NZ556233A

NZ556233A - Management of animals

Info

Publication number: NZ556233A
Application number: NZ55623307A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: James Harold Vernon; Richard Llewellyn Vernon; John Spencer Vernon
Original assignee: James Harold Vernon; John Spencer Vernon; Richard Llewellyn Vernon
Priority date: 2007-12-29
Filing date: 2007-12-29
Publication date: 2010-11-26

Abstract

A system (10) for managing animals, includes an indicator unit (12) having a receiver (14), a transmitter and an alert means (16), and an animal transponder (20), couplable to an animal to be managed. The indicator unit is portable and/or is adapted to be borne by a user. The animal transponder is arranged, in use, to transmit an identification signal corresponding to the respective animal to the indicator unit when the animal transponder is within a range of the indicator unit and the indicator unit is arranged to transmit identification data based at least in part on the identification signal received from the animal transponder to a remote computing device (28, 48). The computing device is arranged to interrogate a database in response to receipt of the identification data and to transmit a response signal to the indicator unit dependent on data associated with the animal corresponding to the identification data, and the indicator unit is configured to perform a predetermined event dependent on the response signal.

Description

<div class="application article clearfix" id="description"> PATENTS FORM NO. 5 Our ref: JOL5Q7474NZPR NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Complete After Provisional No 556233 Filed: 29 December 2007 MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS We, JAMES HAROLD VERNON AND JOHN SPENCER VERNON AND RICHARD LLEWELLYN VERNON NEW ZEALAND CITIZENS OF 130 MAIRANGI ROAD, WILTON, WELLINGTON, 6012, NEW ZEALAND AND 285 DENBIGH ROAD RD 24, STRATFORD, 4394, NEW ZEALAND AND 5 HURMAN STREET, KARORI, WELLINGTON, 6012, NEW ZEALAND hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: ftoperty . -1 - 301111270_1 ,DOC:JOL:qakld 3 0 MAR 2009 2 MANAGEMENT 01 ANIMALS FIELD OF THE INVENTION This present invention relates to the management of a herd of animals. More particularly, although riot exclusively, a preferred example of the present invention relates to management of a herd of livestock or bovine animals, and more preferably a herd of dairy stock animals. While the present invention will be described herein predominantly with reference to dairy stock cows, it is contemplated that the present invention may have broader application to other animals, including other livestock animals. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION RFID (radio frequency identification) technology is being increasingly used in a range of different logistics applications. In the agriculture sector, for example, RFID technology is being increasingly applied to track beef animals. Outbreaks of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as "mad cow disease", and outbreaks of the thought-to-be-related human variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD), have led to many countries mandating all dry stock animals be tracked from birth to death. It is expected New Zealand will soon join these countries. In contrast, there is presently no mandatory requirement for RFID tracking of dairy stock animals within the dairy industry. In dairy farming, two common types of milking sheds (or "cowsheds") include rotary cowsheds and herringbone cowsheds. In a rotary cowshed, cows move onto a rotating platform in a single file via a single entry point, and then to individual milking positions (or "bales") located around the platform. The cows stand at respective positions and are milked as the platform rotates, with one or more farmers (or milkers or workers; herein collectively referred to as "farmers") located either inside or outside the platform attaching the milking cups or clusters thereof to the teats of each cow from the rear of the cow. After milking, the cows exit the rotating platform in single file via a single exit point. This layout ensures most rotary cowsheds are generally well adapted for the application of RFID technology. The regulated exit and entry points to and from the bales provide good locations at which to deploy a single RFID reader. In a herringbone cowshed, cows generally enter via a pair of entry points and stand next to 3 each other during milking in two parallel lines. An elongated pit extends between the two lines, and the cows face away from the pit at an oblique angle in herringbone fashion. One or more farmers operating in the pit are able to attach the milking cups to the teats of the cows from the rear of each cow. Herringbone cowsheds are not as well adapted as rotary cowsheds for the application of fixed RFID infrastructure and display equipment, as farmers are normally mobile and changing positions throughout milking. RFID readers located at each of the entry points to identify cows entering the cowshed, for example, are insufficient. In a herringbone cowshed, the cows are often able to change places after passing the entry points and the farmer could not be certain that the order of the cows in each of the milking positions or bales is the same as the order of the cows as they passed the readers. Therefore, the farmer would not be able to identify with certainty the exact milking position of a particular cow. These issues of the mobility of farmers and the uncertainty regarding the final milking positions of cows in herringbone cowsheds may be partially addressed by providing multiple readers so that a reader may be located at each milking position. Some vendors are presently offering this kind of solution. However, such a system typically requires significant structural changes to most herringbone cowsheds and is expensive to both install and implement. The difficulties associated with applying RFID technology in herringbone cowsheds are particularly evident in New Zealand, where herringbone cowsheds generally do not have the individual stalls of overseas cowsheds that create specific bales for each cow to align itself into. In most New Zealand herringbone cowsheds, the sides of the race where the cows stand in the bales are straight from end to end or have zigzag rails, and there are no vertical posts from the kick rails to the floor of the shed (the kick rails are suspended from the ceiling to improve safety for farmers). Automated herringbone cowshed identification systems that have previously been proposed by overseas manufacturers typically rely on the individual milking locations or bales for each cow and on the availability of the vertical posts extending to the floor. It would be desirable to provide an improved system and a method for identifying and managing a herd of animals, and more particularly dairy stock animals, that is suitable for use in both rotary and herringbone cowsheds, or at least to provide farmers with a useful choice. Further, it would be desirable to provide a system and method for managing animals that 30i5409i5_l.DOC 4 facilitates one or more of: the accurate identification of animals; identification of missing animals; preventing milk collected from animals that are subject to milk withholding periods from mixing with milk collected for commercial use; management of animal mating; automated drafting; and automatically recording quantitative and qualitative data on milk collected from each cow. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Preferred aspects of the invention are set forth in the appended set of claims. Particular embodiments of the invention are described below in non-limiting terms. The present invention provides a herd management system for managing a herd of animals having respective unique animal identifiers, the system comprising: at least one indicator unit having a receiver, a transmitter and a display, and a plurality of animal transponders, each animal transponder being coupled to a respective animal and arranged to transmit a signal representative of the respective animal identifier to the indicator unit in response to receiving a signal from the indicator unit; wherein, the indicator unit is arranged to display the animal identifier when the respective animal transponder is within range of the indicator unit. In a particularly preferred form of the system, the herd of animals is a herd of livestock animals, and more preferably a herd of dairy cows. Preferably, the system includes a plurality of indicator units, each indicator unit provided for a respective farmer. Preferably, each indicator unit is arranged to communicate with an animal (or cow) transponder when the transponder is within a range of about 0 to 400 millimetres. Preferably, each cow transponder is a radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder arranged to be secured to a rear leg of a cow. The term "transponder" may include other forms of transponder device, besides the RFID devices discussed predominantly herein. Preferably, each indicator unit is an electronic wrist unit arranged to be worn about the wrist or lower arm of a respective farmer and includes an alarm for alerting the farmer that the transponder of one or more predetermined cows is within range of the wrist unit. The alarm may include one or more of:- a screen forming part of the display arranged to flash to alert 301540915_1.DOC the farmers, a speaker arranged to emit an audible noise to alert the farmer, and a vibrator for vibrating the wrist unit against the farmer to alert the farmer, for example. Further or alternatively, the system may include one or more external alarms for alerting the farmer(s), such as one or more speakers permanently mounted within the cowshed or forming part of a Bluetooth headset worn by each farmer, or one or more displays mounted within the cowshed, for example. "Cowshed" is interpreted herein broadly and not only includes established buildings