WO2020120516A1

WO2020120516A1 - Livestock management system

Info

Publication number: WO2020120516A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/084528
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ian BESTER
Original assignee: Bester Ian
Priority date: 2018-12-10
Filing date: 2019-12-10
Publication date: 2020-06-18
Also published as: GB201820103D0

Abstract

A livestock management system for managing livestock in an extensive farming environment, the system comprising: a plurality of tags, wherein each tag is configured to be affixed to a respective animal; at least one base station located within said extensive farming environment; and a remote information system; wherein each tag includes at least one sensor for generating sensor data representative of a predetermined characteristic of the respective animal and a wireless communications component configured to transmit data representative of the sensor data to one or more base stations; wherein the at least one base station comprises a wireless access point and includes a wired or wireless broadband communications module for transmitting data representative of the sensor data to the remote information system via the internet.

Description

LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

This invention relates generally to a livestock management system and, more particularly but not necessarily exclusively, to a system for management, e.g. tracking and/or health monitoring, of livestock in extensive farming environments. It is envisaged, however, that a system according to aspects of the invention would be equally applicable for use in intensive farming environments.

Extensive farming is an agricultural system that utilises small inputs of labour, fertilisers and/or capital relative to the land area being farmed, and most commonly refers to sheep and cattle farming in areas with low agricultural productivity and, in general, poorly served by infrastructure such as internet connectivity and national power supply. Extensive farming is found in the mid-latitude section of most continents, as well as desert regions where water for cropping is not available. The farm is usually large in comparison with the numbers working and money spent on it, and many extensive farms can extend over hundreds or even thousands of acres.

The total area covered by an extensive farm tends to be sub-divided into‘pens’ depending on rainfall and vegetation type/quantity/quality (among other things), such that each pen and the collective is managed based on the distribution of water and vegetation, and these factors, along with other management considerations and factors will also determine the maximum number of animals that can be supported in each pen. Water distribution points tend to be located at intersections between pens.

Livestock owners and managers in extensive farming environments face several problems in relation to livestock health and management. Due to the nature, size and range of the landscape covered by an extensive farm, as well as the inherent physical characteristics of the infrastructure and operational constraints, they do not usually have the ability to adequately monitor livestock in remote areas. Personnel may only visit remote locations in weekly, bi-weekly or monthly cycles. As a result, animals may face relatively long periods of time during which they may have been injured or become sick, wherein such injury or sickness can go undetected until the next personnel visit. In some cases, this can lead to unnecessarily prolonged suffering, or even death, of the animal. In other cases, the loss of optimal health can lead to lower productivity in the animal or the loss of optimal physical health could cause financial loss to the livestock owner. Other challenges often faced by livestock owners and managers in extensive farming environments are theft of livestock, predation and livestock losses due to environmental conditions, geographical features or interruption of critical services such as adequate water supply.. Once again, owing to the remote location of the animals, these losses can go undetected for relatively long periods of time, potentially leading to significant financial loss to the livestock owner or a negative on the livestock’s welfare, health and behaviour

It would be desirable to provide a livestock management system that enables remote monitoring of livestock in extensive farming environments, and that allows livestock owners/managers to remotely track and/or monitor livestock in an extensive farming environment so as to, for example, identify and locate a sick or injured animal or identify an incidence of stock theft in real -or near real-time.

Tracking and monitoring devices/sy stems have been proposed for dairy cows. In such systems, a tracking device is embedded in (or otherwise provided on) a large collar that is worn on an animal’s neck or leg, and monitoring/tracking data is transmitted from the device either directly from the device to a remote server (in other words, each device acts as a wireless access point to transmit sensor data, via the internet, to a remote server) or via a local receiver which acts as the access point and then forwards the data to the remote server. However, such systems are unsuitable for extensive farming environments, as the monitoring devices tend to be prohibitively expensive for deployment in large scale, and they are also difficult to fit to large herds of livestock. Each device requires a large battery to power the functionality, hence the need for it to be housed in a large collar. Due to the size and weight of the device, a fairly strong and substantial collar or bracelet must be fitted to the animal to fix the device. In certain scenarios this collar poses a

strangulation, entrapment and/or injury risk to the animal. The fitment of such collars also requires additional labour and livestock handling facilities which limits the practical and filed applications of these devices.

