WO2018231073A1

WO2018231073A1 - An animal feeder

Info

Publication number: WO2018231073A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2018/050080
Authority: WO
Inventors: Larry Stewart Ellison; Ben Stanley NEAL
Original assignee: Calf Smart Limited
Priority date: 2017-06-13
Filing date: 2018-06-13
Publication date: 2018-12-20
Also published as: AU2018285364A1; GB202000454D0; GB2578071A; GB2578071B

Abstract

Apparatus, systems, and methods for animal feeding are disclosed. The apparatus includes at least one feed hopper, and at least one feed station accessible by an animal. At least one feed dispensing device is configured to dispense feed from the feed hopper to the at least one feed station, with at least one controller configured to control the at least one feed dispensing device.

Description

AN ANIMAL FEEDER

TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] The present disclosure relates to an animal feeder, more particularly an animal feeder configured to deliver predetermined measures of feed to an identified individual livestock animal.

BACKGROUND

[002] It is known to provide livestock animals with feed such as meal or pellets, particularly in pastoral farming systems in which such feed is used to supplement the pasture consumed in the field. Currently feed systems on the market for use in the field essentially comprise an open trough from which an individual animal is permitted to consume as much feed as it chooses. The way the allowance is typically attempted to be regulated is by filling the trough with the amount required per animal per day, and multiplying by the number of animals with access to the trough. If all feed is consumed on that day, it is assumed all animals have consumed an equal amount. In practice, some animals consume a higher proportion of the feed than others.

[003] Further, while individual animals may have different requirements in terms of feed quantity to optimise growth, such open access systems do not allow for the delivery of individualised feed portions. Nor do these systems gather data regarding consumption of the feed by an individual animal to permit decision making regarding ongoing management of that animal.

[004] Permanent feed stations are known for use in livestock shelters, delivering individualised quantities of feed in response to identification of an animal accessing the feed station using an electronic identification system. However, being configured for use with mains power and permanent communications networks, such systems are not suitable for use in the field.

[005] It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

[006] Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[007] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure there is provided a mobile animal feeding apparatus, including:

a trailer portion configured to be connected to a tractor unit;

at least one feed hopper;

at least one feed station accessible by an animal; at least one feed dispensing device configured to dispense feed from the feed hopper to the at least one feed station;

at least one controller configured to control the at least one feed dispensing device.

[008] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure there is provided an animal feeding apparatus, including:

at least one feed hopper;

at least one feed station accessible by an animal;

at least one feed dispensing device configured to dispense feed from the feed hopper to the at least one feed station;

[009] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure there is provided an animal feeding apparatus, including:

a feed hopper;

at least one feed station accessible by an animal;

an animal identification device configured to determine an identity of an animal accessing the at least one feed station;

at least one controller configured to control the at least one feed dispensing device according to control parameters associated with the identity of the animal;

a first wireless communications device enabling communication between the at least one controller and a remote master control, wherein the remote master control is configured to provide the control parameters for the identified animal to the at least one controller; and

a local wireless communications device enabling communication with at least one other associated animal feeding apparatus in the absence of communication with the remote master control via the first wireless communications device,

wherein, in the absence of communication with the remote master control, the controller is configured to modify previously received control parameters based on the identified animal's activity at the at least one other associated animal feeding apparatus.

[010] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure there is provided a method of operating an animal feeding apparatus, the method including:

determining an identity of an animal accessing the animal feeding apparatus;

receiving, at the animal feeding apparatus, control parameters for dispensing of feed to the animal from a remote master control; and in the absence of communication with the remote master control, modifying previously received control parameters based on activity of the identified animal at a second animal feeding apparatus in communication with the animal feeding apparatus.

[Oil] While it is envisaged that exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be directed to use with dry feed - for example, particulate feed such as meal or palm kernel - it is also envisaged that embodiments may be utilized for the dispensing of liquid feed such as milk or milk replacer.

