and beef cattle, and a plurality of drinking tanks 11a, 11b. . Are appropriately arranged. Each drinking tub 11a is connected to the water supply pipe 23 and is supplied with water. A water meter 14 is installed on the branch path from the water supply pipe 23 to each drinking water tank 11a, and measures the amount of water supplied to each drinking water tank 11a. The water meter 14 has an output function of an electrical signal (water amount measurement signal) corresponding to the water amount measurement value. In the embodiment, each livestock can freely drink water from any drinking tub 11a, and each drinking tub 11a is always filled with a certain amount of water by an automatic replenishment mechanism. Furthermore, each water tank 11a is provided with a heater 22 for raising the water temperature. The heater 22 is turned on and off by an external control signal described later.

  Further, a water temperature measuring device 12 and a water quality measuring device 13 are provided in the drinking water tank 11a. Each of the water temperature measuring device 12 and the water quality measuring device 13 has an output function of a water temperature measurement value and an electrical signal (water temperature measurement signal and water quality measurement signal) corresponding to the water quality measurement value. The water quality is, for example, pH. A warning sign 21 is provided in the building of the livestock barn. As the alarm indicator 21, for example, there is a display device for visually informing the water quality abnormality. A flashing lamp, a character display or the like. Alternatively, a warning sound generator that audibly notifies water quality abnormality may be used, or both may be used in combination. In addition, as will be described later, an alarm indicator for notifying an abnormal amount of drinking water or an abnormal water temperature may be provided.

  Preferably, the building of the livestock house 10 includes an indoor thermometer 15 and an indoor hygrometer 16 for measuring the indoor temperature and the indoor humidity, respectively. Each of the indoor thermometer 15 and the indoor hygrometer 16 has an output function of electrical signals (indoor temperature measurement signal and indoor humidity measurement signal) corresponding to the indoor temperature measurement value and the indoor humidity measurement value. Furthermore, the air conditioner 19 and the humidifying / dehumidifying device 20 are installed in the building of the livestock house 10, and each is operated by a control signal from the outside. As will be described later, the control signal is generated based on the indoor temperature measurement value and the indoor humidity measurement value.

  Similarly, it is preferable to provide an outdoor thermometer 17 and an outdoor hygrometer 18 for measuring outdoor temperature and outdoor humidity, respectively, outside the building of the livestock house 10. Each of the outdoor thermometer 17 and the outdoor hygrometer 18 has an output function of electrical signals (outdoor temperature measurement signal and outdoor humidity measurement signal) corresponding to the outdoor temperature measurement value and the outdoor humidity measurement value.

  A signal line for measurement signals output from a measuring device such as a water meter provided in the livestock house 10 and a signal line for control signals sent to an environmental control device such as a heater are provided via an instrumentation control panel 30. Connected to the management computer 40. The instrumentation control panel 30 includes various signal line interface functions, switching functions, power supply functions, and the like. As the interface function, for example, analog signals output from various measuring devices are converted into digital signals input to the livestock barn management computer 40. Moreover, as a switching function, the timing which acquires a measured value from various measuring devices is determined. The timing of the measurement value is, for example, every 2 hours or every 12 hours. As a power supply function, power is supplied to various devices in the livestock barn.

  The livestock barn management computer 40 is, for example, a personal computer. A program for realizing the function of the livestock barn management system of the present invention is installed in a storage device 49 such as a hard disk. When the CPU 42 reads the program into the memory 43 included in the arithmetic and control unit 41 and executes it, it functions as the data processing unit 60 of the livestock barn management system of the present invention. The main functions of the data processing unit 60 include a measurement value storage function 61, a measurement value determination function 62, and a control value determination function 63. These functions will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Furthermore, the livestock barn management computer 40 includes a communication device 44. The communication device 44 has an external interface function, and a measurement signal receiving means 46 that receives measurement signals from various devices in the livestock house 10 via the instrumentation control panel 30 and a control that transmits control signals to various devices. Signal transmission means 45 is included. Data transmission methods include serial transmission and parallel transmission.

  The storage device 49 of the livestock barn management computer 40 stores a reference value data file 50 and a measurement value data file 51 in an appropriate data format. The reference value data file 50 stores reference values for livestock bar environmental parameters. The “livestock barn environmental parameters” are, for example, the amount of drinking water in the water tank, the water temperature and water quality, and the temperature and humidity inside and outside the barn. Here, the “reference value” means a normal value (optimum value) or a normal range (optimum range) of each parameter, and the reference value data is created from statistical data of measured values in a past predetermined period.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a process of creating reference value data. For example, in the case of a dairy cow, since there is a correlation between the milking amount and the amount of drinking water, the drinking water reference value is determined by analyzing the correlation between the milking amount statistical data and the drinking water statistical data. Moreover, since there is a correlation between the amount of drinking water and the water temperature, the water temperature reference value is determined by analyzing the correlation between the drinking water statistical data and the water temperature statistical data. There is also a correlation between the amount of drinking water and the water quality, and the water quality reference value is determined by analyzing the correlation between the drinking water statistical data and the water quality statistical data. Furthermore, there is a correlation between the amount of drinking water and the room temperature or humidity, and the room temperature reference value or the room humidity reference value is determined by analyzing the correlation between the drinking water statistical data and the room temperature or room humidity.

