Determining respiratory or circulatory health condition in animals for improved management

[0001] This claims the benefit of the earlier filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/631,646, filed Nov. 30, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This disclosure relates generally to the evaluation of internal tissue characteristics in animals, such as by imaging, and the management of animals based on the results of such evaluation.

[0003] Respiratory and circulatory diseases cause significant economic losses to the commercial meat industry. For example, bovine respiratory disease (BRD) has been estimated to account for 65% to 79% of the sickness and up to 72% of the deaths of feedlot cattle. BRD includes several more specific forms of respiratory diseases, including upper respiratory tract infections, diphtheria and pneumonia. Both viral and bacterial agents can cause BRD. These agents can be difficult or impossible to control. Cattle have natural defense systems for combating these agents, but these defense systems often are compromised by stress, such as stress associated with normal cattle management.

[0004] A significant percentage of livestock experience respiratory or circulatory disease at one or more times during their life. In most cases, the animals recover from the disease, but experience some degree of permanent internal damage. For example, studies on carcasses have shown that about one third to about one half of all cattle have lung lesions at slaughter that are the result of past respiratory disease.

[0005] To control respiratory diseases, such as BRD, many livestock managers actively diagnose and treat outbreaks. When detected, infected livestock typically are quarantined and treated with antibiotic and/or antiviral medications. These remedial efforts can be expensive and often fail to cure the disease. The success of treatment depends largely on the respiratory heath of the animal prior to onset of the disease. It has been shown, for example, that animals with significantly damaged respiratory systems from past respiratory disease are much less likely to respond well to treatment than animals with relatively undamaged respiratory systems.

[0006] In addition to affecting how animals respond to treatment, respiratory damage from past respiratory disease can adversely affect an animal's performance at the feedlot. For example, feedlot cattle with greater amounts of respiratory damage have been shown to gain less weight than feedlot cattle with lesser amounts of respiratory damage. In addition, the meat derived from cattle with greater amounts of respiratory damage often is of lower quality than the meat derived from cattle with lesser amounts of respiratory damage. Finally, the presence of respiratory damage from past respiratory disease may cause meat to fail to qualify as kosher, thereby decreasing its market value.

[0007] Disclosed herein is a method for managing at least one animal based on its respiratory condition. The method can include imaging, such as ultrasound imaging, at least one lung of a live animal, such as a bovine animal or other ruminant animal. The imaging can be performed to determine a degree of respiratory damage in the animal, such as a degree of respiratory damage from past respiratory illness. In some embodiments, the animal has substantially no symptoms of active respiratory illness at the time of imaging. Determining the degree of respiratory damage can include evaluating scarring, fibrosis, necrosis or other lung lesions caused by the past respiratory illness.

[0008] After imaging, information regarding respiratory damage can be used to select at least one aspect of the treatment, care or disposition of the animal. For example, the respiratory damage information can be used to select the amount or type of feed provided to the animal. Respiratory damage information also can be used to select how long the animal should be housed at the feedlot prior to slaughter. If an animal is diagnosed with an active respiratory illness, information about its degree of respiratory damage from past respiratory illness also can be used to select the appropriate medical treatment or lack of treatment. This can include, for example, selecting whether or not to administer drugs to the animal.

[0009] Some disclosed embodiments include imaging at least one lung of each of a plurality of live animals so as to determine a degree of respiratory damage in each of the plurality of animals. Each animal then can be assigned a respiratory damage designation corresponding to the animal's degree of respiratory damage. These respiratory damage designations can be entered into an electronic database and associated with an identifier for each animal. This may allow a user to review the respiratory damage designation for each animal from a location remote from the animals. In some embodiments, the respiratory damage designation is referenced to inform a management decision involving one or more of the animals. For example, at least one aspect of the treatment, care or disposition of each of the plurality of animals can be selected based on each animal's respiratory damage designation. In some embodiments, a respiratory damage designation is provided to a buyer to aid the buyer in a decision regarding the purchase of an animal.

[0010] An animal management system also is disclosed. This system can include an identification device for distinguishing individual animals from other animals in a group of animals, a measuring station, and a computer for storing respiratory damage information for the animals and for matching each animal's identifier with the animal's respiratory damage. In some embodiments, the measuring station includes a data entry device for recording respiratory damage in the animals.

[0103] Throughout this disclosure, the singular terms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Similarly, the word “or” is intended to include “and” unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The word “animal” is intended to include the broad genus of animals as well as the subgenera of ruminant animals, animals raised for food production, and cattle, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the word “respiratory” is intended to refer to the entire respiratory system and immediately adjacent structures, including the lungs, pleura and mediastinum, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the phrase “degree of respiratory damage” is intended to include the presence or absence of damage, as well as the extent of damage, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0104] Disclosed herein are a method and a system for evaluating respiratory or circulatory condition in animals and for managing the animals accordingly. Unlike external animal characteristics, the condition of an animal's respiratory and circulatory systems is not readily apparent from a superficial examination. Respiratory and circulatory condition, however, such as respiratory damage from past respiratory disease, is one of the most important aspects of an animal's health.

[0105] Although the majority of this disclosure is directed to the evaluation of respiratory condition, it should be apparent that similar techniques can be used for the evaluation of circulatory condition. For example, the ultrasonic and radiographic imaging techniques described below can be used to generate images of an animal's heart or lymph nodes in addition to its lungs. Information from these images then can be used to make management decisions regarding the animal.

[0106] Some embodiments of the disclosed method include imaging at least one lung of a live animal. Several techniques can be used to image the lungs of live animals, such as ultrasonography, radiography (e.g., standard x-ray and computerized axial tomography) and magnetic resonance imaging. Of these techniques, ultrasonography is the least expensive and is particularly well suited to use on large animals raised for commercial food production.

[0107] Ultrasound imaging involves the direct introduction of high frequency sound waves from a transducer into the tissue to be evaluated. The echo resulting from these sound waves can be recorded as an image that provides valuable information about the internal characteristics of the tissue. The time delay between transmitting the sound waves and recording the echo can be used to indicate the depth of the tissue being imaged. The intensity of the echo can be used to distinguish between different types of tissue, because different materials have different levels of acoustical impedance. In this way, internal structures can be visualized, including overall organs and structures on or within organs, such as lesions.

[0108] Ultrasound imaging conventionally has been used in the obstetric care of livestock and to measure various livestock characteristics, such as back fat thickness and marbling. In very limited circumstances, ultrasound imaging also has been used to view the thoracic organs of live animals, including the lungs. There are two journal articles that describe ultrasound imaging of the lungs of cattle: U. Braun, et al., “Ultrasonographic Findings in Cattle with Pleuropneumonia,” Vet. Rec. 141: 12-17 (1997) and U. Braun, et al., “Ultrasonography of the Lungs, Pleura, and Mediastinum in Healthy Cows,” Am. J. Vet. Res. 57(4): 432-8 (1996). These articles are incorporated herein by reference. Both of these articles describe ultrasound imaging for the purpose of diagnosis of current disease rather than to evaluate damage from past disease.

[0109] Some embodiments of the disclosed method include imaging the lungs of live animals while the animals have substantially no symptoms of active respiratory illness. In these and other embodiments, imaging is not performed for the purpose of diagnosing current disease, but rather for the purpose of gathering information about respiratory condition that can be useful for future management decisions. Lung imaging can be conducted at various times during the lifecycle of an animal. At certain times, information about an animal's respiratory condition is more useful than at other times. In some disclosed embodiments, lung imaging is conducted shortly before a management decision, such as the sale of an animal or the slaughter of an animal. For example, lung imaging can be conducted at auction before an animal is sold, upon purchase of an animal for grazing or feeding or while the animal is undergoing finish feeding at a feedlot. Lung imaging also can be conducted at a time unrelated to the timing of a management decision. Information from such lung imaging can be recorded for later use. The process of recording and using information from lung imaging is described in greater detail below.

[0110] Most livestock require periodic maintenance. To improve efficiency, lung imaging can be conducted in conjunction with other maintenance. For example, lung imaging of cattle can be conducted while the cattle are receiving treatment in a chute or cattle working area. Some embodiments of the disclosed system include a measuring station. The imaging equipment can be stationary or mobile. Efficiency can be improved by successively imaging the lungs of two or more animals.

[0111] The procedure for imaging the lungs of animals can be derived from the imaging procedures used in other contexts. For example, ultrasound imaging procedures for imaging the lungs can be derived from obstetric ultrasound imaging procedures. For example, the lungs of cattle can be imaged with the same equipment used in back fat and marbling measurements. Suitable ultrasound devices include the Alkoa 500 with a 3.5 MHz transducer.

[0112] The transducer used in ultrasound imaging can be positioned externally or internally. If positioned externally, the skin on the thorax in the region of the lungs may be prepared prior to imaging. This preparation can include removing hair and applying a transmission gel or liquid. In cattle, the lungs generally can be observed in the area between the seventh intercostal space and the twelfth intercostal space. To produce images of the lungs, the transducer can be scanned along each intercostal space with its long axis parallel to the long axis of the ribs. The transducer can be positioned internally, for example, by sedating the animal and routing the transducer through the animal's esophagus. This technique is best for imaging the mediastinum rather than the outer portions of the lungs.

[0113] In some disclosed embodiments, ultrasound imaging is combined with an auditory evaluation of internal tissue characteristics. For example, a device can be used that includes both an ultrasound transducer and a stethoscope. Combining these instruments allows for the simultaneous visual and auditory evaluation of the internal tissue. The combined device can include, for example, a stethoscope mounted to an ultrasound transducer such that the diaphragm of the stethoscope is substantially coplanar with the portion of the transducer intended to contact the animal. The acoustical tubing leading to the diaphragm can be integrated with the wiring leading to the transducer. Sounds generated within the internal tissue also can be detected electronically. These sounds then can be reproduced in an earpiece or some other transmission device.

[0114] A significant amount of information can be gathered from images of the lungs of live animals. For example, these images can provide information concerning both present and past respiratory disease. Present respiratory disease may be observed, for example, as an accumulation of fluid in the pleura. Damage from past respiratory disease may be observed, for example, as scarring, fibrosis, necrosis or other types of lung lesions. Some embodiments of the disclosed method are directed primarily to the evaluation of damage from past respiratory disease.

[0115] Evaluation of the images can be performed at the time of imaging or at a later time. In some disclosed embodiments, a technician images the lungs and records the images, which then can be evaluated by another technician or a veterinarian. Each animal can be assigned a respiratory damage designation corresponding to the animal's degree of respiratory damage. For example, the evaluator may assign a qualitative designation (e.g., good, average or poor) or a quantitative designation (e.g., the percentage of damage).

[0116] Lung lesions in animals are similar in appearance to lung lesions in humans. Thus, information regarding evaluating lung lesions in humans can be used as a guide in the evaluation of lung lesions in animals. Similarly, information regarding evaluating lung lesions in one type of animal can be used as a guide in the evaluation of lung lesions in another type of animal.

[0117] Both ultrasound and radiographic images typically are grayscale images. In such images, a healthy animal lung typically appears with a dark gray border and a lighter gray interior. Lung tissue affected by an active respiratory disease typically appears darker than healthy lung tissue. Lung tissue damaged by a past respiratory disease typically appears even darker than lung tissue affected by an active respiratory disease. In some cases, lung tissue damaged by a past respiratory disease is very dark gray or black. Thus, darkened portions of ultrasound and radiographic images of the lung are evidence of active or past respiratory disease. Additional information can be gathered from the locations of the darkened portions. Respiratory disease typically is most severe in the bottom portion of the lung. Therefore, ultrasound or radiographic images that show dark gray or black areas in this bottom portion are strong evidence of active or past respiratory disease. The exact grayscale intensity differences between healthy lung tissue, lung tissue affected by active respiratory disease and lung tissue damaged by past respiratory disease can be discerned by comparing images from several animals, including animals with each of these conditions.

[0118] Information gathered from images of the lungs of live animals can be used to make management decisions regarding the animals. Such management decisions can include decisions regarding the treatment, care or disposition of the animals. Some examples of animal management decisions, as well as other relevant information, can be found in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/645,462 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,805,075, 6,736,272, 6,592,517, 6,579,236, 6,547,726, 6,516,746, 6,318,289, 6,200,210, 6,135,055, 6,131,744, 6,000,361, 5,836,880, 5,803,906, 5,673,647, 5,573,002, 5,401,501, 5,369,032, RE34,776, 5,340,211, 5,315,505, 5,219,224, 5,008,821, 4,910,024, 4,889,433, 4,815,042, 4,733,971, which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0119] After evaluating respiratory damage, such as from an ultrasound or radiographic image, the designation corresponding to the degree of respiratory damage can be recorded. To facilitate recordation of the respiratory damage designation, some embodiments of the disclosed system include a data entry device near the measurement station where the respiratory damage is imaged or evaluated. Each designation can be associated with a unique identifier for the animal being assessed. This facilitates later reference to the respiratory damage designation to inform future management decisions. In some disclosed embodiments, the respiratory damage designation is entered and stored in an electronic database. In these and other embodiments, a user may be able to review the respiratory damage designation for each of a plurality of animals from a location remote from the animals.

[0120] As discussed above, livestock with significant amounts of respiratory damage from past respiratory disease typically do not perform as well as other livestock at the feedlot, do not respond as well as other livestock to treatment for active respiratory disease and produce lower quality meat than other livestock. According to some embodiments of the disclosed method, livestock managers can use the knowledge that certain animals will or will not have these undesirable characteristics to make better management decisions.

[0121] One management decision that can be informed by knowledge of respiratory damage is the purchase of an animal. Some disclosed embodiments include providing a respiratory damage designation to a buyer to aid the buyer in a decision regarding the purchase of an animal. Naturally, animals with a greater degree of respiratory damage may be purchased for a lower price than animals with a lesser degree of respiratory damage. In some cases, a lower purchase price may offset the additional risks associated with investing in an animal with significant respiratory damage.

[0122] Aside from purchase of an animal, respiratory damage information also may be useful for determining whether to treat an animal for a respiratory illness diagnosed after the respiratory damage information is gathered. As discussed above, treatment can include the administration of drugs, which can be expensive. A decision may be made, for example, not to incur the expense associated with treatment of animals with significant respiratory damage from past respiratory disease because these animals are less likely to recover than other animals. Alternatively, a decision may be made to treat animals with significant respiratory damage from past respiratory disease more aggressively than other animals if such treatment may prevent the otherwise likely death of such animals.

[0123] Other management decisions that may be affected by an animal's respiratory condition include how the animal should be fed and housed prior to slaughter. Typically, livestock are fed at a feedlot for several months prior to slaughter. Animals with significant respiratory damage gain less weight per day at a feedlot than other animals. Thus, a decision can be made to lessen or avoid the expense associated with the animal's stay at a feedlot. For example, animals with significant respiratory damage can be housed at a feedlot for shorter amounts of time than other animals or sent directly to slaughter without spending any time at a feedlot. The rates of respiratory disease increase dramatically while an animal is housed at a feedlot and animals with significant respiratory damage are less likely to recover from respiratory disease than other animals. Thus, bypassing the feedlot stage or shortening the amount of time an animal is housed at a feedlot also may help prevent the premature death of animals with significant respiratory damage. If an animal is sent to a feedlot, the animal's respiratory condition may affect management decisions regarding how the animal should be fed. Animals with significant respiratory damage, for example, may require less feed than other animals.

[0124] This subsection describes various process steps and system components for electronic animal management. These process steps and system components can be used in conjunction with evaluation of an animal's respiratory or circulatory condition, as discussed above. For example, information gather by imaging and evaluating an animal's respiratory or circulatory system, such as respiratory damage designations, can be entered into the described electronic system components and processed alone or with other animal characteristics as described below.

[0125] FIG. 1 illustrates a feedlot 10 which would typically include a series of feed pens (not shown) where cattle would be fed selected feed rations and watered during their stay in the feedlot. For example, four feed pens A, B, C and D are illustrated schematically in FIG. 7. In addition to feed pens, a feedlot incorporating the cattle management system and method includes an alley 12 leading through a series of manually or power-operated gates 14, 16, 18 and a one-way gate 20 to a chute 22.

[0126] The alley 12 leads from an alley 24, which communicates with both feed pens and receiving and holding pens, where cattle are received and held for a short period upon their delivery to the feedlot from a producer. The intersection of alley 24 and the alley 12 leading to the chute 22 is gated as indicated at 26 and 28 to control the admission of cattle into alley 12 leading to the chute and to control the exit of cattle from sorting pens indicated at 30.

[0127] Gates 14, 16 and 18 subdivide the upper curved portion of the alley 12 into cattle holding sections 190, 192 of about 40 head apiece so as to control the delivery of cattle into a crowding section 32 through a crowd gate 18. The crowding section 32 narrows from its entrance to the one-way gate 20 so that cattle are forced single file through the gate 20 and into the chute area 22 which is a single-file chute.

[0128] Chute section 22 is subdivided into a series of longitudinally arranged stations 34, 36, 38, 40 and 42. These five stations are separated from one another and from the entrance 44 to the chute by entrance and exit gates 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56. The stations defined by these gates are only large enough to receive one animal at a time. The opening and closing of these gates are controlled by position sensors such as photoelectric cells under computer control to control the one at a time movement of animals through the chute. A larger scale depiction of the chute will be seen in FIG. 5.

[0129] Just downstream of the single-file chute are a series of the previously mentioned sorting pens 30, there being nine such pens illustrated in FIG. 1, including pens 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, 30E, 30F, 30G, 30H and 30I. Below these pens in FIG. 1 is an alley 58 leading from the left-hand pen exits to the alleys 12 and 24. In addition, there is a single-file narrow alley 60 between the left-hand series of sorting pens 30A, 30C, 30D, 30E, 30G and the right-hand series of sorting pens 30B, 30D, 30F and 30H. From the layout of FIG. 1 it will be apparent that any animal proceeding through the chute and not sorted into one of the sorting gates 30A-30H will automatically end up in sorting pen 30I.

[0130] Alley 60 is normally isolated from the entrances to each of the eight sorting pens 30A-30H by a computer-operated entrance gate 62 at the entrance to each sorting pen. It will be noted that there is no entrance gate to the final sorting pen 30I. Each sorting pen also has an exit gate 64 at its opposite end opening into an alley used to direct the cattle from the sorting pens to another destination to be described in greater detail below. The exit gates 64 on pens 30A, 30C, 30E and 30G on the left-hand side of the alley 60 in FIG. 1 open into an alley 66 leading through control gates 68, 70 back to alley 58 where cattle can be directed either back through alley 12 or into alley 24 leading to the feed pens.

[0131] Each station of the single file chute 22 is set up either to prepare each animal for measurement or processing, or to actually measure or process the animal. For example, in FIG. 1, station 34 is termed the “get ready” station where one animal is admitted from the chute entrance area 44. Once the animal enters the “get ready” station 34, gate 46 closes and gate 48 remains closed so the animal remains isolated at that station. Then gate 48 is opened so that the animal enters the next station 36. Station 36 is where certain external dimensions of each animal are measured. This is preferably done through a video-imaging device or scanner suitable for this purpose such as one known commercially as an MSI Scanner available from Cattle Scanning Systems (C.S.S.) of Rapid City, S. Dak. Another video-imaging measurement system for cattle is disclosed in Hayes, U.S. Pat. No. 4,745,472.

[0132] After the animal's external dimensions are measured, gate 50 is opened and the animal proceeds into the third station 38 in the chute, which contains a scale on which the animal is weighed. The scale used can be any of a number of commercially available scales but should be capable of generating an electronic signal for recording the weight at a remote location. Also at the scale station or at another desired station, an electronic identification (EID) tag is attached to the animal's ear. This EID tag remains attached to the animal throughout its residence in the feedlot and its shipment to the packing plant where it is removed upon slaughter. Through this EID tag, the animal can not only be identified but its location can be tracked and its measurement and performance data correlated to the animal throughout the duration of its feedlot stay, through its shipment to the packing plant, and until slaughter. One suitable EID tag for this purpose is manufactured by Allflex International and is described in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,315,505. The disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 5,315,505 is incorporated herein by reference. The Allflex EID tag is a transponder which operates through a nearby antenna and an integrator reader also available from Allflex International. Each EID tag emits a signal unique to the animal to which it is attached, which is electronically “read” by the antenna and communicated to a host computer via a computer interface unit.