Furthermore, known systems would not work adequately in most, if not all, extensive farming environments, as there is generally no WiFi or other means of connectivity availability and a very limited telecommunications infrastructure, if any, so the required wireless internet communication from the individual devices is generally not supportable. It is an object of aspects of the present invention to address at least some of these issues and provide a livestock management system for enabling tracking and/or health monitoring of livestock within extensive farming environments. Thus, in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for managing livestock in an extensive farming environment, the system comprising: a plurality of tags, each tag being configured to be affixed to a respective animal; at least one base station located within said extensive farming environment; and a remote information system; wherein each tag includes at least one sensor for sensing, and thereby generating sensor data representative of, a predetermined physical characteristic of the respective animal and a wireless communications component (e.g. an RF transceiver, such as a low power wide area network (LPWAN) wireless communications module) configured to transmit data representative of the sensor data to at least one base station; wherein the at least one base station comprises a wireless access point and includes a wired or wireless broadband communications module for transmitting data representative of the sensor data to the remote information system via the internet.

Thus, the present invention provides a livestock management system that is not reliant on a mobile communications network, but instead may use radio communications for the tags, to transmit data to fixed base stations around the extensive farming environment. Numerous additional advantages can be achieved: the low power requirement of the tags means that, once deployed, they can last for several years before battery life may become an issue. The wireless communications components may have a long range, and low (but sufficient) data transfer rate to transfer sensor data collected at source. The overall form factor of the tag can thus be made small enough to incorporate within a wearable tag, such as an ear tag that can be quickly and efficiently affixed to an animal in a known manner.

The remote information system may be a remote data receiver, for example, a remote server, which is able to receive data from each tag via the or each base station and process the data to provide information about each animal.

Sensors and electronic identification devices for livestock are known, but these tend to have a limited ability to transmit data over a distance: they are typically limited to about l-5m and in some other instances up to a few hundred meters. However, the tag of the present invention is able to receive data from the or each sensor over extensive distances of many kilometres and then transmit that data via the wireless communications module to a base station. From the base station, the data may be transmitted to a remote receiver, for example a remote server.

Thus, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the tag comprises an ear tag including a housing and a securing element coupled to the housing, wherein the securing element secures the tag to an earlobe of the animal. For example, the securing element may comprise an elongate post extending from a surface of said housing, wherein the post is configured to be inserted through an animal’s ear lobe to secure the tag thereto. Alternatively, the securing element may comprise a flexible element and/or a clamp arrangement.

In this case, the tag may include an outwardly facing surface of the housing which may have printed or otherwise provided thereon (e.g. RFID chip or barcode) identification information relating to the respective animal. It is to be understood that, suitably, the tag will be robust, water and dust resistant and able to withstand impact and contact as can be expected from herd animals.

The tag may be in the form of a two-part tag comprising an inner part which is located adjacent to an inner surface of the animal’s ear, and an outer part which is located adjacent to an outer surface of the animal’s ear, wherein the elongate post or other coupling element may join the inner part to the outer part. In other words, the elongate post or other coupling element may pass through the animal’s ear lobe. Additionally or alternatively, the two parts may be clamped together via a clamp arrangement with a portion of the animal’s ear lobe located between them. Thus, the ear lobe of the animal may be sandwiched between the inner and outer parts of the two-part tag.

Such an arrangement may be useful for certain sensors where it is desired to send a signal from one part to the other part, i.e. through the ear lobe of the animal. As such, one part of the tag may include a sensor signal transmitter and the other part of the tag may include a sensor signal receiver. The alteration of the sensor signal by the animal’s ear permits one or more physical characteristics or properties of the animal in question to be sensed by the sensor, thereby providing useful data regarding the health of the animal and/or allow for more accurate measurements of the or each physical characteristic.

Alternatively, two similar or identical sensors may be included within the tag, wherein one of the two sensors is located within the inner part and the other of the two sensors is located in the outer part. In this way, signals from the two sensors may be compared and an average reading of the two sensors may be generated. The average reading of two sensors located in different locations may be more accurate that a reading from a single sensor. This allows for a greater range of sensors to be used with the tag.

A further advantage of locating one part of a two-part tag on the inside of the ear lobe and the other part of a two-part tag on the outside of the ear lobe is that solar panels may be carried by outwardly facing surface of the inner part and/or the outer part of the tag. Generally, at least one outwardly facing surface of the inner and the outer parts of the tag will be oriented to receive solar radiation and thereby power the electronic components of the tag.

