WO2014146050A1

WO2014146050A1 - Pasture management system and method

Info

Publication number: WO2014146050A1
Application number: PCT/US2014/030927
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eric Brandt; Shannon RAMSEY
Original assignee: Eric Brandt; Ramsey Shannon
Priority date: 2013-03-15
Filing date: 2014-03-17
Publication date: 2014-09-18

Abstract

A pasture management system comprising: a plurality of pastures having a first end and a second end; a rest area; a plurality of fences surrounding a portion of said plurality of pastures; a plurality of gates in said fences; an irrigation system with a fluid distribution point at said first end of said plurality of pastures and a fluid recapture point at said second end of said plurality of pastures; and said plurality of pastures accessible from said rest area through one or more of said plurality of gates in said fences.

Description

Title : Pasture Management System and Method

BACKGROUND

[0001] This PCT application is continuation of US Provisional Patent Application Number 61802145, filed on March 15, 2013.

[0002] None of the known inventions and/or patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant disclosure as claimed. Accordingly, an improved pasture management system would be advantageous.

SUMMARY

[0003] A first pasture management system, a second pasture management system, and method of managing a pasture are disclosed.

[0004] Said first pasture management system comprises: a plurality of pastures having a first end and a second end, a rest area; a plurality of fences surrounding a portion of said plurality of pastures; a plurality of gates in said fences; an irrigation system; a pathway between said plurality of pastures and said rest area; a roof at said rest area; a road accessible by a vehicle; a first portion of said pasture management system and a second portion of said pasture management system; a road between said first portion of said pasture management system and said second portion of said pasture management system; and a roof between said first portion of said pasture management system and said second portion of said pasture management system. Said plurality of fences surrounding a portion of said plurality of pastures. Said irrigation system with a fluid distribution point at said first end of said plurality of pastures and a fluid recapture point at said second end of said plurality of pastures. Said plurality of pastures accessible from said rest area through one or more of said plurality of gates in said fences. Said plurality of gates connect all pastures to said rest area. Said irrigation system comprises a storage tank, irrigation ditch and return line. Said roof comprises one or more solar panels. Said roof provides cover for a feeding trough. Said roof comprises one or more cooling fans. Said roof comprises one or more sprinklers. Said first portion of said pasture management system comprises a first plurality of pastures, a first rest area, a first plurality of fences having a first plurality of gates in said fences, and a first irrigation system. Said second portion of said pasture management system comprises a second plurality of pastures, a second rest area, a second plurality of fences having a second plurality of gates in said fences, and a second irrigation system.

[0005] Said second pasture management system comprising: a plurality of pastures having a first end and a second end; a rest area; a plurality of fences surrounding a portion of said plurality of pastures; a plurality of gates in said fences; an irrigation system with a fluid distribution point at said first end of said plurality of pastures and a fluid recapture point at said second end of said plurality of pastures; and said plurality of pastures accessible from said rest area through one or more of said plurality of gates in said fences.

[0006] Said method of managing a pasture comprising: enclosing a plurality of pastures having a first end and a second end; enclosing a rest area; accessing said plurality of pastures through a plurality of gates from said rest area; irrigating said plurality of pastures with an irrigation system with a fluid distribution point at said first end of said plurality of pastures and a fluid recapture point at said second end of said plurality of pastures; and selectively moving a one or more animals between said plurality of pastures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figures 1 A and 1 B illustrate an elevated top view and a perspective overview of a pasture system.

[0008] Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of said pasture system.

[0009] Figures 3A, 3B, 3C illustrate an isometric view of different gate configurations of said pasture system.

[0010] Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of said roof.

[0011] Figure 5 illustrates a perspective side view of said rest area.

[0012] Figure 6 illustrates a perspective side view of said rest area with a focus on the underside of said roof.

[0013] Figures 7A and 7B illustrate a perspective lower view of said shaded area and an elevated top view of a one or more pins.

[0014] Figure 8 illustrates an elevated front view of said pasture system, illustrating a slope downward toward said shaded area.

