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 orders for a plurality of animals, said method comprising:
entering attributes of each of said plurality of animals into a central database;
accessing beef marketing program requirements in said central database;
comparing attributes to said program requirements;
automatically facilitating at least one transaction between a plurality of users based at least in part on said comparison, wherein each user of said plurality of users are at different locations; and
updating an inventory when said transaction has been completed.
2 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:
providing said user with access to pricing information pertaining to said plurality of animals.
3 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:
enabling said user to view information relating to an inventory of said plurality of animals.
4 . A system of enabling a user to manage orders for a plurality of animals, said method 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:
enter attributes of each of said plurality of animals into said central database;
access beef marketing program requirements in said central database;
compare attributes to said program requirements;
automatically facilitate at least one transaction between a plurality of users based at least in part on said comparison, wherein each user of said plurality of users are at different locations; and
update an inventory when said transaction has been completed.
5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein said server is further configured to:
provide said user with access to pricing information pertaining to said plurality of animals;
6 . The system of claim 4 , wherein said server is further configured to:
enable said user to view information relating to an inventory of said plurality of animals.
7 . A method of assisting a user in purchasing livestock related to a selected beef marketing program based on collected information in a central database, said method comprising:
accessing beef marketing program requirements from said central database;
comparing said collected information with said program requirements of said selected beef marketing program; and
providing said user with livestock purchase decision information which assists said user to purchase said livestock and allows said user to ensure that said purchased livestock complies with said selected beef marketing program.
8 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
enabling a seller to provide product information about at least one of a product and a service to said central database.
9 . The method of claim 7 further comprising:
providing said user with content related to said livestock operation.
10 . The method of claim 7 further comprising:
automatically assisting said user to sell at least one of a product and a service to another user.
11 . The method of claim 7 further comprising:
enabling said user to purchase at least one animal of a plurality of animals from an auction.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein said enabling comprises:
automatically obtaining bids on said at least one animal.
13 . The method of claim 11 further comprising:
providing said user with access to information relating to said animal.
14 . The method of claim 11 further comprising:
providing said user with video data relating to said auction.
15 . The method of claim 11 further comprising:
providing said user with audio data relating to said auction.
16 . A system of assisting a user in purchasing livestock related to a selected beef marketing program based on collected information in a central database, 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:
access beef marketing program requirements from said central database;
compare said collected information with said program requirements of said selected beef marketing program; and
provide said user with livestock purchase decision information which assists said user to purchase said livestock and allows said user to ensure that said purchased livestock complies with said selected beef marketing program.
17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein said server is further configured to:
enable a seller to provide product information about at least one of a product and a service to said central database.
18 . The system of claim 16 , wherein said server is further configured to:
provide said user with content related to said livestock operation.
19 . The system of claim 16 , wherein said server is further configured to:
automatically assist said user to sell at least one of a product and a service to another user.
20 . The system of claim 16 , wherein said server is further configured to:
enable said user to purchase at least one animal of a plurality of animals from an auction.
21 . The system of claim 20 , wherein said server is further configured to:
automatically obtain bids on said at least one animal.
22 . The system of claim 20 , wherein said server is further configured to:
provide said user with access to information relating to said animal.
23 . The system of claim 20 , wherein said server is further configured to:
provide said user with video data relating to said auction.
24 . The system of claim 20 , wherein said server is further configured to:
provide said user with audio data relating to said auction.
25 . A method of assisting a user in selling livestock related to a selected beef marketing program based on collected information in a central database, said method comprising:
accessing beef marketing program requirements from said central database;
comparing said collected information with said program requirements of said selected beef marketing program; and
providing said user with livestock sale decision information which assists said user to sell said livestock and allows said user to ensure that said livestock complies with said selected beef marketing program.