in which cows are milked such as rotary, herringbone or other cowshed arrangements, but may also include any other farm or other building in which cows or other animals may be managed or milked. The wrist unit enables alerts to be placed selectively against particular cows by farmers. These alerts can correspond to any management event desired to be drawn to the attention of farmers so as to assist them to make and implement timely and appropriate management decisions. Events predetermined to trigger alerts may include cows requiring mating, cows requiring treatment for an illness or injury, cows that have recently calved ("colostrum cows"), cows that have previously experienced calving issues and cows having poor temperaments, for example. Preferably, each wrist unit is arranged to wirelessly communicate with a computing device located remotely from the wrist unit, the computing device having computer memory for storing a database containing data relating to each of the animals, including alerts for the predetermined cows and associated information. Preferably, the computing device is arranged to compare each identifier displayed by any one of the wrist units with the stored list of cow identifiers having alerts, and to trigger one or more of the alarms of the wrist unit and the external alarms of the system when a predetermined cow is within range of the wrist unit. Preferably, the wrist unit is arranged to display any associated information corresponding to the alert when the alarm is triggered, such as a cow having a particular illness. The computing device may be a desktop computer or server located in or near a cowshed in which cows are being milked and the wrist units may be arranged to communicate with the computing device over a wireless network established in and about the cowshed. Preferably, each wrist unit is arranged to facilitate data entry to update or select system records contained within the database. For example, each wrist unit may include one or more of a keypad, voice recognition or activation software and hardware, or a touch-screen display for data entry. 301540915_1.DOC 6 Preferably, the wrist units also include computer memory so that when a farmer wearing one of the wrist units is in a remote area of the farm away from the cowshed and out of range of the network, the farmer is able to enter data on the herd into the wrist unit. The wrist unit may then be arranged to update the main database stored by the cowshed computing device with the new data when the wrist unit is again within range of the network. Further or alternatively, the system may include one or more other wireless mobile devices for collecting data outside of the cowshed, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA) device. Again the PDA device is preferably arranged to update the cowshed computing device with all new data or information collected and entered into the PDA while out on the farm when the PDA comes back within wireless range of the cowshed computing device. Preferably, the herd management system further includes a drafting system for automatically drafting cows from the remaining herd, the drafting system having a moveable barrier, at least one receiver and at least one transmitter, and being in communication with the cowshed computing device, wherein each cow transponder is arranged to transmit a signal representative of the respective cow identifier to the drafting system in response to receiving a signal from the drafting system, the drafting system is arranged to transmit a signal representative of the cow identifier to the computing device, the computing device being arranged to compare the transmitted identifier to a list of predetermined cows identifiers corresponding to cows to be drafted and to transmit a signal representative of the result of the comparison to the wrist unit, wherein the barrier is able to be automatically moved to draft a cow from the remaining herd if the cow is one of the predetermined cows. Preferably, the herd management system further includes a weighing system for automatically recording the weights of cows, the weighing system having weighing apparatus, such as scales, for weighing each cow, and a receiver and a transmitter, and being in communication with the cowshed computing device, wherein each cow transponder is arranged to transmit a signal representative of the respective cow identifier to the weighing system in response to receiving a signal from the weighing system, the weighing system is arranged to transmit signals representative of the cow identifier and the weight of the cow to the computing device, and the computing device is arranged to store the weight of the cow in the database. The system may also include an electronic reader for reading the cow transponder of each cow as the cow first passes a predetermined location, such as into a cowshed or a yard near 301540915_1.DOC 7 the cowshed. The reader may be in communication with the cowshed computing device, wherein the computing device is arranged to compare identifiers detected by the reader with data for the entire herd so that any discrepancies, such as missing cows or extra cows, can be determined and remedial action taken. The reader may form part of the drafting system or the weighing system, and may be used to provide information on missing cows before milking begins, for example. Alternatively, missing cow information can be derived from data collated at the end of the milking, without the reader at the gate entrance by comparing all of the cows detected by the wrist units with a list of unique identifiers for the entire herd. Again, this may be done automatically and the results of the comparison automatically transmitted back to the wrist unit. In an example of the system, the RFID transponders may be passive RFID transponders or semi-passive or active RFID transponders having associated internal power sources. For example, it is contemplated an active transponder containing a battery power source could be secured to each cow. This will enable recording of pedometer and other information that can be transmitted back to the wrist unit and on to the computing device when the cow comes into range of a wrist unit while being milked. This pedometer and other data can then be used for specific purposes such as automated drafting. Preferably, the system also includes a plurality of transponders, each transponder secured to, or near to, a cluster of milking cups at a respective milking position and arranged to transmit a signal representative of the respective unique cluster identifier to the wrist unit in response to receiving a signal from the wrist unit, and the wrist unit is arranged to transmit signals to the computing device representative of the cluster identifier and the identifier of a cow at the respective milking position, whereby the system is able to associate each cow with a particular milking position to facilitate the collection of quantitative and qualitative data on milk collected from the cow. Preferably, each transponder is an RFID transponder. While the above aspects have been described with reference to the overall management system of the invention, they are not limited thereto and may be implemented in isolation or with only a subset of the other aspects. Thus, such aspects are to be treated as if individually set forth. This also applies to the aspects described below. 301540915_1.DOC 8 The present invention further provides a herd management method for managing a herd of animals having respective unique animal identifiers, the method comprising: providing at least one indicator unit having a receiver, a transmitter and a display, and providing a plurality of animal transponders, each animal transponder being coupled to a respective animal and arranged to transmit a signal representative of the respective animal identifier to the indicator unit in response to receiving a signal from the indicator unit; displaying the respective animal identifier on the display when an animal transponder is within range of the indicator unit. Preferred examples of the system and method advantageously facilitate the capture, maintenance and access to information on animals, and remove the need for farmers or workers to manually maintain and enter information into notebooks carried in their pockets, for example, or in a separate PDA device. Such information may include, for example: observations on animals which are on heat and require mating, observations on injured or sick animals which will require treatment, including details on the type of illness/injury and location of any wound or infection, observations on animals with temper problems that may dictate that an animal should be culled, information on, and management of, milk withholding periods for sick or colostrum animals, and information on drug treatments applied or proposed for sick or injured cows, dosages, treatment durations and milk withholding periods associated with each type of treatment. - three-teater cows - other information that the farmer may need recorded The present invention further provides an indicator unit for use in managing a herd of livestock animals having respective unique identifiers, each animal of the herd having an animal transponder for emitting a signal representative of the respective unique identifier, the indicator unit comprising: a housing arranged to be attached to or worn on the body of a farmer; a transmitter and a receiver coupled to or contained within the housing and for transmitting to and receiving signals from the transponders; and a display supported in the housing for indicating on the display the respective identifier of one of the animals when the animal is within range of the receiver. 