[0015] Figure 9 illustrates said shaded area with said road uncovered. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Described herein is a pasture management system and method. The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention as claimed and is provided in the context of the particular examples discussed below, variations of which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation (as in any development project), design decisions must be made to achieve the designers' specific goals (e.g., compliance with system- and business-related constraints), and that these goals will vary from one implementation to another. It will also be appreciated that such development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the field of the appropriate art having the benefit of this disclosure. Accordingly, the claims appended hereto are not intended to be limited by the disclosed embodiments, but are to be accorded their widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

[0017] Figures 1 A and IB illustrate an elevated top view and a perspective overview of a pasture system 100. In one embodiment, said pasture system 100 can permit rotational grazing of livestock in a confined area. In one embodiment, said pasture system 100 can comprise a one or more pastures connected by a pathway, a rest area and a shaded area. In one embodiment, said one or more pastures can comprise a first pasture 102a, a first pasture 102b, a second pasture 104a, a second pasture 104b, a third pasture 106a, and a third pasture 106b. In one embodiment, more or less pastures may be used. In one embodiment, said one or more pastures can be separated by dividers such as fences. In one embodiment, said pasture system 100 can be configured so that said one or more pastures and said pathways can be arranged in a mirrored configuration from one another - such as said first pasture 102a across from said first pasture 102b, said second pasture 104a across from said second pasture 104b, and said third pasture 106a across from said third pasture 106b. In one embodiment, one or more pastures can be connected by a pathway 108a or a pathway 108b. For example, said first pasture 102a, said second pasture 104a, and said third pasture 106a can be connected by said pathway 108a; and said first pasture 102b, said second pasture 104b, and said third pasture 106b can be connected by said pathway 108b. In one embodiment, said pathway 108a and said pathway 108b can permit passage from one or more pastures to a rest area 110a and a rest area 110b respectively. In one embodiment, a gate 124a and a gate 126a permit external access to and from said rest area 1 10a. In one embodiment, a gate 124b and a gate 126b permit external access to and from said rest area 1 10b. In one embodiment, said one or more rest areas can be covered in part or in whole by a shaded area 112. In one embodiment, said shaded area 112 can provide shade as well as other amenities including but not limited to fans, sprinklers, and feeding troughs. In one embodiment, a road 1 14 can run through and under said shaded area 1 12 where a vehicle 1 16 can travel through said pasture system 100. In one embodiment, a storage tank 1 18a and a storage tank 1 18b can serve as a fluid distribution point for irrigating one or more pastures. In one embodiment, excess water and runoff from irrigation can collect in an irrigation ditch 120a and an irrigation ditch 120b as fluid recapture points. In one embodiment, said one or more irrigation ditches permit are grated to permit fluid to reach the ditch but still permit livestock to safely pass across it. In one embodiment, a return line 122a and a return line 122b can restore the contents of said storage tank 1 18a and said storage tank 1 18b from said irrigation ditch 120a and said irrigation ditch 120b respectively. In one embodiment, irrigation flow starts at a first end 128a of said pasture system 100 and ends at a second end 130a of said pasture system 100. Likewise, in one embodiment, irrigation flow starts at a first end 128b of said pasture system 100 and ends at a second end 130b of said pasture system 100. In one embodiment, a first portion 132a of said pasture system 100 consists of said first end 128a to said road 114. In one embodiment, a second portion 132b of said pasture system 100 consists of said first end 128b to said road 114.

[0018] Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of said pasture system 100. In one embodiment, a gate 202a can permit and limit entry between said first pasture 102a and said pathway 108a. In one embodiment, a gate 204a can permit and limit entry between said second pasture 104a and said pathway 108a. In one embodiment, a gate 206a can permit and limit entry between said third pasture 106a and said pathway 108a. In one embodiment, said pathway 108a can provide access between one or more pastures and said rest area 1 10a. In one embodiment, said rest area 110a can be accessed from said pathway 108a via a gate 202b, a gate 204b, and a gate 206b. In this way, said pasture system 100 can manage and direct the movements of a one or more livestock 220.