[0133] After an animal's weight is recorded and its EID tag attached, it moves through gate 52 to the next measuring station 40 where its internal backfat content is measured using an ultrasound measuring means and technique. For this purpose, the animal must be held fairly still, station 40 is a “squeeze chute,” well known in the feedlot industry. The squeeze chute has a rear gate that pushes against the rear of an animal while its head is stabilized in a “head catcher.” The ultrasound measuring system used at station 40 is similar to the experimental system used by Professor John Brethour at Kansas State University's Fort Hays Experiment Station, described in the September, 1994 issue of D J Feeder Management magazine. While the animal is within measuring station 40, circulatory or respiratory system imaging also can be performed, as discussed above.

[0134] After backfat measurement, the gate 54 is opened and the animal proceeds to station 42 for processing. Station 42 is also a squeeze chute. Typically, processing at station 42 will include individual drug administration, growth hormone implantation, castration and dehorning. After processing, the chute gate 56 is opened and the animal is sorted into one of the sorting pens in a manner to be described hereinafter.

[0135] The enlarged schematic version of the single-file chute 22 shown in FIG. 5 is sufficiently similar to the chute 22 shown schematically in FIG. 1 that the same reference numerals will be used in describing both chutes. With reference to FIG. 5, it includes the same five processing and measuring stations 34, 36, 38, 40 and 42 as in FIG. 1. However, at the downstream end of the chute 22 of FIG. 5 there are only seven sorting pens 30 shown and designated sort pens 1-7, rather than nine such pens as shown in FIG. 1.

[0136] As shown most clearly in FIG. 5, the single-file chute includes at its downstream end just downstream of chute exit gate 56 from the processing station 42 a pair of access gates 72, 74 for the admission of feedlot personnel into the chute when necessary. These gates may be manually operated.

[0137] From FIG. 5 it will also be apparent that sorting into one of the several sorting pens is accomplished after each animal proceeds through all five stations of the chute by opening an entrance gate to one of the sorting pens while the others remain closed. Thus, for example, if an animal is to be sorted into sorting pen 3 in FIG. 5 its entrance gate 62 would open to the position 62a shown while the entrance gate 62 to all other sorting pens remain closed, thereby directing the animal into sorting pen 3.

[0138] As previously mentioned, each sorting pen entrance gate 62 and each of the chute gates 46, 48, 50, 52, 54 and 56 is operated via position sensors indicated schematically at 76 in FIG. 5 in conjunction with a host computer 78 through chute gate interfaces indicated schematically at 80. Similarly, sort pen entrance gates 62 are operated by the position sensors 82 controlled by the host computer 78 through the sort gate interfaces 84.

[0139] The measurement taken at each of the measuring stations 36, 38 and 40 of the chute, for each animal passing through the chute, transmits a signal indicative of the measurement for that animal through an appropriate interface to the host computer 78, where the measurement data is entered and stored for use in calculating various performance characteristics of the animal.

[0140] Each measurement is correlated with a specific animal through the animal's EID tag as it passes from station to station through the chute. More specifically, the video imaging measurement (VIM) data is transmitted through a VIM interface 86 to the host computer 78. Weight data for the same animal is transmitted from the scale at station 38 through a scale interface 88 to the host computer 78. Then the ultrasound data for the same animal is transmitted through the USBF interface 90 to the host computer 78. The ultrasound data can include, for example, backfat data and respiratory condition data. Finally, any drugs administered to the animal or other procedures performed on the animal at the processing station 42 are transmitted through the processing interface 92 to the host computer where such data is correlated with the animal processed.

[0141] Reference is made to the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,315,505 for a detailed description of how animal health data and drug administration data would be entered into the host computer from a processing station for a given animal.

[0142] With reference to FIG. 2, a pen sorter 94 is disclosed. There could be one or several pen sorters 94 in a feedlot. Also, it is possible that the sorting portion of the pen sorter 94, which portion is to be described presently, could be designed as a portable unit that would be transported to a particular feed pen within the feedlot for use there within the 30 days or so prior to scheduled shipment of the group of animals within the feed pen so that the shipment date for each animal in the pen could be optimized for maximum feed efficiency and value.

[0143] In any case, the pen sorter is designed to enable weighing of individual animals on a frequent basis, such as daily or even more frequently, without removing the animals from their feed pens and without the need to send them back through the single-file chute described with respect to FIGS. 1 and 5.

[0144] The illustrated pen sorter 94 is subdivided into two feed pens 95, 96 designated feed pen A and feed pen B, separated by a partition or fence 97. Each feed pen in turn is also separated by partitions 98, 99 from adjacent water pens 100, 101, designated water pen A and water pen B. Water pens A and B are, in turn, separated from adjacent shipping pens 102, 103 by partitions 104, 105, the shipping pens being designated ship pen A and ship pen B. The ship pens in turn are separated from one another by another fence or partitions 106. Each feed pen includes a feed bunk 108 into which the daily feed ration of the animals in those pens is deposited and to which the animals in the feed pen have ready access. The water pens and ship pens are provided with respective watering troughs 110, 111, 112 and 113 so that the animals within those pens can access drinking water as desired.

[0145] The heart of the pen sorter 94 is its array of gates for directing animals in the feed pens A and B to desired locations within the larger confines of the pen sorter 94, on an individual animal basis, based on measured performance characteristics of each animal, other data such as market conditions, and a desired shipping date.

[0146] First it should be noted that animals within feed pen A are free to pass between such pen and its adjacent water pen A through a two-way gate 114 to access feed and water as desired. The same is true with respect to animals within feed pen B through a two-way gate 115 between feed pen B and water pen B. However, unless desired by feedlot personnel or dictated by the management system, cattle cannot pass from one feed pen to another or from one water pen to another and cannot pass from either water pen into either shipping pen.

[0147] A single scale stall 116 is positioned between water pen A and water pen B and is sized to accept one animal at a time. The scale stall is equipped with one scale at 117, which can be of a type similar to that used in the scale station of the single-file chute as previously described. The scale is set up to transmit automatically the weight reading of an animal through a suitable interface to the host computer. To identify the animal being weighed, the stall is also equipped with an EID tag identification means as previously described for receiving and transmitting the identification of an animal being weighed to the host computer.

[0148] Access to the scale stall is either from feed pen A or feed pen B, as desired, through one of two shuttle gates 118, 120. Both shuttle gates 118 and 120 comprise a pair of parallel gate arms 121, 122 which move in unison from a scale entrance position, as shown with respect to shuttle gate 120, to a scale blocking position, as shown with respect to shuttle gate 118 in FIG. 2. When in its scale blocking position, each shuttle gate has its arms 121, 122 directed toward a one-way gate leading into the adjacent water pen. For example, feed pen A shows shuttle gate 118 with its shuttle arms in a position for directing animals through the one-way gate 124 into water pen A. When shuttle gate 120 is in a comparable position, its arms would direct cattle through a one-way gate 126 into water pen B. Thus, depending on the position of shuttle gate 118, animals from feed pen A can be directed either through one-way gate 124 into water pen A or into the scale stall 117. A one-way gate 128 at the entrance to the scale stall prevents an animal that has entered the scale stall from backing out. Similarly, an animal within feed pen B can be directed by shuttle gate 120 either into the scale stall 117 to be weighed or through the one-way gate 126 into water pen B.

[0149] Of course, it will apparent that an animal in feed pen A or in feed pen B can at any time pass through the two-way gates 114 and 115 between those pens and their respective water pens A and B, and back again to their respective feed pens. It will also be apparent that any animal within water pen A can also pass through a one-way gate 130 back to feed pen A. However, unless other control gates are operated, an animal in water pen A cannot pass to either shipping pen A or shipping pen B or into feed pen B. Similarly, any animal in water pen B can pass through either the two-way gate 115 or a one-way gate 132 back to feed pen B but cannot pass into shipping pen B, feed pen A or water pen A without operation of appropriate control gates.

[0150] Once an animal is within the scale stall 116, it must pass forwardly out of the stall through a complex array of sorting gates indicated generally at 134 into one of four pens, either water pen A, shipping pen A, water pen B, or shipping pen B. The operation of the sorting gate array 134 is under computer control. The scale stall 116 is provided with an EID tag antenna to identify the animal within the scale stall to the computer system, which then determines which pen the animal is to proceed to from the scale stall, after which the computer operates the sorting gate array 134 in a manner to direct the animal to the appropriate pen.

[0151] Sorting gate array 134 includes three controllable shuttle gates 136, 137 and 138. In addition, it includes a one-way gate 140 leading from the sorting area just downstream from the scale stall into water pen A, a one-way gate 142 leading from the same sorting area into shipping pen A, a third one-way gate 144 leading from the sorting area into shipping pen B and a fourth one-way gate 146 leading from the sorting area into water pen B.

[0152] The following will illustrate that an animal in, for example, feed pen A can be directed through the scale stall 116 and then either back to feed pen A, to feed pen B, to shipping pen A or to shipping pen B. The same is true with respect to an animal in feed pen B. Thus, pen sorter 94 is capable of effecting a four-way sort.

[0153] To illustrate, an animal in feed pen A with the shuttle gate 118 in the position shown, can pass freely between feed pen A and water pen A and back to feed pen A. However, with the shuttle gate 118 shifted to its position shown in dashed lines in FIG. 2, an animal in feed pen A will be directed through the one-way gate 128 into the scale stall 116 where it will be weighed and identified to the computer through its EID tag. The computer will then determine to which pen it should be sorted from the scale stall and actuate the appropriate gates to accomplish the desired sort. For example, if it is desired to return the animal to feed pen A, sorting gate 136 is shifted downward to its dashed line position shown thereby allowing the animal to move through the sorting area and through the one-way gate 140 back to water pen A where it can move freely back to feed pen A, either through the two-way gate 114 or the one-way gate 130.

[0154] If it is desired that the animal be sorted from feed pen A to feed pen B, sort gate 136 is shifted upward to its dashed line position shown, allowing the animal to travel from the scale stall freely through the sorting area and one-way gate 146 to water pen B, from which the animal can move freely through either two-way gate 115 or one-way gate 132 to feed pen B.

[0155] If it is desired that the animal move from the scale stall 116 to shipping pen A, sort gate 136 is moved to its downward position in FIG. 2 and control gate 137 is moved to its upward position shown in dashed lines in FIG. 2, enabling the animal to travel through the sorting area and through one-way gate 142 into shipping pen A.

[0156] If it is desired that the animal move from the scale stall to shipping pen B, sorting gate 136 is moved upward, control gate 138 is moved downward to its dashed line position, and the animal can thus move freely through the sorting area and one-way gate 144 into shipping pen B.

[0157] From the foregoing it will be understood that animals within feed pens A and B can be weighed as frequently as desired and sorted four ways without moving the animals any appreciable distance. Thus the pen sorter 94 provides an ideal finishing pen for use in determining the exact day within a shipping window of several days when an animal should be shipped to the packing plant for slaughter to realize the maximum return on the investment in such animal, considering animal performance, market conditions and feed efficiency.

[0158] FIG. 3 illustrates a hypothetical timeline in the management of cattle. Upon arrival of a lot of cattle in the feedlot, or before, the prior history of the lot would be entered in the host computer 78, as indicated at 148. Such prior history data is illustrated, for example, in the cattle received report by “load” shown in Table 3A. The report indicates such things as the date the load was received, the load number, the number of head in the load, the sex of the cattle in the load and the average weight of the animals in the load. It also indicates cost information. It also gives information such as the age of the cattle, the breed, the type of pasture the load has been on and health, nutrition, stress and weather conditions applicable to the load. It also indicates the number of days the load has been feeding on pasture. Some or all of this data may be used in later calculations by the computer to determine the optimum end date (OED) or days to finish (DTF), of the group or individual animals in the group. This date is also sometimes referred to as the optimum marketing or shipping date.

[0159] On the day of their arrival, indicated on the timeline at 150, each animal in the load is measured, processed and electronically identified with an EID tag in the one-way single-file chute 22 previously described. Then, if desired, the measured and processed animals may be sorted into the sorting pens 30 in a rough sort by type (breed), weight, age, or a first estimated OED or DTF, although such a first “rough” first sort is optional.

[0160] From the sorting pens, the animals are moved to feed pens, either by sort or on an ad hoc basis, where they are fed for a period of time, such as 45 days as shown in FIG. 3, although possibly substantially longer than that.

[0161] If a 45 day weight or measurement is desired for the animals, they would be moved from their feed pens on the 45th day as indicated at 152 back through the single-file chute, where they would be remeasured. From the initial measurement and remeasurement data, the performance of each animal would be calculated by the computer, and its performance assessed. The animals would then be sorted into the sorting pens 30 according to their performance characteristics. Poorly performing animals would be culled from the group and removed from the feedlot operation as “salvage.” The remaining resorted animals would be returned to the feed pens according to their sorts. Animals with respiratory or circulatory damage indicated by imaging also can be moved to the salvage group.

[0162] Then 60-120 days into the feeding period, indicated by the range 154 in FIG. 3, the animals from at least two feed pens at once would be moved from their pens back through the single-file chute for remeasuring once again on an individual basis. The data from these measurements together with prior data for each animal would be used by the computer to calculate a new OED or DTF for each animal and other performance criteria, such as average daily gain (ADG) and feed proration for each animal. From the single-file chute the animals would be resorted once again according to predetermined criteria such as DTF or OED. A projected shipping sequence for each animal could also be calculated at this time. Then the animals would be returned to the feed pens according to the newly determined sorts. The animals then could be removed from their pens for shipment according to their calculated shipping sequence. Whenever an animal is moved in the feedlot, its identification and data, via computer, moves with it. Its location at any time can be determined remotely by computer, and its performance data assessed.

[0163] Alternatively, a portable pen sorter of the type shown in FIG. 2 could be installed in the feed pen. Each animal would be carefully monitored and weighed, perhaps on a daily basis, until it reached its optimum shipping weight or value, at which time it would be shipped to the packer, indicated at 156.

[0164] Alternatively, animals within the feed pens could be sent to a finishing pen such as the pen sorter 94 shown on FIG. 2 where it would be confined, monitored and weighed frequently within a shipping window such as a 30 day shipping window. Within that shipping window indicated at 158, each animal as determined by frequent weight checks and market conditions, would be directed from its feed pen, such as feed pen A or feed pen B in FIG. 2, to appropriate shipping pen A or B when it is ready for shipment.

[0165] Alternatively, during an animal's shipping window, the animal could be weight checked simply by sending it back through the single-file chute periodically until it reaches its ideal shipping weight, at which time it would be shipped to the packer 156.

[0166] Alternatively, a specific shipping date for a given animal could be determined by issued inspection while the animals are within their 30-day shipping window.

[0167] When the animal leaves the feedlot, its EID tag travels with it. Its historical and performance data records would be maintained by the feedlot, indicated at 160, and also transmitted to the producer, indicated at 162. At the same time, the packer would record the carcass data for each slaughtered animal, identified by its EID tag, and transmit the carcass data, as indicated at 164, to the feedlot and producer for correlation with the animal's live performance data from the feedlot.

[0168] The correlation can be useful to the feedlot in projecting optimum end dates (OED), initial feed proration and production costs for future animals of a given type and similar history. This data can also be useful to cattle producers in determining which breeds and individual breeding animals are most desirable from the standpoint of market value and producing the best quality of beef. The important thing to note is that the performance of each animal is tracked on an individual basis from the time it arrives in the feedlot until the time it is shipped and slaughtered, when its carcass data is collected and correlated with its performance data for use by the feedlot and producer in managing future beef production.

[0169] Another important feature of the system is its ability to update an individual animal's performance projections on a daily basis. For example, the DTF for an animal will be current for the day the projection is assessed. The same is true for other projections such as projected weight, etc.

[0170] Although FIG. 3 illustrates one possible processing sequence of cattle including measuring and remeasuring steps and sorting and resorting steps for optimum feed efficiency and return, many other sequences are possible as illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C. For example in the sequences of FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C the 45 day remeasurement is eliminated and instead a single 60-75 day remeasurement and uniformity sort are performed.

[0171] Referring to FIG. 4A, a load of cattle is received in the feedlot at 166 and within a few hours, measured at 167 and processed at 168 in the single-file chute. From the chute they are directed into the feed pens at 169 without an initial sort. They are fed in the feed pens for 60-75 days, then returned to the single-file chute for remeasuring at 170 and possibly reimplantation of a growth hormone, if necessary. After remeasuring, the animals undergo a uniformity sort as determined by the computer, and directed into the appropriate sorting pens 172. Upon completion of the sorting operation, they are returned to the feeding pens 174 according to their sort groups and there fed for a period of 60 to 80 days. As the cattle within the feed pens approach their individual optimum end dates they would be selected for shipment either visually, by remeasurement at the single-file chute, or by frequent reweighing in a portable pen sorter of the type shown in FIG. 2. Following selection at step 176 the animal would be shipped as at 178 to the packer.

[0172] The processing sequence of FIG. 4B for an individual animal is the same down through the initial receiving, measuring and processing steps. However after measuring and processing, according to FIG. 4B there is an initial sort step 180 that can be a rough type sort as in FIG. 3 or can be based on a first rough estimated optimum end date for each individual animal. Following the first sort 180, the animals are directed by sort group into feed pens at 169 for a feeding period of 60-75 days. At the end of the 60-75 day period the animals are removed from their pens, either individually or in groups, and returned to the single-file chute for remeasuring at 170.

[0173] After remeasuring in the single-file chute, each animal is resorted at 182 by the computer, which opens the appropriate sorting gates of the sorting pens 30. From the sorting pens, the animals are redirected back to the feed pens at 174 and placed into the pens according to their sorting groups. They remain in the feed pens for a period of 60-80 days, after which they are individually, or by group, selected for shipment, according to their last calculated OED. As previously indicated, this selection for shipment can be fine-tuned through the use of either a portable pen sorter or the pen sorter 94 of FIG. 2. After selection, the selected animals are shipped at step 178 to the packing plant for slaughter, where the carcass data and EID tag are collected.

[0174] The optional cattle processing procedure of FIG. 4C is the same as the procedure outlined in FIG. 4A down through the initial sorting step 172. However, thereafter the animals, according to the procedure in FIG. 4c, are directed back to the feed pens according to sorting group at step 173 for a feeding period of only 30-40 days. Thereafter, the animals, or at least selected animals, from the feed pens are removed to finish feed pens, such as pen sorters 94 in FIG. 2, for a finish feeding step 175 for an additional 30-40 days, which represents the shipping window 158 indicated in FIG. 3. Within the finish feeding pens, the animals can be sorted, resorted, weighed, reweighed and selected on an individual animal basis for sorting to one of the two shipping pens A and B for shipment to the packer at step 178.

[0175] FIG. 7 illustrates, in greater detail, a representative cattle processing sequence in a feedlot. Steps in the processing sequence are numbered 1-9 along the left-hand side of FIG. 7.

[0176] In step 1, as indicated at 184, several lots of cattle arrive at the feedlot at about the same time, indicated as lots 1-4. When they arrive, the previous history data of the lots and individual animals in the lots is entered into the host computer by data entry means (not shown) such as a computer keyboard. The previous history, as already mentioned, may include information such as shown in Table 3A.

[0177] According to step 2, after the cattle arrive they are directed into receiving or holding pens 186, typically by lot, where they are held just prior to initial processing. The time spent in the holding pens 186 will depend on when the lots arrived in the feedlot. For example, when they arrive in the middle of a night, they would be retained in the holding pens until feedlot personnel arrive early the next morning to process them. When ready for processing, the cattle from the holding pens 186 are directed through the appropriate alleys to the one-way single-file chute 22 where they are one-by-one led through the various chute stations, sequentially, including the get ready station 34, the video image measuring station 36, the weighing station 38 and the ultrasound measuring station 40. During this process the EID and visual eartags are applied as well, and the measurement data from each of these stations is transmitted through the appropriate interfaces to the host computer 78 for recording, collection and storage. At the processing station 42 each animal is implanted with a growth hormone, given medication as needed, and dehorned and castrated as needed.

[0178] Using available information and data on the group being processed and the individual animals in the group, an initial optimum end date (OED) is determined, either through calculation by the computer or by the operator. A marketing target grade for each animal and for the group (an average) is also assigned, either by the operator from a list of data or through calculation by the computer, depending on the capability of the computer program used. In addition, at this point a projected feed intake for each animal is calculated and assigned and used in prorating the total feed ration used by a group of animals within a single feed pen, so that a fairly accurate cost of feed per animal can be calculated and assessed to the owner.