301540915_1.DOC 9 Preferably, the indicator unit is a wrist unit arranged to be worn on the lower arm of the farmer. The wrist unit may be coupled by a strap to the forearm of the farmer. Preferably, the wrist unit further comprises: an alarm for alerting the farmer; wherein, the alarm is activated based on a comparison between the displayed identifier and a list of one or more predetermined identifiers such that the alarm is arranged to activate when the indicator unit is within range of the respective transponder of one or more predetermined animals. "Alarm" is interpreted herein broadly as not only including active alarms (e.g. audible, flashing light, vibration) but also merely displaying information on a display on the wrist unit or an associated display. Furthermore, the display may be provided with switching means so that information is only displayed when requested by a farmer, thereby reducing power requirements. Preferably, the wrist unit is arranged to communicate wirelessly with a remote computing device, the wrist unit is arranged to transmit a signal representative of the displayed identifier to the computing device, the comparison between the displayed identifier and a list of one or more predetermined identifiers is performed by the computing device, and a signal representative of the result of the comparison is transmitted back to the wrist unit. Preferably, each wrist unit includes one or more of; a keypad, voice recognition or activation software and hardware, or a touch-screen display, for data entry to update or select system records contained within a database stored by the computing device. The present invention still further provides computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing a method comprising: receiving a signal from an indicator unit; maintaining in computer memory a database having a plurality of unique identifiers representing respective animals in a herd, the signal from the indicator unit representing one of the unique identifiers; updating the database based at least partly on the results of comparing the signal from the indicator unit with the unique identifiers stored in the database; and transmitting a signal to the indicator unit representing data from the database. 301540915_1.DOC 10 The term "comprising" as used in this specification and claims means "consisting at least in part of; that is to say when interpreting statements in this specification and claims which include "comprising", the features prefaced by this term in each statement all need to be present but other features can also be present. Related terms such as "comprise", "comprises", and 'comprised" are to be interpreted in similar manner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting, example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view of a system for managing a herd of dairy stock animals; Figure 2 is a schematic flowchart of a method of managing a herd of dairy stock animals using the system of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a flow chart illustration of a method of automatic drafting according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a further flow chart illustration of a method of automatic drafting according to an embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The term "farmer" is used throughout this specification to describe individual workers who use the wrist units, and for the present purposes includes the people who actually milk the cows who may be known as milk harvesters, farmers, farm workers, veterinarians or herd testers or anyone who may require information on the animals being monitored. An example of a herd management system 10 for managing a herd of livestock animals, and more particularly a herd of dairy stock animals (herein generally referred to as "cows"), is shown schematically in Figure 1. The system 10 includes one or more indicator units, typically in the form of wrist units 12. Each wrist unit 12 is arranged to be worn about the lower arm. Each wrist unit 12 includes a transmitter, a receiver preferably in the form of at least one (preferably dual frequency) RFID 301540915_l.DOC 11. reader 14, a display 16 such as an OLED or an LCD screen for displaying, in one or more colours, possibly flashing, information associated with the unique identifier, and input or data entry means by which a farmer is able to enter and retrieve information via the unit 12. The RFID reader 14 may be any one or more of a low, high and ultra- high frequency RFID reader, for example. The input or data entry means may be in the form of one or more of a keypad, voice recognition or activation software and hardware or a touch-screen display, for example. Note that different categories of user may be provided with different capabilities. For example, some users may not be enabled I entrusted to enter data. This may be software (e g. through user IDs) or hardware determined (e.g. not providing the input means). Additionally, as would be apparent, different forms of wrist unit may be provided with different functionality such that, for example, a smaller, compact unit may be used as an alternative to a larger unit where full functionality is required. The unit 12 may have a shock resistant plastic housing 18, that substantially encases the transmitter and reader. Preferably, each unit also includes a strap coupled to the housing and for fastening the housing about the wrist or lower arm of the farmer. The housing 18 may also substantially encase a processor, computer memory, wireless communications and display hardware, a power source, such as a battery for example, and software associated with operation of the wrist unit. While the wrist unit is conveniently worn by a user according to preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, a clip may be provided for coupling the unit to a user's belt. Any other known means may also be used, or no means at all, with the user simply holding the device and/or for example storing it in a pocket. Each wrist unit 12 preferably also includes an alarm for alerting the farmer that cow(s) corresponding to one or more predetermined identifiers ("alert cows") are within range of the unit 12. The alerts may be established for sick cows that are subject to a drug withholding period in which the cow's milk needs are to be kept separate from the milk collected for commercial use, for example. Further examples where alerts may be established are for cows ready for mating and colostrum cows following calving. The alarm is arranged to get the attention of the farmer. The alarm may include one or more of a screen forming part of the display 16 arranged to flash to alert the farmer, a speaker arranged to emit an audible noise to alert the farmer, and a vibrator incorporated in the wrist unit 12 to alert the farmer. Alternatively, the system may include one or more external alarms for alerting the farmer(s), such as externally mounted speakers, a Bluetooth headset worn by each farmer, or one or 301540915_J.DOC 12 more externally mounted displays. The system 10 also includes a plurality of emitters in the form of RFID transponders 20 for the cows. For the purposes of this specification the terms "transponder" and "tag" may be used substantially interchangeably. These terms refer to any device able to receive a signal and transmit a signal in response. This includes RFID transponders and equivalent technology. In addition, a transponder or tag may include a tag that can operate on more than one frequency such as both low and high frequencies or a low frequency tag and a Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) tag. The tags 20 may be contained within plastic "anklets" 22 able to be buckled or secured by any suitable means to the inside of the rear ankle of the respective cow, for example with a hook and loop (Velcro) type fastening strap, or a buckle or other clasp.. Alternatively, each tag may be attached to another part of the cow, such as the neck or an ear, for example. Each cow may have more than one transponder or tag attached to it, for example in separate locations about the cow, and for the purposes of this specification, the terms "cow tag" or "animal transponder" may refer to any or all transponders on a given animal. Each cow tag 20 is assigned a unique animal identifier. Each cow tag 20 is arranged to be coupled to a respective cow and to emit an electronic data signal representative of the respective identifier in response to being excited by (that is, receiving a signal from) a wrist unit 12 when the unit 12 is within range. A chip in each tag 20 has memory arranged to store the unique identifier, or a representation of the unique identifier, which may be up to 15 characters long, for example. The identifier may be stored in erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM). While not essential to the invention, a compact tag is preferred to minimise the discomfort felt by the cow or its impact because of, for example, chafing. The use of ultra-high frequency RFID readers has been found in some circumstances to enable the use of smaller tags than for lower frequencies. In a preferred embodiment, the transponder is housed in a waterproof casing to protect the transponder from various forms of moisture it may be exposed to on a cow. Alternate ways of protecting the transponder from moisture are also provided, such as coating the transponder in a waterproof substance, or providing sealing means around a transponder housing or support means. The RFID tags of the system 10 are preferably passive read/write RFID tags, but this is not 301540915_ 1 .DOC 13 essential. Other suitable, semi-passive or active RFID tags having associated internal power sources may be used. The system 10 preferably also includes a plurality of emitters in the form of cluster RFID transponders (or "tags") 24. Each cluster tag 24 is secured to or near to a cluster of milking cups at a respective milking position or bale of the cowshed. Each milking position is assigned a unique identifier. Each cluster tag 24 is arranged to transmit an electronic data signal representative of the identifier of the respective milking position in response to being excited by (that