[012] In an exemplary embodiment the at least one feed station may include a feed bowl into which the feed is dispensed. In an exemplary embodiment the feed station may include a feed presence sensor - for example an electronic weigh scale, or a distance sensor from which the presence of feed may be determined. The feed presence sensor may communicate with the controller to enable determination of whether an individual animal's allotment of feed has been delivered, and/or recording of the amount of feed consumed by the animal. It is envisaged that the feed may be dispensed in small volumes - for example 60 grams in the case of bovine calves - until a control parameter for the animal is met, or the animal is detected as having exited the feed station. If residual feed is detected, the volume may be attributed to the next animal identified as accessing the feed station. In exemplary embodiments, particularly those in which larger volumes of feed are dispensed, the feed presence sensor may be used to determine the amount of residual feed in the feed station and therefore infer the volume of consumed feed.

[013] In an exemplary embodiment the animal feeding apparatus may include a plurality of feed stations. In an exemplary embodiment, a partition wall may be provided between adjacent feed stations to limit access to dispensed feed by other animals. In an exemplary embodiment the at least one feed station may be modular, configured to be releasably secured to the feed hopper. In an exemplary embodiment the at least one feed station may be provided below an overhanging portion of the feed hopper.

[014] In an exemplary embodiment, the feed hopper may be generally cuboid. In such an embodiment, it is envisaged that a feed station may be located at a vertical edge of the feed hopper. For example, in exemplary embodiments having four feed stations, each feed station may be located at a respective vertical edge of the cuboid feed hopper.

[015] The feed dispensing device may be controlled by the controller according to control parameters for an animal identified as currently accessing the feed station. In an exemplary embodiment the at least one feed dispensing device may include at least one conveying device. For example, the feed dispensing device may include an auger at the base of the hopper, actuated by a drive unit. In an exemplary embodiment the at least one feed dispensing device may include a controllable valve configured to open a gravity feed from the hopper to the feed station. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus may include a feed agitator configured to agitate feed within the hopper to encourage flow of the feed. For example, the feed agitator may be a vibrating plate or screen, or an air fluidiser.

[016] In an exemplary embodiment, the animal feeding apparatus may include at least one animal identification device. For example, the animal feeding apparatus may include at least one radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, configured to read an FID tag carried by an animal to determine that animal's unique identifier. Such RFID tags are commonly located on an ear of the animal, or in a collar worn by the animal, and it is envisaged that a RFID reader may be positioned to have a read area at a feed station such that the RFID tag is read while the animal's head is at, or within, the feed station.

[017] In an exemplary embodiment, each feed station may include a movable cover, controllable to move between a first position obstructing access to the feed bowl, and a second position allowing access to the feed bowl. It is envisaged that the cover may be moved into the first position on detecting the presence of an animal with no remaining allotment of feed from accessing residual feed in the feed bowl. For example, the cover may be a plate, configured to be pivoted or slid into position by an actuator.

[018] In an exemplary embodiment the controller may be configured to communicate with a remote master control to obtain control parameters for the identified animal. In an exemplary embodiment the controller may communicate recorded characteristics of an animal's feed consumption to the remote master control for recordal against the identifier.

[019] The remote master control may be any suitable processing system capable of communication with the controller of the animal feeding apparatus from a remote location. It is envisaged that the remote master control may perform one or more of: determination of the control parameters, modification thereof, communication of the control parameters to the animal feeding apparatus, recordal of data associated with the animal against the animal's identifier, communication with a user device for the input or extraction of data, and reporting with regard to an individual animal, or group of animals. Such reports may include benchmarking metrics - for example against metrics collected for a subset of commonly owned animals, a wider group of commonly owned animals, or against regionally, nationally, or internationally collected performance metrics.

[020] In an exemplary embodiment the remote master control may be cloud-based. However, it should be appreciated that in exemplary embodiments the remote master control may be hosted by one or more dedicated servers, or base processing device (such as a personal computer). [021] Control parameters for an individual animal may be based on, for example, one or more of: age, weight (for example current weight or growth rate), breed, feed consumption history, health status, environmental conditions, and seasonal conditions. Control parameters associated with the identity of the animal may include, for example, one or more of: an amount of feed to be dispensed during the animal's present visit to the feeding apparatus, and an accumulated amount of feed permitted to be dispensed across multiple visits within a predetermined time period.