Thus, the tag may include one or more solar panels. In embodiments in which the tag comprises a two-part tag including an inner part and an outer part, an outwardly facing surface of the inner part and/or an outwardly facing surface of the outer part may carry a solar panel.

The skilled person will appreciate that the term“outwardly facing” in the context of surfaces of the tag relates to a surface which faces away from the ear lobe of the animal in use. Similarly, the skilled person will understand the term“solar panel” to mean a substrate comprising one or more solar cells which receive solar radiation and convert the solar radiation to electrical energy.

Furthermore, a two-part tag permits certain components to be located in a more advantageous location. For example, a communications antenna may be located in the outer part of the two-part tag in order to improve signal strength.

In embodiments in which the tag is a two-part tag, one part of the tag may include a battery (or other electrical energy storage apparatus) and electrical energy from the battery may be transmitted to the other part of the tag. For example, a post may be provided to couple together the inner part and the outer part of the tag and the post may transmit electrical energy from one part of the tag to the other part of the tag. Alternatively, a flexible coupling or a clamp arrangement may be provided between the inner part of the tag and the outer part of the tag and the outer part of the tag is electrically coupled to the inner part of the tag via one or more electrical wires or cables. Thus, the or each wire or cable may transmit electrical energy from a battery located in one part of the tag to the electrical components located in the other part of the tag.

The skilled person will appreciate that animal’s ear lobes tend to be curved. As such, an ear contact surface of the tag may be curved, for example to conform to the curvature of the animal’s ear lobe. Typically, an internal surface (i.e. the surface which faces the animal’s head) of the ear lobe has a concave shape. As such, the tag may include an ear contact surface, wherein the ear contact surface has a convex shape, when the tag is intended to be located adjacent to the inner surface of the animal’s ear. Such a convex shape of the surface of the tag is able to conform more closely to the concave shape of the internal surface of the ear lobe of the animal.

In embodiments in which it may be desired to locate the tag adjacent to the outside of the animal’s ear, where the outer surface of the ear lobe has a convex shape, the tag may include an ear contact surface which has a concave shape, corresponding to the convex shape of the animal’s ear lobe.

In embodiments in which the tag is in the form of a two-part tag, the inner part may include a convex ear contact surface and the outer part may include a corresponding concave ear contact surface. By shaping the tag such that it better conforms to the shape of the animal’s ear lobe, it is possible to increase the accuracy of the sensor measurements. It will be appreciated that certain sensors perform better when they are in direct contact with a surface from which measurements may be taken or when the sensor is located closer to the target region.

The system may comprise a plurality of base stations, located in spaced-apart relation within said extensive farming environment. In one exemplary configuration, the extensive farming environment may be sub-divided into pens, and a base station may be provided in respect of each of a plurality of pens.

Optionally, the tag may comprise a plurality of sensors, with each sensor generating sensor data representative of a respective characteristic of the respective animal. Thus, the sensors may sense a geographic characteristic of the animal or sense a physical characteristic of the animal. For example, a GPS sensor may be provided, for generating sensor data representative of a location of the respective animal within the extensive farming environment. In this case, the tag may be configured to periodically (e.g. every 5, 10 or 15 minutes) transmit location data to the information system. The tag may comprise a movement sensor, such as an accelerometer, for generating sensor data representative of movement of said respective animal.

Additionally or alternatively, the tag may include one or more sensors for sensing health parameters of the animal. For example, heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, oxygen saturation levels, and so on.

The tag may include a processor, for receiving the sensor data and converting it to a format for transmission via the wireless communications component (e.g. LPWAN module). In an exemplary embodiment, the tag may further include a data storage device, such as a flash storage device, for storing data representative of the sensor data.

Additionally or alternatively, the processor may process the data from the or each sensor and signals corresponding to the processed data may be transmitted to one or more base stations. As such, the processor may relay unprocessed data from the or each sensor to one or more base stations, format the data from the or each sensor and transmit the formatted data to one or more base stations, or it may process the data and transmit a signal based on the processed data to one or more base stations.

In addition to transmitting data signals to one or more base stations, the wireless communications component may also transmit data locally. For example, data from the tag may be transmitted periodically up to a pre-determined distance from the tag. Such data may be transmitted using, for example, a Bluetooth protocol or other short-range, bi directional wireless protocol (e.g. radio frequency transmissions or transmissions via a mobile telephone signal transmissions).

The wireless communications component may communicate via RF frequencies, cellular networks and/or satellite communication networks.