is, receiving a signal from) a wrist unit 12 when the unit 12 is within range. Advantageously, each tag 24 is located to come, in use, within a range of less than about 400 millimetres, and more preferably less than about 150 millimetres, from the wrist unit 12 worn by a farmer as the farmer fits the cluster of milking cups to the teats of a cow standing at the respective milking position. The system 10 also preferably includes one or more personal digital assistants (PDAs) 26, or other like wireless mobile computing devices. Each PDA 26 may be stored in a pouch or pocket of the farmer, or otherwise releasably secured to the body of the farmer, such as by way of a neck strap on the farmer for example. Each PDA 26 may be used, for ergonomic reasons, primarily for "out-of-cowshed" related data entry of information relating to the herd, such as when viewing the herd in paddocks remote from the cowshed. The system 10 also preferably includes a remote computing device located in the cowshed in the form of a dairy or cowshed computer 28. The dairy computer 28 may be a desktop computer or server, for example, having and arranged to execute software associated with implementing the system 10. The dairy computer 28 is arranged for controlling the collection of data from and transferral to each of the wrist unit(s) 12, the PDA(s), 26 and any yard gate reader(s) 30 and drafting gates 32 (both described below) operating in or about the cowshed, and includes computer memory for maintaining real-time records or database(s) of herd information, including any changes stemming from feedback from any of the wrist unit(s) 12, PDA(s) 26, yard gate readers(s) 30 and drafting gate(s) 32. It is anticipated there will likely be at least two wrist units 12 operating at any one time in the average sized herringbone cowshed that may need to be in communication with the dairy computer 28. Other numbers of wrist units may also be used as required according to the size and/or layout of the cowshed, which may include other types of cowshed besides herringbone including, but not limited to, rotary cowsheds. Preferably, the memory is of sufficient capacity for storing at least two months of data on the herd, including alerts and associated information. 30.L540915_1.DGC 14 The system 10 also preferably includes one or more wireless access point(s) that may be located within the cowshed for facilitating wireless communication between at least the wrist unit(s) 12, the PDA(s) 26 and the dairy computer 28. The wireless access point may be a wireless router 34 establishing Zigbee (or other) wireless personal or local area network 36, for example. The router 34 may be mounted on a wall of the cowshed or in any position such that acceptable coverage is achieved, and may be connected to the dairy computer 28 via a serial cable connection 38, for example. The wireless network 36 allows real-time synchronisation between the wrist unit(s) 12, PDA(s) 26 and the dairy computer 28. The primary real-time roles of the dairy computer 28, which will be described below, may include, for example, any one or more of: receiving information that a particular cow is being milked; receiving information about alert cows (defined hereinbelow) from the wrist unit(s) 12 and in response triggering operation of the wrist unit 12 and drafting gates 32 as cows leave (or enter) the cowshed; generating of missing cow reports, and providing a central database or repository for all cow alert information; providing a point from which real-time data is transmitted through a wireless connection to a computing device (discussed below) located at a home or office of the farmer(s) (away from the cowshed) so as to facilitate further updates and report generating capability back at the house or office; and a clock so that the times of events may be recorded. System 10 also preferably includes at least one electronic receiver or reader in the form of one or more low or high or ultra-high frequency RFID reader 30 that may be located to simultaneously detect the tags 20 of the cows passing within range of the reader 30. The reader 30 may be located to detect the identifiers of cows entering a holding yard of the milking shed before milking, for example. The yard gate reader 30 is in communication with the dairy computer 28, such as by way of a serial cable 40 or the wireless network 36, for example. After all of the present cows of the herd pass the reader 30, the dairy computer 28 is able to compare the identifiers read by the yard gate reader 30 with a list of all of the identifiers (or cows) of the herd and is able to generate a missing (or extra) cow report based on any tags 20 that have not been detected entering the yard. This allows for the earliest possible detection of missing cows that have not come to the cowshed. 301540915_ 1 .DOC 15 The system 10 preferably also includes a drafting system in the form of a drafting gate or gates 32 for automatically drafting cows from the remaining herd. The drafting system has one or more moveable barrier(s) or gate(s) 42 at least one reader 44, each comprising a receiver and a transmitter, and is in communication with the dairy computer 28. The drafting gate 32 may be a two- or three-way drafting gate, for example. An actuator coupled to the barrier (or gate) 42 is able to automatically move the barrier 42 to draft a cow from the remaining herd into to an alternative holding yard or paddock as the cow passes the drafting gate 32. The receiver may be a low / high / ultra-high frequency RFID reader 44, for example. The drafting system may be arranged to communicate with the dairy computer 28 by way of a serial cable connection 46 or the wireless network 36, for example. The drafting gate 32 may be located at or near the exit point(s) of the cowshed to draft cows as they leave the cowshed. Each cow tag 20 is arranged to transmit a signal representative of the respective cow identifier to the reader 44 as the cow passes within range of the drafting gate 42 in response to being excited by (that is, receiving a signal from) the transmitter of the reader 44. The reader 44 transmits a signal representative of the cow identifier to the dairy computer 28. The dairy computer 28 compares the transmitted identifier with a list of predetermined cow identifiers corresponding to cows to be drafted and transmits a signal representative of the result of the comparison with the wrist unit 12. Based on the comparison, the actuator is operable to open or shut the barrier 42 to draft the cows to direct the cow to left, right or straight ahead, depending in part on system configuration.. The system also preferably includes a weighing system (not shown) for automatically recording the weights of cows. The weighing system has weighing apparatus, such as scales, and a receiver and a transmitter, and may again be in communication with the dairy computer 28 by way of a serial cable connection or the wireless network 36. Each cow tag 20 is arranged to transmit a signal representative of the respective cow identifier to the weighing system in response to being excited by (that is, receiving a signal from) the weighing system. The weighing system weighs each cow as the cow passes over the scales and transmits signals representative of the cow identifier and the weight of the cow to the dairy computer 28, with the dairy computer 28 arranged to store the weight of the cow in the database(s). The weighing system may be a stationary weighing system or walk-over weighing system, for example. The system 10 preferably also includes a second remote computing device, such as a home or office computer 48 which may be in the form of a desktop computer or server having, and arranged to execute, software associated with implementing the system 10. The home 301540915__ I. DOC 16 computer 48 is preferably located away from the cowshed and includes computer memory for storing data on the herd. The home computer 48 may be located in a home or office building, for example. It is anticipated that the home computer 48 may be located a considerable distance from the cowshed. On many farms the cowshed and home or office buildings are located hundreds of metres apart, or further. As will be appreciated, data from several sites may be accumulated at one point in which case the geographical spread of the data sources may be wider still. Known communication means may be used to transfer data for such embodiments. The primary roles of the home computer 48 may include facilitating detailed and accurate reporting on the herd from the home or office, providing a back-up to the dairy computer 28, and providing an update facility as an alternative to the wrist units 12 or the PDAs 26 where information can be entered through a windows-style GUI directly into the computer 48 rather than with the smaller keypad, input buttons or touch screens of the wrist unit 12 or PDAs 26. No reporting may need to be done from the dairy computer 28, which may substantially function as a "black box". Reports/queries that are preferably available through the home computer 48 include, for example, any one or more of: cows not milked, cows requiring mating, new cows requiring illness treatment, including the type of illness, drug used and withholding days remaining, total number of cows requiring illness treatment, cows with poor temperament, cows with injuries, cows that have previously experienced calving issues, drafting groups, and missing cow reports. Options for data transfer between the dairy and home computers 28, 48 include a direct Wi-Fi link 50, possibly using a series of repeaters where line of sight is not possible; manually back loading all herd data onto or from one or more of the wrist unit 12, PDA 26, dairy computer 28 or home computer 48, for synchronisation of data between the cowshed components and the home computer 48; and manually transferring an external hard disk drive between the dairy computer 28 and the home computer 48, for example. Alternatively