[022] In an exemplary embodiment the animal feeding apparatus may include a first wireless communications device enabling communication between the at least one controller and the remote master control. It is envisaged that the first wireless communications device may be capable of long range communication, and more particularly connection to the Internet. For example, the first wireless communications device may be a cellular communications device for connection to a cellular network. It should be appreciated that reference to a cellular network is not intended to be limiting to all exemplary embodiments, and the first wireless communications device may communicate over wide area networks such as a LoRa based Low-Power Wide-Area Network.

[023] In an exemplary embodiment the animal feeding apparatus may include a local wireless communications device. In an exemplary embodiment the local wireless communications device may enable communication with at least one other associated animal feeding apparatus in the absence of communication with the remote master control via the first wireless communications device. In an exemplary embodiment, in the absence of communication with the remote master control, the controller may be configured to modify previously received control parameters based on the identified animal's activity at the at least one other associated animal feeding apparatus. For example, if an animal has accessed one animal feeding apparatus and consumed a dispensed feed portion, the controller of another animal feeding apparatus may account for that portion when subsequently accessed by the same animal.

[024] The local wireless communications device may operate using any suitable communications technology capable of wireless device to device communication. By way of example, the local wireless communications device may be a Bluetooth device, or a Zigbee device.

[025] In an exemplary embodiment, if one of the associated animal feeding apparatus is capable of communication with the remote master control, it may act as a base or relay station for another animal feeding apparatus via the local wireless communications device.

[026] In an exemplary embodiment the functionality of the first wireless communication device and the local wireless communication device may be provided by a single device. For example, a LTE device may be capable of connection to a cellular network, while also being capable of direct communication with another device without an intermediary base station (for example using LTE Direct).

[027] In an exemplary embodiment the controller of the animal feeding apparatus may be configured to connect to a dedicated animal feeder communication network, for example a control area network (CAN), in order that the animal feeding apparatus of the present disclosure may be integrated with at least one other permanent animal feeder. In such an embodiment the control parameters may be obtained from a local dedicated master control, and data delivered to the local dedicated master control, rather than the remote master control.

[028] In an exemplary embodiment the animal feeding apparatus may include an animal health or performance sensor, more particularly having a sensing area proximate to a feed station. The animal health sensor may be used to monitor at least one health or performance characteristic of the animal accessing the feed station. In exemplary embodiments, the animal feeding apparatus may be configured to communicate with an animal health or performance sensor carried by an animal in the proximity of the animal feeding apparatus.

[029] In an exemplary embodiment the controller may be configured to be connected to a peripheral sensor. For example, an animal weigh scale may be positioned on the ground in front of a feed station, and connected to the controller. As another example, a hand-held RFID reader may be used to identify a number of individual animals within a group, and these identities communicated to the controller (for example via the local wireless communications device).

[030] In an exemplary embodiment the controller may be configured to communicate with a health or performance sensor carried by an animal. In an exemplary embodiment the animal feeding device may be used to relay data connected by such sensors to the remote master control. In an exemplary embodiment data connected by such sensors may be used to modify the control parameters.

[031] In an exemplary embodiment the controller may be configured to issue a notification to an animal worn notification device. For example, in exemplary embodiment the animal may wear a virtual fencing notification device configured to issue an alert on the animal approaching, or breaching, a virtually defined boundary. It is envisaged that the controller may be configured to notify the animal, via the notification device, of an allocation of feed being available from the animal feeding apparatus. Further, it is envisaged that the controller may be configured to deter an animal, via the notification device, from attempting to access the animal feeding apparatus when no allocation of feed is available. Depending on the communications protocol of the animal worn notification device, the controller may communicate via the first wireless communications device, local wireless communications device, or a dedicated communications device.

[032] In an exemplary embodiment the controller and/or remote master control may issue notifications to a user device. In an exemplary embodiment, system notifications may be issued notifying an operator of one or more of: low hopper feed level, low power storage level, system malfunction or failure. In an exemplary embodiment, animal notifications may be issued notifying an operator of one or more of: abnormal animal activity (for example, lower than expected feed consumption or feed consumption rate), or animal activity indicative of one or more actions being required - for example, weaning based on a total feed consumption threshold being reached within a predetermined time period, or health or dominance issues in the group of animals based on feed consumption rates being lower than expected.

