Patent Application
20080009765
Referring to the attached
Plotting occurs in days over time 2 which is plotted clockwise herein. The date of calving 4 is specified by a vertical line 4. On the day of calving, the animals are placed on the line 4 through symbols. Thus the animal with the number 352 has calved only a few days ago while those with the numbers 109 and 258 have calved a few days prior to that.
Animals 3 reaching or approaching the radial line with the insemination date 5 will be observed for indication of estrus.
The symbols are illustrated in different colors in relation to the state of the animals. Animals that have calved and not been inseminated yet are represented by red symbols 11 while animals indicating estrus are plotted with brown symbols 12, inseminated animals with blue symbols 13, animals verified as pregnant with green symbols 14, and dried-off animals e.g. with dark blue symbols 15. Animals to be singled out or to be slaughtered are represented with gray symbols 16.
The colored markings will provide the farmer with an immediate overview of conspicuous animals e.g. due to be inseminated or whose physiological state is not as desired in relation to the time elapsed since calving or insemination. The lactation state of the animal is correlated with the reproduction state wherein automatically obtained sensor data are taken into account and evaluated for plotting.
In the embodiment the symbol for animal No. 312 is highlighted by flashing because animal No. 312 has not been inseminated yet but indicates estrus. The indication of estrus is detected herein through an automatic activity sensor in the form of a step counter. Preferred embodiments provide for automatic progesterone testing to ensure detection of estrus.
These conditions have been fulfilled for animal No. 312 where the insemination due is clearly-indicated by flashing. After insemination, the symbol for animal No. 312 will be changed to blue and reset on the time scale to the angle at line 5.
When pregnancy is confirmed later, the symbol for animal No. 312 will be changed to green. Otherwise, if insemination has been unsuccessful, the animal must be inseminated again when estrus is observed. Then the symbol for the animal will again be reset to the insemination line 5.
As the date 6 for pregnancy testing is reached, the relevant animals are indicated and the farmer can perform the pregnancy tests. Specific embodiments provide for initiating tests automatically.
As an animal approaches the line 7 which indicates the date for drying-off and the milk yield of this animal decreases, the animal can be dried off. In this embodiment this has occurred e.g. with animal No. 275 although the line 7 has not been reached yet.
Line 8 indicates the anticipated calving date.
Conductivity measurements may also be taken into account. Other mastitis indicators and metabolism indicators may be employed to determine the state of the animal.