a laptop computer can be used at the cowshed to connect to the dairy computer then transported back to the house for later data analysts and reporting purposes. Preferably, the synchronisation of data between 301540915_1.DOC 17 the dairy and home computers 28, 48 occurs both before and after milking. Any of the systems described herein may also include additional processing or memory means located remotely from the home or dairy computer. For example, the drafting system may include a local processing or memory means positioned on or near the drafting gate and this local processing or memory means controls operation of the drafting gate as described. This embodiment of the invention reduces the latency of the system involved in transmitting data to and/or from the home or dairy computer. The local processing or memory means is typically periodically updated with data from the home or dairy computer. Other examples of the use of such a local processor or memory in different embodiments of the invention will be known to those skilled in the art. The system may also be linked by broadband or by satellite to the software developer in order to upgrade software or to provide support and fault finding. Operation of the System 10 in a Herringbone Cowshed The use of the system 10 to facilitate managing a herd of cows in and about a cowshed will now be described, with reference to the flowchart 100. Each cow of the herd is assigned a unique cow number, such as a four digit cow number from say 1 to 9999, for example. A cow RFID tag 20 is fitted to a rear ankle of each cow. Each RFID tag 20, when activated by a wrist unit worn by the farmer, emits an electronic data signal representative of a unique identifier for the cow that is either cross-related to, or is, the respective cow number (step 102). Both the related cow numbers and unique identifiers may be maintained in a relational database management system (RDBMS) forming part of software for implementing the method, parts of which may be maintained in any of the wrist units 12, PDAs 26 and the dairy and home computers 28, 48, for example. During milking in a herringbone cowshed, each of the cows in a holding yard outside of the cowshed may sequentially enter the cowshed via one of two parallel milking lines. Each cow will move to an individual milking position or bale where the cow will be milked by a farmer wearing a wrist unit 12, the farmer being for example located in the pit extending between the two lines (step 104). The farmer preferably wears the wrist unit 12 on a forearm. It will be understood that more than one farmer may be located and working within the pit, and each farmer is preferably wearing a wrist unit 12. Accordingly, the system 10 should be adapted to transmit, receive and process signals to and from a plurality of the wrist units 12. 3D1540915_1.DOC 18 The wrist unit 12 repeatedly emits an electronic signal, and when the farmer is fitting a cluster of milking cups to the teats of a cow, that cow's tag comes within range of the activating signal. In response the cow's tag emits an electronic data signal representative of the unique identifier of the cow (step 106). Preferably, the cow's tag is capable of carrying more than one transponder operating at different frequencies. While the farmer is fitting a cluster of milking cups to the teats of a respective cow, the unit 12 emits an electronic activating signal. In response to receiving the activating signal, the cow's tag 20 emits an electronic data signal representative of the unique identifier of the cow (step 106). Advantageously, the unit 12 is arranged to communicate with the tag 20 when the tag 20 is within a range of about 0 to 400 millimetres. The limited range lessens the likelihood of receiving interfering signals from adjacent cows. When the unit 12 is worn about a farmer's person, typically in a convenient location such as on the wrist, and the tag 20 is worn on an ankle of the cow, the tag 20 will advantageously come within a range of less than about 400 millimetres and more preferably about 150 millimetres, of the unit 12 while the farmer is fitting the cluster. On receiving the electronic data signal representative of the unique identifier from the tag 20, the unit 12 will send an electronic data signal representative of the detected unique identifier to the dairy computer 28 over the cowshed's wireless network 36 which may be a Zigbee or some similar system The dairy computer 28 is arranged to retrieve, such as by way of a database query, the cross-related unique cow number of the cow, and to transmit a signal representative of the retrieved cow number back to the wrist unit 12. The retrieved cow number is then displayed on the wrist unit 12 to indicate the identity of the cow to the farmer, and also preferably on any PDA 26 being carried by the farmer (step 108). Preferably, the wrist unit 12 will emit an audible beep or some other alert to the farmer indicating that a successful read of the cow tag 20 has occurred. Alternatively the PDA 26 or a speaker located within hearing range of the farmer may be arranged to emit an audible beep. The unique cow identifier, preferably as represented by the cow number, is displayed on the display 16 of the unit 12 for about 30 seconds, for example, before the display 16 will turn off or clear. In Figure 1, the display 16 is showing "Cow 342 Alert", for example. The limited display duration preserves battery life and ensures that the cow number (and any related information) being displayed corresponds to the particular cow and not a subsequent cow the 301540915_1.DOC 19 farmer later moves to. If there is no beep or no cow number displayed (that is, a successful read has not occurred), the farmer may need to move the unit 12 closer to the cow's ankle tag 20. In addition to a list of all the unique identifiers (and cross-related cow numbers) of a herd, preferably the database(s) of the dairy and home computer(s) 28, 48 also store a list of predetermined identifiers (or cow numbers) corresponding to cows to which the farmer is to be alerted (alert cows). The predetermined identifiers may correspond to cows requiring treatment, cows showing signs of being ready for mating or cows that are subject to a milk withholding period for example. The dairy computer 28, for example, may compare the displayed cow number and a list of one or more predetermined cow numbers (or identifiers) having alerts (step 110). When the cow is one of the alert cows, the alarm of the unit 12 is triggered to alert the famer an alert cow is within range of the unit 12. The alarm may be arranged to alert the farmer by one or more of sounding an alert, flashing or colour change of the display 16 and vibrating part of the unit 12 against the farmer, for example. If there is no alarm and the display 16 is constantly showing the cow number, there are no alerts for the cow and the cow is able to be milked as normal (step 112). Alerts Each alert may serve to indicate to the farmer that a cow may need to be checked or treated differently for some illness or injury, or other condition (step 114). In addition to an alert triggering the alarm for an alert cow, the display 16 of the unit 12 (and/or PDA 26) will advantageously display 16 further information corresponding to the cow alert as the farmer will need to be informed as to why the alarm was triggered and what action needs to occur (step 116). This may be facilitated by the display 16 of the unit 12 and an associated menu system and input means on the unit 12, for example. Alternatively, the PDA 26 can be used. Examples of information that may be displayed via the wrist unit 12, in addition to the cow's number, may include, for example: flagged as mating, requiring the cow to be drafted off for mating after leaving the cowshed, flagged as temper, indicating that the cow may have a temperament problem; typically no drafting occurs and the cow can be milked into the vat, flagged as sick (or injured), with other additional related information including the problem (mastitis, lame, calving, injury or other), any drug suggested or that is being 3O154O015_1.DOC 20 applied to treat the problem, and the remaining withholding period, flagged as having recently calved (colostrum cow), and flagged as "suspect". That is, the cow may be suspected as being lame, on heat or suffering from mastitis to the extent that next time the cow enters the vicinity of a wrist unit at next milking, an alert will be activated. Suspect cows advantageously will trigger an alert but not be drafted as they leave the shed - the intent being just to review the state of the cow at the next milking. In the instance of a sick cow, for example, the farmer will recognise this fact from the display 16 and the alert that the cow needs to be milked away from the vat storing milk for commercial use. Cows treated with a range of animal health remedies may have their milk withheld from the bulk milk silo. The farmer is able to use the wrist unit to enable appropriate Alerts, according to the drug manufacturer's instructions. Alternatively, or in addition, the wrist unit 12 or PDA 26 may display any other information related to the cow, such as age, type, milking history, milking status or any other information related to a cow that may be required to be known by a farmer or milker. Some information may be displayed in short-hand or other such truncated format for ease of display on a small device. Changing Drugs The system 10 advantageously allows drug treatment details and corresponding withholding periods to be overwritten. When an animal is initially being treated with a first drug having a recommended dosage or treatment of once a day for three days and a subsequent withholding period of three days, for example, a decision may be reached that the drug is not successfully treating an infection. The system advantageously then allows for the trial of a second drug with a recommended dosage of once a day for five