In an exemplary embodiment, the tag may include one or more rechargeable batteries, such as Li-ion batteries or the like, and an energy harvesting module, such as a solar panel or the like, for harvesting energy and recharging the or each battery.

Alternative energy harvesting means (e.g. from heat or movement) are also envisaged. The rechargeable batteries may be recharged wirelessly from an electrical power source that may be provided in a area in which the animals spend periods of time, for example at water troughs. Wireless recharging of batteries using inductive coupling technology is well known and need not be discussed in more detail herein.

A software module or application may be provided in the tag and/or the

information system, for receiving the data representative of the sensor data, processing the data and calculating or generating one or more parameters representative of the location and/or health or wellbeing of the respective animal. The tag and/or information system may be configured to compare the or each parameter relating to a respective animal with a predetermined respective parameter value and to generate notification data in the event that the predetermined parameter value(s) is/are met, or is/are not met. Such notification data may be transmitted to a mobile device (e.g. mobile phone) at a remote location. The user of the device may then be alerted to a possible deterioration in the health of a specific animal.

In addition to receiving data from the or each sensor, the processor may send data, for example in the form of instructions, to the or each sensor. Thus, the processor may include a receiver for receiving data from the or each sensor or it may include a transceiver to both receive data from the or each sensor and to transmit data to the or each sensor. Accordingly, the or each sensor may be capable of bi-directional data flow.

Furthermore, in addition to transmitting data from the tag, the wireless

communications component may receive data from the remote information system (e.g. a remote server). Such received signals may be transmitted by the wireless communications component to the processor. In this way, the processor may be instructed to carry out certain specific actions via the remote information system.

The tag may include an alert signaller, such as an LED, small LCD screen, a vibrator and/or an audible alert, to provide an indicator in respect of an animal requiring attention. Thus, for example, if it is determined by the tag (e.g. via data processed by a processor forming a part of the tag) or by the information system (e.g. remote server) or by a user analysing the data that an animal requires attention, an alert signal may be transmitted to the tag corresponding to that animal, such that the alert signaller is activated. For example, the LED may be activated, the LCD screen may display an alert, the tag may vibrate and/or a sound may be emitted by the audible alert, making the animal easier to locate and identify by the livestock owner/manager from amongst several, similar looking animals.

Additionally or alternatively, the alert signaller may be used to urge the animal to take action in response to the alert signal. For example, a noise or vibration may be emitted by the alert signaller if the animal strays into a dangerous area. In which case, the animal needs to move away from the area to stop the alert signal.

Accordingly, the tag itself may trigger the alert signaller locally or the alert signaller may be activated remotely from the information system.

More generally, the information system may be configured to transmit data, in the form of communications signals, to one or more selected tags. As specified above, this data may comprise an alert signal. Alternatively, in the event that it is determined that a group of animals has been stolen, that group of tags may be instructed/reconfigured by a remote data signal from the information system to transmit location data to the information system more often than the default period (e.g. every minute instead of every 5, 10 or 15 minutes).

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wearable tag for a system substantially as described above, the tag being configured to be affixed to a respective animal, and comprising at least one sensor for generating sensor data representative of a predetermined characteristic of said respective animal, a processor for converting the received sensor data into a communication signal, a wireless communications component (e.g. a low power wide area network (LPWAN) wireless communications module) configured to transmit the communication signal (i.e. the data representative of the sensor data) to a base station remote therefrom, and a battery coupled to the or each sensor, the processor and the wireless communications component for providing power thereto, wherein the tag includes an ear contact surface which is convex. In an exemplary embodiment, the battery comprises at least one rechargeable battery, and the tag further includes an energy harvesting module configured to recharge the or each rechargeable battery. The energy harvesting module may, for example, comprise a solar panel, but may alternatively comprise a dynamo configured to convert movement of said respective animal to electric charge for recharging said at least one battery. In a further embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the tag is a two-part tag and comprises an inner part and an outer part, wherein the inner part includes a convex ear contact surface, the outer part includes a concave ear contact surface and the animal’s ear lobe is located between the inner and outer parts of the two-part tag. Suitably, the inner part and the outer part are coupled together. Thus, the tag may include a coupling which couples the outer part of the tag to the inner part of the tag. The coupling may be a rigid post, a flexible coupling or a clamp arrangement in which the outer part is clamped to the inner part of the tag. In embodiments in which the coupling includes a post, the post may transmit electrical energy from one part of the tag to the other part of the tag (e.g. from the inner part of the tag to the outer part of the tag or vice versa). In embodiments in which the coupling includes a flexible coupling, the flexible coupling may conduct electrical energy from one part of the tag to the other part of the tag or a separate electrical wire or cable may be provided in order to electrically couple the inner part and the outer part of the tag. In embodiments in which the inner part of the tag and the outer part of the tag are clamped together via a clamp arrangement, the clamp arrangement may conduct electrical energy from one part of the tag to the other part of the tag or a separate electrical wire or cable may be provided in order to electrically couple the inner part and the outer part of the tag.

