Increasing milk production efficiency in pasture-based dairy farming depends greatly on diet optimization, especially during early lactation. The survival of small and mid-sized films strongly depends on the applicability of individualized precision feeding, being feeding systems limitations the unresolved key for both current profitability and future Digital Nutrition viability. The solution here proposed solves feeding systems limitations, at a relatively low-cost, by means of animal identification improvements (ISO 11784/5 included), safe supply of multiple food types and additives, measuring out of each animal's unconsumed food, recycling of unconsumed food and an adequate animal handling.

A urine collection device for a cow, comprising a positioner, a urine container coupled to positioner, a sensor for detecting a cow position, a stimulator for stimulating a stimulation region of a cow, wherein stimulation region is ventral with respect to a vulva of a cow, and a controller, wherein the controller is functionally coupled to the sensor for receiving a position of the cow. The controller is configured for controlling the position the stimulator at the stimulation region for stimulating the cow when a cow is positioned within a predefined range. When stimulation starts an urination, the positioner positions the urine container from a storage position to a working position for receiving a subsequent flow of urine from the stimulated cow.

The invention provides a urine collection device for a cow, comprising a positioner, a urine container coupled to said positioner, a sensor for detecting a cow position, a stimulator for stimulating a stimulation region of a cow, which stimulation region is ventrally with respect to a vulva of said cow, and a controller, wherein said controller is functionally coupled to said sensor for in operation receiving a cow position of said cow, and said controller is functionally coupled to said positioner and said stimulator, said controller adapted for controlling said positioner for bringing said stimulator at said stimulation region and for stimulating said stimulation region of said cow in response to a cow position being within a predefined range, which stimulation starts a urination, and controlling said positioner for positioning said urine container from a storage position to a working position for receiving a subsequent flow of urine from said stimulated cow, wherein said urine container comprises a front end for providing at least part of said stimulator.

Here is disclosed a hay feeder for enclosing a cylindrical bail of hay having opposite first and second longitudinal portions. The hay feeder includes a semi-cylindrical housing dimensioned to enclose the first longitudinal portion of the cylindrical bail, the semi-cylindrical housing having an arched bottom and an open top having a rim. A lid is provided which is configured to fit the rim to close the open top. The lid includes a frame supporting a flexible net which is dimensioned to enclose the second longitudinal portion of the cylindrical bail when the lid is closed on the semi-cylindrical housing.

Here is disclosed a hay feeder for enclosing a cylindrical bail of hay having opposite first and second longitudinal portions. The hay feeder includes a semi-cylindrical housing dimensioned to enclose the first longitudinal portion of the cylindrical bail, the semi-cylindrical housing having an arched bottom and an open top having a rim. A lid is provided which is configured to fit the rim to close the open top. The lid includes a frame supporting a flexible net which is dimensioned to enclose the second longitudinal portion of the cylindrical bail when the lid is closed on the semi-cylindrical housing.

A feeding system for measuring, monitoring and managing feed intake to determine feed efficiency of individual animals of a dairy herd. The feeding system includes at least one feed trough that contains feed to be consumed by the individual animals of the dairy herd. At least one load cell is coupled to the at least one feed trough for detecting a weight of the feed contained within the at least one feed trough. Lifting assemblies support the at least one load cell. The lifting assemblies can be actuated to move the at least one load cell and the at least one feed trough between a set feeding position, in which the individual animals consume the amount of feed contained within the feed trough, and a pivoted discharge position in which the amount of feed is discharged from the feed trough.

The present invention relates to a farming/veterinary device, system, and method for sensing force to analyze the stance of an animal or human to determine lameness and total weight monitoring. The invention is directed to an air cushion device for determining lameness and total weight management for animals with an air cushion for each animal leg which will enable the system to determine the force exerted on each air cushion. Optimally, the air cushion device is waterproof. The system is directed to incorporating the air cushion device with an air supply system and sensor system to automatically determine lameness and total weight in animals. The method is directed to a procedure for using the air cushion system to determine lameness and total weight in animals. Because implementations of the device are waterproof, it is suitable for use in any type of wet or dirty environment. Further, due to making the determinations while the animal is standing still, the device is capable of on-site installation in areas of the farm such as milking stalls, cattle chutes, and other small areas in which the animal is used to being.

Systems and methods provide automated data collection of feed behavior and intake for animals in confinement where the animal ingests feed from a feed station that includes a first and second feed container each of which holds a feed that is freely accessible to the animal, and a respective first and second weight sensor each of which senses a change in weight of the respective feed in the container. A processor is configured to transmit instructions to cause it to receive from the weight sensors, a plurality signals indicative of a change in weight in the first and second feed containers. The processor records a reduction in weight sensed by the first or the second sensor as consumption of the respective feed, and records a change in weight sensed by the first or the second sensor as feeding activity at the respective feed container.

A feeder storage apparatus for a chicken feeder includes a body section, a coupling member and/or a mounting web substructure, and a feeder contacting section. The mounting web substructure is positioned on a first end of the body section for securing the body section to the coupling member and/or a chicken feed tube. The feeder contacting section is positioned on a second end of the body section and includes angled arms to support a feeder above the feed tube.

A mountable feed bucket suitable for securing to a fence rail, having a receptacle and one or more brackets for securing the mountable feed bucket to the fence rail. The brackets include multiple bracket legs forming a vacuous area with the receptacle suitable for receiving a fence rail. Further, a removable secondary mount is provided to facilitate affixation to other structures, such as stall walls and doors, bars or girders of portable horse stalls, and like structures. Methods for mounting feed buckets are also provided.