A presence sensor combined to a first storage carrier for detecting a presence of a second storage carrier. A load cell measures the weight of the material expelled from the first storage carrier. A scale controller in communication with the presence sensor responds to the presence of the second storage carrier by recording of the weight measurement from the load cell.

A feeding apparatus includes an inner compartment having a first opening; and an outer compartment having a second opening. At least one of the inner compartment and the outer compartment is configured to be movable relative to the other one of the inner compartment and the outer compartment from a first position in which the first opening is out of alignment with the second opening to a second position in which the first opening is aligned with the second opening.

A feeding apparatus includes an inner compartment having a first opening; and an outer compartment having a second opening. At least one of the inner compartment and the outer compartment is configured to be movable relative to the other one of the inner compartment and the outer compartment from a first position in which the first opening is out of alignment with the second opening to a second position in which the first opening is aligned with the second opening.

A dispenser for dispensing animal feed. An inlet tube in an upper region receives feed from a container and a dispensing tube intersecting the inlet tube defines an opening along a lower surface through which the feed can pass. A feed drive assembly, comprising radial vanes, rotates within the dispensing tube. Regions between vanes receive and hold feed from the inlet tube. Two switches activate a motor when either is closed, and the motor turns the feed drive assembly. A pivotable arm extends downwardly from the dispenser such that a force applied thereto (by an animal wandering below the dispenser) closes one of the switches to supply power to the motor or to a controller controlling operation of the motor. Rotation of the motor and thereby rotation of the feed drive assembly moves a region holding feed into alignment with the opening causing feed to be dispensed through the opening.

An animal scratching post with food dispenser is described. Embodiments of the animal scratching post can include, but are not limited to, a base structure, a control module, an activation module, a food dispensing device, and one or more scratch pads operatively connected to the activation module. The base structure can include one or more perches and an internally located conduit for delivering food from the food dispensing device to a lower section of the base structure. The control module can be configured to receive a signal from the activation module indicating the scratch pad has been interacted with by an animal and send a signal to the food dispensing device to dispense food.

Embodiments of a controlled odor emission system and device include an odor presentation port tube and an odor tray securely retained against a platform, a valve housing securable to the platform adjacent the tray, a valve secured within the valve housing and an actuator for moving the valve. By controlling movement of the valve, precise amounts of an odor can be dispensed under programmatic control for training animals. Further, a system incorporating a central control unit and a reward dispenser in communication with an odor emission device to facilitate animal training.

A pedal activated pet dish includes a base; a bowl affixed to the base; a lid attached to the bowl by a hinge; and a pedal actuator mounted to the base. The base houses an opening apparatus connected to the lid. The pedal actuator is vertically slidable and is connected to the opening apparatus. When the pedal actuator is depressed, it causes the opening apparatus to lift the lid.

A control system dispenses an optimal amount of feed so that it is substantially evenly distributed along the length of the bunker in a feed lot. The control system can include a feedback loop. The control system controls a dispenser, such as an auger or a door actuator to dispense feed. A method for controlling is also discussed. The method can be formed as an instruction set that causes a processor to implement the method.

A control system dispenses an optimal amount of feed so that it is substantially evenly distributed along the length of the bunker in a feed lot. The control system can include a feedback loop. The control system controls a dispenser, such as an auger or a door actuator to dispense feed. A method for controlling is also discussed. The method can be formed as an instruction set that causes a processor to implement the method.

The present invention discloses a livestock tracing system and method. The system includes: a feeding module, an adopting and purchasing module, a weighing module, a server, a first commutation module and a second communication module; the feeding module is configured to provide food intake information of livestock and transmit the food intake information to the server via the first communication module; the weighing module is configured to provide weight information of the livestock and transmit the weight information to the server via the second communication module; the adopting and purchasing module is configured to provide vaccine information of the livestock and transmit the vaccine information to the server; and the server is configured to store the food intake information, the weight information and the vaccine information, and obtain corresponding tracing information according to a tracing look-up instruction.