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from the following specific description, in which an embodiment of the invention is described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a schematic diagram illustrating features of a livestock management system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating in more detail features of a tag for the system of Figure 1;

Figure 2B is a schematic side view of a tag for the system of Figure 1.

Figure 2C is a side view of an alternative tag; and

Figure 2D is a side view of a further alternative tag.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, a livestock management system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a wearable tag 10, one or more fixed base stations 12 dispersed around an extensive farming environment. The or each base station is coupled to a router 14 for transmitting data to a cloud storage facility 16, and data from the cloud storage facility 16 can be retrieved to a user computing device 18 such as a PC or mobile computing device.

Additionally, the wireless communications component of the wearable tag 10 is able to communicate with a local wireless device 13, such as a smartphone, a tablet or other wirelessly enabled portable device and also to other sensors 15 that are within communication range of the wireless communications component

Referring additionally to Figures 2A and 2B of the drawings, the tag 10 may comprise a housing 11 of a form factor similar to conventional livestock ear tags having front wall 11a and a rear wall 1 lb and a side wall 11c defining an enclosure. The outer surface of the front wall 11a (i.e. the“front surface”, when the tag is oriented for use) may have printed thereon identification data pertaining to an animal on which it is to be worn. The outer surface of the rear wall 1 lb (i.e.“the rear surface” when the tag is oriented for use) may have an elongate post or stud 20 extending therefrom, substantially orthogonally thereto. The distal end of the stud 20 may be provided with a conical or pointed portion 22 to facilitate the insertion thereof through an animal’s ear lob using a conventional applicator.

Within the enclosure defined by the housing 11, there is provided an electronic circuit, comprising a location sensor, such as a GPS sensor 24 and a movement sensor (accelerometer) 26. A microprocessor 28 is provided, wherein sensor data collected by the sensors 24, 26 is transmitted to the microprocessor 28. The electronic circuit further comprises a LPWAN communications module 30. LPWAN (low power wide area network) is a type of wireless telecommunications network that allows long range communications at a low bit rate. Thus, sensor data collected by the sensors 24, 26 and input to the microprocessor 28 is processed thereby and applied to the LPWAN

communications module 30 (a radio communications module operating at 433, 868 or 915MHz) for transmission to the nearest base station 12, together with data representative of the tag itself. A flash storage device 34 is provided, for temporarily storing data for transmission, to allow for the fact that LPWAN operates at a low bit rate and a temporary buffer may be provided for data. A rechargeable battery 36, such as a Li-ion battery, or other energy storage module is connected to a power regulator 38 coupled to the microprocessor 28. Finally, an energy harvesting module 40, such as a solar panel or the like, is provided to harvest the energy required to recharge the battery module 36.

The wearable tag further includes an RFID chip 32 which stores identification data relating to the animal to which the tag is attached, and an alert signaller 39 which includes an LED and a vibrator.

Referring back to Figure 1 of the drawings, and as stated above, the system comprises a plurality of base stations, or internet gateways 12, dispersed around the extensive farming environment, at suitable locations and spacings. Thus, each base station is configured as a wireless access point capable of supporting a wireless broadband connection to the internet, to permit data transmission to an information system provided in the cloud storage facility 16. Each base station 12 is provided with a LPWAN transmitter/receiver module, configured to receive data from the tags and also, if required, to transmit data thereto over a long range at a low bit rate. Data transmitted from the tags (including tag identity data) is received by a base station and transmitted onward to the cloud storage facility 16 for further processing.

The information system in the cloud storage facility 16 defines a server 42 and a data storage‘area’ 44. A GIS (geographical information system)‘module’ 46 receives tag data representative of tag identity and also GPS sensor data and processes that data to identify the tag (or respective animal) from which the data has been collected, and also its location or tracking data. Alerts may be generated in the event that it is detected that an animal has left the confines of its own pen or the boundary defining the extensive farming environment. In addition, the GIS 46 may instruct the cloud storage facility 16 to transmit a signal to the tag 10 instructing the processor 28 to activate the alert signaller 39. In this case, the alert signaller vibrates, causing the animal to correct its behaviour (i.e. return to its pen or permitted area) and activates the LED such that a local worker is able to identify any animal that is outside of its prescribed pen or area.

