The present invention provides a platform and/or associated structure for weighing an animal, the platform and/or associated structure being configured to conceal, or configured to facilitate concealment, from the animal of a foreign sensory stimulus of the platform and/or associated structure. The platform may be configured to retain a natural material (such as soil) or a simulated natural material on or about the platform and/or associated structure. The platform is typically incorporated into a weighing apparatus for use with larger animals such as cattle.

A method for determining a normalized weight of a non-static item is disclosed. Weight data associated with the non-static item is received from a plurality of load cells. A load cell weight for the non-static item is determined based at least in part on the weight data. The load cell weight for the non-static item is received as an input for a machine learning algorithm. The normalized weight for the non-static item is generated as an output for the machine learning algorithm.

A method for determining a normalized weight of a non-static item is disclosed. Weight data associated with the non-static item is received from a plurality of load cells. A load cell weight for the non-static item is determined based at least in part on the weight data. The load cell weight for the non-static item is received as an input for a machine learning algorithm. The normalized weight for the non-static item is generated as an output for the machine learning algorithm.

Tools for smart farming, including devices, management systems and methods of livestock management are provided.

A mobile and modular device with movable walls for the dynamic weighing of a bovine animal includes an identification module having a support structure, a processing module, a solar panel, an antenna and an identifier; and a weighing module including a base, a pair of side walls, a weighing platform, a pair of load cells and an amplifier and transmission box. The processing module, the identifier, the solar panel and the antenna are associated on the support structure. The weighing platform, the pair of load cells and the amplifier and transmission box are associated on the base in a fixed way. Each one of the pair of side walls contains a fixed portion and a mobile portion; and each one of the lower ends of the fixed portion contains a mechanism, which is associated to the base in a mobile way, through a first distal end and a second distal end.

A mobile and modular device with movable walls for the dynamic weighing of a bovine animal includes an identification module having a support structure, a processing module, a solar panel, an antenna and an identifier; and a weighing module including a base, a pair of side walls, a weighing platform, a pair of load cells and an amplifier and transmission box. The processing module, the identifier, the solar panel and the antenna are associated on the support structure. The weighing platform, the pair of load cells and the amplifier and transmission box are associated on the base in a fixed way. Each one of the pair of side walls contains a fixed portion and a mobile portion; and each one of the lower ends of the fixed portion contains a mechanism, which is associated to the base in a mobile way, through a first distal end and a second distal end.

A weigh head apparatus (102) for cooperation with a data processing unit for use in livestock weighing. The weigh head apparatus is inexpensive, easy to upgrade and has low maintenance costs. The weight head apparatus has: a signal converting module (106) operable to convert one or more analogue load signal into a plurality of digital load values; and a data transmitting module (108) operable to transmit a stream of the digital load values over a wireless connection to the data processing unit. The stream is a real-time stream and the digital load values are raw instantaneous analogue-to-digital converter output values. A command receiving module (109) is configured to receive a transmit-stream command from the data processing unit, wherein the data transmitting module (108) is operable to transmit the stream of the digital load values in response to the received transmit-stream command.

A weigh head apparatus (102) for cooperation with a data processing unit for use in livestock weighing. The weigh head apparatus is inexpensive, easy to upgrade and has low maintenance costs. The weight head apparatus has: a signal converting module (106) operable to convert one or more analogue load signal into a plurality of digital load values; and a data transmitting module (108) operable to transmit a stream of the digital load values over a wireless connection to the data processing unit. The stream is a real-time stream and the digital load values are raw instantaneous analogue-to-digital converter output values. A command receiving module (109) is configured to receive a transmit-stream command from the data processing unit, wherein the data transmitting module (108) is operable to transmit the stream of the digital load values in response to the received transmit-stream command.

A deployable animal measuring platform suited for measuring dog height or any other dog body measurement profile is presented. The deployable animal measuring platform contains a base, a panel, and a measuring element. The panel is connected vertically perpendicular to the base through a fastening element, where the panel and the base is configured to assemble in a deployed configuration or a retracted configuration. In the retracted configuration, the base and the panel are folded and connected parallel to each other, such that the deployable animal measuring platform is easily transportable and stored. In the deployed configuration, the base is secured along a flat surface while the panel is erected vertically from the base. The measuring element traverses along the panel.

Generating consensus biomass estimates include providing a first biomass parameter data set associated with a first biomass attribute parameter to a first biomass estimation model and providing a second biomass parameter data set associated with a second biomass attribute parameter to a second biomass estimation model different from the first biomass estimation model. The first biomass estimation model is adaptively weighted with a first weighting factor relative to a second weighting factor for the second biomass estimation model. An aggregated biomass estimate is determined based on a combination of the first biomass estimation model using the first weight factor and the second biomass estimation model using the second weight factor.