  The reference value may be changed depending on the season. Further, it is desirable that the reference value is determined based on accumulated statistical data for each livestock barn. This is because the livestock barn environment reflects the characteristics of each livestock barn, and the statistical data varies depending on the nature of the livestock individual accommodated.

  The measurement value data file 51 stores measurement values based on measurement signals from various measurement devices provided in the livestock house 10.

  In addition, the livestock barn management computer 40 includes a display device 47 such as a display for displaying an operation state and stored data, and an input device 48 such as a keyboard for inputting operation data.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a control flow in the livestock barn management system shown in FIG.

Step S1: The livestock bar management computer receives measurement signals output from each measuring instrument provided in the livestock barn. As measurement signals for livestock bar environmental parameters, in the embodiment, a water amount measurement signal from a water meter, a water temperature measurement signal from a water temperature meter, a water quality measurement signal from a water quality meter, a room temperature measurement signal from an indoor thermometer, There is an indoor humidity measurement signal from the indoor hygrometer. The outdoor temperature measurement signal and the outdoor humidity measurement signal are arbitrarily measured and received. The measurement signal is received at a preset time or every preset time, but the measurement timing may be changed depending on the type of livestock barn environmental parameter. For example, drinking water and water temperature are measured every 2 hours, water quality is measured every 6 hours, indoor temperature and humidity are measured every 30 minutes, and so on. The measurement timing setting may be changed according to the season.

Step S2: The livestock barn computer converts the received measurement signal into corresponding measurement value data and stores it in the measurement value data file. The measurement value data accumulated in the measurement value data file for a predetermined period can be used as statistical data in FIG. In addition, since the statistics data of the amount and temperature of each drinking water tank are obtained, it can be used as a reference for optimally arranging each drinking water tank in the livestock house.

Step S3: Steps S3 to S7 are an analysis and control flow of drinking water amount and water temperature. The water amount measurement value obtained by measuring the amount of drinking water is compared with the water amount reference value stored in the reference value data file. In this case, the total amount of drinking water in each drinking tank is used as the measured water amount. If the water quantity measurement value satisfies the water quantity reference value, it is determined that the amount of drinking water is in the normal range, and the process returns to step S1 to obtain the next measurement value. On the other hand, if the measured amount of water is less than the reference amount of water, it is determined that the amount of drinking water has decreased, and the process proceeds to step S4.

Step S4: It is determined whether or not the decrease in the amount of drinking water is due to a decrease in water temperature. That is, the water temperature measurement value is compared with the water temperature reference value stored in the reference value data file. Although it is desirable to perform the comparison about this water temperature for every drinking tank, you may compare with an average water temperature, when there is almost no water temperature difference for every drinking tank. If the water temperature measurement value satisfies the water temperature reference value, it is determined that the water temperature is normal, and the process returns to step S1 to obtain the next measurement value. However, in order to notify that there is an abnormality in the amount of drinking water, although it is not caused by the water temperature, an alarm indicator relating to an abnormality in the amount of drinking water may be activated. In addition, when the measured water temperature is higher than the water temperature reference value, an alarm sign relating to a water temperature abnormality may be activated. When performing warning indications for abnormal drinking water or abnormal water temperature, visual or auditory indications that can be distinguished from warning indicators for abnormal water quality, which will be described later, are provided. On the other hand, if the water temperature measurement value is lower than the water temperature reference value, it is determined that the water temperature decrease is the cause of the decrease in the amount of drinking water, and the process proceeds to step S5.

Step S5: A water temperature control value is determined according to the degree of difference between the water temperature measurement value and the water temperature reference value.

Step S6: Based on the water temperature control value, a control signal to be transmitted to the heater is generated and transmitted. For example, the heater ON time is determined by the water temperature control value. It should be noted that it is only necessary to transmit the heater control signal only to the drinking water tank that is determined to have a drop in water temperature in step S4.

Step S7: The heater that has received the control signal operates and the water temperature rises.

Step S8: Next, a water quality analysis and control flow is executed. The measured water quality value is compared with the water quality reference value stored in the reference value data file. If the water quality measurement value satisfies the water quality reference value, it is determined that the water temperature is normal, and the process returns to step S1 to obtain the next measurement value. On the other hand, if the water quality measurement value does not satisfy the water quality reference value, the process proceeds to step S9.

Step S9: An alarm control signal for operating the alarm indicator is transmitted. This alarm control signal is used for alarm indication regarding water quality abnormality, so it is distinguished from other alarm indications.

Step S10: An alarm indicator is activated in response to an alarm control signal.

Step S11: Next, indoor temperature analysis and control flow are executed. The room temperature measurement value is compared with the room temperature reference value stored in the reference value data file. If the indoor temperature measurement value satisfies the indoor temperature reference value, it is determined that the room temperature is normal, and the process returns to step S1 to obtain the next measurement value. On the other hand, if the indoor temperature measurement value does not satisfy the indoor temperature reference value, the process proceeds to step S12.

