Management method and management system of tethering cattle

Abstract

To acquire sufficient information of individual tethering cattle and implement optimal process based on an appropriate determination result.SOLUTION: The present invention acquires: biological information Dc obtained by a non-contact actual measurement of a cattle body state of the tethering cattle C by a biological sensor 3 directly or indirectly installed on a moving milker 2; environment information De obtained by an actual measurement of an environmental state including a stall St storing the tethering cattle C by an environmental sensor 4; and milking information Dm of the tethering cattle C related to the milking and the milking data of the tethering cattle C registered as management data 5 of a controller E. Based on one or two or more of the actually measured biological information Dc, environmental information De, and milking information Dm, estimated biological information Dce obtained by a calculation process using a predefined model formula is determined, or the actual measured predefined actual measurement biological information Dcd is compared and determined, and a predefined process is executed based on the determination.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a management system for managing tethered cattle, which acquires predetermined information related to the tethered cattle, determines the health condition of the tethered cattle, and performs predetermined corresponding processing. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, methods (management systems) for managing tethered cattle that acquire specific information related to the tethered cattle, determine the health status of the tethered cattle, and take specific appropriate action based on this determination include the tethered cattle monitoring system described in Patent Document 1, the inflammatory disease precursor detection device described in Patent Document 2, and the blower control system described in Patent Document 3.

[0003] The tethered cattle monitoring system described in Patent Document 1 aims to monitor the cattle's physical condition from a comprehensive perspective, significantly reduce human management, and simplify equipment and reduce costs by implementing it in a single system.Specifically, it is composed of a sensing unit having at least one non-contact distance measuring sensor that is placed above and / or to the side of the tethered cattle to measure the distance to the tethered cattle, a first judgment processing unit that judges at least one movement / stillness state of the tethered cattle based on distance data obtained by the sensing unit, a second judgment processing unit that judges the cattle's physical condition based on basic data including the judgment results of at least one movement / stillness state obtained from the first judgment processing unit, and a computer processing function unit that has an output unit that outputs judgment information related to the judgment results of the cattle's physical condition obtained from the second judgment processing unit.

[0004] In addition, the inflammatory disease precursor detection device described in Patent Document 2 aims to realize a technology for detecting precursors of inflammatory disease in livestock, and specifically is configured with a judgment unit that judges precursors of inflammatory disease in the test livestock by referring to heart rate information for a specified time period in the test livestock and heart rate information for the same specified time period in healthy livestock.

[0005] Furthermore, the blower control system described in Patent Document 3 comprises a livestock condition measuring unit, a thermal environment measuring unit, a blower, and a control unit, wherein the livestock condition measuring unit is installed in the livestock barn and measures the physiological condition of the livestock, the thermal environment measuring unit is installed in the livestock barn and measures the thermal environment of the livestock barn, the blower is configured to blow air to the livestock, and the control unit is configured to control the rotation speed of the blower based on the relationship between the physiological condition and the thermal environment. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-163947 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-176129 [Patent Document 3] International Publication No. WO2022 / 3807 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, the above-mentioned conventional methods and systems for managing tethered cattle have the following problems to be solved.

[0008] That is, in the case of tethered cattle, even if certain information about the cattle is obtained, the information obtained is limited to information related to a specific purpose, and therefore the information that can be used is not necessarily sufficient. For example, the health condition of tethered cattle is affected in complex ways not only by the condition of the cattle themselves but also by the surrounding environment, which also has a direct impact on milking, so when determining the health condition, it is desirable to include all of this information.

[0009] On the other hand, because each tethered cow has its own individual characteristics, it is not appropriate to judge each cow using uniform criteria. For example, even if the same information is obtained, the health condition of each tethered cow may or may not be good.

[0010] In the end, in the past, average and standard judgment criteria were applied to each individual cow based on insufficient information, so it could not be said that the optimal judgment results were applied to each cow.There was room for further improvement from the perspective of obtaining sufficient information for each tethered cow and implementing optimal response measures based on appropriate judgment results.