[033] In an exemplary embodiment the animal feed apparatus may include a trailer portion configured to be connected to a tractor unit. The trailer unit may allow for the feed apparatus to be towed to a desired location in the field. For example, the trailer portion may include at least two wheels, and a tongue having a hitch portion configured to be connected to a complementary hitch of the tractor unit. It should be appreciated that in exemplary embodiments the animal feed apparatus may be mounted to the trailer unit, rather than being towed by a trailer portion. It should be appreciated that embodiments are contemplated in which the apparatus is configured to be stationary (i.e. carried into position in the field rather than being towed).

[034] In an exemplary embodiment the feed apparatus may include a photovoltaic power generation system. In an exemplary embodiment the photovoltaic power generation system may include at least one solar panel, and a power storage device - for example a battery. In an exemplary embodiment the photovoltaic power generation system may include a photovoltaic charge controller configured to regulate delivery of power from the at least one solar panel to the power storage device.

[035] The above and other features will become apparent from the following description and the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[036] The detailed description of the drawings refers to the accompanying figures in which:

[037] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an exemplary mobile animal feeding apparatus;

[038] FIG. IB is a side view of the exemplary mobile animal feeding apparatus;

[039] FIG. 1C is a rear end view of the exemplary mobile animal feeding apparatus;

[040] FIG. ID is a bottom view of the exemplary mobile animal feeding apparatus;

[041] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a feed station of the exemplary mobile animal feeding apparatus;

[042] FIG. 2B is a front view of the feed station of the exemplary mobile animal feeding apparatus;

[043] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of an exemplary control system of the exemplary mobile animal feeding apparatus;

[044] FIG. 4A is a diagrammatic view of an exemplary network topology including the exemplary mobile animal feeding apparatus;

[045] FIG. 4B is a diagrammatic view of another exemplary network topology including the exemplary mobile animal feeding apparatus;

[046] FIG. 4A is a diagrammatic view of a further exemplary network topology including the exemplary mobile animal feeding apparatus;

[047] FIG. 6A is a front perspective view of another exemplary animal feeding apparatus, and

[048] FIG. 6B is a rear perspective view of the exemplary animal feeding apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[049] FIG. 1A, IB, 1C and ID illustrate an exemplary mobile animal feeding apparatus, herein referred to as "animal feeder" 100 for the dispensing of feed to animals. It is envisaged that exemplary embodiments of the animal feeder 100 may have particular application to the feeding of particulate supplementary feed to livestock in a pastural farming system, in which one or more of the animal feeders 100 is located in a paddock being grazed by the livestock.

[050] The animal feeder 100 includes a feed hopper 102 mounted to a trailer chassis 104. The trailer chassis 104 includes a chassis base 106, a rear axle 108 to which first and second wheels 110a and 110b are mounted, and a tongue 112 extending in front of the hopper 102 with a hitch portion 114 configured to be connected to a complementary hitch of the tractor unit. For completeness, exemplary embodiments are envisaged in which the animal feeding apparatus is configured to be transported by other means - for example, carried on the bed of a trailer or vehicle - rather than being configured as a trailer as illustrated.

[051] The animal feeder 100 includes a photovoltaic power generation system, including at least one solar panel 116, feeding a battery 118. A solar charge controller 120, for example implementing maximum power point tracking (MPPT), regulates charging of the battery 118. A control unit 122, including a controller and communication devices as described further below, may be located within the same cavity.

[052] The feed hopper 102 is molded, in this exemplary embodiment, of a plastics material. A feed hatch 124 is provided for access to the interior of the hopper 102 for filling with animal feed.

[053] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the animal feeder includes a first set 126a of first and second feed stations 128a and 128b, and a second set 126b of third and fourth feed stations 128c and 128d. The feed stations 128a-d are manufactured separately, and secured to the hopper 102. It should be appreciated that while four feed stations are illustrated in this exemplary embodiment, numerous other configurations are contemplated. For example, it is envisaged that in exemplary embodiments the feed stations may be moulded with the hopper 102 - i.e. as a unitary part - or permanently affixed to the hopper 102.