An analytics‘module’ 48 also receives tag identity data together with motion sensor data for analysis of the respective animal’s wellbeing. This may be used to assess immediate risk (i.e illness or injury), based on the fact that an animal is not moving, for example, and an alert may be generated accordingly. However, this can also be used for data gathering purposes to assess the wellbeing of an animal over a period of time, and based on changes in its behaviour. For example, excessive head shaking, walking less or more than usual, or hobbling may provide an early indication of a problem. Thus, such data can be used to provide extended animal analytics and insights supported by algorithms to infer animal health and other properties.

Alerts and any other relevant data can be transmitted, upon request or periodically, to a user computing device 18 using conventional communications protocols. For example, the system may be configured to provide notifications when certain specifiable parameter(s) are met. Furthermore, the information system may be configured to transmit small amounts of data, via a LPWAN wireless communications module, back to one or more selected tags. This, for example, if it is determined that an animal requires attention, an alert signal may be transmitted to the tag worn by that animal to cause the alert signaller 39 to emit a visible alert via the LED to provide a visual aid to enable the livestock owner/manager to easily locate the respective animal from amongst several, similar looking animals. In other circumstances, if, for example, a group of animals is determined to have been stolen, the information system may be configured to transmit a signal to all of the associated tags causing them to transmit location data more frequently than the default period (e.g. every minute instead of every 5, 10 or 15 minutes).

Figure 2C shows a tag 110 according to second embodiment of the invention. The tag 110 is similar to the tag 10 shown in Figures 2A and 2B, except that it comprises a housing 111 having a front wall 111a and a rear wall 11 lb in which the front and rear walls 111a, 11 lb are curved in order to conform more closely to the shape of an ear lobe of a target animal. The tag 110 includes the same components therein as described above in connection with the tag 10.

Figure 2D shows a tag 210 according to a third embodiment of the invention. The tag 210 is similar to the tag 10 shown in Figures 2A and 2B, except that it comprises an inner part 250 and an outer part 260, wherein the outer part 260 is spaced from the inner part 250 to form a gap therebetween which is sized and configured to receive therein an ear lobe of a target animal. Thus, the inner part 250 is located adjacent to an inner surface of the animal’s ear lobe and the outer part 260 is located adjacent to an outer surface of the animal’s ear lobe and the ear lobe is sandwiched between the inner part 250 and the outer part 260. As with the tag 10, the tag 210 includes a post or stud 220 which joins an upper portion of the outer part 260 to an upper portion of the inner part 250 and which in use passes through the ear lobe of the animal.

The tag 210 further includes a bottom joining portion 270 which both physically and electrically couples the outer part 260 to the inner part 250.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 2D, the inner part 250 includes all of the components described above in connection with the tag 10, including a first solar panel 240, corresponding to the solar panel 40. In addition, the outer part 260 includes additional sensors, such as a heart rate sensor and an animal body temperature sensor, and a second solar panel 280.

Thus, the above-described exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a livestock tracking and health monitoring system comprising a tag or other animal-worn digital device having various sensors to measure and log data pertaining the respective animal. A radio communications module enables wireless transfer of data (at low power, low bit rate and over a long range) to an information system (via a fixed wireless access point) for further analysis. The information system uses data analysis and various algorithms to provide an insight into animal health, behaviour and functionality to report such insights and provide notifications/alerts to the end user. It is envisaged that the digital device or tag will be small enough to be deployed in conjunction with (i.e. attached to or combined with) existing animal tags that are worn in the animal’s ear. Indeed, the tag can take various different shapes or forms, and the present invention is not necessarily intended to be limited in this regard, but it is envisaged, at least in some exemplary embodiments of the invention, that the tag will be small enough to be attached to an animal. A key advantage of the proposed system is that it will work in extensive environments where little or no mobile internet connectivity is available. The solution, because of its inherent low power and robust characteristics, has an extended lifetime and may not need replacement for many years. The information system provides a facility for performing mathematical calculations and deductions to indicate animal health and wellbeing, and these may also be applicable to a collection of animals. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, animal location tracking functionality is provided, wherein an animal’s location can be detected and displayed to an end user. In addition to the effective livestock management functionality described above and provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the system may also be used to provide supply chain assurance if required: the data collected by the tags and transmitted to the information system can be used to prove the origin, ongoing health, inoculation history, etc of each and every animal within the extensive farming environment.