[0179] Referring to FIG. 25, the process and formulas for calculating “days to finish” (DTF) is illustrated, followed by an example calculation based on hypothetical measurements of an animal passing through the single-file chute.

[0180] Referring to FIG. 26, an alternative method of calculating DTF for an individual animal is disclosed. Following the figure is an example calculation based on hypothetical measurements taken at two different measuring dates during an animal's feeding period at the feedlot.

[0181] Using the method of FIG. 25, an animal arriving at the feedlot, after being measured in the single-file chute, is calculated to have a projected DTF of 141 days. This represents the total number of days the animal is projected to be at the feedlot before it is ready for shipment to the packing plant. However, according to FIG. 26, the same animal using the different method of FIG. 26, is calculated to have a DTF of 165 days, based on its initial measurements upon arrival at the feedlot.

[0182] In Table 1 there are set forth limiting factors to DTF projections based on maximum and minimum live weight for the animal. An example calculation follows. According to the calculation, if a maximum hot carcass weight of 800 pounds and a minimum hot carcass weight of 500 pounds is desired in the end product, the maximum live weight of the animal should be 1230 pounds and the minimum live weight of the animal should be limited to 768 pounds. Thus, if the OFW (optimum finish weight) as used in the example calculation following FIG. 25 results in a maximum live weight that exceeds 1230 pounds or a minimum live weight of less than 768 pounds, the maximum or minimum live weights from the example calculation of Table 1 should be used in the FIG. 25 calculation rather than the optimum finish weight (OFW) originally used.

[0183] It will be noted that the formula and calculation of FIG. 25 includes a “Cornell Cattle Systems” formulation. This is a well-known formula in the cattle industry which includes inputs of OFW, condition score (backfat measurement), current weight, ration, environmental factors, feed additives and input program used.

[0184] FIG. 27 shows the calculation and the process of calculating feed proration to each animal as determined following the first set of measurements at the single-file chute. FIG. 27 is followed by an example calculation using the formula and method indicated in the figure. In the figure DMI indicates dry matter intake for a given feed period and is indicated hereinafter as (DMI). In the same method of calculation the ADG indicates the average daily gain for a given animal. All other measurements used in the formula will be self-explanatory. As indicated in the formula, the frame score is determined by a formula using both hip height and current weight. The condition score for an animal is determined using both the backfat measurement and current weight. In the example, the proration of feed fed in a given period (P1) is calculated for each animal. From the calculation a proration ratio is indicated and applied to the 780 total pounds of feed fed to a pen of four animals during the P1 feed period, resulting in a feed period total proration of feed among the four animals as indicated in the last column of the calculation. It will be noted that of the four animals, the proration ranges from a low of 190.9 pounds to a high of 206.2 pounds. This feed proration formula and calculation is used only for the first feed period following the first measurement of the animals. Following the second and subsequent measurements, a different feed proration formula and calculation is used as indicated in FIGS. 28a and 28b.

[0185] FIG. 29 illustrates how the calculations of DTF from 2FIGS. 25 and 26 (DTF1 and DTF2) can be used to create an average DTF (DTF3) for use in projecting when an individual animal will be ready to be shipped from the feedlot. The numbers used in 6FIGS. 25, 26 and FIG. 29 are coefficients that are obtained empirically from experience feeding cattle at a prototype feedlot. The coefficients are defined and correlated with the coefficient numbers used, in Table 2.

[0186]

TABLE 1
Limiting Factors to DTF Projections
Maximum Live Weight (Max_LW)
Minimum Live Weight (Min_LW)
Max_LW = (Max_HCW * 1.54) − (OBF * 2.54005 * 69.91) + 69.47
Min_LW = (Min_HCW * 1.54) − (OBF * 2.540005 * 69.91) + 69.47
Maximum Hot Carcass Weight (Max_HCW): User Input
Limiting Factors to DTF Projections
Maximum Live Weight (Max_LW)
Minimum Live Weight (Min_LW)
Minimum Hot Carcass Weight (Min_HCW): User Input
Optimum Backfat (OBF): User Input
Example Calculations:
User Inputs:
Max_HCW:	800 lbs
Min_HCW:	500 lbs
OBF:	0.40 in. for frame score 4
Max_LW =	(800 * 1.54) − (0.40 * 2.540005 * 69.91) +
	69.47 = 12.30 lbs
Min_LW =	(500 * 1.54) − (0.40 2.540005 * 69.91) + 69.47 = 768 lbs

[0187]

TABLE 2
DTF Calculation Coefficients
Frame - Linear Regression Equation
C-1	Intercept for Regression Equation (−18.091475)
C-2	Estimate for Weight parameter (0.03365)
C-3	Estimate for Hip Height parameter (1.121666)
C-4	Estimate for the parameter of Current Weight divided by Hip$$
	Height (2.003599)
C-5	Estimate for the parameter of Hip Height Squared (−0.012205)
C-6	Estimate for the parameter of Current Weight divided by Hip$$
	Height Squared (13.133611)
BFDR-1 Linear Regression Equation
C-7	Intercept (0.01252987)
C-8	Estimate for Frame Score Parameter (−0.00064982)
BFDR-2 Logarithmic Regression Equation
C-9	Lower limit Fat Depostion Rate (0.00668)
C-10	Upper limit Fat Depostion Rate (0.01188)
BFDR - Weight Average Calculation of BFDR
New Frame
C-11	Upper Deposition Rate (−.01253)
C-12	Lower Deposition Rate (−.00065)
	OBF - Conversion Tables for Frame to Back Fat
DTF1 - Logarithmic Regression Equation
OFW - Regression Equation
C-13	Intercept (366.7)
C-14	Estimate for OFW (33.3)
C-15	Pounds to Kilogram Conversion Factor (2.2)
	ADG - Cornell Model Output of ADG

[0188] The following example illustrates how a final DTF calculation can be made for determining exactly when an animal should be shipped to slaughter, based on economics (value) and the prior DTF1 and DTF2 calculations of FIGS. 25 and 26. FIG. 30 is a graph that plots selling price (left-hand vertical line) and backfat on the animal (right-hand vertical line) along two different curves, in terms of the number of days the animal is on feed (DOF). From the calculations and plotting it is determined, in the example, that the point P4 on the backfat curve should be selected for shipment of the animal. This is at 140 days into the feeding period, the most economical point for shipping. Beyond that point, the animal's backfat will exceed 0.7 inches, resulting in the animal's carcass being degraded and thus becoming less valuable. The P1 and P2 end points would result in a carcass with too much backfat. The P3 endpoint would be below the backfat limit, so the animal can be fed beyond this point to increase its value.

Individual Animal Final DTF Calculation

• [0189] 1) Input: Sex, Beginning Weight, OFW, Mature Weight, Breed, Hide, Age, Number of Head, Purchase Date, Hip Height, Calculated Frame Score, Initial Back Fat, Flesh Condition Code, Ration Composition/Energy, Environmental Factors.
• [0190] 2) Run Cornell Calculation Method One.fwdarw.Outputs for 6 periods on feed.
• [0191] Average Weight for Period.
• [0192] Dry Matter Intake for Period.
• [0193] ADG for Period
• [0194] DOF for Period
• [0195] 3) Calculation Gain for Period=ADG. DOF Period.
• [0196] 4) Period Feed Cost of Gain=DMI.times.DOF Period.times.Cost Per Pound+(Yardage cost per day.times.DOF Period.div.Gain for Period)
• [0197] 5) Feed Interest Cost of Gain=Calculated for all except period one
• [0198] 6) Cattle Interest Cost of Gain for Period I=Daily interest rate.times.number of days in period=$.div.the gain (calculated by average weight for period less initial weight)
• [0199] 7) Total nos. 4)+5)+6)=Total incremental Cost of Gain
• [0200] 8) Calculate and project for all 6 periods and plot projection graph
• [0201] 9) Plot OFW (Mature Weight) on TCOG line at P-1 at 151 DOF to reach 1006 pounds (28% Body Fat Target).
• [0202] 10) Plot the location where total incremental COG=Selling Price ($0.70/lb) on TCOG line at P-2 at 164 DOF to reach 1041 pounds.
• [0203] 11) Plot Back Fat Deposition Rate-use Initial Back Fat in the DTF2 Method Two calculation to determine the rate. The rate is used to compound the initial back fat measurement daily for the entire period and is plotted on the graph as BF.
• [0204] 12) Plot the 0.6 BF Target on the Fat deposition rate line at P-3 for 0.6 at 123 DOF to reach 920 pounds.
• [0205] 13) Final DTF Number in this case is P-4, which is the predetermined maximum Back Fat limit which is selected by the computer program. This is calculated to be 140 DOF at 975 pounds. The final DTF number cannot be P-1, P-2 or P-3 because:
• [0206] a) P-1 exceeds Maximum BF to incur a dollar discount.
• [0207] b) P-2 exceeds Maximum BF to incur a dollar discount as well as causing incremental cost of gain to exceed selling price resulting in decreased profit.
• [0208] c) P-3 is the original BF target but, since the animal is still making profit, it should be fed longer.

[0209] As soon as the animal exits the processing station 42 to enter the sorting pen area, the computer 78 has calculated the indicated characteristics of the animal, such as projected OFW, projected ADG, projected DTF and a projected feed proration ratio according to the formula and process outlined in FIG. 27. At this point a sort may or may not be done as indicated at step 3A of the management process. If a sort is to be done, it would likely be a rough sort by animal type, weight, or OED. At this point it would usually be too early to cull animals from the feedlot because there is no performance data yet accumulated on any animal.

[0210] In the illustration of FIG. 7 the measured and processed animals would go directly to step 4 of the process, which is directly to one of four feed pens 188, feed pen A, feed pen B, feed pen C or feed pen D. There they would be provided a selected feed ration and water for a selected period that may range from 45-75 days but more typically in the 60-75 day range. During this first feeding period each animal's records are maintained and the cost of the feed ration delivered to each pen would be prorated among the individual animals for assessment to their respective owners.

[0211] At the end of the first feeding period, two or more of the feed pen cattle groups in the feed pens A-D are selected for remeasurement at the same time. This selection may be based on one or more of several factors such as the similarity of their group average OED or DTF, breed type, marketing target yields or other factors. Each animal in the selected groups is directed back through, for example, the alley 24 from its feed pen through the gates 26, 28 and back through the alley 12 leading to the single-file chute. Once within the alley 12, the animals are led into two different holding sections of the alley as defined by the manually operated alley gates 14, 16, 18 defining holding sections 190, 192. Each of the holding sections 190, 192 is capable of holding approximately 40 head of cattle. From the holding section 192 the cattle are led through a hydraulically operated crowd gate 18 into the crowding section 32 where cattle are directed one-at-a-time through a hydraulically powered one-way gate 20 leading to a single-file entrance section 44 into the one-way chute 22.

[0212] Then the animals are admitted one at a time and single file into the chute 22 where they are measured externally and internally, and weighed once again. In the processing section 42 the animals may also be reimplanted with a growth hormone as needed. The measurement data for each animal is automatically entered into the computer 78 via data entry means coupled to the measuring apparatus and there correlated with the EID of the animal.

[0213] With the historical data, original measurement data and the remeasurement data for each animal, that animal's performance through the first feeding period can be accurately calculated and gauged, much more so than with the projected performance data from the original measurements alone. Thus, upon remeasurement, each animal's ADG, OFW and DTF (or OED) is recalculated and used as the basis for a prediction of future performance and a shipping date or at least shipping window, using the methods previously outlined with respect to FIGS. 25 and 26, and Table 1. In addition, each animal's feed proration is recalculated using the method and formula outlined in FIGS. 28a and 28b. This gives a much more accurate feed proration for each animal than the initial proration determined according to FIG. 27. This new feed proration will be used to calculate each animal's feed intake for the next feeding period. Of course, for the indicated calculations, both the rate of weight gain (ADG) and the total amount of change (gain) and the fat (fat deposition rate) and external dimensions (frame, muscular growth) are used in calculating the new projected DTF and OEW for each animal.

[0214] At the same time, each animal's DTF as calculated is checked against any drug withdrawal and safe-to-ship information available from the health history of the animal, also stored in the computer system according to the system described in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,315,505. Any OED or DTF calculated by the computer or otherwise would be adjusted as dictated by the drug withdrawal and safe-to-ship information from the animal health system and prior to any assignment of the animal to any particular sort group. This drug withdrawal and safe-to-ship check might be done either by computer or manually by the operator. Also before any growth promotant drug or implant is administered to the animal in the processing station, a decision would be made on whether to administer at all based on the calculated DTF or OED, drug cost, and efficacy. In short, no growth promotant drug need be given if the animal is predicted to remain in the feedlot for only a short time following a remeasurement.

[0215] As each animal leaves the single-file chute, the computer has determined its sort group and allocated a particular sort pen in which to direct it from the chute. Steps 6 and 7 of the diagram of FIG. 7 represent a sorting procedure that may be used following a remeasurement. Essentially, each animal is directed to one of the seven sort pens of FIG. 5 temporarily. Each of the seven sort pens indicated in step 6 will receive animals selected according to seven different sort groups. The sort group to which a particular animal is assigned may be based on any one or more of several parameters but most likely will be based on their OED or DTF, their visual scores, their weights, their physical condition, or a combination thereof.

[0216] In the illustration of FIG. 7 there are seven sort groups. These are designated, “sort group 1,” “sort group 2,” “flex group,” “earlies,” “lates,” “reruns,” and “trash.” Before the sorting procedure is over in step 6, these seven sort groups will be reduced to four, consisting of “sort group 1,” “sort group 2,” “earlies,” and “lates.” Each of those four groups will then be directed, in turn, according to step 8, into one of the four feed pens A, B, C or D according to their sort groups. Feed pens A-D in all likelihood will be the same feed pens as used in step 4.

[0217] To explain the sort groups further, “reruns” are cattle for which one or more measurements are missing or a process was omitted after a first pass through the single-file chute. As a result, cattle sorted into sort pen 1 as reruns will be run again through the single-file chute and there sorted into one of the other six groups, as indicated in step 7.

[0218] The “earlies” group consists of cattle that are predicted to have earlier OED's or DTF's than the rest of the cattle being sorted. In other words, they are predicted to have shipping dates to the packing plant considerably earlier than the cattle in the other groups. As indicated, cattle in the earlies group will be directed from sort pen 2 in step 6 to feed pen A in step 8. It should be noted that some of the reruns from sort pen 1, after being rerun, may end up in the earlies group of sort pen 2 and be eventually directed into feed pen A.

[0219] Sort pen 6, consisting of the “lates” group, include cattle that are predicted to have late shipping dates (DTF's or OED's), as compared to the other groups. As indicated in the diagram of FIG. 7, the lates group will be directed from sort pen 6 to feed pen D. The lates group may eventually include some of the reruns of sort pen 1 after the reruns are passed again through the single-file chute.

[0220] The “trash” group is composed of non-performing or poorly performing cattle and are sorted into sort pen 7. These are cattle that have poor ADG's or other physical problems, such as circulatory or respiratory damage, that render them unsuitable for beef production or that are unprofitable to keep in the feedlot. Cattle in the trash group are culled from the rest of the animals, removed from the feedlot and sold as salvage.

[0221] The three remaining groups are sort group 1, sort group 2 and the flex group. Whatever the parameters being used to sort, the flex group consists of animals that are close to the dividing line between sort group 1 and sort group 2. For example if sorting is by weight and sort group 1 consists of a range of lighter weight animals and sort group 2 a range of heavier weight animals, the flex group consists of animals that are somewhere in a weight range between the two principal sort groups.

[0222] For example, after a first pass through the single-file chute, sort group 1 might include 20 animals and sort group 2 might include 17 animals. The purpose of the flex group is to even out the number of animals in each of sort groups 1 and 2. In the given example, if there are 10 animals in the flex group, they would be resorted by sending them through the single-file chute again and redistributing them into either sort group 1 or sort group 2 according to weight. As a result of this resorting process with respect to the flex group, eventually there are no remaining animals in the flex group, as they have all been redistributed to either sort group 1 or sort group 2. In the given example, where sort group I originally includes 20 animals, sort group 2 17 animals and the flex group 10 animals, eventually sort group 1 may end up with 24 animals, sort group 2 with 23 animals and the flex group with none. When the flex group has been redistributed, the animals in sort groups 1 and 2 are directed respectively to feed pens B and C.

[0223] Flex sorting is a method of sorting a group of random animals into sort groups of predetermined size and quantity. The particular measurement that is used for ordering is of minor importance to the flex sorting method, but some examples are current weight, finish date, and finish weight. To achieve this sort, an ordered list of animals is maintained as the data is collected, a sort group is assigned based on the position within the ordered list. As the sorting starts, insufficient data will exist to make reasonable sort decisions, so animals are placed in a flex group until enough data has been collected to be representative of the whole population. This sample size is expressed as a percent of the total population, and is configurable. Other animals that will also be placed in the flex group are ones that are too close to the split between sort groups to be certain to which group they belong. This area of uncertainty is defined by flex percent value, it is also configurable and is expressed as a percent of the data range (i.e. maximum value-minimum value). At the completion of sorting, the animals in the flex group are processed again, this time since all information is known about the population the correct sort decision can be made.

[0224]

Setup parameters:
	total population	5 head
	sort distribution	2 groups
	first group	2 head (40% of total)
	second group	3 head (60% of total)
	sample size	30%
	flex percent	10%

Sample weight data 625, 600, 675, 610, 640
1. First weight is 625, add to ordered list, compute new median, and the area of uncertainty.
Results

[0225]

	Ordered List	Median Loc	Median Wt	Uncertainty
	625	1st element	625	N/A

Since the number of weights (1) is less than sample size (1.5=*0.3) put this weight in flex group.
Results

[0226]

Sort Group 1	Sort Group 2	Flex Group
		625

2. Next weight is 600, add this weight to the ordered list, compute new median, and the area of uncertainty.
Results

[0227]

Ordered List	Median Loc	Median Wt	Uncertainty
600	((2 − 1) * 0.4) + 1	AVG. (1 & 2)	(625 − 600) * 0.1
625	or between 1 & 2	or 612.5	+ or − 2.5

Since the number of weights (2) is greater than the sample size (1.5), check to see if new weight is in the area of uncertainty. The area of uncertainty is 610 to 615, the new weight is not in this area and is less than the median, so it belongs in sort group one.
Results

[0228]

Sort Group 1	Sort Group 2	Flex Group
600		625

3. Next weight is 675, add this weight to the ordered list, compute new median, and the area of uncertainty.
Results

[0229]

Ordered List	Median Loc	Median Wt	Uncertainty
600	((3 − 1) * 0.4) + 1	AVG (1 & 2)	(675 − 600) * 0.1
625	or between 1 & 2	or 612.5	+ or − 7.5

Since the number of weights (3) is greater than the sample size (1.5), check to see if new weight is in the area of uncertainty. The area of uncertainty is 605 to 620, the new weight is not in this area and is greater than the median, so it belongs in sort group two.
Results

[0230]

Sort Group 1	Sort Group 2	Flex Group
600	675	625

4. Next weight is 610, add this weight to the ordered list, compute list, compute new median, and the area of uncertainty.
Results

[0231]

Ordered List	Median Loc	Median Wt	Uncertainty
600	((4 − 1) * 0.4) + 1	AVG (2 & 3)	(675 − 600) * 0.1
610	or between 2 & 3	or 617.5	+ or − 7.5
625
675

Since the number of weights (4) is greater than the sample size (1.5), check to see if new weight is in the area of uncertainty. The area of uncertainty is 610 to 625, the new weight is in this area and must be placed in the flex group.
Results

[0232]

Sort Group 1	Sort Group 2	Flex Group
600	675	625
		610

5. The last weight is 640, add this weight to the ordered list, compute new median, and the area of uncertainty.
Results

[0233]

Ordered List	Median Loc	Median Wt	Uncertainty
600	((5 − 1) * 0.4) + 1	AVG (2 & 3)	(675 − 600) * 0.1
610	or between 2 & 3	or 617.5	+ or − 7.5
625
640
675

Since the number of weights (5) is greater than the sample size (1.5), check to see if new weight is in the area of uncertainty. This area of uncertainty is 610 to 625, the new weight is not in this area and is greater than the median, so it belongs in sort group two.
Results

[0234]

Sort Group 1	Sort Group 2	Flex Group
600	675	625
	640	610

6. Now it is time to do the flex pen, the first weight of 625 is already in the ordered list so we only need to determine which group it belongs in.
Results

[0235]

Ordered List	Median Loc	Median Wt	Uncertainty
600	((5 − 1) * 0.4) + 1	AVG (2 & 3)	None
610	or between 2 & 3	or 617.5
625
640
675

Since there is no area of uncertainty and the current weight is greater than the median, it belongs in group two.
Results

[0236]

Sort Group 1	Sort Group 2	Flex Group
600	675	610
	640
	625

7. Now the last flex weight of 610 is already in the ordered list so we only need to determine which group it belongs to.
Results

[0237]

Ordered List	Median Loc	Median Wt	Uncertainty
600	((5 − 1) * 0.4) + 1	AVG (2 & 3)	None
610	or between 2 & 3	or 617.5
625
640
675

Since there is no area of uncertainty and the current weight is less than the median, it belongs in group one.
Results

[0238]

Sort Group 1	Sort Group 2	Flex Group
600	675
610	640
	625

[0239] The above example demonstrates a two-way sort, but it can sort any number of ways. For an n-way sort there are (n−1) median locations within the ordered list to keep track of, but only one flex pen is needed to hold the animals that we are uncertain about. Also, in the example given, the sort was done without any errors or animals in the wrong pen. It is possible for the sort to end up with a different head count in the sort group that expected, or for some head to be in the wrong pen based on their sorting measurement. These mistakes occur mostly at the splits between two sort groups, and involve animals with very close measurements. One thing that should be pointed out is that this sorting method, like a lot of other sorting methods, performs better if the data is random. The worst possible scenario is for the data to already be sorted either ascending or descending.