[054] FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B illustrate the first set 126a of first and second feed stations 128a and 128b. Each feed station 128a and 128b includes a feed bowl 130a and 130b. Feed augers 132a and 132b are driven by worm drives 134a and 134b respectively to deliver feed from the hopper 102 to the respective feed bowls 130a and 130b. Feed augers 132c and 132d are illustrated, for delivery of feed to the second set 126b of third and fourth feed stations 128c and 128d, with their respective worm drives housed within cavities in the first and second feed stations 128a and 128b.

[055] It should be appreciated that in embodiments in which the feed to be delivered is a liquid (for example milk, or a milk replacer), components such as the feed bowls 130 and feed augers 132 will be replaced by components suitable for the delivery of liquid. For example, drinking teats may be provided, fed by pumps or gravity feed controlled by valving. By way of example, PCT Application No. PCT/NZ2015/050100 describes a feed apparatus for delivery of liquid feed to animals, and is herein incorporated by reference.

[056] Radio frequency identification (RFID) antennas 136a and 136b are provided in partition walls of the feed stations 128a and 128b, configured to interrogate RFID tags carried by animals accessing the respective feed stations 128a and 128b to determine unique identifiers associated with those animals - the use of which will be described further below.

[057] One or more feed presence sensors 138, for example an optical or ultrasonic distance sensor, are located in each feed station 128a and 128b in order to determine whether feed is present within the feed bowl 130a and 130b. Each feed station 128a and 128b is provided with a guard, for example guard 140, covering the feed presence sensor 138 and dispensing end of the feed augers 132a and 132b. The guard 140 includes a sensor aperture 142 through which the feed presence sensor 138 may view the feed bowl 130b. It should be appreciated that alternate feed presence sensors may be utilized, for example one or more load cells.

[058] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary feeder control system 300 for control of the animal feeder 100. The control system 300 includes at least one processing device, for example a microcontroller 302. Power is provided from the battery 118, conditioned by power electronics 304.

[059] The microcontroller 302 is configured to receive signals from RFID module 306 indicative of an animal unique identification currently detected by RFID antenna 136. The control system includes a communications module 308 including a first wireless communications device in the form of a cellular modem 310 in communication with a SIM card 312. The microcontroller 302 communicates with a remote master control (described further below) via the cellular modem 310. The communications module 308 also includes a local wireless communications device in the form of a Bluetooth module 314, an animal notification communication device 316, and a CAN transceiver 318.

[060] In this exemplary embodiment, the remote master control is a cloud based processing system configured to perform: determination of the control parameters, modification thereof, communication of the control parameters to the microcontroller 302, recordal of data associated with the animal against the animal's identifier, communication with a user device for the input or extraction of data, and reporting with regard to an individual animal, or group of animals.

[061] The control system 300 includes a memory device, for example an SD card 320, in which a most recent data set may be stored, for example: control parameters for dispensing of feed to animals the animal feeder is expected to service, and data received from various sensors since a previous communication with the remote master control. Control parameters for an individual animal may include, for example, one or more of: an amount of feed to be dispensed during the animal's current visit, and an accumulated amount of feed permitted to be dispensed across multiple visits within a predetermined time period.

[062] The microcontroller 302 controls the drive 134 associated with the feed station 128 to dispense feed to the animal based on the determined control parameters. For example, where an animal has an available allotment of feed, the microcontroller 302 controls the drive 134 to deliver that allotment in increments - waiting for the previously dispensed amount to be consumed before delivering the next increment (for example, 60 grams of meal at a time for calves). If the animal leaves the animal feeder prior to the allotment being consumed, the amount consumed may be recorded with the remote master control and the control parameters for that animal updated accordingly. In another exemplary embodiment, the delivery of the allotment may be recorded with the remote master control at the time of dispensing - i.e. not after consumption. A current sensor 322 may be provided to monitor operation of the drive 134, and feed back to the microcontroller 302.