[0019] Figures 3A, 3B, 3C illustrate an isometric view of different gate configurations of said pasture system 100. In one embodiment, said gate 202a and said gate 202b can both be opened to form a path 302 to said rest area 1 10a. In one embodiment, said gate 204a and said gate 204b can both be opened to form a path 304 to said rest area 110a. In one embodiment, said gate 206a and said gate 206b can both be opened to form a path 306 to said rest area 110a. As illustrated in Figure 3 A, opening all of said plurality of gates connects all of said plurality of pastures to said rest area 1 10a. As illustrated in Figure 3B, said gate 202a and said gate 204a can be opened while said gate 202b and said gate 204b remain closed to form a passageway 308 connecting said first pasture 102a and said second pasture 104a. As illustrated in Figure 3C, said gate 204a and said gate 206a can be opened while said gate 204b and said gate 206b remain closed to form a passageway 310 connecting said second pasture 104a and said third pasture 106a. In one embodiment, said gate 202a and said gate 206a can be opened while said gate 202b, said gate 204a, said gate 204b, and said gate 206b remain closed to connect said passageway 308 and said passageway 310 to connect said first pasture 102a and said third pasture 106a. In one embodiment, said gate 202a, said gate 204a, and said gate 206a can be opened while said gate 202b, said gate 204b, and said gate 206b remain closed to connect said first pasture 102a, said second pasture 104a, and said third pasture 106a via said passageway 308 and said passageway 310. In one embodiment, more or less of said passageways may be used depending on the number of said pastures used.

[0020] Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of said shaded area 112. In one embodiment, said shaded area 1 12 can comprise of one or more of a solar panel 402. In one embodiment, said solar panel 402 can be installed on one section of said shaded area 1 12 or on many sections of said shaded area 1 12. In one embodiment, said solar panel 402 can be used to power amenities on the underside of said shaded area 112 including but not limited to fans, sprinklers, and other cooling systems.

[0021] Figure 5 illustrates a perspective side view of said rest area 110a. In one embodiment, part of said rest area 110a can be uncovered while other parts of said rest area 110a can be covered by said shaded area 1 12. In one embodiment, said rest area 1 10a can be used instead of one or more pastures to keep livestock out of inclement or harsh weather conditions and to provide additional food and amenities to the livestock. In one embodiment, food can be placed in a food trough 502. In one embodiment, access to and from said pasture system 100 can be established via said road 1 14. In one embodiment, said food trough 502 can be restocked from said road 1 14.

[0022] Figure 6 illustrates a perspective side view of said rest area 110a with a focus on the underside of said shaded area 112. In one embodiment, a cooling fan 602 and a sprinkler 604 can be located on the underside of said shaded area 112. In one embodiment, one or more of said cooling fan 602 and said sprinkler 604 can be used. In one embodiment, said cooling fan 602 and said sprinkler 604 can be used in addition to shade provided by said shaded area 1 12 to keep livestock from overheating during hot weather.

[0023] Figures 7A and 7B illustrate a perspective lower view of said shaded area 112 and an elevated top view of a one or more pins. In one embodiment, each among said one or more livestock 220 can eat at a feeding trough 702. In one embodiment, said feeding trough 702 can further comprise a stanchion 704 for guiding said one or more livestock 220. In one embodiment, said one or more livestock 220 can comprise smaller animals such as veal or other small livestock. In this circumstance, it may be necessary to bifurcate said one or more livestock 220 into pins (such as a first pin 720a, a second pin 720b, and a third pin 720c) which have access to said feeding trough 702.

[0024] Figure 8 illustrates an elevated front view of said pasture system 100, illustrating a slope downward toward said shaded area 112.

[0025] Figure 9 illustrates said shaded area 1 12 with said road 114 uncovered. In one embodiment, said shaded area 1 12 can cover a portion of said rest areas rather than said road 114. Accordingly, said one or more livestock 220 can rest in the shade under said shaded area 112 and feed in the sun.

[0026] Various changes in the details of the illustrated operational methods are possible without departing from the scope of the following claims. Some embodiments may combine the activities described herein as being separate steps. Similarly, one or more of the described steps may be omitted, depending upon the specific operational environment the method is being implemented in. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments may be used in combination with each other. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms "including" and "in which" are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms "comprising" and "wherein."