[0240] One additional feature of this sorting method is the ability to have a human make subjective sort decisions, such as color, before running through the flex sort, in effect having two flex sort sessions running concurrently.

[0241] With the animals in feed pens A, B, C and D for the second portion of the feeding period as indicated in step 8, they may remain in their respective pens until they are ready for shipment. During this second feeding period of typically 60-80 days, selected animals or selected groups of animals may again be remeasured and resorted through the single-file chute and sorting pens if desired or economically feasible. For example the timeline of FIG. 3 indicates two remeasurements and resorts during the feeding period. However FIG. 7 illustrates a single remeasuring and single uniformity sort more like the procedure outlined in FIG. 4A. All of the animals in feed pens A, D have new and more accurate pro rata feed intake ratios assigned to them using the method outlined in FIG. 28a and FIG. 28b, including data such as ADG, gain, external and internal measurements and other factors. Individual animal records are maintained for each animal during its remaining period of time in the feedlot. Additional weight checks or other measurements may be used to monitor actual performance during this second portion of the feeding period to confirm or modify the OED or DTF of each animal.

[0242] Also, as indicated in FIG. 4C, after a certain period within feed pens A-D, one or more of the groups may be sent to pen sorters such as pen sorter 94 in FIG. 2 for finish feeding for the time that these groups will be within their marketing window. This approach allows for “fine-tuning” of the optimum date of shipment for each individual animal based on market conditions and the individual animal's performance in its final days at the feedlot. This selection process, whether accomplished visually, by weight checks or by final feeding in a pen sorter, involves the selection process as indicated in step 8A for shipment of the animal to the packing plant. In the case of a pen sorter, this would involve sorting the animal selected for shipment from the feeding pen portion of the sorter to the shipping pen portion, as previously described.

[0243] Animals may be selected for shipment based on a selected marketing group of animals having the same average OED's or DTF's or on an individual animal basis, depending on how finely tuned the selection process desired. The selection process may be performed visually, by computer or by repeated weight checks as previously described.

[0244] Step 9 of the management system involves shipping the selected animals to the packing plant 156. At the packing plant, the animals are slaughtered for production of beef products for consumption. At the packing plant, the EID tag on each live animal is read and transferred by computer to match the identification on the resulting carcass so that the carcass data can be matched to the live animal performance and history data.

[0245] At the packing plant, the EID tags are removed from the animals and shipped in a container to a reconditioning operation where they are cleaned, tested and sorted for delivery back to the proper feedlot. The carcass data and the disbursements of funds breakdown for the original owners of the animals in a marketing group are transmitted to the appropriate feedlot. This data may also be transmitted to the original cattle producers for use in improving the genetics of the animals for future beef production.

[0246] The feed proration flow charts of FIGS. 27, 28a and 28b have been discussed. Following each table is an example calculation using the formulas and flow diagrams set forth in the figures. These examples set forth the data output from the computer when provided with software for carrying out the calculations set forth in FIGS. 27, 28a and 28b. The examples are for four animals identified as animals nos. 85, 10, 68 and 36. From the examples it will be seen that animal No. 85 had a starting weight of 829 pounds and a calculated optimum finish weight of 1136 pounds. During the initial feeding period P1 the ratio of feed allocated to it was 0.255646, so that out of a total of 780 pounds of feed fed during the first feeding period, 199.4038866 pounds of feed was prorated to it for allocating feed charges. During the next current period CP, the same ratio was used to prorate a total of 3,000 pounds of feed among the four animals, with 767 pounds being allocated to animal No. 85. However from the subsequent calculation, the DMI ratio for animal 85, based on remeasurements and original measurements, changed to 0.253206. As a result, animal 85 in the next feeding period ended up with 1,519 pounds of feed prorated to it out of a total of 6,000 pounds. It will also be noted from the calculations and data output from the computer that animal No. 85, when remeasured, had a weight of 1,028 pounds, up from an 829 pound initial weight. It also ended up with an actual weight of 1,128 pounds at final measurement compared to an original calculated optimum finish weight of 1,136 pounds.

[0247] When the four animals finally left the feedlot, their DMI numbers overall were recalculated to adjust their overall DMI ratios, resulting in a reallocation of the total feed fed to each animal. Animal No. 85 had 2,440 pounds of feed allocated to it out of a total of 9,660 pounds, based on its recalculated overall feed ratio of 0.25262. The final data output from the feed proration calculations is a ratio of feed to weight gain for each animal. Animal No. 85 ended up with a feed to weight gain ratio of 8.17, second highest in the group of four animals considered.

[0248] FIG. 8 is a general block diagram of the data inputs and data outputs to the host computer system 78. There are two categories of inputs, including the group input category 194 and the individual animal input represented by interface 196. The individual prior history of each animal is entered upon each animal's arrival at the feedlot, as indicated by the prior history input 198. Such prior history would include each animal's date of birth and its genetic background. Also entered at initial processing and on subsequent remeasurements would be each animal's weight, hip height, backfat and hide condition as indicated at input 200. These measurements are obtained at the single-file chute in the manner previously described. These individual inputs in turn are transmitted by cable or radio frequency means to the host computer 78 for storage and use in calculating the previously discussed formulas. Group information when transmitted to the computer would include prior history data such as average daily gain while in the pasture and the group condition score, visually estimated at the time of arrival at the feedlot. Other information would include the sex, age, breed and hide thickness breakdown for the animals in the group. These “cattle factors” are also input into the computer through data entry means indicated at 204 and the group input interfaces 194.

[0249] Environmental factors such as air temperature, wind, and pen conditions where the animals came from are also collected and entered through data entry means 206 into the group input interface 194.

[0250] Management factors for each group including implants, ionophores and processing information, are collected and input through data entry means 208 into the computer through the group input interfaces 194. Finally, feed factors, such as ration composition, are input through data entry means 210 and the group input interfaces 194 into the host computer 78.

[0251] Market factors are also part of the data used to calculate the desired computer outputs, such factors including purchase price, cattle futures, basis and premium/discounts for the animals in the group. These market factors are entered through data entry means 12 and the group input interface 194 into the host computer 78.

[0252] With the data collected as described, and the appropriate software, the computer system is able to calculate, using formulas such as the ones disclosed in FIGS. 25, 26, 27, 28a, 28b, and Table 1, such outputs as a projected date to finish (DTF), optimum end weight (OEW), and projected end points such as finish weight, hot carcass weight, yield grade, and USDA quality grade. The computer system also calculates a return on investment including cost, incomes and profit as indicated at 218.

[0253] Examples of the type of data collected, calculated, stored and available in reports generated by the computer system are shown in Tables 3A. 3G.

[0254] Table 3A, the cattle received report by load, has already been discussed. It discloses the information available from the producer and entered into the computer through appropriate data entry means upon the arrival of a load of cattle at the feedlot. This is a “group” report and is the sort of information entered into the computer as indicated at data entry means 202, 204 and 206 of FIG. 8.

[0255] Table 3B is a pen assignment summary report, which is another group type report and gives the sorting pen assignments 1-7 for lot No. 495 of cattle that is to be fed in pens 59, 57 and 58. The number of head of cattle in each pen 10, 11 and 11 for sorting pens 1, 2 and 4 and feed pens 59, 57 and 58 is given. This information is available from the computer after at least one measurement and sort of a lot of animals.

[0256] Still referring to Table 3B, the remaining data in the pen assignment summary report should be self-explanatory, giving information concerning the projected finish weight, the current weight, the frame size and current backfat measurements, on average, for the animals in feed pens 59, 57 and 58. In addition to the averages for each of the indicated measurements, the pen assignment summary report also gives maximum and minimum ranges for the animals in each sort group.

[0257] Table 3C is a sample of a pen assignment detail report generated by the computer system. This report indicates the lot number, the feed pen number, the sort pen number, and the EID tag number of each of the 11 animals in feed pen 57. The report also indicates that the animals in this feed pen have a shipping window ranging from May 14, 1994 to Sep. 28, 1994, indicating that the animals in this group are expected to reach their optimum condition, such as optimum finish weight, sometime within this window. The pen assignment detail report also gives individual animal measurements and calculations including video image dimensions (VID), and projected days to finish (DTF) which is the number of days the animal is projected to require to reach its optimum finish weight. Also indicated is the projected optimum finish weight (OFW), the animal's current weight (CWT), and each animal's average daily gain (ADG). Finally, the pen assignment detail report gives each animal's frame measurement score (FM) and backfat measurement (BF).

[0258] Because of the amount of information available for each animal in each feed pen in the feedlot, and at any time during the animal's stay in the feedlot, it will be readily appreciated how animals can be selected, on an individual basis if desired, for shipment to the packing plant when each animal is in optimum condition for shipment. Simply by taking repeated measurements of each animal as it nears its projected shipping date or optimum finish weight, animals can be selected for shipment and slaughter based on their individual performances and market factors rather than the performances of any particular group, if desired.

[0259] Table 3D and Table 3E are marketing yard sheets that the computer system can generate for each animal in the feedlot. The marketing yard sheet of Table 3D is for the same group of animals as the marketing yard sheet of Table 3E. However the yard sheet of Table 3D gives individual animal data for lot No. 495 of animals on the measurement date of Mar. 30, 1994, while Table 3E gives the data for the same animals in lot No. 495 approximately three weeks later, on Apr. 22, 1994.

[0260] As will be seen by the columns in the marketing yard sheets, each animal is identified by tag number, pen number and lot number. Additional data available in the other columns of both marketing yard sheets include various projections that have been calculated for each animal, a comparison of purchase weight and current weight for each animal, days on feed (DOF) information for each animal, the ration information that applies to each animal, average daily gain (ADG) information for each animal and feed intake information for each animal. Finally, the projected and actual cost information based on various treatments, processing and other factors for each animal is listed.

[0261] Table 3F is a sample of a pen closeout report generated by the computer system as a result of the various inputs, including measurement inputs for each animal and each group of animals. This gives the income and expense information for a pen of animals, broken down to an average cost per head, including feed charges, cattle insurance, yardage fees and processing fees. Other pen information included in the pen closeout report includes such information as total pounds gained by all animals in the pen, broken down to an average gain per head. Also included are average daily gain for each animal, daily feed costs per head, daily total costs per head, total pounds of feed fed for the pen and total pounds per head. Also included is average daily consumption data. Other information includes the cost of the feed fed.

[0262] In the summary at the bottom of the pen closeout report, the profit or loss from the pen is given. In the sample, there was no profit for the indicated pen, which included 10 heifers. Based on the summary, the 10 heifers in the pen had an average incoming weight of 678 pounds and an average outgoing weight of 787 pounds. Each gained an average of 3.21 pounds per day for a total of 34 days on feed. The cost of the gain was $56.21.

[0263] The final sample report is shown in Table 3G which is a Closeout Summary By Lot report. In this case the lot number is 42894, which was included in pen 553, containing a total of 27 head. The total profit for the lot was $4,957.98. Each animal in the report is identified by its visual identification tag number (VID) and the profit from each animal is calculated. In addition, each animal's performance during its stay in the feedlot is calculated. Each animal is listed under its sire and dam. This sort of information is valuable to the cattle producer in determining which sires and dams produce the most profitable offspring. This information is then used in making future breeding decisions.

[0264] A layout of the computer system is shown in FIG. 6. Several different computers are used in the system. First there is a feedlot business systems (FBS) computer 230 located at the feedlot office 232. This computer stores the databases used in the system and performs most of the calculations needed in operating the system.

[0265] Remote from the FBS computer and closer to the chute area 22 are a separate process control computer 234 and an ultrasound computer 236 within a common control cabinet 238. Separate from the control cabinet and the other computers is a video computer 240.

[0266] Basically, the process control computer 234 controls the operation of all subsystems including the stall and sorting gates, weigh scale, ultrasound computer and the video computer. The process control computer communicates with the FBS computer through the modems 241, 242, line 244 and FBS interface 246. The ultrasound computer 236 communicates with the process control computer 234 through a line 248. The ultrasound computer 240 also has an output line 250 to a backfat monitor 252 and an input line 254 from the ultrasound scanner 256 at the single-file chute stall 40.

[0267] The video computer 240 communicates with the process control computer 234 through a commline 258. It also has an output line 260 to a video monitor 262, and input lines 264, 266 to video cameras, including an overhead camera 268 and a side-view camera 270.

[0268] Each animal is weighed by a scale loadcell 272 at the weigh stall 38. The loadcell communicates with the scale 274 through a line 276. The scale in turn communicates with the process control computer through a line 278 and data split 280. Data from the data split also can be communicated via line 282 and a modem 284 and line 286 directly to the FBS computer 230 through the FBS interface 246.

[0269] Data concerning drugs, other animal health treatments and other information about an individual animal at the processing station or stall 42 can be entered into an animal health computer or monitor 288 at the processing station and from there communicated directly through the modem 290 and line 292 and interface 246 to the FBS computer.

[0270] As previously noted, each animal has an EID tag applied to it in the single-file chute to give each animal a unique electronic identification. This identification is transmitted from the EID tag by a probe antenna 294 at the EID/USBF stall 40 through a line 296 from the chute to a tiris relay 298 and from the relay through a line 300 to a tiris EID reader 302. The tiris reader 302 transmits the animal's EID identification through a line 304 to the process control computer 234. Alternatively, each animal's EID tag signal can be received by a hanging antenna 306 at the single-file chute and transmitted via line 308 to the tiris relay 298 and thence through line 300 to the tiris reader 302 and through the line 304 to the process control computer 234.

[0271] The FBS computer not only collects data and uses it to calculate projections, costs and other information used in the management method and system, it also collects data from other sources not shown. For example, the FBS computer performs the regular feedlot accounting functions and generates financial reports. It may also receive and store data from a computerized animal drug inventory control and animal health history and drug treatment system as disclosed in the previously mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,315,505. The FBS computer may also collect and store data from a computerized feed additive delivery system such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,733,971 and the related patents previously mentioned. The FBS computer may also receive and store data concerning the amount of feed ration delivered to each of the feed pens in a feedlot, including such data collected from a computerized bunk reader system such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,008,821. All such information, including the drug usage information, feed ration usage information, and feed additive usage information can be used together with the data concerning each animal collected from the system and other data that may be collected and stored in the FBS computer database to prorate feed ration and feed additive costs to individual animals and thereby calculate the cost of production value and other pertinent information about each animal in the feedlot according to various formulas, a few of which are disclosed as examples and discussed.

[0272] Tables 4A, 4E are sample pages of prompts that are generated by the computer programs that are used in the computer system 78 that operates the described system. The described management system is known as the electronic cattle management system (ECM) which is the computer symbol used to initiate the program. The ECM program includes four session types, one of which is entered to begin the system's operation. In Table 4B it will be seen that certain animal measurements can be keyed in, automatically entered or not recorded.

[0273] Item 7 in Table 4B gives the prompts for entering the type of sorting that is desired such as, for example, a flex sort as previously described.

[0274] At the top of Table 4C, the prompts for entering the number of animals to be sorted into the various sort pens are indicated.

[0275] Table 4D lists the various prompts for processing each animal at the single-file chute. By entering the proper prompt, the computer can be instructed to process the identified animal in a particular way such as by weight, by reading its EID, by ultrasound measurement and/or by taking external video measurements.

[0276] Additional prompts for setting the parameters for measuring and sorting are given in Table 4E and 4F.

[0277] The electronic cattle management system can use a number of different computer programs to run the system as described, the operation and sequencing of which are all controlled by the previously described process control computer 234 shown in FIG. 6. These programs will now be described with reference to their respective flow charts.

[0278] First, control of the operation of the entrance and exit gates at the various stalls or stations in the single file chute will be described. First with reference to FIG. 9A, the get-ready station 34 in the single-file chute includes the entrance or tail gate 46 and the exit or head gate 48 defining the stall. Within the stall are three sensors including a tail sensor 342, a fill sensor 344 and a head sensor 346. These sensors, which may be photoelectric sensors or some other automatic sensors, detect the presence of an animal within the stall space, and when all three sensors detect the presence of an animal, the animal will be contained within the space, whereupon the tail gate 46 can be closed after being opened initially to allow entrance of the animal into the stall space. FIG. 9A also indicates the direction of travel of the animal through the single-file chute and the stall space as indicated by the arrow 316.

[0279] Referring now to FIG. 9B, the computer program for controlling the operation of the tail and head gates 46, 48 is disclosed. This computer program resides in the process control computer 234 of FIG. 6. Although not shown, obviously the sensors associated with the get ready stall and all other stations in the single-file chute and the sort pens, to be described, are in communication with the process control computer.

[0280] First the program is conditioned by another program to be described to get ready to receive the next animal that will proceed through the single file chute, as indicated at step 318. At this point, if the fill sensor is off as indicated at 320, the program assumes that the get ready stall is empty and so commands that the head gate be closed as indicated at step 322. Then the program commands opening of the tail gate 324 to allow the next animal to enter the get ready stall. After the tail gate opens, the program waits until the fill sensor at 326 detects the presence of an animal in the stall. The program then proceeds to the next step to detect when the tail sensor is turned off, at step 328. When this occurs, the program commands closing of the tail gate at step 330. If at step 326 the fill sensor does not detect the presence of an animal, the tail gate will not close. Also, as indicated at 328, if the tail sensor remains on, the tail gate will not close. Only when the fill sensor is on and the tail sensor is off can the tail gate close.

[0281] After the tail gate closes, the program inquires at step 322 whether the next station, namely the video station 86, is ready for the next animal. At this point nothing happens until the processing computer receives an indication that the video station is ready for the next animal. When this occurs, the program, as step 334, signals the video computer 240 to get ready for the next animal. At this point the head gate 48 is opened as indicated at 336. The program then inquires at step 338 as to whether the fill sensor 312 in the get ready stall is off and at step 340 whether the head sensor is off. When both the fill sensor 312 and the head sensor 314 are off, indicating that an animal has left the get ready stall and entered the video stall, the program commands the head gate 48 to reclose as indicated at step 322, and then commands the tail gate at step 324 to reopen to ready the stall for the next animal.

[0282] Referring to FIG. 10A, after the animal leaves the get ready stall 34 it walks through the video stall 36 where it is scanned for external dimensions, and proceeds, without stopping, through the open tail gate 50 directly into the EID/scale stall 38 where the animal is weighed and an EID tag is applied to the animal if necessary and read to identify it. Because of the continuous movement of the animal through the video stall, there are no tail, fill or head sensors in that stall. However the subsequent EID/scale stall requires the animal to stop while it is weighed. Thus, both the tail gate 50 and the head gate 52 must be closed while the animal is contained within the EID/scale stall, identified and weighed. Thus such stall includes a tail sensor 342, a fill sensor 344 and a head sensor 346, all of which communicate with the process control computer. Again, the direction of travel of the animal is indicated by the arrow 316.