[063] The control system 300 may be configured to connect to a load cell 324, for measuring the weight of an animal accessing the feed station. A weight measuring device 326 receiving the output of the load cell 324 communicates an indication of the measured weight to the microcontroller 302.

[064] The microcontroller 302 may be configured to issue a notification to an animal worn notification device via the animal notification communication device 316. For example, the animal worn notification device may include a vibration unit, audible alert device, or electrical shock device. The notification may activate the appropriate device to communicate to the animal that a feed allotment is available from the feeding device, or to discourage the animal from attempting to access the feeding device.

[065] The control system 300 includes a hopper feed level sensor 328 (for example, one or more load cells on the hopper 102), configured to communicate an indication of the remaining feed in the hopper 102 to the microcontroller 302, and a battery level sensor 330, configured to communicate an indication of the power level of the battery 118 to the microcontroller 302. The microcontroller 302 may provide data such as hopper feed level, battery status, and other operational statuses, to the remote master control. System notifications may be issued, for example to a user device of an operator (such as a smart phone), notifying the operator of one or more of: low hopper feed level, low battery level, system malfunction or failure. Similarly, animal related notifications may be issued notifying an operator of one or more of: abnormal animal activity (for example lower than expected feed consumption), or animal activity indicative of one or more actions being required - for example weaning based on a total feed consumption threshold being reached.

[066] In exemplary embodiments, the control system 300 may be configured to control a feed agitator 332 configured to agitate feed within the hopper 102 to encourage flow of the feed - for example a vibrating plate or screen, or an air fluidiser.

[067] In exemplary embodiments, each feed station 128 may include a movable cover, controllable to move between a first position obstructing access to the associated feed bowl 130, and a second position allowing access to the feed bowl 130. In such embodiments, the control system 300 controls an actuator (for example, pneumatic actuator 334) to move the cover. For example, the cover may be opened to allow access by a first animal, and closed on detecting the presence of a second animal with no remaining allotment of feed, to prevent the second animal from accessing residual feed in the feed bowl 130.

[068] Referring to FIG. 4A, multiple animal feeders 100a, 100b, and 100c may be deployed on a farm, and in communication with remote master control 400. In this exemplary embodiment, the remote master control 400 is illustrated as being implemented in a server - for example one or more dedicated server devices, or a cloud based server architecture. By way of example, the cloud servers implementing the remote master control 400 may have processing facilities represented by processors 402, memory 404, and other components typically present in such computing environments. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated the memory 404 stores information accessible by processors 402, the information including instructions 406 that may be executed by the processors 402 and data 408 that may be retrieved, manipulated or stored by the processors 402. The memory 404 may be of any suitable means known in the art, capable of storing information in a manner accessible by the processors, including a computer-readable medium, or other medium that stores data that may be read with the aid of an electronic device. The processors 402 may be any suitable device known to a person skilled in the art. Although the processors 402 and memory 404 are illustrated as being within a single unit, it should be appreciated that this is not intended to be limiting, and that the functionality of each as herein described may be performed by multiple processors and memories, that may or may not be remote from each other. The instructions 406 may include any set of instructions suitable for execution by the processors 402. For example, the instructions 406 may be stored as computer code on the computer-readable medium. The instructions may be stored in any suitable computer language or format. Data 408 may be retrieved, stored or modified by processors 402 in accordance with the instructions 406. The data 408 may also be formatted in any suitable computer readable format. Again, while the data is illustrated as being contained at a single location, it should be appreciated that this is not intended to be limiting - the data may be stored in multiple memories or locations. The data 408 may include databases 410 storing data such as control parameters, and data associated with individual animals or groups of animals.

[069] Where a cellular network connection is available, the microcontroller 302 of each animal feeder lOOa-c may communicate with the remote master control 400 over a cellular network 412 via their respective cellular modems 310 to obtain control parameters for individual animals accessing the respective animal feeders lOOa-c, transmit consumption data for recordal against animal identifiers, and so on.