days and a subsequent withholding period of six days, for example. The new withholding period of the second drug will preferably override the withholding period of the first drug previously stored by the system 10. Further, the system 10 advantageously allows for the recording of earlier starts to withholding periods. Colostrum Cows 3Q1540915_1.DOC 21 Colostrum cows, such as cows that have recently calved, may be treated differently from other cows subject to a milk withholding period, as the age of the cow will need to be recorded in the system 10. For cows (three years or older), the colostrum milk withholding period may be four days (eight milkings), while for heifers (two year olds), the colostrum milk withholding period may be five days (ten milkings), for example. The system 10 is preferably designed to take into account the age of the cow, which the system 10 may calculate from its own database, or may be entered manually. From this the relevant colostrums cows' withholding periods can be calculated by the system 10 and an appropriate alert shown on the wrist unit if necessary. Two methods by which the age of each cow may be recorded in the system 10 include, for example: using the lifetime identity (LID) assigned to all livestock. The identity may be in the format, for example: DCTM-04-342 where DCTM is the farmer's participant identifier, 04 is the year of birth and 342 is the calf number (the calf number and cow number can be different), and manually entering the year of birth of each cow into the system 10 when system database(s) are initially set up. When retrieving the year of birth from the LID assigned to each cow (the first method above), the system 10 will need to be arranged to recognise the middle sequence as a cow (in the example above) being born in 2004. From this, the relevant colostrum withholding periods can be calculated. For the case of the three year old calf/cow 342 (in 2007) above, when the cow enters the shed and the tag 20 is picked up by the RFID reader 14 of the unit 12, the system 10 can calculate that the colostrum withholding period for the cow 342 is four days. Drafting The system 10 advantageously facilitates the automatic drafting off of all alert cows, such as sick cows or colostrum cows, for example, that need to be milked separately so that milk from these cows does not enter production milk vats, or for any reason the farmer considers necessary in the course of managing the herd The system 10 preferably includes one or more drafting gates 32 able to be used after milking 30154D915_1.DOC 22 to automatically draft cows. When a cow having an alert indicating that the cow is to be drafted, such as for mating, vet activity or other reason, passes the drafting gate 32, the drafting gate 32 may automatically move the barrier(s) 42 to automatically separate the cow from the remaining herd. To do this, the gate RFID reader 44 may be located on the floor, to the side of, or completely surrounding, a race at a common exit from the cowshed, for example. As a cow with a drafting alert passes the reader 44, and preferably in conjunction with one or more readers, the dairy computer 28 will activate the actuator of the drafting gate 32 to move the barrier 42 to direct the cow from the main race and into a side yard for later action. Advantageously, as soon as the cow has passed through the drafting gate 32, the dairy computer 28 will immediately trip the actuator, which may be activated by an air compressor, for example, to return the barrier 42 to its normal position. Such a movement of the barrier 42 back to its normal position may involve the use of one or more RFID readers, electronic eyes or visual sensors to first detect that the cow has not stopped half way through an exit of the drafting gate, for example. Drafting of alert (but not "suspect" alert) cows is preferably automatic each time an alert cow exits the cowshed. Cows drafted after exiting from the shed may be brought back into the shed after the main herd of normal cows has returned to the paddock. The alert cows can be treated and milked into a separate bucket or vat. When these alert cows are released for a second time from the shed, the system 10 default is preferably to again draft these alert cows into a yard. Alternatively, the farmer may be able to depress a "draft" button provided on the wrist unit 12, for example, when in range of a cow's tag 20 to update the system database(s) to retain the alert status but to remove the draft instruction from the dairy computer 28. The animal will then follow the herd back to the paddock. Remaining animals that have been drafted a second time can then be released as a separate group, perhaps into a paddock closer to the shed as is desirable in the case of lame livestock. To achieve correct drafting, it may be necessary to use one, two or more readers as the cows approach the drafting gate. Figures 3 and 4 are flow charts illustrating methods of implementing automatic drafting of cows according to particular embodiments of the invention. Figure 3 illustrates a flow chart for a first RFID reader and Figure 4 illustrates a flow chart for a second RFID reader, where two RFID readers are used. In Figure 3, a register of cows being drafted such as in a drafting race is kept in a FIFO (First In 30154O915_I.DOC 23 First Out) register which is reset before the first cow's tag is read. As each cow's tag is read the register is updated, adding each cow to the bottom of the register. According to preferred embodiments, each data item includes a cow ID and any relevant attributes (preferably drafting attributes such as draft left, draft right, draft straight ahead etc). The drafting gates are operated according to the attribute of the cow at the top of the register (TOPCOW). TOPCOW corresponds to the cow at the front of the drafting race. The TOPCOW is then "popped" or removed from the register, thus moving the rest of the cows up the register. In Figure 3, FIFO size means the number of data elements (representative of real cows) in the FIFO. In Figure 4, as each cow tag is read by the second RFID reader, it is checked whether the cow being read (OUTCOW) is the same as the cow on the top of the FIFO register (TOPCOW). Accordingly, either the top cow is removed from the register so the next cow in the register becomes the top cow entry and the drafting gates are operated or the system checks whether the cow is in the FIFO. If not, a warning message may be generated alerting the operator to a possible draft error. Missing Cow Identification Before milking commences, advantageously the system 10 allows missing animals to be immediately noted. All of the identifiers that have been read or detected by a yard gate reader 30 prior to milking may be compared with a list of all the unique identifiers associated with the current milking herd by the dairy computer 28. Based on this comparison, it is possible to determine cows not present and accounted for at the cowshed at that time. A message may then be displayed on all wrist units 12 of farmers in the shed at the time, alerting them to any missing cows. Alternatively or additionally, the message may be displayed on PDAs 26 of the farmers or an LED or LCD screen mounted to a wall of the cowshed. One of the farmers 26 can then go over the farm and locate the missing animals. Collection of Information on Milk Quality and Quantity at Milking Locations. Preferably, a low / high / ultra-high frequency RFID tag 24 is also located at each milking position. The tag 24 is attached to a cluster of milking cups at the position. Each milking position or cluster is assigned a unique cluster identifier and each cluster tag 24 is arranged to emit an electronic data signal representative of the respective cluster identifier. The transmitter of the wrist unit 12 transmits a signal which excites the cluster RFID tag 24 when within range so that the tag 24 emits the cluster identifier. The wrist unit 12 is further arranged to receive the signal emitted by the tag 24. As with the RFID signal from the cow transponder 301540915_1.DOC 24 20, the wrist unit 12 then transmits a further signal to the dairy computer 28 indentifying that this cluster is then in operation. When unique identifiers for the milking cluster/position and the cow are known and correlated by the dairy computer 28, the system 10 is advantageously able to correlate any sensory data being recorded from the milk-line at the milking position as the milking process occurs with the individual cow. To provide the required sensory data or information, individual sensors will need to be installed in the milk-lines of each cluster. Such sensors may include milk-flow and conductivity (mastitis detection) meters, and cell sense or somatic cell count meters, for example. The system 10 advantageously enables the accurate correlation between the recorded sensory data and the actual cow that is generating this data. Post-milking, the farmer is then able to generate reports concerning the sensory information obtained and study the performance of individual cows, including quantitative and qualitative data on milk collected from each cow. Examples of Updating and Retrieving Information using a Wrist Unit 12 Examples of the use of one of the wrist units 12 to update and retrieve information stored on either the dairy computer 28 or the home computer 48 and to capture information will be described with reference to the example screen flows for the display 16 of the unit 12 described below. It will be understood that alternatively the same information may be entered using one of the PDAs 26 or directly to either of the dairy or home computers 28, 48 if the cow number of a particular cow is known (and manually entered) by using substantially the same or similar screen flows. The examples below indicate the information that can be retrieved, maintained and entered using the wrist units 12 and do not detail how selections are made by the farmer or how data may be retrieved by the farmer via the wrist unit 12 (of PDAs 26 or computers 28, 48). It will be understood that selections and data entry via the wrist unit 12 may be effected in any suitable way, such as by a keypad, voice recognition or a touch screen display, for example. 