Claims

1. A pasture management system comprising:

a plurality of pastures having a first end and a second end;

a rest area;

a plurality of fences surrounding a portion of said plurality of pastures;

a plurality of gates in said fences;

an irrigation system with a fluid distribution point at said first end of said plurality of pastures and a fluid recapture point at said second end of said plurality of pastures; said plurality of pastures accessible from said rest area through one or more of said plurality of gates in said fences;

a pathway between said plurality of pastures and said rest area;

said plurality of gates connect all pastures to said rest area;

said irrigation system comprises a storage tank, irrigation ditch and return line;

a roof at said rest area;

said roof comprises one or more solar panels;

said roof provides cover for a feeding trough;

said roof comprises one or more cooling fans;

said roof comprises one or more sprinklers;

a road accessible by a vehicle;

a first portion of said pasture management system and a second portion of said pasture management system;

said first portion of said pasture management system comprises

a first plurality of pastures,

a first rest area,

a first plurality of fences having a first plurality of gates in said fences, and a first irrigation system;

said second portion of said pasture management system comprises

a second plurality of pastures, a second rest area,

a second plurality of fences having a second plurality of gates in said fences, and a second irrigation system;

a road between said first portion of said pasture management system and said second portion of said pasture management system; and

a roof between said first portion of said pasture management system and said second portion of said pasture management system.

2. A pasture management system comprising:

a plurality of pastures having a first end and a second end;

a rest area;

a plurality of fences surrounding a portion of said plurality of pastures;

a plurality of gates in said fences;

an irrigation system with a fluid distribution point at said first end of said plurality of pastures and a fluid recapture point at said second end of said plurality of pastures; and said plurality of pastures accessible from said rest area through one or more of said plurality of gates in said fences.

3. The pasture management system of claim 2 further comprising

a pathway between said plurality of pastures and said rest area.

4. The pasture management system of claim 2 wherein

said plurality of gates connect all pastures to said rest area.

5. The pasture management system of claim 2 wherein,

said irrigation system comprises a storage tank, irrigation ditch and return line.

6. The pasture management system of claim 2 further comprising

a roof at said rest area.

7. The pasture management system of claim 6 wherein,

said roof comprises one or more solar panels.

8. The pasture management system of claim 6 wherein,

said roof provides cover for a feeding trough.

9. The pasture management system of claim 6 wherein, said roof comprises one or more cooling fans.

10. The pasture management system of claim 6 wherein,

said roof comprises one or more sprinklers.

1 1. The pasture management system of claim 2 further comprising

a road accessible by a vehicle.

12. The pasture management system of claim 2 comprising

said first portion of said pasture management system comprises

a first plurality of pastures,

a first rest area,

a first plurality of fences having a first plurality of gates in said fences, and a first irrigation system; and

said second portion of said pasture management system comprises

a second plurality of pastures,

a second rest area,

a second plurality of fences having a second plurality of gates in said fences, and a second irrigation system.

13. The pasture management system of claim 12 further comprising

a road between said first portion of said pasture management system and said second portion of said pasture management system.

14. The pasture management system of claim 12 further comprising

15. A method of managing a pasture comprising:

enclosing a plurality of pastures having a first end and a second end;

enclosing a rest area;

accessing said plurality of pastures through a plurality of gates from said rest area; irrigating said plurality of pastures with an irrigation system with a fluid distribution point at said first end of said plurality of pastures and a fluid recapture point at said second end of said plurality of pastures; and

selectively moving a one or more animals between said plurality of pastures.

16. The method of managing a pasture of claim 15 further comprising

opening said one or more gates;

selectively moving one or more animals into said one or more pastures from said rest area; and

closing said one or more gates.

17. The method of managing a pasture of claim 15 further comprising

opening said one or more gates;

selectively moving one or more animals into said rest area from said one or more pastures;

selectively moving one or more animals into said one or more pastures from said rest area;

closing said one or more gates.

18. The method of managing a pasture of claim 15 further comprising

opening said one or more gates;

selectively moving one or more animals from said one or more pastures into a pathway; moving selected animals from said pathway into a different set of said one or more pastures;

closing said one or more gates.