[070] The remote master control 400 may communicate with external devices, via the cellular network 412 (or another network potentially comprising various configurations and protocols including the Internet, intranets, virtual private networks, wide area networks, local networks, private networks using communication protocols proprietary to one or more companies - whether wired or wireless, or a combination thereof). For example, the remote master control 400 may communicate with user devices such as smartphone 414a or personal computer 414b to provide access to functionality and reporting associated with the remote master control 400 and animal feeders lOOa-c.

[071] Referring to FIG. 4B, a fourth animal feeder lOOd is provided. Where only the fourth animal feeder lOOd has connection to the remote master control 400 via the cellular network 412, that feeder lOOd may act as a base station with the remaining animal feeders lOOa-c communicating with the base station, and therefore the remote master control 400, over local wireless networks (more particularly a Bluetooth connection 416 via their respective Bluetooth modules 314). In an exemplary embodiment, the fourth animal feeder lOOd may be replaced by a dedicated base station unit - for example, including the processing and communications devices of the feeders 100, but without the components associated with the delivery of feed.

[072] In exemplary embodiments, where the cellular connection is lost, the animal feeders 100a- d may communicate with each other via the Bluetooth connections 416 to share and update locally stored control parameters based on animal activity.

[073] Referring to FIG. 5, the animal feeder described herein (for example animal feeders 100a and 100b) may be connected to a dedicated animal feeder communication network, for example a control area network (CAN), via CAN transceiver 318 in order to communicate with a local master control 500 and permanent animal feeders 502a and 502b. In such an embodiment the control parameters may be obtained from, and data delivered to, the local master control 500 rather than the remote master control.

[074] FIG. 6A and 6B illustrate another exemplary mobile animal feeding apparatus 600, herein referred to as "animal feeder" 600. It is envisaged that the animal feeder 600 may operate in substantially the same manner as discussed above with reference to animal feeder 100 and associated control.

[075] The animal feeder 600 includes a feed hopper 602 mounted to a trailer chassis 604, the chassis 604 supporting an axle 606 to which first and second wheels are mounted, with the axle 606 positioned centrally beneath the hopper 602. A front jack 608a and rear jack 608b are provided for levelling and/or supporting the animal feeder 600 when deployed in the field.

[076] A hopper lid 608 is provided for access into the hopper 602, and supports at least one solar panel 610 for powering the feeder 600. In exemplary embodiments, an actuator (not illustrated) may be provided for opening and closing of the hopper lid 608. While it is envisaged that a manual control may be located on the animal feeder 600, it is also contemplated that control of the lid actuator may be achieved by way of an authorised user device (such as a smart phone) as a means for restricting access to the hopper 602.

[077] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the moulded feed hopper 602 is generally cuboid in shape, and includes four integrated feed stations 612a-d at respective vertical edges.

[078] The invention(s) may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of said parts, elements or features. Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to integers or components having known equivalents thereof, those integers are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

[079] It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be included within the present disclosure.

[080] For a firmware and/or software (also known as a computer program) implementation, the techniques of the present disclosure may be implemented as instructions (for example, procedures, functions, and so on) that perform the functions described. It should be appreciated that the present disclosure is not described with reference to any particular programming languages, and that a variety of programming languages could be used to implement the present invention. The firmware and/or software codes may be stored in a memory, or embodied in any other processor readable medium, and executed by a processor or processors. The memory may be implemented within the processor or external to the processor. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a combination of a digital signal processor (DSP) and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. The processors may function in conjunction with servers, whether cloud based or dedicated, and network connections as known in the art.

[081] In various embodiments, one or more cloud computing environments may be used to create, and/or deploy, and/or operate at least part of the software system that can be any form of cloud computing environment, for example: a public cloud, a private cloud, a virtual private network (VPN), a subnet, a Virtual Private Cloud (VPC), or any other cloud-based infrastructure known in the art. It should be appreciated that a service may utilize, and interface with, multiple cloud computing environments.

[082] The steps of a method, process, or algorithm described in connection with the present disclosure may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by one or more processors, or in a combination of the two. The various steps or acts in a method or process may be performed in the order shown, or may be performed in another order. Additionally, one or more process or method steps may be omitted or one or more process or method steps may be added to the methods and processes. An additional step, block, or action may be added in the beginning, end, or intervening existing elements of the methods and processes.