1. Home Screen The home screen is shown on the display 16 of the wrist unit 12 when the unit 12 is turned on and preferably shows the current date and time in a similar format to a typical digital watch to avoid farmers having to also wear a wristwatch when wearing the wrist unit 12. In the home screen state, any LED's associated with the display 16 will be unlit and the unit 12 will be waiting for an electronic data signal from a cow tag 20 or cluster tag 24 within range of the unit 12. In the home screen state, the wrist unit 12 may also be waiting for the farmer to enter a 301540915.. 1. DOC 25 cow's unique number or identifier via the unit 12 for the purpose of a query or a data entry in relation to the cow, 2. Main Menu Screen The main menu screen is shown on the display 16 once the unique identifier of a cow within range of the unit 12 is known by the system 10 such as by the unit 12 reading a signal from the respective cow tag 20 when within range of the unit 12, or alternatively by the farmer entering a cow number into the unit 12 (or the farmer entering the identifier or cow number into the PDA 26 or computers 28, 48). The main menu screen may present a number of categories to the farmer, including, for example: a calving, b sick, c mate, d temper, e remove from herd. The farmer may select one of the categories to enter or retrieve information about the cow via the unit 12 in relation to the selected category. 3. Calving Screen (2a) Prior to a calving season beginning, there will be no cows to milk and cows that are yet to calve may be classified as dry cows, for example. The number of milking cows each year will increase from zero at the start of the calving season to substantially the full herd at the end of the calving season, and the number of dry cows will correspondingly decrease, through to say August in New Zealand, for example. The trigger for a dry cow changing status and becoming part of the milking herd will be the recording of the fact that cow has calved (or equivalent). If the farmer selects the calving category (2a) from the main screen (2), the calving screen will be shown on the display 16 and the farmer will be prompted to manually enter data for recording the cow calving, for example. The information entered may only be sufficient to record that a calf was born to the respective cow or the cow is no longer carrying a calf for example. Further information including details of the health or sex of the calf or calves, the level of difficulty with calving (1=easy, no assistance required and 2=hard, for example), while preferable for other management and reporting purposes, may not be essential in determining whether a dry cow changes state to a milking cow. 301540915_1.DOC 26 Entry of calving information will also trigger an alert against the cow to commence the colostrum withholding period. 4. Sick Screen (2b) If the farmer selects the sick category (2b) from the main screen (2), the sick screen will be shown on the display 16 of the unit 12 prompting the farmer to select one of several subcategories, including for example: I. mastitis, II. lame, and III. injury. 5. Mastitis Screen (2b) If the farmer selects the mastitis sub-category (i) from the sick screen (2b), the mastitis screen will be shown on the display 16 of the unit 12 prompting the farmer to select one of the several sub-categories, including for example: a. suspected, and b. treatment. 6. Suspected Screen (2bia) If the farmer selects the suspected sub-category (a) from the mastitis screen (2bi) the suspected screen will be shown on the display 16 of the unit 12 prompting the farmer to enter information via the unit 12 identifying the part of the udder affected, such as FL (front left), FR (front right), BL (back left), BR (back right) or multiples of these for example. The farmer may also enter a future date without entering treatment options (see 7. Treatment Screen below), as the mastitis may be only suspected (and not confirmed), with the diagnosis to be validated at the future date before making a decision to treat the animal. 7. Treatment Screen (2bib) If the farmer selects the treatment sub-category (b) from the mastitis screen (2bi), the treatment screen will be shown on the display 16 of the unit 12. The treatment screen may present the farmer with a list of possible drugs that can be applied to correct the problem and a corresponding primary reference number associated with each one, such as 1=Clavulox, 2=Mastalone, for example. Using the reference numbers the farmer is able to select the treatment drug to be used. 301540915_1.DOC 27 The initial treatment screen preferably also shows the withholding periods for each of the drugs, and the treatment frequency, such as twice-daily, daily or bi-daily for example and the number of tubes (where applicable) of medication to be applied. This information may be relevant as to which drug is selected by the farmer. The display 16 may also indicate a default value for each of the frequency and the number of tubes, such as one tube per treatment, for example. The system 10 then records the relevant milk withholding period has begun and a timestamp for the first treatment. In future milking, when an alert is raised, the system 10 preferably alerts the farmer to the problem, drug applied, withholding period remaining and whether another dose is due. Preferably, the system 10 also caters for changes in treatment. For example, if one drug is not succeeding in correcting a problem, the farmer may select another drug and/or change to a different dose course with care to ensure the longest milk withholding period of either or any drug is upheld. In this event, the system 10 preferably overrides the previous information on the milk withholding period. 8. Lame screen (2bii) If the farmer selects the lame sub-category (ii) from the sick screen (2b) the lame screen will be shown on the display 16 of the unit 12 prompting the farmer to select one of several subcategories, including for example: a. location, and b. treatment. 9. Location Screen (2biia) If the farmer selects the locations sub-category (a) from the lame screen (2bii) the location screen will be shown on the display 16 of the unit 12 prompting the farmer to input data via the unit 12 identifying the leg(s) affected, such as FL (front left), FR (front right), BL (back left), BR (back right) or multiples of these for example. 10. Treatment Screen (2bib) If the farmer selects the treatment sub-category (b) from the mastitis screen (2bi), the treatment screen will be shown on the display 16 of the unit 12 (see 7. Treatment Screen above for example). 11. Injury Screen (2biii) 301540915_1.DOC 28 If the farmer selects the injury sub-category (iii) from the sick screen (2b), the injury screen will be shown on the display 16 of the unit 12 prompting the farmer to enter information via the wrist unit 12 regarding an injury to the cow. For example, the farmer may be able to select from a scale of 1 to 3 corresponding to a scale minor injury (level 1) through to major injury (level 3). The default is preferably level 1, indicating no injury, for example. The injury screen may be arranged for the purposes of the recording of information for future management and reporting on injuries only. 12. Mate Screen (2c) If the farmer selects the mate category (c) from the main screen (2) the mate screen will be shown on the display 16 of the unit 12. The mate screen may be used when a cow is clearly giving indication of being on heat. The screen will indicate and let the farmer select from three classes: 1= not on heat (default); 2=suspected as being on heat; and 3=on heat. The system 10 may be arranged to draft and manage cows in class 2 (suspected as being on heat) or class 3 (on heat) according to several different factors, including the time of day the animal is indentified as being, or suspected of being on heat; artificial breeding (AB) technicians will typically only attend to cows after morning milking. If the cow is returned to the herd unmated and remains a suspect, an alert at the evening milking will cause the farmer to make a final decision to either mate or not mate the following morning. The system 10 is preferably arranged to record the time of day a cow is identified as being in class 2 and how long corresponding alerts on suspected animals on heat are maintained. Both classes 2 and 3 mating animals may be drafted and alerts maintained in the system 10 as follows, for example: If the cow is flagged as suspected pre- or during morning milking (class 2), the cow will be drafted for monitoring milking, again in the evening and finally checked again at the following morning's milking. At that point the cow will either be confirmed as definitely being on heat and mated, or cleared back to default class 1. If the cow is flagged as suspected pre- or during afternoon milking (class 2), a system alert will be established and remain through to the following the morning's milking where the cow will be rechecked and either be confirmed as definitely being on heat and mated, or cleared back to the default class 1. 301540915_1.DOC 29 If the cow is confirmed as being on heat (class 3) in the morning milking, the cow will be drafted, mated, and the system 10 will then immediately restore the cow to the default class 1. If the farmer classes the cow as on heat (class 3) at afternoon milking, the alert will remain until the following morning when the cow will be drafted, mated and restored to class 1. When a cow is mated but then remains on heat (that is, the cow was mated too early), the farmer may simply establish the class 2 (or class 3) status at a later date. Once mated, the system 10 will not need to perform or maintain any form of corresponding alert against the cow. 13. Temper Screen (2d) If the farmer selects the temper category (d) from the main screen (2), the temper screen will appear on the display 16 of the unit 12. A farmer may be able to enter a reference to the temperament of the cow, such as again using a scale of 1 to 3, for example, for future management and reporting purposes with the default level representing a normal cow. Preferably, the unit 12 includes a "clear" button for straightforwardly returning the cow to default level 1 after being checked. 14. Remove from Herd Screen (2e) If the farmer selects the remove from herd category (e) from the main screen (2), the remove from herd screen will appear on the display 16 of the unit 12. Over time, cows die, are culled or are sold, for example. The remove from herd screen will prompt the farmer to enter details via the unit 12 as to whether the cow died, was culled or was sold. The above screen representations may be altered and/or added to as experience and practices may require. Where necessary, entries may be cancelled or altered by entry at the wrist unit or by entry into the database, as required by the farmer. It should be understood that the above describes preferred forms of the invention and modifications can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention. 30154Q915_1.DOC 30 </div>