[0283] Referring to FIG. 10B, the computer program for operating the tail gate 50 and head gate 52 at the EID/scale station is disclosed. As an animal proceeds through the video stall 36, tail gate 50 will be open if the EID/scale station is ready for the next animal, which will be determined by whether or not the head gate of such station is closed and its fill sensor and head sensors 344, 346 are off. At this point, the EID/scale station computer program 348 is initialized and ready to start its sequence of operation. First, at step 350, the program inquires whether the fill sensor 344 is off. If so, it commands the head gate 52 to close at step 352. Thereafter, at step 354 the tail gate 50 is commanded to open, allowing the next animal to enter the EID/scale stall. Next the program, at step 356, inquires whether the fill sensor is on. If so, it inquires at step 358 whether the tail sensor is off. If so, at step 360, the program commands the tail gate 50 to reclose, whereupon the animal is ready to be weighed and have its EID tag attached if necessary, and read.

[0284] With the animal in the EID/scale stall, the program inquires at step 362 whether an EID identification of the animal is required. If so, the process control computer 234 is commanded to attempt to read the tiris EID reader 302 at step 364. If no EID is required, the program next inquires whether a weight is required at step 366. If so, the process control computer at step 368 is commanded to read the animal's weight from the scale 274. After this, or if no weight is required, the program will inquire at step 370 whether a hip-height measurement of the animal is required. If so, the process control computer is commanded at step 372 to read and record the video measurements communicated from the video computer 240. After the measurements are recorded, if required, the program inquires at step 374 whether measurements are complete. If not, the program will return to step 362 and again proceed through the program to attempt to read the video measurements. Once the measurements have been recorded, the program proceeds at step 376 to inquire whether the next station, namely the ultrasound station 40, is ready for the next animal. Unless the next station is ready for the animal, the head gate 52 will not open. When the next station signals that it is ready, through the process control computer, the head gate 52 is commanded to open at step 378. Next, the program inquires whether the fill sensor 344 is off, at step 380. If not, the program will not proceed to the next step and reclose the head gate. When the fill sensor is off, the program inquires whether the head sensor is off. If the head sensor is off, indicating that the animal has left the EID/scale stall, the program commands the process control computer to reclose the head gate 52. At this point the weighed and identified animal will have entered the ultrasound stall 40, and the program returns to step 352 to command reclosing the head gate in preparation for the next animal.

[0285] Referring to FIG. 9A, the ultrasound station 40 is disclosed as having a tail sensor 384, a fill sensor 386 and a head sensor 388. It also includes the tail gate 52, which is the same gate 52 that serves as the head gate for the preceding EID/scale stall 38. It also includes the head gate 54 which serves as the tail gate for the next processing stall 42. Again, the direction of travel of the animal through the ultrasound station and through the single-file chute is indicated by the arrow 316.

[0286] Referring now to FIG. 11B, the computer program for controlling the operation of the gates and thus the animal within the ultrasound station is indicated at 390. Once initiated, it first inquires at step 392 whether the fill sensor 386 is off. If not, because the preceding animal has not yet left the station, the program will return to determine whether the animal has not yet completed its ultrasound scan. However, assuming that the preceding animal has left the ultrasound station and the head gate 54 is closed, the program commands at step 394 that the head gate be cracked open. Then at step 396 the program commands the processing computer to open the tail gate. When the tail gate is opened, the program inquires whether the fill sensor is on, at step 398. If so, indicating that the next animal has entered the ultrasound station, the program inquires whether the tail sensor is off, at step 400. When the tail sensor goes off, the computer program instructs the computer to close the tail gate, at step 402, whereupon the next animal is fully within the ultrasound station and ready to be prepared for measurement. Once the tail gate is closed, the program inquires at step 404 whether the head catcher is to be employed to stabilize the animal in the station. If it is, the program inquires whether the head sensor is on at step 406. If it is, the program, at step 408, commands closing of the head gate.

[0287] Once the head gate is closed, the program at step 410 inquires whether the animal is to be “squeezed” within the station. This has reference to the device at the station commonly referred to as a “squeeze gate,” which in effect squeezes the animal from behind into tight confinement within the stall so that it cannot move to any appreciable extent. If the answer is yes, the squeeze gate at 412 is commanded to close at step 412. If the answer is no, the squeeze gate is not actuated. In either case, the next programming sequence is an inquiry as to whether the animal's backfat is to be measured, at step 414. If the answer is yes, the program will attempt to take a reading from the ultrasound computer at step 416 to record the backfat measurement. If the answer is no, the program inquires whether all measurements are completed at step 418. This is also the next step after a backfat ultrasound reading is attempted at step 416. If the answer is no, the program will again attempt to take a backfat measurement. If the answer is yes, the program inquires whether the next station in the chute is ready for the animal, at step 420. If not, nothing further happens until the next station is ready for the animal. When that occurs, the head gate 54 is commanded to open at step 422. When the head gate is open, the program inquires at step 426 whether the fill sensor is off. If not, nothing further happens until the fill sensor is off. When that occurs, the program inquires at step 426 whether the head sensor is off. If not, nothing further happens until the head sensor is off. When that occurs, the program returns to step 394 to cause the head gate to crack, ready for the next animal.

[0288] Referring to FIG. 12A, the animal proceeds from the ultrasound station 40 into the processing station 42 through the head gate 54 of the ultrasound station, which becomes the tail gate 54 of the processing station. Within the processing station are three sensors, a tail sensor 428, a fill sensor 430 and a head sensor 432.

[0289] Referring to FIG. 12B, the computer program for the processing station, indicated at 434, first inquires whether the fill sensor 430 is off, at step 436. If not, the head gate 56 will not close until the fill sensor does indicate that the preceding animal has left the processing station. When the fill sensor is off, head gate 56 is commanded to close at step 438 and the tail gate 54 is commanded to open at step 440 to admit the next animal into the processing station.

[0290] Next, the program inquires whether the fill sensor is on at step 442. If not, nothing further happens until the fill sensor is on. When that occurs, the program inquires whether the tail sensor 428 is off, at step 444. If the tail sensor is not off, the tail gate 54 will not close. When the tail sensor is off, indicating that the animal is completely within the processing station, the tail gate 54 is commanded to close at step 446. When the tail gate is closed the program, at step 448, inquires whether there is to be a head catch. If the answer is yes, the program inquires at step 450 whether the head sensor 432 is on. If not, nothing further happens until the head sensor is on. If the answer is yes, the head gate 56 is closed at 452 to catch the animal's head.

[0291] Next, the program inquires whether the animal is to be squeezed by the squeeze gate within the processing station, at step 454. If not, the program proceeds to the next processing sequence. If the answer is yes, the squeeze gate at the processing station is commanded to close at step 456 to confine the animal within the station. After the squeeze gate is closed, the program proceeds to the next processing sequence.

[0292] The next inquiry, at step 458, is whether the animal needs to be identified by its EID. If the answer is yes, the program instructs the process control computer at step 460 to attempt to read an identification from the tiris. Nothing further happens until the animal is identified. When the animal has been identified or if no identification is needed, the program inquires whether a sort pen for the animal is required, at step 462. If not, a status light on a control panel (not shown) at the processing station is commanded to indicate, at step 464, that the animal is ready to be released from the single-file chute.

[0293] If a sort pen is required, the program at step 466 inquires whether the animal data has been sent to the FBS computer. If the answer is no, the data is sent to the FBS computer, at step 468. If the animal data has already been sent to the FBS computer, the program bypasses step 468 and attempts to read the correct sort pen for the animal as determined by the FBS computer at step 470. The program then returns to the sort pen required inquiry step 462. If a sort pen is still required then the just described steps are repeated. If a sort pen identity is not required, then the program proceeds on through the sequence and the ready to release status light is illuminated on the aforementioned control panel.

[0294] Thereafter, an operator must manually press a release button to release an animal from the single-file chute into the alley between the sort pens. At this point the computer inquires whether the release button has been pushed, at step 472. If the answer is no, nothing further happens until the release button is pushed. When the release button has been pushed, the program inquires whether the sort pen is ready, at step 474. If not, nothing further happens until either the release button is pushed or the sort pen is ready. When the sort pen is ready, head gate 56 is commanded to open, at step 476. When the head gate is open, the program inquires whether the fill sensor is off, at step 478. If not, nothing further happens until the fill sensor is off. When it is off, the program next inquires whether the head sensor is off, at step 480. If not, nothing further happens until the head sensor is off. When it is off, the program returns to step 438 to close the head gate and prepare the stall for the next animal.

[0295] Referring now to FIG. 13A, the seven sort pens 62 and their respective sorting pen entrance gates 62 are illustrated schematically. The direction of travel of the animals through the alley 60 between the two rows of sorting pens is indicated by the arrow 316 as they leave the single-file chute indicated generally at 22.

[0296] FIG. 13B is a flow diagram of the computer program 482 for operating the sort pen entrance gates 62. The first step in the programming sequence is to make sure all sort pen gates are closed at step 484. Next, the program at step 486 inquires of the process control computer whether a sort pen is requested. If not, nothing further happens and the sort pen gates remain closed, and each animal would travel through the alley 60 to an appropriate feed pen through the open gate 62 of feed pen 7 as indicated in FIG. 13A.

[0297] If a sort pen is requested, the designated sort pen is commanded to open at 488. When the sort pen gate is open the program inquires whether the sort pen gate sensor (not shown) has been tripped, at step 490. When the sort pen gate sensor is tripped, it would indicate that an animal has entered the sort pen through the open gate. The sort pen sensor, such as a photocell, would be located at the gate entrance so that its beam would be interrupted when an animal passes through the entrance into the pen with the gate open. After the sort pen sensor has been tripped, there is a five second delay, indicated at step 492, to give the animal time to pass through the open gate into the designated pen. Thereafter, the entrance gate is commanded to close again, as indicated at step 494. When the designated sort pen gate is closed, the program returns to step 486 to inquire if a sort pen is requested for the next animal. Nothing further happens until a sort pen is again requested.

[0298] FIG. 14 is a flow diagram for the computer program in the process control computer that operates in conjunction with the measuring and processing station and sort pen operating programs to control the sequence of operation of the various station head and tail gates and sort pen entrance gates. The FIG. 14 program, indicated generally at 496, is for controlling the movement of a single animal through the single-file chute and its measuring and processing stations and into one of the selected sort pens. The processing sequence program 496 starts at step 498 by closing the GR1 stall head gate and opening the GR1 stall tail gate. Then at step 500 it asks whether there is an animal in the GR1 stall. If not, nothing further happens until an animal enters the GR1 stall.

[0299] When there is an animal in the stall as indicated by the fill and tail sensors in the stall, the GR1 tail gate is closed at step 502. Then the program asks if the video and scale/EID stations are ready for an animal, at step 504. If not, nothing further happens until those stalls are empty and ready for the next animal. When they are, the GR1 head gate opens at 506. Then, at step 508, when the sensors in the GR1 stall indicate that the stall is empty, the GR1 head gate closes at step 510. As the animal passes from the GR1 stall through the video stall the video measurements are made under control of the video computer, as indicated at step 512.

[0300] The animal passes from the video stall into the scale/EID station or stall as indicated at step 514. When the sensors in the scale/EID station indicate that an animal is in the station, the scale/EID tail gate is closed at step 516. Thereafter, the animal is weighed in the scale/EID station as indicated at 518. Next, there is an attempt to read the animal's EID identification at step 520. Thereafter, the program inquires whether the ultrasound station is ready for the animal at step 522. If not, nothing further happens until the ultrasound station is ready. When ready, the head gate of the scale/EID station is opened at step 524 so the animal can pass into the ultrasound station. Next, the program asks at step 526 whether the animal is gone from the scale/EID station. If not, nothing further happens until the program is told that the animal has left the station. When the animal is gone from the scale/EID station the scale/EID head gate is closed at step 528.

[0301] Next, the program asks at step 530 whether there is an animal in the ultrasound station. If not, nothing further happens until an animal is detected in the ultrasound station. Then the ultrasound tail gate is closed at step 532. Thereafter, the ultrasound computer operates the ultrasound machine to make the backfat measurements at step 534, and the process control computer is commanded to read the video measurements at step 536 by the processing station program.

[0302] Next, the processing station program asks whether the processing station is ready for the animal, at step 538. If not, nothing further happens until the processing station has cleared the previous animal and is ready for the next animal. Then, the ultrasound head gate is opened at step 540, allowing the animal to proceed into the processing station. Thereafter, the program asks whether the animal is gone from the ultrasound station, as indicated at step 542. If not, nothing further happens until the animal has cleared the ultrasound station. Thereafter, the ultrasound station head gate is closed at step 544.

[0303] Next, the program asks whether the animal has entered the processing station at step 544. If not, nothing further happens until the animal is fully within the processing station, after which the processing station tail gate is closed at step 546. After the animal is within the processing station, its EID identification is read at step 548, its measurement data from the previous measuring stations is transmitted to the FBS computer at step 550, and the FBS computer transmits to the process control computer the assigned sort pen for the animal at step 552.

[0304] At this point, within the processing station, the animal may be implanted with growth promotants or undergo additional treatment that may be indicated. When this processing is completed, a button is manually pushed by an operator to indicate that the animal is ready to leave the processing station. The computer program then asks whether the release button has been pushed at step 554 and if not, nothing further happens and the animal cannot leave the processing station. When the release button has been pushed, the program inquires whether the assigned sort pen is ready for the animal, at step 556. Until the designated sort pen is ready, nothing further happens and the animal remains in the processing station. When the sort pen is ready, the processing station head gate is opened at step 558 and the specified sort pen gate is also opened at step 560, so the animal can leave the processing station and proceed into the sort gate alley and into the open sort pen.

[0305] Next, the computer program asks whether the animal has left the processing station at step 562. If so, the head gate of the processing station is closed at step 564. Next, the program asks whether the sort pen sensor has been tripped by the animal entering through the sort pen gate, at step 566. If so, the designated sort pen gate is closed at step 568. Finally, the identification of the animal entering the sort pen is recorded at step 570 and the processing sequence program ends for that particular animal at step 572.

[0306] FIG. 15 is the overall ECM process control program in the process control computer that controls identification and shutdown of the various equipment used in the system including the sort pen gate sensors, the measuring and processing station sensors, the station gate actuators, the tiris EID reader, the ultrasound computer, the video measurement computer, the FBS computer interface and the like. The program is indicated generally at 574.

[0307] First, the particular configuration of the feedlot management system being used is loaded into the computer at step 576, and thereafter the various computers, interfaces, actuators, sensors, sort pen gates, and the like are initialized at step 578. Next, the various parameters to be used in the system are entered at step 580 through a data entry means. Next, the program checks for user inputs at step 582, and inquires whether any stopping of the operation of the system has been requested at step 584. If a stop has been requested, the system waits for the gates to settle at step 586 and then shuts down the equipment under its control at step 588 to end the ECM process control program at step 590.

[0308] If no stop of the system has been requested, then the program updates the sensors at step 592, updates the gates at 594 and updates the measurement and processing stations at step 596. Thereafter, the program returns to the portion of the program at step 582 that checks for user inputs and the program then continues to operate for the next animal proceeding through the system.

[0309] FIG. 16 is the station initialization program 598 that conditions each measuring and processing station for the receipt of the next animal. Each station is initialized at step 600, and when completed for all stations, the station initialization program ends at step 602. To initialize each station or pen, the program inquires whether the fill sensor in that station is on, at step 604. If the fill sensor is on, the program inquires whether this is a sort pen at step 606. If not, the program then assumes that the head gate is closed and that the tail gate is closed for that particular station at step 608, and then the program returns to its start at step 600 and repeats the sequence for each of (n) stations or pens. If at any station the program detects that a fill sensor is not on, at step 604 the program proceeds to a station setup step 610 and then back to the start of the programming sequence at step 600. If at step 606 of the programming sequence the program detects that this is a sort pen being initialized, then the program proceeds to the station setup step 610 before proceeding back to the start of the programming sequence at step 600.

[0310] FIG. 17 is the flow chart for the “update stations” program 612. The first step in the program sequence is to update each station for the next animal as indicated at step 614. When each station of the total number of stations (n) has been updated, the update program for that station ends at step 616. The program resequences until all stations have been updated.

[0311] To update a station, the next step 616 of the program asks a station whether it is waiting for an animal. If it is, then it initiates the capture animal program at step 618, which will be described subsequently. After the capture animal program for a particular station has been run, the program sequences back to its start at step 614 and then proceeds to update the next station. If a particular station at sequencing step 616 of the program is not waiting for an animal, the program then asks whether an animal has been captured at step 620. If an animal has not been captured, it then asks at step 622 whether an animal has been released from the station. If an animal has been released, the program resequences to the beginning at step 614 to rerun the program for the next station. If for a particular station an animal is captured when the inquiry is made at step 620, the program next asks at step 624 whether the measurements are complete at that station. If the measurements are not complete, the program waits until the measurements are made at step 626.

[0312] Next, the program asks if the measurements have been completed at step 628 and if the answer is yes a light on the control panel is turned on at step 630 to indicate that the measurements are complete, and the program sequences back to the beginning at step 614. If the measurements are not complete, the program sequences back to the beginning and reruns until the measurements are complete and the “complete light” can be turned on.

[0313] If, at step 624 when the program inquires whether the measurements are complete and the answer is yes, the program then asks at step 632 whether the animal is ready for release. If the answer is no, the program sequences to the beginning and reruns through the sequences until the animal is ready for release. When the animal is ready for release at step 632 of the program, it then asks at step 634 whether the release button has been pushed. If it has, then the animal is released at step 636. If it has not, then the program sequences back to the beginning to rerun until the animal is released. If at step 622 of the program an animal has not been released, then the program commands that the animal be released at step 638 after which the program sequences back to the beginning to update the station for the next animal.

[0314] FIG. 18 shows the flow chart for the “station setup” computer program 640. In the first step of the programming sequence the program asks whether this is a sort pen. If it is a sort pen, the sort pen entrance gate (indicated in the flow chart as the “tail gate” at step 644 is closed to end the station setup program for the sort pen.

[0315] If the station setup program is not being run for a sort pen, then the program commands that the squeeze gate, if any, be opened at 646. Next, the program inquires at step 648 whether the station has a crack sensor. If it does, then the program commands that the head gate be cracked at step 650. Then the program commands that the tail gate be opened at step 652 to end the setup program for that particular station.

[0316] If at the sequencing step 648 the station does not have a crack sensor, then the program commands that the station head gate be closed at step 654 and then that the tail gate be opened at step 652 to end the station setup program, at which point the station is ready to receive the next animal.

[0317] FIG. 19 is the flow chart for the “capture animal” program for each station, which, like the preceding programs, is run by the process control computer. The program, indicated at 656, first inquires whether the tail gate for a station is open at step 658. If the tail gate is not open, it inquires whether the fill sensor at the station is on at step 660. If the fill sensor is not on the program sequences to a point where it asks whether the head and tail gates are closed at step 662. If the head and tail gates are not closed, the program sequences to its end at step 664 because there is no animal present to be captured.

[0318] Returning to step 660 of the programming sequence, if the fill sensor is on, the program then inquires whether the tail sensor is on at step 666. If the tail sensor is on the program then sequences to step 662 to inquire whether the head and tail gates are closed. If the head and tail gates are closed, the programs inquires whether this is a sort pen at step 668. If it is not a sort pen, the program commands that the status light on the control panel be turned on to indicate that the measuring or processing at the station is not complete, at step 670. If at step 668 it is a sort pen, then the program commands that the animal's identity be recorded at step 672.

[0319] Returning to step 666, if the tail sensor is not on but the fill sensor is on, then the program commands that the tail gate be closed at step 674. Once the tail gate is closed, the program at step 676 inquires whether there is a head catcher at the station and if so whether the head is to be caught by it.

[0320] If the station has no head catcher, then the program at step 678 inquires whether the head sensor is off. If it is not off, nothing further happens until it does go off. Then the program commands the head gate to close at step 680. When the head gate closes the program inquires whether the station has a squeeze gate and if so whether the animal is to be squeezed, at step 682. If the animal is to be squeezed, the squeeze gate is commanded to close at step 684. After the squeeze gate is closed, the program sequences through the steps previously described at 662, 668, and 672 to the end of the capture program at 664.

[0321] If at step 676 there is an indication that there is a head catcher to be operated, the program inquires at step 686 whether the head sensor is on. If it is on then the head gate is commanded to close at step 688, and the program sequences through steps 682, 684, 662, 668 and 672 as previously described.

[0322] If at step 686, the head sensor is not on, then the program sequences to step 662 to inquire whether the head and tail gates are closed.