[0011] The present invention aims to provide a method and system for managing tethered cattle that solves the problems present in the background art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the method for managing tethered cows of the present invention acquires predetermined information related to at least the tethered cows, and performs a judgment process on the health condition of at least the tethered cows based on the acquired information.When performing predetermined response processing on the judgment results, it acquires biological-related information Dc obtained by non-contact actual measurement of the body condition of the tethered cow C using a biological sensor 3 installed directly or indirectly on a moving milking machine 2, environmental-related information De obtained by actual measurement of the environmental condition including the stall St in which the tethered cow C is housed using an environmental sensor 4, and milking data of the tethered cow C and milking-related information Dm of the tethered cow C related to milking registered as management data 5 of the controller E, and performs a judgment process to judge estimated biological-related information Dce obtained by calculation using a predetermined model formula based on one or more of the measured biological-related information Dc, environmental-related information De, and milking-related information Dm, or to compare it with predetermined measured actual biological-related information Dcd, and performs predetermined response processing based on the judgment results.

[0013] Furthermore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the tethered cow management system 1 of the present invention is configured to acquire predetermined information related to at least the tethered cows, and to determine the health condition of at least the tethered cows based on the acquired information, thereby performing predetermined response processing in response to the determination results, and includes a biological information measurement means Mc that measures the body condition of the tethered cows C in a non-contact manner using a biological sensor 3 installed directly or indirectly on the moving milking machine 2 to acquire biological information Dc, and an environmental sensor 4 that measures the environmental condition including the stall St in which the tethered cows C are accommodated, and acquires environmental information De. milking-related information acquisition means Mm for acquiring milking data of tethered cows C and milking-related information Dm of the tethered cows C related to milking registered as management data 5 of the controller E; judgment processing means 6 for judging estimated biological-related information Dce obtained by calculation processing using a predetermined model formula based on one or more of actually measured biological-related information Dc, environment-related information De, and milking-related information Dm, or for making a judgment by comparing the estimated biological-related information Dce with predetermined actually measured biological-related information Dcd; and response processing means 7 for performing predetermined response processing based on the judgment result of the judgment processing means 6.

[0014] On the other hand, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the biological information measuring means Mc can use a vital sensor 3s that non-contactly measures the heart rate and / or respiratory rate of the tethered cow C, and the environment-related information acquiring means Me can be provided with a temperature / humidity sensor 4s that measures temperature and humidity and / or a calculation means 11 that calculates a discomfort index (THI). Furthermore, the milking-related information acquiring means Mm can acquire one or more of the milk yield, number of days since calving, and number of calves of the tethered cow C from the management data of the controller E. On the other hand, the response processing means 7 can include one or more of a ventilation fan control means 12 that controls the strength of the ventilation fan, a feed design means 13 that designs an increase / decrease or change in feed, and a space cleaning control means 14 that controls whether or not to clean the space, and the response processing means 7 can be provided with an alert output means 15 that sets upper and / or lower limit values ​​based on predetermined thresholds and outputs an alert when the upper and / or lower limit values ​​are exceeded. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] The tethered cattle management method and management system 1 according to the present invention provides the following significant effects.

[0016] (1) A biological sensor 3 installed directly or indirectly on a moving milking machine (including a transport vehicle) 2 acquires biological-related information Dc obtained by non-contact actual measurement of the body condition of tethered cows C, environmental-related information De obtained by actual measurement of the environmental condition including the stall St in which the tethered cows C are housed using an environmental sensor 4, and milking data of the tethered cows C and milking-related information Dm of the tethered cows C related to milking registered as management data 5 of the controller E. Based on one or more of the actually measured biological-related information Dc, environmental-related information De, and milking-related information Dm, a judgment process is performed in which estimated biological-related information Dce obtained by calculation using a predetermined model formula is judged or compared with predetermined actually measured biological-related information Dcd, and a predetermined response process is performed based on this judgment result.As a result, sufficient information can be acquired for each tethered cow C, and optimal response process can be performed based on the appropriate judgment result.

[0017] (2) In a preferred embodiment, if a vital sensor 3s that non-contactly measures the heart rate and / or respiratory rate of the tethered cow C is used as the biological information measurement means Mc, the biological condition that is easily affected by poor health, i.e., the heart rate and / or respiratory rate, can be measured, making it possible to quickly check the physical condition and make an accurate judgment about the health condition.

[0018] (3) In a preferred embodiment, if the environmental information acquisition means Me is provided with a temperature and humidity sensor 4s that measures temperature and humidity and / or a calculation means 11 that calculates the discomfort index (THI), it will be possible to appropriately respond to environmental conditions that are easily affected by, for example, the intense heat of midsummer, and therefore it will be possible to set the optimal temperature and humidity for the tethered cows C.