Step S12: A room temperature control value is determined based on the degree of difference between the room temperature measurement value and the room temperature reference value. The control value is, for example, a room temperature value to be realized.

Step S13: Based on the indoor temperature control value, a control signal to be transmitted to the air conditioner is generated and transmitted.

-Step S14: The air conditioning apparatus which received the control signal operates, and the temperature in the livestock barn becomes an appropriate temperature.

Step S15: Next, indoor humidity analysis and control flow are executed. The indoor humidity measurement value is compared with the indoor humidity reference value stored in the reference value data file. If the indoor humidity measurement value satisfies the indoor humidity reference value, it is determined that the indoor humidity is normal, and the process returns to step S1 to obtain the next measurement value. On the other hand, if the indoor humidity measurement value does not satisfy the indoor humidity reference value, the process proceeds to step S16.

Step S16: The indoor humidity control value is determined based on the degree of difference between the indoor humidity measurement value and the indoor humidity reference value. The control value is, for example, a humidity value to be realized.

Step S17: Based on the indoor humidity control value, a control signal to be transmitted to the humidifying / dehumidifying device is generated and transmitted.

Step S18: The humidifying / dehumidifying device that has received the control signal is activated, and the humidity in the livestock bar becomes an appropriate value.

It is a block diagram which shows schematically and typically the livestock barn management system by this invention. It is the figure which showed typically an example of the preparation process of reference value data. It is a figure which shows roughly the control flow in the livestock barn management system of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Livestock house 11a, 11b Drinking tank 12 Water temperature measuring device 13 Water quality measuring device 14 Water meter 15 Indoor thermometer 16 Indoor hygrometer 17 Outdoor thermometer 18 Outdoor hygrometer 19 Air conditioning unit 20 Humidifier / Dehumidifier 21 Alarm indicator 22 Heater 23 Water supply pipe 30 Instrumentation control panel 40 Livestock barn management computer 41 Arithmetic controller 42 CPU
43 Memory 44 Communication Device 45 Control Signal Transmitting Means 46 Measurement Signal Receiving Means 47 Display Device 48 Input Device 49 Storage Device 50 Reference Value Data File 51 Measurement Value Data File 60 Data Processing Unit 61 Measurement Value Storage Unit 62 Measurement Value Judgment Unit 63 Control Value determination part

Claims (4)

In a livestock barn management system having a livestock barn with a plurality of drinking tubs connected to a water supply pipe, and a livestock barn management computer for managing the livestock barn environment,
The water tank is operated by a water meter that measures the amount of water automatically supplied from the water supply pipe and outputs a water amount measurement signal, a water temperature meter that measures the water temperature and outputs the water temperature measurement signal, and a water temperature control signal. And a heater
The livestock management computer includes a data file for storing a water quantity reference value and a water temperature reference value, a receiving means for receiving the water quantity measurement signal and the water temperature measurement signal, a water quantity measurement value based on the water quantity measurement signal, and the water quantity reference The first comparison means for comparing the value and determining that the amount of drinking is reduced if the measured water value is less than the reference amount of water, and the amount of drinking is reduced by the first comparison means. When the water temperature measurement value is lower than the water temperature reference value by comparing the water temperature measurement value based on the water temperature measurement signal and the water temperature reference value, it is determined that the water temperature decrease is the cause of the decrease in the amount of drinking water. And a transmission means for transmitting the water temperature control signal to operate the heater when it is determined by the second comparison means that a decrease in water temperature is the cause of a decrease in the amount of drinking water. Characterize Barn management systems. The water tank further includes a water quality measuring instrument that measures water quality and outputs a water quality measurement signal, and an alarm indicator that operates according to an alarm control signal,
A third comparison in which the livestock barn management computer compares a data file for storing a water quality reference value, a receiving means for receiving the water quality measurement signal, a water quality measurement value based on the water quality measurement signal and the water quality reference value 2. The livestock barn management system according to claim 1, further comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit the alarm control signal to operate the alarm indicator based on a comparison result obtained by the third comparison unit. . While installing an indoor temperature measuring device that measures the temperature in the livestock house and outputs an indoor temperature measurement signal, and an air conditioning apparatus that operates according to the indoor temperature control signal,
The livestock bar management computer compares a data file for storing a room temperature reference value, a receiving means for receiving the room temperature measurement signal, a room temperature measurement value based on the room temperature measurement signal, and the room temperature reference value. 3. A fourth comparison unit configured to transmit the room temperature control signal to operate the cooling / heating device based on a comparison result obtained by the fourth comparison unit. The livestock barn management system described in 1. While installing an indoor humidity measuring device that measures the humidity in the livestock house and outputs an indoor humidity measurement signal, and a humidifying / dehumidifying device that operates according to the indoor humidity control signal,
The livestock bar management computer compares a data file for storing a room humidity reference value, a receiving means for receiving the room humidity measurement signal, a room humidity measurement value based on the room humidity measurement signal, and the room humidity reference value a fifth comparison means for, claim 1, characterized by a transmitting means for transmitting the indoor humidity control signal so as to operate the insertion and deletion humidity device based on the comparison result by said fifth comparison means The livestock barn management system according to any one of 3 above.

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