[0323] The next program to be described is the “make measurements program, the flow diagram for which is shown in FIG. 20 and indicated generally at 690. This is the program of the process control computer that controls the operation of the computers that control the equipment for making the three basic measurements, namely a weight measurement, an external measurement via the video scanner, and an ultrasound measurement for backfat via the ultrasound machine. The program also controls the reading of the measurement data and its transmission to the FBS computer.

[0324] The first step 692 in the program is to inquire whether an animal needs to be identified through its EID tag, by asking whether there is a tiris reader. If there is a tiris reader the program inquires whether an electronic ID of the animal is still needed at step 694. If an electronic identification is needed, the program inquires whether an identity reading is ready at step 696. If the reading is ready, the program instructs the computer to read the animal's electronic identification at step 698. If at any step in the foregoing sequence, it is indicated that no electronic ID is needed or that the reading is not ready, the program proceeds to the next sequence of steps.

[0325] The sequence involves weighing, and the first step in the sequence is to inquire whether there is a scale at the station. If there is a scale at the station, the program inquires at step 708 whether a weight is required. If a weight is required the program asks if the scale reading is available at step 710. If the scale reading is available, the program instructs the computer to read the scale weight at step 712. If at any point in the foregoing weigh sequence it is indicated that a weight is not required or a weight reading is not available, the program sequences to the next series of steps for backfat measurement. The backfat steps start with an inquiry at step 708 whether there is an ultrasound machine at the station. If there is, the program inquires whether a backfat measurement is required at step 710. If a backfat measurement is required, the program commands the appropriate computer to read the ultrasound data at step 712. If a backfat measurement is not available or needed, or once the ultrasound data has been read, the program sequences to the next series of steps relating to video measurements.

[0326] The first inquiry at the next sequence of steps as indicated at step 714 is whether there is a video measurement interface at the particular station. If there is, the program inquires whether a hip-height measurement is still required at step 716. If it is, the program inquires whether the video measurements are ready to be read at step 718. If they are, a reading of the video measurements of the animal is made at step 720, and the program sequences to the next series of steps beginning at step 722. If at any point in the video measurement sequence of steps it is indicated that a measurement is not required or that the video measurements are not available to be read, the program sequences to the next series of steps.

[0327] At step 722 the program inquires whether there is an FBS computer interface at the station. If there is, the program inquires whether a sort pen is required at step 724. If one is required, the program inquires whether all measurements are completed at step 726. If all measurements are completed, then the program transmits the recorded measurement data to the FBS computer. It also requests the FBS computer to assign a sort pen to the animal at step 728. If at any point in the foregoing sequence of steps, beginning at step 722, there is no sort pen required or all measurements are not complete, the program proceeds to the end at step 730.

[0328] From the foregoing description of the “make measurements” program it will be apparent that this program can be used to control the appropriate computer and equipment at each measurement station to make the appropriate measurements, then record them and transmit the measurement data to the FBS computer, and in turn receive a sort pen assignment from the FBS computer based on such measurement data.

[0329] The next program to be described is the “release animal” program, the flow diagram of which is shown in FIG. 21 and indicated generally at 732.

[0330] The first step in the release animal programming sequence, at step 734, is to inquire whether there is an animal at the particular station. If there is no animal, the program sequences to command the head gate to open and the squeeze gate to open at step 736. Then the program sequences to inquire whether the fill sensor is off at step 738. If the fill sensor is not off, the program sequences to the end of the station release program at step 740 and the animal is not released.

[0331] If the fill sensor is off at step 738 then the program inquires whether the head sensor is off at step 742. If the head sensor is off, then the program commands the station setup program to start at step 744 and completes its sequencing at step 740. If the head sensor is not off at step 742, the program sequences to the end of the program and the animal is not released.

[0332] If at step 734 of the program sequence there is an animal in the station, the next inquiry is whether this is a sort pen, at step 736. If it is a sort pen, then the program sequences to pass the animal data to the next station at step 748 and then to turn the status lights off on the control panel at step 750. Thereafter, the program sequences to step 736 to open the squeeze and head gates to release the animal.

[0333] If at step 746 in the sequence the indication is that the station is not a sort pen then the program sequences to the next step 752 to inquire whether the next station is ready for an animal. If the answer is no, the program sequences to the end at step 740 and the animal is not released. If the answer is yes at step 752, then the animal data is passed to the next station at step 748, the status lights are turned off at step 750 and the program sequences to step 736 to release the animal.

[0334] The next program to be described, with reference to the flow diagram of FIG. 22, is the “read ultrasound data” program 754. The first step in the program sequence is to inquire whether a backfat reading is available from the ultrasound computer at step 756. If one is not available, the program sequences to the end at step 758. If a reading is available, the computer is instructed to read the backfat reading from the ultrasound at step 760. Next, the program inquires whether the backfat reading is good at step 762. If it is not, then the program commands the computer to turn on the bad reading status light on the control panel at 764 and the program sequences to the end. If the reading is good then the “good reading” status light is turned on at the control panel at step 766. Then the good reading is added to the list of backfat readings for that animal at step 768.

[0335] After the reading, the program commands the computer at step 770 to count the number of other readings that are within 0.2 inches, as indicated at step 772. When that has been done, the program sequences back to step 770 until all such readings in the list have been counted as indicated. When that is done, the program sequences to step 774 and inquires whether there are four or more close readings. If there are four or more close readings, the next step 776 is to average the close readings. Then the computer turns on the “backfat complete” status light on the control panel at step 778 and the program ends.

[0336] If at step 774 there are not four or more close readings, then the program sequences to step 780 and asks if there are eight or more readings in the list. If there are not, the program sequences to the end at 758. If there are, the program instructs the computer to clear the list and reset to start over at step 782 and then sequences to the end of the program at step 758.

[0337] The next program to be described is the FBS computer interface program 784 described with reference to the flow diagram of FIG. 23. This program operates the FBS interface indicated at 246 in FIG. 6. The first step 786 in the program is to send an initialize command to the FBS computer. The next step 788 in the program is to read a command from the FBS computer. The next 790 step in the program is to inquire whether an animal data request has been received from the FBS computer. If not, the program sequences back to step 788 to await a command from the FBS computer. If there is no command from the FBS computer or no response, the program sequences back to the beginning to send an initialize command to the FBS computer.

[0338] If at step 790 an animal data request is received from the FBS computer, an acknowledgement is sent to the FBS computer at step 792. Next, the program inquires whether data from the next animal is collected yet, at step 794. If the data has not yet been collected, the program returns to step 794 to await the collection of data. When data for the next animal has been collected, the program sequences to step 796 and sends the animal data to the FBS computer. Next, at step 798 the program waits to read a response from the FBS computer. Then, the program awaits receipt of an animal data acknowledgement from the FBS computer at step 800. If not received, the program requests the FBS computer to resend an acknowledgement. Upon an initialize command or no response from the FBS computer, the program sequences back to the initial step 786.

[0339] If the program receives an acknowledgement from the FBS computer that the animal data was received, the program next reads the sort pen assignment received from the FBS computer at step 802. Next, at step 804, the program inquires whether the sort pen assignment was received from the FBS computer. At this point if there is an initialize command from the FBS computer or no sort pen assignment from the FBS computer, the program sequences back to the initial step 786.

[0340] If there is a sort pen assignment received from the FBS computer, the program sends a sort pen acknowledgement to the FBS computer at step 806. Then, at step 808 the program commands the computer to update the current animal with its assigned sort pen number, in other words, to correlate the new sort pen assignment with the identified animal. The program then returns to step 788, awaiting a command from the FBS computer.

[0341] Finally, there is a program for loading the ECM (cattle management system) station configuration information into the process control computer. This program is diagrammed in FIG. 24 and indicated generally at 810. In the first step of its sequence the program inquires whether this is the end of the configuration file, at step 812. If the answer is yes, then the program sequences to step 814 to check for any missing definitions. Then the load configuration program ends at step 816. If the configuration file is not fully loaded, then from step 812 the program sequences to read the element definition from the configuration file at step 818. Then the program determines the definition type at step 820 and breaks the definition into its components at step 822 and creates the object specified by the definition at step 824 before sequencing back to the beginning of the load configuration program.

[0342] From the foregoing it will be appreciated that the disclosed computerized cattle management system and method provides a highly flexible system and method for measuring, sorting and processing animals, either on a group basis or an individual basis or in a combination of group and individual basis. It furthermore proves a means and method for projecting, on an individual animal basis, when that animal will be ready to be shipped from the feedlot to the packing plant for slaughter and what that animal's optimum finish weight will be. The system also provides a means and method whereby the costs of maintaining animals in the feedlot can be determined on an individual animal basis so that such costs, on an individual animal basis, can be assessed to the animal's owners, thereby providing a highly efficient cost management tool.

[0343] With the management system, no longer is it necessary to treat a group of animals received in a feedlot as a group throughout its period of stay in the feedlot. Instead, different groups of animals as received in a feedlot can be mixed with other groups regardless of ownership, based on management criteria such as animal type, DTF, OEW or other factors. Since each animal can be identified electronically at any time and at any place during its stay in the feedlot, with its ownership easily determined, it can be grouped with other animals with similar physical characteristics or OED's rather than being kept in a common ownership group while in the feedlot. Similarly, when animals are ready for slaughter, they can be sent to the packing plant without regard to ownership because their EID tags will identify them at packing plant as to ownership and thus costs and proceeds can be properly assessed and credited without regard to group.

[0344] From the foregoing, it should be apparent that a particular animal may be in one group or lot when it arrives in a feedlot, may be moved to a different group within a feed pen during the feeding period, and may be sorted into a marketing group different than its pen feeding group when it is finally ready for shipment to the packing plant. All of this is made possible by the ability to electronically identify each animal by ownership and physical characteristics and costs at any time, irrespective of the group it happens to be in at any given time.

[0345]

TABLE 3A
Cattle Received Report by Load
	Period Mar. 18, 1994 to Mar. 20, 1994	Research Division	CIR117
		Agri-Research Feeders	Seq 13
		Lot: 495	Page
	Weight
Pen	Date	Load	Average		Totals	Purchase Cost
Number	Received	Number	Head	Sex	Pay	Rec	Shrink	Pay	Rec	Total	S/CWT
L4	Mar. 19, 1994	1	32	HF	678	678	0.00%	21,680	21,680	16,476.80	76.00
	AGE	YEARLING	160.00
	BACKGROUND	WHEAT PASTURE	100.00
	BREED OF FEEDER	ANGUS CROSS	25.00
		CHAROLAIS	6.25
		HEREFORD	28.00
		HOLSTEIN CROSS	18.75
		SHORTHORN X	22.00
	DAYS IN PASTURE	154–161	100.00
	DISPOSITION	DOCILE	95.00
	HEALTH SCORE	EXCELLENT	100.00
	MARKET TYPE	DIRECT	100.00
	NUTRITION	WHEAT PASTURE	100.00
	STRESS SCORE	EXCELLENT	100.00
	WEATHER/	SUNNY & MILD	100.00
	ARRIVAL
Number of Loads:	1	32	678	678	0.00%	21,680	21,680	16,476.80	76.00
HF-HEIFERS	1	32	678	678	0.00%	21,680	21,680	16,476.80	76.00
	AGE	YEARLING	100.00%
	BREED OF FEEDER	ANGUS CROSS	25.00%
		CHAROLAIS	6.25%
		HEREFORD	28.00%
		HOLSTEIN CROSS	18.75%
		SHORTHORN X	22.00%
	BACKGROUND	WHEAT PASTURE	100.00%
	DISPOSITION	COCILE	95.00%
	HEALTH SCORE	EXCELLENT	100.00%
	MARKET TYPE	DIRECT	100.00%
	NUTRITION	WHEAT PASTURE	100.00%
	DAYS ON PASTURE	154–161	100.00%
	STRESS SCORE	EXCELLENT	100.00%
	WEATHER/	SUNNY & MILD	100.00%
	ARRIVAL

[0346]

TABLE 3B
Pen Assignment Summary
Source Lot: 495
Source Pen: 59
Sort Type: DAYS TO FINISH
	Pen
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Lot	495	495		495
Feed Pen	59	57		58
Head	10	11		11
Average	98	79		83
STD	38	41		56
Max	154	154		164
Min	36	17		9
Range	118	137		155
Projected Finish Weight
Average	1066	1093		997
STD	158	137		126
Max	1260	1260		1177
Min	830	876		815
Range	430	384		362
Current Weight
Average	787	875		766
STD	120	66		66
Max	1035	965		843
Min	627	766		648
Range	408	199		195
Frame
Average	5	6		4
STD	1	1		1
Max	7	7		7
Min	3	3		3
Range	4	4		4
Current Back Fat
Average	.22	.30		.33
STD	.12	.11		.19
Max	.42	.53		.75
Min	.09	.17		.12
Range	.33	.36		.63

[0347]

TABLE 3C
PEN ASSIGNMENT DETAIL
LOT:	495
PEN:	57	Thu Apr. 28, 1994
Sort Pen:	2	07:35:12
Run Seq:	206	Page 1
EID	VID	DTF	OFW	CWT	ADG	FM	BF
Ship Window: May 14, 1994 TO Sep. 28, 1994
16817175	11	16	876	826	3.13	3	0.53
16817094	4	32	1004	905	3.09	5	0.41
16817763	22	45	1034	942	2.04	5	0.25
16816164	9	59	1089	929	2.71	7	0.22
16814011	5	60	912	766	2.43	3	0.41
16816227	24	75	1024	798	3.01	5	0.36
16816430	16	83	1132	897	2.83	7	0.25
16815742	28	98	1260	965	3.01	7	0.17
16816005	34	115	1260	931	2.86	7	0.31
16814141	19	122	1175	843	2.72	7	0.17
16813043	32	153	1260	824	2.85	5	0.24

[0348]

TABLE 3D
MARKETING YARD SHEET
INDIVIDUAL ANIMAL LEVEL
Mar 30, 1994	C166w
17:55:03	page
Measurement Date: Mar. 30, 1994
DIV: AGR
SEX: HF
Owner: Agri Research
Origin: Little
Type.: Crossbred Heifers
	Projected	Weights	DOF	Rution
TAG	PEN	HGp	LOT	DTF	Date	OFW	YG	BE	CURR	PUR	CPD	LPD	ID	No.	Days
25	59		495	38	0506	815	3.0	117.25	711	678	10		10	8	10
11	59		495	46	0514	876	3.0	117.25	757	678	10		10	8	10
15	59		495	53	0522	896	3.0	117.25	757	678	10			8	10
18	59		495	59	0527	821	3.0	117.25	668	678	10		10	8	10
4	59		495	62	0530	1004	3.0	117.25	843	678	10		10	8	10
3	59		495	65	0602	848	3.0	117.25	679	678	10		10	8	10
14	59		495	68	0606	904	3.0	117.25	727	678	10		10	8	10
22	59		495	75	0612	1034	2.0	117.25	817	678	10		10	8	10
9	59		495	89	0626	1089	2.0	117.25	832	678	10		10	8	10
5	59		495	90	0627	912	3.0	117.25	679	678	10		10	8	10
17	59		495	92	0630	830	3.0	117.25	576	678	10		10	8	10
20	58		495	97	0705	972	3.0	117.25	704	678	10		10	8	10
2	58		495	98	0706	965	3.0	117.25	710	678	10		10	8	10
24	58		495	104	0712	1024	2.0	117.25	722	678	10		10	8	10
26	58		495	104	0712	1044	2.0	117.25	742	678	10		10	8	10
30	58		495	107	0715	1034	3.0	117.25	755	678	10		10	8	10
13	58		495	107	0715	1012	3.0	117.25	733	678	10		10	8	10
16	58		495	113	0720	1132	2.0	117.25	805	678	10		10	8	10
21	58		495	113	0720	990	3.0	117.25	697	678	10		10	8	10
23	58		495	119	0726	1260	2.0	117.25	915	678	10		10	8	10
28	58		495	128	0804	1260	2.0	117.25	890	678	10		10	8	10
29	58		495	128	0805	1090	3.0	117.25	738	678	10		10	8	10
34	57		495	144	0821	1260	2.0	117.25	841	678	10		10	8	10
19	57		495	152	0828	1175	3.0	117.25	757	678	10		10	8	10
			TREATS/	PROCS/	TOTALS/
	ADG	Feed intake	HD	Hd	Hd
TAG	PEN	HGp	LOT	CPD	LPD	ID	PCP	ACP	L7D	ID	Proj	Act	Proj	Act	Proj	TD
25	59		495	5.4	.0	5.4	18	22	23	22	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
11	59		495	5.8	.0	5.8	18	24	25	24	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
15	59		495	5.8	.0	5.8	18	24	25	24	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
18	59		495	5.1	.0	5.1	18	21	22	2	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
4	59		495	6.4	.0	6.4	18	27	28	27	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
3	59		495	5.2	.0	5.2	18	21	22	21	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
14	59		495	.6	.0	.6	18	23	24	23	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
22	59		495	6.2	.0	6.2	18	26	27	26	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
9	59		495	2.4	.0	2.4	18	26	27	26	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
5	59		495	2.0	.0	2.0	18	21	22	21	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
17	59		495	4.4	.0	4.4	18	18	19	18	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
20	58		495	5.4	.0	5.4	18	22	23	22	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
2	58		495	5.4	.0	5.4	18	22	23	22	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
24	58		495	5.5	.0	5.5	18	23	24	23	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
26	58		495	5.7	.0	5.7	18	23	24	23	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
30	58		495	2.4	.0	2.4	18	24	25	24	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
13	58		495	5.6	.0	5.6	18	23	24	23	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
16	58		495	6.1	.0	6.1	18	25	26	25	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
21	58		495	5.3	.0	5.3	18	22	23	22	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
23	58		495	7.0	.0	7.0	18	29	30	29	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
28	58		495	6.8	.0	6.8	18	28	29	28	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
29	58		495	5.6	.0	5.6	18	23	24	23	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
34	57		495	6.4	.0	6.4	18	27	28	27	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
19	57		495	5.8	.0	5.8	18	24	25	24	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75

[0349]

TABLE 3E
MARKETING YARD SHEET
INDIVIDUAL ANIMAL LEVEL
Apr. 22, 1994	C166w
17:55:11	page 1
Measurement Date; Apr. 22, 1994
DIV: AGR
SEX: HF
Owner: Agri Research
Origin: Little
Type: Crossbred Heifers
	Projected	Weights	DOF	Rution
TAG	PEN	HGp	LOT	DTF	Date	OFW	YG	BE	CURR	PUR	CPD	LPD	ID	No.	Days
25	59	A	495	21	0513	869	3.0	118.39	811	678	24	10	34	6	12
11	59	A	495	24	0156	886	3.0	118.04	826	678	24	10	34	6	12
15	59	A	495	32	0524	896	3.0	117.07	813	678	24	10	34	6	12
4	59	A	495	34	0526	993	3.0	117.82	905	678	24	10	34	6	12
3	59	A	495	36	0528	863	3.0	116.01	769	678	24	10	34	6	12
18	59	A	495	43	0604	856	3.0	114.76	744	678	24	10	34	6	12
14	59	B	495	43	0604	905	3.0	115.60	793	678	24	10	34	6	12
22	59	B	495	51	0612	1089	2.0	115.92	942	678	24	10	34	6	12
5	59	B	495	56	0617	912	3.0	113.99	766	678	24	10	34	6	12
17	59	B	495	58	0619	787	3.0	109.23	628	678	24	10	34	6	12
9	59	B	495	68	0629	1127	2.0	114.30	929	678	24	10	34	6	12
2	58	A	495	68	0629	970	3.0	113.64	793	678	24	10	34	6	12
16	58	A	495	68	0629	1095	2.0	113.62	897	678	24	10	34	6	12
20	58	A	495	74	0705	988	3.0	112.04	785	678	24	10	34	6	12
23	58	A	495	78	0709	1260	2.0	116.07	1035	678	24	10	34	6	12
24	58	A	495	82	0713	1035	2.0	110.62	798	678	24	10	34	6	12
26	58	A	495	82	0713	1038	2.0	110.69	801	678	24	10	34	6	12
21	58	A	495	82	0713	962	3.0	111.62	749	678	24	10	34	6	12
30	58	A	495	90	0721	1031	3.0	112.60	798	678	24	10	34	6	12
29	58	A	495	92	0723	1097	3.0	112.39	843	678	24	10	34	6	12
13	58	A	495	94	0725	1055	3.0	112.77	811	678	24	10	34	6	12
28	58	A	495	102	0802	1260	2.0	113.93	965	678	24	10	34	6	12
34	57	A	495	113	0813	1260	2.0	112.65	931	678	24	10	34	6	12
19	57	A	495	115	0815	1159	3.0	111.58	843	678	24	10	34	6	12
			TREATS/	PROCS/	TOTALS/
	ADG	Feed intake	HD	Hd	Hd
TAG	PEN	HGp	LOT	CPD	LPD	ID	PCP	ACP	L7D	ID	Proj	Act	Proj	Act	Proj	TD
25	59	A	495	4.2	5.4	4.6	22	26	25	25	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
11	59	A	495	2.9	5.8	3.7	21	27	25	26	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
15	59	A	495	2.3	5.8	3.3	21	26	25	26	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
4	59	A	495	2.6	6.4	3.7	21	29	28	29	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
3	59	A	495	3.8	5.2	4.2	21	25	23	24	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
18	59	A	495	3.2	5.1	3.7	21	24	23	23	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
14	59	B	495	2.8	5.5	3.6	21	26	24	25	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
22	59	B	495	5.2	6.2	5.5	21	31	29	29	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
5	59	B	495	3.6	5.2	4.1	21	25	23	24	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
17	59	B	495	2.2	4.4	2.8	21	20	19	20	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
9	59	B	495	4.0	6.3	4.7	21	30	28	29	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
2	58	A	495	3.5	5.4	4.0	21	26	24	25	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
16	58	A	495	3.8	6.1	4.5	21	29	27	28	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
20	58	A	495	3.4	5.4	4.0	21	26	24	25	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
23	58	A	495	5.0	7.0	5.6	21	34	32	32	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
24	58	A	495	3.2	5.5	3.9	21	26	24	25	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
26	58	A	495	2.5	5.7	3.4	21	26	24	25	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
21	58	A	495	2.2	5.3	3.1	21	24	23	24	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
30	58	A	495	1.8	5.8	3.0	21	26	24	25	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
29	58	A	495	4.4	5.6	4.7	21	27	26	26	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
13	58	A	495	3.3	5.6	3.9	21	26	25	25	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
28	58	A	495	3.1	6.8	4.2	21	31	29	30	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
34	57	A	495	3.8	6.4	4.5	21	30	28	29	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75
19	57	A	495	3.6	5.8	4.2	21	27	26	26	1	.00	5	4.75	6	4.75