[0019] (4) In a preferred embodiment, when configuring the milking-related information acquisition means Mm, if one or more of the milk yield, number of days since calving, and number of births of the tethered cow C are acquired from the management data 5 of the controller E, it is possible to acquire information particularly regarding elements at the time of milking that are likely to have a large impact and cause serious problems, thereby enabling accurate and appropriate judgment processing to be performed on the health condition of the tethered cow C.

[0020] (5) In a preferred embodiment, the response processing means 7 may include one or more of the following: a ventilation fan control means 12 for controlling the strength of the ventilation fan; a feed design means 13 for designing the increase / decrease or change of feed; and a space cleaning control means 14 for controlling whether or not the space is cleaned. This allows various measures, such as necessary environmental measures and appetite measures, to be taken for the tethered cows C.

[0021] (6) In a preferred embodiment, the response processing means 7 is provided with an alert output means 15 that sets upper and / or lower limit values ​​based on a predetermined threshold and outputs an alert when the upper and / or lower limit values ​​are exceeded.This makes it possible to process alerts when necessary responses cannot be taken or when abnormal conditions occur, thereby improving safety and protection measures for the tethered cows C. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing the processing procedure of a first management example in a tethered cattle management method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] A block diagram showing the processing procedure of a second example of the method for managing tethered cattle. [Figure 3] A block diagram showing the processing procedure of the third example of the management method for tethered cattle. [Figure 4] A block diagram showing the processing procedure of the fourth management example of the tethered cattle management method. [Figure 5] A flowchart showing the overall processing procedure of the tethered cattle management method; [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a tethered cattle barn equipped with a tethered cattle management system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 7]A schematic diagram of a plan view of a milking machine that uses the tethered cow management system. [Figure 8] A schematic diagram of a side view of a milking machine that uses the tethered cow management system. [Figure 9] A table showing the relationship between the status of tethered cattle and various information to explain the basic principles of the tethered cattle management method, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Next, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0024] First, to facilitate understanding of the tethered cow management system 1 according to this embodiment, the schematic configuration of a tethered cowshed 100 equipped with a milking system will be described with reference to Figs. 6 to 8. 6 shows a schematic plan view of the tethered cow barn 100. The tethered cow barn 100 is provided with a group of stalls G in which many stalls St are arranged, and tethered cows C are tethered in each stall St.

[0025] In addition, a guide rail R is installed above the stall group G, running parallel to the stall group G. This guide rail R includes a main rail Rm arranged along the stall group G, and a plurality of branch rails Rs... that branch off perpendicularly from a midpoint on the main rail Rm and are arranged between the stalls St...

[0026] In this case, the branch rails Rs are arranged one for each stall St, i.e., two stalls St are placed between adjacent branch rails Rs. At least one milking machine 2 (two milking machines 2, 2 are shown in the example) is mounted on the guide rail R, and each milking unit 2, 2 can be moved along the guide rail R to a predetermined target position such as the milking position Pc.

[0027] Reference numeral 200 denotes a feeder installed along this stall group G. This feeder 200 is equipped with a feeding rail 210 arranged above and in front of the stall group G, and a feeding unit 220 that moves along this feeding rail 210. This feeder 200 can automatically move the feeding unit 220 to each stall St... to feed the animals. Bs denotes the feed administered by the feeding unit 220.

[0028] 8 are arranged in front of the tip of the branch rails Rs.... The milk line 51 and the vacuum line 52 are arranged along the stalls St.... The milk line 51 and the vacuum line 52 are arranged in a position opposite each branch rail Rs.... A milk tap 53 to which the distributor 22 of the milking machine 2... is connected is provided.

[0029] On the other hand, the milking machine 2 (the same applies to the other milking machines 2) that moves along the guide rail R is equipped with a self-propelled moving unit 21 mounted on the guide rail R. The tip of the moving unit 21 is equipped with the distributor 22 mentioned above. This moving unit 21 is equipped with a traveling drive unit 21m using a motor, and is also equipped with a control box 21c that includes a driving battery and the like. In this case, the stopping and moving direction of the moving unit 21 are controlled by a detection unit (detection sensor) provided on the moving unit 21 detecting a detection target arranged at a predetermined position on the guide rail R. This makes it possible to automatically move each milking machine 2... relative to each stall St.... Note that the travel control is performed based on the control function of a control unit built into the control box 21c. Therefore, at least a part of the control data is transferred from the controller E to the control box 21c of each milking machine 2....