[083] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" (or the like) means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" or the like in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

[084] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in at least one embodiment. In the foregoing description, numerous specific details are provided to give a thorough understanding of the exemplary embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art may well recognize, however, that embodiments of the disclosure can be practiced without at least one of the specific details thereof, or can be practiced with other methods, components, materials, et cetera. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

[085] The illustrated embodiments of the disclosure will be best understood by reference to the figures. The foregoing description is intended only by way of example and simply illustrates certain selected exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. It should be noted that the flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, apparatuses, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of the disclosure. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises at least one executable instruction for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[086] Throughout this specification, the word "comprise" or "include", or variations thereof such as "comprises", "includes", "comprising" or "including" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to".

Claims

1. An animal feeding apparatus, including:

at least one feed hopper;

at least one feed station accessible by an animal;

2. The animal feeding apparatus of claim 1, including a trailer portion configured to be connected to a tractor unit.

3. The animal feeding apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, including:

an animal identification device configured to determine an identity of an animal accessing the at least one feed station, wherein the at least one controller is configured to control the at least one feed dispensing device according to control parameters associated with the identity of the animal.

4. The animal feeding apparatus of claim 3, including a first wireless communications device enabling communication between the controller and a remote master control, wherein the remote master control is configured to provide the control parameters for the identified animal.

5. The animal feeding apparatus of claim 4, wherein the remote master control is cloud-based, and the first wireless communications device is configured to communicate with the remote master control via the internet.

6. The animal feeding apparatus of claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the remote master control is further configured to perform one or more of: determine the control parameters, modify the control parameters, record data associated with the animal against the animal's identifier, communicate with a user device for the input or extraction of data, and report with regard to one or more animals.

7. The animal feeding apparatus of any one of claims 4 to 6, including:

a local wireless communications device enabling communication with at least one other associated animal feeding apparatus,

8. The animal feeding apparatus of any claim 7, configured to act as a relay station for a second animal feeding apparatus via the local wireless communications device to enable communication between the second animal feeding apparatus and the remote master control.

9. The animal feeding apparatus of any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the controller is configured to restrict access to residual feed on identifying the presence of an animal with no remaining allotment of feed at the feed station.

10. The animal feeding apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one feed station includes a movable cover, controllable to move between a first position obstructing access to a feed bowl, and a second position allowing access to the feed bowl.

11. The animal feeding apparatus of claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to move the cover into the first position on identifying the presence of the animal with no remaining allotment of feed.

12. The animal feeding apparatus of any one of claims 3 to 11, wherein the controller is configured to record delivery of feed against the identity of the animal.

13. The animal feeding apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 12, including at least one animal health or performance sensor.

14. The animal feeding apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the controller is configured to be communicate with a health or performance sensor carried by the animal.

15. The animal feeding apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the controller is configured to issue a notification to an animal worn notification device.

16. The animal feeding apparatus of claim 15, wherein the controller is configured to notify the animal, via the notification device, of an allocation of feed being available from the animal feeding apparatus.

17. The animal feeding apparatus of claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the controller is configured to deter an animal, via the notification device, from attempting to access the animal feeding apparatus when no allocation of feed is available.

18. An animal feeding system, including:

at least one animal feeding apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17;

a remote master control in communication with the animal feeding apparatus.

19. The animal feeding system of claim 18, configured to issue notifications to a user device.

20. The animal feeding system of claim 19, wherein the notifications include system notifications including one or more of: low hopper feed level, low power storage level, system malfunction or failure.

21. The animal feeding system of claim 19 or claim 20, wherein the notifications include animal notifications including one or more of: abnormal animal activity, and animal activity indicative of one or more actions being required.

22. A method of operating an animal feeding apparatus, the method including:

determining an identity of an animal accessing the animal feeding apparatus;

receiving, at the animal feeding apparatus, control parameters for dispensing of feed to the animal from a remote master control; and

in the absence of communication with the remote master control, modifying previously received control parameters based on activity of the identified animal at a second animal feeding apparatus in communication with the animal feeding apparatus.