[0350]

TABLE 3F
Pen Closeout Report
Research-Division
As of Apr. 22, 1994
Lot 495 Pen 59 Owner AGRI Agri Research Center, Inc. 100.00
	Pounds	Dollars
Item	Head	Total	Avg	/CWT	/Head	Total
INCOME
Inventory	10	7,867	787	73.25	576.28	5,762.80
EXPENSES
Cattle:	10	6,775	678	76.00	514.90	5,149.00
HEIFERS
	Feed and Other:	COG	/Head	Total
	FEED CHARGES	50.15	54.77	547.60
	CATTLE INSURANCE	0.16	0.17	1.70
	YARDAGE	1.56	1.70	17.00
	PROCESSING	4.35	4.75	47.40
	Sub Total Feed and Other	56.21	61.38	613.80
	Total		576.28	5,762.80
	Profit/Loss		0.00	0.00
[Performance Data]
Total Pounds Gained	1,092.00	Total Proc & Med	47.45
/Head	109.20	/Head	4.75
Average Daily Gain	3.21	Total Deads	0.00
Daily Feed Cost/Head	1.61	% Death Loss	0.00%
Daily Total Cost/Head	1.81	% Shrink into Yard	0.00%
Total Pounds Fed	8,040.86	Total Feed Cost	547.69
Total Pounds Fed/Head	804.09	Avg Ration Cost/Ton	$136.23
Avg Daily Consumption	23.65	Cost of Gain	56.21
Wet Conversion	7.36	(Deads In)
Dry Conversion	6.02	Cost of Gain	56.21
In: Mar. 19, 1994 Out:		(Deads Out)
		Total Head Days	340.00
		Average Days on Feed	34.00
SUMMARY:
	10 HEIFERS
	In Wt 678 Out Wt 787
	Gained 3.21 for 34 DOF
	Cost of Gain: 56.21
	Profit 0.00(Before Interest)

[0351]

TABLE 3G
Close-Out Summary
BY LOT
LOT:	42894
PENS:	553		HEAD 27	SEX S		DATE Apr. 28, 1993
OTAL PFT: $4,957.98
SIRE: ANGUS DAM: BRAFORD
VID	PFT	TCOG	ADG	FE	QG	YG	HCW	DP %	LW	PWT	DOF	FCOG	PROC	TREAT	TCOG
567	329.96	45.00	3.37	6.31	CH−	4.0	875	66.5	1315	634	202	43.00	11.36	0.00	45.00
563	64.18	45.00	3.64	6.25	SE+	5.0	777	62.8	1238	648	162	42.00	11.36	0.00	45.00
564	76.03	57.00	2.97	7.16	SE+	4.2	736	61.8	1190	590	202	48.00	11.36	33.25	57.00
565	233.46	42.00	3.93	5.79	SE−	5.0	915	66.6	1373	736	162	39.00	11.36	0.00	42.00
566	122.80	66.00	2.47	9.20	SE−	3.3	699	65.3	1070	620	182	62.00	11.36	0.00	56.00
AVG	165.29	51.00	3.28	6.94		4.30	800	65	1237	646	182	46.80	11.36	6.65	51.00
SIRE: ANGUS DAM: BRANGUS
VID	PFT	TCOG	ADG	FE	QG	YG	HCW	DP %	LW	PWT	DOF	FCOG	PROC	TREAT	TCOG
423	151.91	39.00	3.57	5.98	SE−	2.9	731	61.9	1181	460	202	36.00	11.36	0.00	39.00
421	296.59	40.00	3.87	5.69	SE−	3.9	811	62.6	1296	592	182	38.00	11.36	0.00	40.00
425	74.46	63.00	2.23	9.17	CH	3.2	661	64.7	1022	508	231	60.00	11.36	0.00	63.00
420	113.36	43.00	3.23	6.61	SE+	2.7	693	62.2	1114	462	202	40.00	11.36	0.00	43.00
427	282.11	45.00	3.45	6.38	SE+	3.5	775	64.1	1210	582	182	43.00	11.36	0.00	45.00
422	198.62	45.00	3.06	6.97	CH−	3.0	734	64.5	1138	480	215	42.00	11.36	0.00	45.00
AVG	186.18	45.83	3.24	6.80	0.00	3.20	734	63	1160	514	202	43.17	11.36	0.00	45.83
SIRE: ANGUS DAM: ANGUS
VID	PFT	TCOG	ADG	FE	QG	YG	HCW	DP %	LW	PWT	DOF	FCOG	PROC	TREAT	TCOG
619	254.93	42.75	3.25	7.60	CH	2.3	742	66.6	1114	574	166	38.73	10.04	0.00	42.75
616	−129.50	58.02	2.59	9.50	SE	3.0	701	62.9	1114	558	215	50.27	10.04	19.50	58.02
633	231.38	46.77	3.17	8.50	CH	2.8	762	63.2	1205	562	203	43.17	10.04	0.00	46.77
628	222.01	53.51	3.08	8.60	CH	2.7	813	65.7	1238	612	203	45.61	10.04	25.58	53.51
661	255.60	43.86	3.15	7.90	CH	3.7	822	65.3	1258	660	190	40.12	10.04	0.00	43.86
929	154.05	52.96	2.58	9.70	CH	4.1	708	63.8	1109	554	215	48.81	10.04	0.00	52.96
AVG	164.75	49.65	2.97	8.63	0.00	3.10	758	65	1173	587	199	44.45	10.04	7.51	49.65
SIRE: ANGUS DAM: HERF
VID	PFT	TCOG	ADG	FE	QG	YG	HCW	DP %	LW	PWT	DOF	FCOG	PROC	TREAT	TCOG
907	178.77	45.63	3.05	8.20	CH	2.1	741	64.3	1152	646	166	41.34	10.04	0.00	45.63
908	257.39	42.53	3.60	6.80	CH	2.4	906	63.1	1435	652	215	36.16	10.04	25.58	42.53
902	266.58	42.83	3.25	7.70	CH	2.9	811	68.7	1181	642	166	38.81	10.04	0.00	42.83
903	181.05	44.14	3.15	7.90	SE	2.6	789	64.6	1219	696	166	39.99	10.04	0.00	44.14
906	203.41	50.74	2.74	9.00	CH	3.1	748	69.6	1075	620	166	45.97	10.04	0.00	50.74
905	183.21	42.67	3.26	7.60	SE	2.3	768	63.7	1205	664	166	38.66	10.04	0.00	42.67
904	216.42	44.13	3.10	8.10	CH	2.5	809	63.6	1272	606	215	40.63	10.04	0.00	44.13
910	171.61	49.23	3.78	9.00	CH	3.0	792	64.4	1229	632	215	45.38	10.04	0.00	49.23
911	172.01	50.52	2.75	9.10	CH	1.2	686	63.2	1085	628	166	45.77	10.04	0.00	50.52
909	245.58	43.41	3.15	7.90	CH	3.8	893	65.0	1373	696	215	40.01	10.04	0.00	43.41
AVG	202.6	45.583	3.083	8.13	0	2.6	794	65	1223	649	186	41.277	10.04	2.558	45.583
LOT AVERAGE
	PFT	TCOG	ADG	FE	QG	YG	HCW	DP %	LW	PWT	DOF	FCOG	PROC	TREAT	TCOG
AVG	183.63	43.34	2.61	6.42		2.91	703	59	1090	548	174	39.60	9.65	3.58	43.34
STD		15.02	1.22	3.06		1.21	230	19	356	185	59	13.72	3.11	8.66	15.02
MAX	329.96	66.00	3.93	9.70		5.00	915	70	1435	736	231	62.00	11.36	33.25	66.00
MIN	−129.50	39.00	2.23	5.69		1.20	661	62	1022	460	162	36.00	10.04	0.00	39.00
RANG	469.46	27.00	1.70	4.01		3.80	254	8	413	276	69	26.00	1.32	33.25	27.00

[0352]

TABLE 4A
Feedlot Business System
	Type in the three letters ahs to start the Animal Health Program
	1.	Type FMS
	2.	TERM = (ANSI) typewy150
		Feedlot Business System
		Agri Research Database
		ver 4.1
		Mar. 03, 1994
		Enter user ID
		Access Micro-System
	3.	Push the DEL key on the keyboard
	4.	S Type ECM
		ELECTRONIC CATTLE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
		0 - Exit
		1 - Perform an ECM Session
		2 - Modify ECM Session Configuration
		3 - Print the Results of an ECM Session
	5.	Type 1 then press the Enter key
		ELECTRONIC CATTLE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
		Currently defined Session Types:
		1 2 3 4
		Choose Session Type from above list
	6.	Type 2 then press the Enter key

[0353]

TABLE 4B
	1 - SessionTypes: 2
	2 - Description: Demo
	3 - Process control computer present ?	[yes]
	4 - Unused	[no]
	5 - Type of Sorting ?	[AR]
	6 - Read Electronic Ear Tags ?	[yes]
	7 - Insert New Visual Ear Tags ?	[no]
	8 - Cattle Type ?	[not Recorded]
	9 - Frame Type ?	[not Recorded]
	10 - Flesh type ?	[not Recorded]
	11 - AGE ?	[not Recorded]
	12 - Weight ?	[Automatically]
	13 - Back Fat ?	[Automatically]
	14 - Loin Depth ?	[not Recorded]
	15 - Rump Height ?	[Keyed In]
	16 - Rump Width ?	[not Recorded]
	17 - Shoulder Height ?	[not Recorded]
	18 - Shoulder Width ?	[not Recorded]
	19 - Top Length ?	[not Recorded]
	20 - Body Length ?	[not Recorded]
	21 - Girth ?	[not Recorded]
	Enter row = to change, 0 to finish or 99 to delete session
7.	Type 0 then push the Enter key
	1 - Sort Name: AR
	2 - Description:
	3 - Sorting Criteria ?	[Optimum END Date]
	4 - FLEX sort ?	[yes]
	5 - FLEX pen Number ?	[3]
	6 - Sort Pen Count ?	[3]
	Number to change -or- 0 when finished
8.	Type 0 then push the Enter key
	Number of head to be sorted in the Session

[0354]

TABLE 4C
How many Animals should be sorted into each group
	1 - Sort Pen	1 final count   ?
	2 - Sort Pen	2 final count   ?
	3 - Flex Pen	3 final count   ?
	4 - Sort Pen	4 final count   ?
Number to Change -or- 0 when finished
9. Type 0 then press Enter key
ELECTRONIC CATTLE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
	Animal ?? of ??
	Lot	Pen	Sort Pen	Head Count
	EID
	Tag 0		1	0
	Frame 0		2	0
	Weight 0		FLEX	0
	Rump Ht.		4	0
	Back fat		5	0
	OED Dec. 31, 1999		6	0
10. Are these cattle all from the same lot ?
11. . . . And what is this Lot ?
12. Are these cattle all from the same Pen ?
13. . . . And what is this Pen ?
14. Enter the Date that sorting occurred
(usually today's date) ?
Trying to establish communication with
Process Control Computer

[0355]

TABLE 4D
Process Control Setup
	1.	Power on computer
		C:ECM>
	2.	Type ECM
		***ENTER RUN PARAMETERS***
		LOG FILE NAME ==
	3.	Enter today's date 040194
		Sort Types:
		0 - No Sort
		1 - FBS Sort
		2 - Weight
		3 - Days of Feed Sort
		4 - Manual Sort
		Enter Sort Type ==
	4.	If you Enter 0 go to #9
	5.	If you Enter 1 go to #16
	6.	If you Enter 2 go to #17
	7.	If you Enter 3 go to #37
	8.	If you Enter 4 go to #60
		Sort Type 0
	9.	Catch Heads (Y N) ==
	10.	Squeeze Animals (Y N) ==
	11.	Weigh Animals (Y N) ==
	12.	Rend Electronic ID (Y N) ==
	13.	Do Animals already have EID Tags (Y N) ==
	14.	Read Back fat (Y N) ==
	15.	Take Video Measurements (Y N) ==
		ECM Computer is Ready to go

[0356]

TABLE 4E
Sort Type 1
	16.	Is this a Flex Group Sort (Y N) ==
		If Y the program will Start
		If N go to step #9
Sort Type 2
	17.	Minimum Weight for Pen 1 ==
	18.	Maximum Weight for Pen 1 ==
	19.	Minimum Weight for Pen 2 ==
	20.	Maximum Weight for Pen 2 ==
	21.	Minimum Weight for pen 3 ==
	22.	Maximum Weight for Pen 3 ==
	23.	Minimum Weight for Pen 4 ==
	24.	Maximum Weight for Pen 4 ==
	25.	Minimum Weight for Pen 5 ==
	26.	Maximum Weight for Pen 5 ==
	27.	Minimum Weight for Pen 6 ==
	28.	Maximum Weight for Pen 6 ==
	29.	Minimum Weight for Pen 7 ==
	30.	Maximum Weight for Pen 7 ==
	31.	Lot Number ==
	32.	Source Pen Number ==
	33.	Head Count ==
	34.	Breed Frame type ==
	35.	Average Weight ==
	36.	Go To #9

[0357]

	TABLE 4F
	37. Sort Type 3
	38. Minimum Weight for Pen 1 ===
	39. Maximum Weight for Pen 1 ===
	40. Minimum Weight for Pen 2 ===
	41. Maximum Weight for Pen 2 ===
	42. Minimum Weight for Pen 3 ===
	43. Maximum Weight for Pen 3 ===
	44. Minimum Weight for Pen 4 ===
	45. Maximum Weight for Pen 4 ===
	46 Minimum Weight for Pen 5 ===
	47. Maximum Weight for Pen 5 ===
	48. Minimum Weight for Pen 6 ===
	49. Maximum Weight for Pen 6 ===
	50. Minimum Weight for Pen 7 ===
	51. Maximum Weight for Pen 7 ===
	52. Lot Number ===
	53. Source Number ===
	54. Head Count ===
	55. Bread. Frame Type ===
	56. Average Weight ===
	57. Out Weight ===
	58. Average Daily Gain ===
	Days on Feed??? (calculated by computer)
	59. Go To #9
	60. Sort Type 4
	61. Go To #9

[0358] This subsection describes various process steps and system components for providing up-to-date health histories of animals. These process steps and system components can be used in conjunction with evaluation of an animal's respiratory or circulatory condition, as discussed above. For example, information gather by imaging and evaluating an animal's respiratory or circulatory system, such as respiratory damage designations, can be entered into the described electronic system components and processed alone or with other animal characteristics as described below.

[0359] Referring now to FIG. 31, there is shown an animal 1011 and an operator 1211 in an area of a cattle feedlot referred to as an animal hospital 1411. An animal 1011 may be brought to the hospital 1411 for a check on its physical condition, for treatments that are administered to all animals in a particular lot, and if an animal is to be individually treated for sickness. Typically, the animal hospital 1411 includes a cattle chute and a head gate (not shown) for holding the animal stationary while its weight and temperature are checked and any drugs are administered.

[0360] As indicated in FIG. 31, the system in this embodiment includes a portable hospital unit 1611 that can be transported to the hospital 1411 for use by the operator 1211. This portability enables the operator to care for cattle with a single unit at several hospitals located around the feedlot rather than at a single hospital to which all cattle must be directed. Coupled to the portable unit 1611 is a means for entering data into the unit such as an optical character reader, which in this first embodiment comprises a portable bar code scanner 1811 available from a number of sources including the MSI Data Corporation under the name SYMBOLTEC LS8100. The scanner 1811, which is stored in a holster 2011 mounted to a side of the unit 1611, is adapted to read indicia means such as an ear tag 2211 bearing optical characters such as a bar code for uniquely identifying each animal. Rather than having to write down the animal's identifying number on a sheet, therefore, the operator 1211 need only scan the ear tag 2211 and the identifying number is electronically read and accurately recorded within the unit 1611. The portable unit also includes a character menu sheet 2411 that bears optical characters such as bar codes corresponding to treatment data comprising the observed physical condition of the animal as well as drug treatments that may be administered. The sheet 2411 is mounted behind a clear plastic door of the unit 1611 and includes bar codes on the sheet's left and right margins. The bar codes on the left margin are for entering identification numbers of drugs, numerical quantities, and menu selection steps during program execution. The bar codes on the right margin are for entering sickness codes, sex of the animal, and commands for scrolling through the prior health history, for entering data and for quitting after observation or treatment is concluded. The operator can thus enter the identity of the animal and treatment data by simply scanning the menu sheet 2411 with the scanner 1811. The treatment data is recorded along with the animal's identifying number within the unit 1611. Visual feedback to the operator 1211 of the prior health history and the data just entered is provided by a display device such as video monitor 2511. The monitor 2511 also displays the program prompts provided to the operator 1211 by the unit 1611 for entering the data, as will be described in detail hereafter.

[0361] FIG. 32 is a schematic diagram showing the elements within the chassis of the unit 1611. The scanner 1811 is connected via a spring cord to a conventional laser interface module 2611 such as MSI Data Corporation Model 1365 for communicating data represented by optical characters to a portable terminal 2811. The data terminal 2811 is of conventional design such as a PDTIII available from the MSI Data Corporation and includes a microprocessor, associated memory for storing an instruction program and for recording data, a keyboard 2911 for data entry, and a display 30 for displaying executing programs and recorded data. The keyboard 2911 is reached through the door opening of the unit 1611 and is an alternative to the scanner 1811 for entering data that is not bar coded, such as the time and date of treatment and the lot number of the animal, or if the scanner malfunctions. Also shown in the schematic is an optional liquid crystal display (LCD) screen 3211 connected to the terminal 28 through a reset switch 3411, a power switch 3511, and a selector switch 3611. The reset switch 3411 reinitializes the module 2611. The switch 3511 controls power to the scanner 1811 and LCD screen 3211 to electrically disconnect them when not required by the operator. The selector switch 3611 directs the data that is entered via the scanner 1811 into the terminal 2811 to either the LCD screen 3211 (visible through the transparent door of unit 1611 above the menu sheet 2411) or to the video monitor 2511 via a serial data connector 3811 such as an RS232 port. These additional display devices are optionally available because of the difficulty in reading the display 3011 from a distance. The LCD screen 3211 is normally selected by a single operator while the monitor 2511 is usually employed when a crew is working in the hospital 1411 and a number of the members must view the display simultaneously. The power source for the unit 1611 is a battery 4011 which is charged through a power supply line via the connector 3811.