Claims

<div class="application article clearfix printTableText" id="claims"> CLAIMS 1, A system for managing animals, including: an indicator unit having a receiver, a transmitter and an alert means; and an animal transponder, couplable to an animal to be managed, wherein the indicator unit is portable and/or is adapted to be borne by a user, wherein the animal transponder is arranged, in use, to transmit an identification signal corresponding to the respective animal to the indicator unit when said animal transponder is within a range of said indicator unit, and wherein the indicator unit is arranged to transmit identification data based at least in part on the identification signal received from the animal transponder to a remote computing device, wherein said computing device is arranged to interrogate a database in response to receipt of the identification data and to transmit a response signal to the indicator unit dependent on data associated with the animal corresponding to the identification data, and wherein the indicator unit is configured to perform a predetermined event dependent on the response signal.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the event includes any one or more of: activating the alert means; activating a drafting gate; taking no action. 301540915_ 1 .DOC 31
3. The system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the indicator unit further includes means to wirelessly communicate with the remote computing device.
4. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the computing device is arranged to identify the animal by comparing said identification data with stored identifiers in the database.
5. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the response signal is an alert signal if an identified animal has a corresponding pre-determined alert condition stored in the database,
6. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the indicator unit comprises user input means.
7. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the user input means includes at least one of a keypad, voice recognition means, touch-screen display, or movement sensors,
8. The system as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the indicator unit is configured to communicate user input data to said computing device.
9. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the indicator device includes non-volatile memory for storing data. 301540915_1.DOC 32
10. The system as ctaimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the animal transponder is configured to be attached to a rear leg of the animal.
11. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, configured to, in use, transmit the identification signal to the indicator unit whilst the user is applying milking equipment to the animal.
12. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the indicator unit is adapted to be worn on or near the user's wrist.
13. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the alert means comprises at least one means selected from a visual display, an aural alert, and vibration means.
14. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the indicator unit is arranged to display information regarding the identified animal on a visual display.
15. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the computing device sends information for display to a secondary remote memory and/or processor and/or display.
16. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the animal transponder is configured to collect data regarding physiological functions of the 301540915_1.DOC 33 animal, and transmit the collected data to the indicator unit when said animal transponder is within range of said indicator unit.
17. A method for managing animals, including: transmitting an identification signal corresponding to an animal from an animal transponder coupled to the animal to an indicator unit when the animal transponder is within range of the indicator unit; and transmitting identification data based at least in part on the identification signal received from the animal transponder to a remote computing device, interrogating a database by the remote computing device in response to receipt of the identification data and transmitting a response signal to the indicator unit dependent on data associated with the animal corresponding to the identification data, and performing a predetermined event by the indicator unit dependent on the response signal.
18. The method for managing animals as claimed in claim 17, wherein the event includes any one or more of: providing an alert through the indicator unit; activating a drafting gate; taking no action.
19. The method for managing animals as claimed in claim 18, wherein the alert is a visual notification and/or an aural alert and/or a vibration. 301540915_i.DOC 34
20. The method for managing animals as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the event includes displaying information regarding the identified animal on a visual display.
21. The system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16, including: a drafting system including at least one moveable barrier, at least one receiver, at least one transmitter and means to communicate with the computing device, wherein: the at least one receiver is configured to receive the identification signal from the animal transponder coupled to an animal to be managed when said animal transponder is within a range of said at least one receiver; and the means to communicate is arranged to transmit identification data corresponding to the identification signal to the computing device, and said computing device is arranged to identify the animal by comparing said identification data with stored identifiers in the database and determine from said database if the animal has a drafting alert.
22. The system for managing animals as claimed in claim 21, wherein if a drafting alert is detected, the means to communicate transmits a signal to the indicator unit, to effect control of the at least one moveable barrier to draft the animal if so required by the drafting alert. 301540915_1.DOC 35
23. The system for managing animals as claimed in claim 22, wherein the at least one transmitter is configured to transmit said control signal to actuation means associated with the at least one moveable barrier.
24. The system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16 or 21 to 23, including; a weighing system including a weighing apparatus, a receiver, a transmitter and means to communicate with the computing device; wherein the receiver is configured to receive the identification signal from the animal transponder coupled to an animal to be managed when said animal transponder is within a range of said receiver; wherein the weighing system is arranged to weigh the animal and transmit weight and identification data corresponding to the identification signal to the computing device, and said computing device is arranged to identify the animal by comparing said identification data with stored identifiers in the database, and store the weight data in the database.
25. The system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16 or 21 to 24, including: a tracking system situated at a pre-determined location including a receiver, a transmitter and a means for communicating with the computing device; wherein the receiver is configured to receive an identification signal from the animal transponder coupled to an animal to be managed when said animal transponder is within range of said receiver; wherein the tracking system is arranged to transmit identification data corresponding to the identification signal received from the animal transponder to the 301540915._1.DOC 36 computing device, and said computing device is arranged to identify the animal by comparing said identification data with stored identifiers in the database wherein the database contains identifiers for all animals belonging to a herd, and determine which animals from the herd have passed by the pre-determined location.
26. The system as claimed in claim 24, comprising means for generating an alert in the event that one or more members of a herd are not identified.
27. An indicator unit configured to be used as the indicator unit as claimed in the animal management system of any one of claims 1 to 16 or 21 to 26.
28. A system for managing animals substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the embodiments shown in the figures.
29. A method for managing animals substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the embodiments shown in the figures. 301540915_1.D0C </div>