Livestock management systems and methods
This invention relates to systems and methods for managing livestock, such as cattle, from conception to consumption. More particularly, this invention relates to systems and methods in which users, such as producers, feedlot managers, packers, buyers, sellers, and consumers, are brought together through shared information and improved communication. Users may access one or more applications, tools, and/or systems to increase the value of each animal, monitor and track each animal, and improve the efficiency of their operation.
1 . A method of enabling a user to manage environmental conditions of a plurality of animals, said method comprising:
enabling said user to input information relating to said environmental conditions;
storing said input information in a central database;
accessing market valuation information pertaining to said plurality of animals;
determining a plurality of options to improve said market valuation based on varying said environmental conditions; and
presenting said user with at least one option from said plurality of options.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said presenting comprises:
automatically selecting an option from said plurality of options; and
presenting said user with said selected option.
3 . The method of claim 2 further comprising:
providing said user with a required activity for ensuring compliance with said selected option.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein said ensuring compliance comprises:
ensuring compliance with a government regulation.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein said government regulation is selected from the group consisting of a local regulation, a state regulation, and a federal regulation.
6 . The method of claim 3 further comprising:
providing a reminder to said user relating to said required activity.
7 . The method of claim 3 further comprising:
providing said user with a warning when said user does not perform said required activity, said warning comprising a remedial action.
8 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:
providing said user with a plurality of tests required for monitoring said environmental conditions.
9 . The method of claim 8 further comprising:
providing said user with a plurality of laboratories for analyzing said plurality of tests.
10 . A system of enabling a user to manage environmental conditions of a plurality of animals, said system comprising:
a server;
a plurality of computers coupled to said server; and
a central database coupled to said server;
wherein said server is configured to:
enable said user to input information relating to said environmental conditions;
store said input information in said central database;
access market valuation information pertaining to said plurality of animals;
determine a plurality of options to improve said market valuation based on varying said environmental conditions; and
present said user with at least one option from said plurality of options.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein said server is further configured to:
automatically select an option from said plurality of options; and
present said user with said selected option.
12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein said server is further configured to:
provide said user with a required activity for ensuring compliance with said selected option.
13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein said server is further configured to:
ensure compliance with a government regulation.
14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein said government regulation is selected from the group consisting of a local regulation, a state regulation, and a federal regulation.
15 . The system of claim 12 , wherein said server is further configured to:
provide a reminder to said user relating to said required activity.
16 . The system of claim 12 , wherein said server is further configured to:
provide said user with a warning when said user does not perform said required activity, said warning comprising a remedial action.
17 . A method of enabling a user to electronically monitor environmental conditions of a livestock operation, said method comprising:
enabling said user to input information relating to said environmental conditions into a central database;
associating said environmental conditions with a geographic location; and
presenting said user with a map comprising a plurality of layers relating to said environmental conditions.
18 . The method of claim 17 further comprising:
accessing a plurality of geographic
information via the Internet.
19 . The method of claim 17 further comprising:
enabling a user to compare a plurality of geographic locations.
20 . A system of enabling a user to electronically monitor environmental conditions of a livestock operation, said system comprising:
a server;
a plurality of computers coupled to said server;
a central database coupled to said server;
wherein said server is configured to:
enable said user to input information relating to said environmental conditions into said central database;
associate said environmental conditions with a geographic location; and
present said user with a map comprising a plurality of layers relating to said environmental conditions.
21 . The system of claim 20 , wherein said server is further configured to:
access a plurality of geographic information via the Internet.
22 . The system of claim 20 , wherein said server is further configured to:
enable a user to compare a plurality of geographic locations.
23 . A method of ensuring environmental compliance with government requirements for a livestock operation, said method comprising:
enabling a user to input information related to said operation into a central database;
processing at least a portion of said input information for environmental compliance; and
automatically submitting said processed information to a regulatory agency.
24 . The method of claim 23 , wherein said enabling said user comprises:
providing said user with a form.
25 . The method of claim 24 further comprising:
providing said regulatory agency with access to said input and said processed information in said database.