[0362] Referring to FIG. 33, the data treatment recorded by the unit 1611 is periodically transferred to a host computer 5011 remote from the animal hospital 1411 to update the health histories of observed and treated animals. The host computer 5011 is intended for collecting data on feedlot operations in general and maintains the cumulative health history of each animal in the feedlot. The portable unit 1611 when transferring the data is coupled to the host computer 5011 via a conducting cable 5211. The computer 5011 in turn is adapted to collect the treatment data recorded within the portable unit 1611 and produce an accumulation of such data associated with each animal. This accumulation of data comprises the animal's health history. After the current data is transferred, the computer 5011 is programmed to transfer to unit 1611 in return the up-to-date health history of each animal as well as current feedlot information, such as newly established lot numbers. The cable 5211 also includes the power supply line for charging the battery 4011 within the unit 1611.

[0363] FIG. 34 is a schematic diagram showing the elements comprising the computer 5011. The computer itself is of conventional design and includes a video monitor 5411 for displaying data and a keyboard 5611 for data entry. The computer 5011 includes an interface board 5811 for receiving data entered via a second bar code scanner 6211 and a second laser interface module 6411. The interface board 5811 transfers the data to and from a central microprocessor 6611 equipped with internal memory and disk drives. Data and instruction programs stored in memory and on disk can be viewed on monitor 5411. The computer 5011 is also connected to a printer 6811 for printing the health histories and other related documents. Power is supplied to the computer through a conventional power supply 7211. The power supply 7211 is also coupled to a battery charger 7411 which supplies power for the unit 1611. The up-to-date animal health histories, programming, and other feedlot information are transmitted as serial data from the computer 5011 along with power to the unit 1611 via a connector 7611 coupled to the cable 5211.

[0364] The host computer 5011 serves a number of functions in addition to collecting treatment data to produce health histories for each animal treated. One related function is tracking inventory of drugs for treatment of the animals. Referring again to FIG. 34, computer 5011 is located adjacent to a drug room 7711 which stores drug inventory. Each drug container 7811 is labeled with a bar code 7911 for identifying the drugs therein and a menu sheet 8011 is present for entering the amount of drugs within each container when removed for drug treatment and the amount remaining in each container when returned for restocking or when additional amounts are added to inventory. The computer 5011 is programmed to compare the net amount of drugs taken from the inventory as communicated by the scanner 6211 against the amount of drugs used in treatment in the animal hospital 1411 as communicated by the scanner 1811. The difference between the two amounts over a predetermined time can thereby be determined for monitoring loss due to breakage, theft, etc. This difference, as well as the comparable amounts, are printed at request as a drug usage report as will be described.

[0365] FIG. 35 shows a second embodiment of the system for possible use where a continuous source of power such as AC power is available in the hospital 1411. The system includes a remote “dumb” terminal comprising the scanner 1811, the video display 2511, and a keyboard 7511, all in communication with the host computer 5011 through a node 8311 that includes communication ports and a power supply. The terminal acts an extension of host computer 5011, relaying treatment data to the computer in real time and displaying the up-to-date health histories transferred to the display from the host computer. This real time communication, when possible, avoids the need for physically moving the portable unit to the host computer and the delay in updating the prior health histories of the animals.

[0366] FIG. 35 also shows data entry means such as a transmitter-receiver antenna 8511 and indicia means such as transponder 8711 attached to an ear for identifying the animal 1011. The antenna is preferably of a type similar to an RDREO1, integrater reader available from Allflex International and the tag is preferably a transponder of the type similar to an EID ear tag also available from Allflex International. The antenna is mounted along side the cattle chute 8911 and emits a signal that reaches the transponder 8711 when animal 1011 passes by the antenna 8511. The tag 8711 in response emits a unique signal identifying the animal, which is electronically “read” by the antenna 8711 and communicated to the host computer 5011 via a computer interface unit 9111 such as a CIUMO1 from Allflex International. Alternatively, the transponder 8711 may be an active transmitter that continuously emits a radio signal for reception by a passive antenna 8511. This means for automatically identifying the animal avoids the delay associated with the operator having to move to each animal for identifying it by scanning the ear tag. The entry of treatment data, however, is handled in the same manner as in the first embodiment, with the scanner 1811 utilized to scan bar codes on menu sheet 2411 corresponding to physical conditions and any drug treatment administered to the animal. The keyboard 7511, however, is available if data cannot be entered via the antenna 8511 or scanner 1811.

[0367] The computer 5011 and data terminal 2811 within unit 1611 are programmed in BASIC, according to the method illustrated in the flowcharts of FIGS. 36 through 38. FIG. 36 shows the options available to the operator upon logging onto the computer 5011. A main menu (8111) appears with three options. An inventory menu (8211) is selected for working with the drug inventory; a hospital/processing menu (8411) is selected for working with the cattle feedlot records; or the procedure for monitoring the removal and restocking of drugs is selected as drugs are to be used, such as in the animal hospital 1411. With this third option, the operator scans the bar code 7911 of the containers 7811 that contain drugs required for treatment. He is then prompted to specify the purpose of the drug (8611), specify the cattle lots the drug is being used for (8811), and to enter the drug amounts removed and restocked (9011). This data is used to adjust the book inventory stored within the computer's memory (9211). The entry of data is indicated by “carriage returns” (CR).

[0368] The inventory menu option (8211) is selected for monitoring the inventory. For example, one choice thereunder is to print the daily inventory report, with the book inventory, restocking information, and transactions grouped by product (9411). Another option is to manually adjust the inventory in case of a breakage of drugs within the inventory (9611). Other options include monitoring the difference between physical inventory as determined by a count and book inventory as determined by the checking in and checking out of drugs previously described. From the inventory menu (8211), the operator can also enter the physical inventory for comparison against the book inventory (9811). The difference between physical inventory and book inventory of each product (1001) can then be presented. The actual physical usage as determined by a physical inventory of the drugs can be compared with the amount administered (1021). The totals can then be adjusted as appropriate (1041). The operator can additionally print the net amount taken from inventory for drug treatment against the amount recorded from the portable unit 16 (1051) as administered.

[0369] The third option of the main menu (8111), the hospital/processing menu (8411), enables the operator to set up new lots for cattle brought into the feedlot and to prepare group drug treatments known as processing orders and hospital treatments which are administered to the animals. Referring now to FIG. 37B, a first option is a lot number menu (1061) appearing at the right of the figure and is selected whenever a new cattle lot is to be set up (1081). This menu allows the operator to add header information to the lot (110), change the header information (1121), or review the lots presently within the feedlot operation (1141). The lot menu (1061) also includes an option for deleting a cattle lot (1161) after the cattle within the lot have been shipped from the feedlot.

[0370] A second option under the hospital processing menu is a processing order menu (1181). Within this menu is a command for adding a processing order (1201). First, a number is assigned to a unique combination of drugs to be administered as the processing order or treatment (1221). The drugs desired are then selected (1241), and the dosages per head or per 100 pounds are entered (1261). The selection of drugs and dosages are then repeated until the processing order is complete (1271). The menu (1181) also permits the operator to print a list of current processing orders (1281) or delete an existing processing order (1301). An operator can also view a present processing order (1321) and change it if desired (1341) by changing the drugs or their amounts (1361).

[0371] Referring now to FIG. 37A, a third option under the hospital/processing menu (8411) is a hospital treatment menu (1371). Hospital treatments differ from processing orders in that hospital treatments are normally intended for specific sicknesses and include a combination of drugs for treating that sickness. Processing orders, on the other hand, are not directed to specific sicknesses and are typically administered to all cattle in a lot, outside the animal hospital 1411. The hospital treatment menu (1371) includes basically the same selections as in the processing order menu (1181) and for brevity descriptions of the selections therein are not repeated here.

[0372] The other options under the hospital/processing menu (8411) include an option (1381) at the left of FIG. 37A enabling the operator to assign and record treatments for the animals without entering the data through the portable unit 16. This option minimizes data entry where it is known that all cattle in a given lot will receive a specified treatment. The option (1381) includes a command for updating the figures for drugs used in each hospital treatment (1401). A similar option (1421) allows the operator to assign one or more drugs or processing orders to one or more lots. The operator can print the processing sheet for each order (1441) and also has the ability to update figures in the orders for the drugs used (1461).

[0373] Just as he can assign drugs and treatments to lots, the operator has the option of deleting and editing treatments (1481). These options include deleting previously assigned treatments (1501), editing existing treatments for a given animal (1521), and entering new hospital treatments for a given animal (1541).

[0374] Communication via cable 5211 with the portable unit 1611 is also handled through the hospital/processing menu (8411). The menu (8411) allows the operator to print the daily hospital report (1561) of the animals treated as well as receive the day's hospital treatment from the portable (1581). The daily treatments are stored on disk in appropriate lot files (1601). The operator can also print the day's hospital and processing activity with cost information (1621). The updated health history and new lot numbers are then be downloaded into the portable unit 16 to keep it current (1641). The program also updates in memory the amount of drugs used in treating each animal (1661).

[0375] One concern of feedlots is the shipping of cattle not yet suitable for consumption. A further option under the menu (8411) allows the operator to check when a lot may be shipped (1681) by entering the lot number and estimated shipping date (1701). Animals that are not ready for shipping within the lot are then displayed by number (1721).

[0376] Referring again to FIG. 37B, an operator selects the report/printout menu option (1741) whenever a report on treatments administered for each lot is required. Under menu (1741), an operator can print a treatment report which indicates all hospital treatments between any two given dates (1761). The operator may also print the lot reports which indicate all treatment with drug cost, both processing and hospital, administered to a specified lot since a lot was created (1781). A third selection is for summarizing information on each lot by simply printing the header (1801).

[0377] One other option shown allows the operator under menu (8411) to enter the sickness names such as bloat, prolapse, etc., that will be recognized by the portable unit 1611 and will appear on menu sheet 2411 (1861). If the sickness codes are changed at the hospital/processing menu, the menu sheet 2411 is also updated.

[0378] The treatment data recorded in the portable unit 1611 during a treatment session is entered in response to prompts from the instructional program stored within the terminal 2811. FIGS. 38A-38C illustrate the operation of this program. Referring to FIG. 38A, the program prompts the operator 1211 on the display such as video monitor 2511 to enter the date and time of treatment via the keyboard 2911 (2001). A main menu (2021) then appears on the monitor 2511, which gives the operator several choices. One choice allows the operator to include and exclude various prompts and verifications of entered data which appear throughout the figure. Deletion of verifications, shown in these flowcharts, may be made by experienced operators who known the program operation well. The second choice commands the unit 1611 to transfer its data to the host computer 5011. A third choice allows for the entry of treatment data initially.

[0379] The operator thus begins treatment with this third choice by scanning the appropriate number on the menu sheet 2411. He is then prompted to scan the ear tag of the animal to be treated or key in the tag number to identify the animal to the unit 1611 (2031). If he scans the tag, the number is automatically verified (2041). If keyed in, the ear tag number is then displayed so that the operator may visually verify his entry (2051) before scanning a CR. Once the ear tag has been verified, the program checks to see if the animal is new or has a previous treatment history (2061). If the animal does have a record, the monitor 2511 displays the last treatment for the animal (2081). The operator can then scroll through previous treatments (2101) via commands on menu sheet 24 to determine the health history of the animal (2121). The operator can also quit the program by scanning the quit command on the menu sheet 2411. The quit option is always available throughout the program, though not repeatedly shown in the figure for clarity. All data entered before the quit command is invoked is recorded. On the other hand, the operator can always “bail out” of the program if trouble develops therein by scanning the numerals 9999. No data entered during a treatment session is saved if the operator “bails out.”

[0380] If no previous treatments have been administered, the operator enters the lot number through keyboard 2911 (2131) and scans the CR. The program then compares the lot number with those stored in memory. If it is a new lot number, the program alerts the operator that it is included and prompts for reentry. Entering the same number a second time establishes the lot number. The program then prompts the operator to verify his entry (2141), which he does by a CR scan.

[0381] The operator is then prompted to enter a sickness code (2161), such as a respiratory or intestinal condition, appearing on the menu sheet 2411. The code is then displayed momentarily for the operator's verification (2201). If the sickness code entered indicates the animal is dead (2221), this data is stored immediately (2241) and the treatment session is ended. If the animal is merely sick, however, the operator is prompted for the severity of the illness and enters a severity code number in response such as 1, 2, or 3 (2261) from the menu sheet 2411.

[0382] Following entry of the animal's identity and sickness diagnosis, the operator may be prompted for other physical conditions such as the animal's temperature. Referring to FIG. 38B, he enters the temperature (2321) in response, and it is displayed by the program for operator verification. The last recorded temperature is also displayed (2341). The program then prompts the operator for the animal's destination, and the operator enters the pen type and particular pen number by scanning the corresponding numbers on the menu screen 2411 (2401, 2421). These pen types include home pens, recovery pens, or hospital pens such as hospital 1411.

[0383] Following the intended destination, the operator is prompted to enter numbers identifying the drug or hospital treatment to be administered to the animal (2441). Each individual drug and hospital treatment has a unique identification number. If the number entered by the operator is greater than 1000, i.e., has four digits, then the program determines that an individual drug is to be administered (2461). The identification number is then checked against a stored list to determine if it is valid (2481). The operator is alerted if the number is invalid, and he may attempt reentry (2501). Once a valid identification number has been entered, the program checks to determine if the drug requires a withdrawal date (2521). Certain drugs require that the animal be kept in the feedlot for a period of time after it is administered a drug to prevent undesired side effects to consumers. The program has stored within it the time period for each drug and calculates from the treatment data the earliest release date of the animal thereafter. If the drug has a withdrawal problem, the information is displayed (2541) and the operator is given the opportunity to reconsider administering the drug (2561). If no withdrawal date is displayed or if the operator chooses to administer the drug in any event, the program then prompts the operator to enter the number of units to be administered (2581). The amount entered is checked against an allowable dosage range to protect the animal from an overdose. The portable unit 1611 then verifies the number of units to be administered (2601). This drug treatment data is stored within the memory of the terminal 2811 for later transfer to the computer 5011 (2621). The operator is then queried if more treatments are to be given the animal in the present treatment session (2641).

[0384] Administering and recording hospital treatments are similar to the steps followed for individual drugs. Returning to step (2461) and then referring to FIG. 38C, an entered number less than 1000, i.e., two digits, is first verified by the operator as a hospital treatment number (2661) via a scanned CR. The program then checks to see if the number entered is a valid treatment number (2681). The operator is alerted if the number is invalid (2701). If the number is valid, the program then determines if there is a withdrawal problem with this treatment (2721) and displays the appropriate information if such problem exists (2741). The operator again has the option to proceed or choose another treatment or drug (2761). The program also determines whether the treatment has a weight dependent dosage (2781). If so, the program prompts the operator to enter the animal's weight (2801), which must fall within a predetermined range to be accepted as valid. The entered weight is then verified by the operator (2821) via a scanned CR, and the program calculates and displays the dosages to be administered (2841). The operator at this point can accept or reject the treatment as calculated (2861). If accepted and administered, the amount of treatment is then stored (2881).

[0385] The operator is then prompted to determine if further drugs or treatment is to be administered to the particular animal (2901) in this treatment session. If treatment is finished, all data is then stored within the memory of the terminal 2811 and the operator proceeds to examine the next animal. Once treatment is concluded, the operator quits the program (2921).

[0386] At the conclusion of the day or other predetermined reporting period, the unit 1611 is carried to the location of the computer 5011 and the two connected by cable 5211. Referring again to FIG. 38A, the operator then initiates data transfer via the main menu of the program within the unit 1611 (2021). The appropriate commands are first selected on the host computer 5011 (1561-1601). The operator then enters a transfer command in response to a prompt (2941), and the data is transferred (2961). The transferred data is collected to update the health histories of the animals treated in that session. The updated health histories are then transferred back to the terminal 2811 for review and display in steps (2081) through (2121).

[0387] Where the “dumb” terminal is employed in place of the portable unit 1611, the instructional program illustrated in FIGS. 38A-C is stored within the memory of the host computer 5011. No recording of data for later transfer, however, is required.

[0388] This subsection describes various process steps and system components for measuring tissue characteristics of animals. Many of the process steps and system components described in this subsection can be used to gather information about an animal's respiratory or circulatory condition.

[0389] FIG. 39 is a block diagram, which illustrates certain components for an embodiment. FIG. 39 also illustrates certain fluid and electric interconnections between these components. The illustrated embodiment includes switch unit 4161 and handpiece 4181. A monitor 4201 (not shown) also is used. Power source 4221 is electrically coupled to each unit requiring power. More specifically, power source 4221 is electrically coupled to control computer 4241 by cable 4261, to ultrasound computer 4281 by cable 4301, to input/output module 4321 by cable 4341, and to pump 4361 using cable 4381. Pump 4361 is controlled by pump control 4401, which is electrically coupled to a three-way solenoid valve 4421 by cable 4441. A data cable 4461 interconnects control computer 4241 and ultrasound computer 4281. FIG. 39 also illustrates that the ultrasound computer 4281 is electrically coupled to switch unit 4161 by cable 4481. Input/output module 4321 also is electrically coupled to the handpiece 4181 by cable 4501.

[0390] Pump 4361 is fluidly coupled to reservoir 4521, which contains a conductive fluid, by fluid conduit 4541. Pump 4361 is further fluidly coupled to switch unit 4161 by fluid line 4561. As shown in FIG. 39, a quick disconnect 4581 may be placed in fluid line 4561. This quick disconnect 4581 is provided solely for convenience, and allows the pump fluid line 4561 to be quickly disconnected from handpiece 4181.

[0391] Each of the individual lines, namely electric cables 4481, 4501, and fluid line 4561, are interfaced with the handpiece 4181 by switch unit 4161. Each of the components of the apparatus can be individually actuated using the switches 4601, 4621 and 4641 on switch unit 4161. Thus, by depressing the appropriate switch, each function of the apparatus can be actuated.

[0392] The components of the apparatus mentioned above will now be described in more detail. Power source 4221 is a conventional piece of equipment that can be obtained commercially. Virtually any power source now known or hereafter developed that can safely power sensitive electronic apparatuses.

[0393] Control computer 4241 also is a conventional piece of equipment, and any computer which has sufficient capability to control and interface with ultrasound computer 4281 will suffice. One example, without limitation, of a control computer 4241 suitable for this operation is an IBM PC. Control computer 4241 controls certain functions of the ultrasound computer 4281. Commercial software is available for operating the control computer 4241 to control ultrasound computer 4281. One example of software suitable for this operation is sold by Animal Ultrasound Services, Inc., of Ithaca, N.Y.

[0394] The present apparatus operates by generating and transmitting into livestock an ultrasound energy pulse. This energy pulse is produced and controlled by ultrasound computer 4281 and ultrasound transducer 4661. Each of these components can be purchased. One example of an ultrasound apparatus is an ALOKA 500 V Ultrasound Computer. The ALOKA 500 V is purchased in combination with an ultrasound transducer 4661 and transducer cable 4681 for coupling the transducer 4661 to the computer 4281.

[0395] Input/output module 4321 controls the signals input to and from computer 4241 and to the components housed in handpiece 4181. Again, the I/O module 4321 is a conventional piece of equipment, and virtually any input/output module 4321. One prototype was assembled using an OPTO 22 I/O board. The OPTO 22 I/O board includes: a 1AC5Q input module; a PB16HQ circuit board; a B1 brainboard; a PBSA PP/S power supply; and an OAC5Q output module.

[0396] A pump 4361 pumps conductive liquid to handpiece 4181. The conductive liquid is contained in reservoir 4521. Any conductive liquid likely will work. The selection of a suitable conductive liquid will best be decided by considering, inter alia, the conductivity of the liquid, the expense of the liquid, the availability of the liquid and the toxicity of the liquid. Solely by way of example, suitable conductive liquids may be selected from the group of conductive liquids consisting of water, vegetable oil and mineral oil. Pump 4361 is liquidly connected to conductive liquid reservoir 4521 using liquid conduit 4541, which was made from flexible TIGON tubing. A pressure equalization tube 4701, also made from TIGON tubing, couples the liquid reservoir 4521 and the pump 4361. Pressure equalization tube 4701 equalizes the pressure between the pump 4361 and the reservoir 4521 when the pump 4361 is not in operation. This helps prevent liquid leaks from reservoir 4521.