The skilled person will appreciate that while an LPWAN wireless communications component has been described herein, alternative wireless communications components may be used with the invention, for example which are capable of using a mobile phone communications networks, other RF communications networks or satellite communication networks.

Similarly, alternative alert signallers, such as a visible screen (LCD or LED) and/or a sound emitter may be used in conjunction with the invention.

It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, from the foregoing description, that modifications and variations can be made to the described embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A livestock management system for managing livestock in an extensive farming environment, the system comprising: a plurality of tags, wherein each tag is configured to be affixed to a respective animal;

at least one base station located within said extensive farming environment; and a remote information system; wherein each tag includes at least one sensor for generating sensor data representative of a predetermined characteristic of the respective animal and a wireless communications component configured to transmit data representative of the sensor data to one or more base stations; wherein the at least one base station comprises a wireless access point and includes a wired or wireless broadband communications module for transmitting data representative of the sensor data to the remote information system via the internet.

2. A system according to Claim 1, wherein the tag comprises an ear tag including a housing and a securing element coupled to the housing, wherein the securing element secures the tag to an earlobe of the animal.

3. A system according to Claim 2, wherein the tag includes an ear contact surface and the ear contact surface has a curved shape.

4. A system according to Claim 2, wherein the tag is a two-part tag comprising an inner part and an outer part and the outer part of the tag is coupled to the inner part of the tag via the securing element.

5. A system according to Claim 4, wherein the inner part of the tag includes an inner ear contact surface which has a convex shape, and the outer part of the tag includes an outer ear contact surface which has a concave shape.

6. A system according to Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein at least one sensor is located in each of the inner part of the tag and the outer part of the tag.

7. A system according to Claim 6, wherein the tag includes a two-part sensor comprising a sensor transmitter and a sensor receiver, wherein the sensor transmitter is located in one of the inner part of the tag and the outer part of the tag and the sensor receiver is located in the other of the inner part of the tag and the outer part of the tag.

8. A system according to any of Claims 4 to 7, wherein the outer part of tag is electrically coupled to the inner part of the tag.

9. A system according to Claim 8, wherein the securing element provides the electrical coupling.

10. A system according to any of Claims 1 to 9, wherein each tag includes a plurality of sensors and the plurality of sensors includes at least one sensor which senses a physical characteristic of the animal and at least one sensor which senses the location of the animal and/or the movement of the animal.

11. A system according to any of Claims 1 to 10, wherein each tag includes a processor, for receiving the sensor data and converting it to a format for transmission via the wireless communications component.

12. A system according to any of Claims 1 to 11, wherein each tag further includes a data storage device for storing data representative of the sensor data.

13. A system according to any of Claims 1 to 12, wherein each tag includes one or more rechargeable batteries and one or more solar panels for harvesting solar energy and recharging the or each rechargeable battery.

14. A system according to any of Claims 1 to 13, wherein each tag includes an alert signaller.

15. A system according to any of Claims 1 to 14, comprising a plurality of base stations, located in spaced-apart relation within said extensive farming environment.

16. A system according to Claim 15, wherein the extensive farming environment is sub-divided into pens, and a base station is provided in respect of each of a plurality of pens.

17. A wearable tag for use in a system according to any of Claims 1 to 16, wherein, the tag is configured to be affixed to a respective animal, and comprises at least one sensor for sensing a physical characteristic of the respective animal; a processor for converting the received sensor data into a communication signal; a wireless communications component configured to transmit the communication signal to a base station remote from the tag; a battery coupled to the or each sensor, the processor and the wireless communications component for providing power thereto; and a securing element for securing the tag to the animal, wherein the tag includes an ear contact surface which is curved.

18. A tag according to claim 17, wherein the battery comprises at least one rechargeable battery, and the tag further includes one or more solar panels configured to recharge the or each rechargeable battery.

19. A tag according to Claim 17 or Claim 18, wherein the tag is a two-part tag and comprises an inner part and an outer part, wherein the inner part includes a convex ear contact surface, the outer part includes a concave ear contact surface and the animal’s ear lobe is located between the inner and outer parts of the two-part tag.