[0030] The controller E is configured by a computer system and is provided with a memory Em for registering various data such as milking data and measurement data from the vital sensors 3s and temperature and humidity sensors 4s as management data 5, and is also provided with various calculation functions such as a determination processing means 6, a response processing means 7, a model formula calculation function, and a discomfort index calculation means 11, which will be described later. This controller E may be installed in the tethered cowshed 100, or may be installed in a separate area such as a management room.

[0031] Also, a pair of milking units 23a, 23b are provided on both sides of the moving section 21, specifically, on the left and right sides of the control box 21c as shown in Fig. 7. As shown in Fig. 8, one milking unit 23a (the same goes for the other milking unit 23b) is provided with a milking unit main body 24 including a pulsator device and a display unit (operation unit), four teat cups Tc... to be attached to each teat Cb... of the tethered cow C, a milk volume meter 25, etc.

[0032] Next, a management system 1 capable of implementing the tethered cattle management method according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 and 7. FIG.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 7, the management system 1 according to this embodiment includes a living body-related information measuring means Mc, an environment-related information acquiring means Me, and a milking-related information acquiring means Mm.

[0034] The biological information measuring means Mc can be attached to, for example, the exterior panel 23ap of the milking unit 23a shown in Fig. 7. That is, the biological information measuring means Mc includes a biological sensor 3 installed on the exterior panel 23ap of the milking unit 23a constituting the mobile milking machine 2, and obtains the biological information Dc of the tethered cow C by direct measurement using this biological sensor 3.

[0035] In this example, as shown in Figures 1 and 7, a vital sensor 3s is used as the biological information measuring means Mc for non-contactly measuring the heart rate and / or respiration rate of a tethered cow C. The measured heart rate data relating to the heart rate (beats / min) and respiration rate data relating to the respiration rate (beats / min) are transmitted to the controller E together with milking data, etc.

[0036] In this way, by using a vital sensor 3s that measures the heart rate and / or respiratory rate of a tethered cow C non-contactly as the biological information measurement means Mc, the biological condition that is easily affected by poor health, i.e., the heart rate and / or respiratory rate, can be measured, making it possible to quickly check the physical condition and make an accurate judgment about the health condition.

[0037] The environment-related information acquisition means Me also has a function of acquiring environment-related information De by using an environment sensor 4 to measure the environmental conditions, including the stall St housing the tethered cows C. As shown in Figures 7 and 1, the example environment sensor 4 is a temperature and humidity sensor 4s that is provided on the upper end surface of the aforementioned moving section 21 and measures temperature and humidity, i.e., temperature [°C] and humidity [%]. The measurement data measured by this temperature and humidity sensor 4s is transmitted to the controller E together with milking data, etc., and a discomfort index (THI) is calculated by calculation means 11 provided in the controller E. Note that although the case where the environment sensor 4 is directly attached to the moving section 21 is shown, it may also be provided indirectly, for example, at any location within the tethered cowshed 100.

[0038] In this way, if the environmental information acquisition means Me is provided with a temperature and humidity sensor 4s that measures temperature and humidity and / or a calculation means 11 that calculates the discomfort index (THI), it will be possible to appropriately respond to environmental conditions that are easily affected by, for example, the intense heat of midsummer, and therefore it will be possible to set the optimal temperature and humidity for the tethered cows C.

[0039] Furthermore, the milking-related information acquisition means Mm has a function to acquire milking data of tethered cows C and milking-related information Dm of tethered cows C related to milking, which are registered as management data 5 of the controller E. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the exemplary milking-related information acquisition means Mm uses one or more of the following items registered in the management data 5: milk yield (kg / day) (milking data), number of days since calving (days), and number of calves (calving). The registration area for the management data 5 is provided within the management application.

[0040] When configuring the milking-related information acquisition means Mm, if one or more of the milk yield, number of days since calving, and calving number of the tethered cow C are acquired from the management data 5 of the controller E, it will be possible to acquire information particularly regarding elements at the time of milking that are likely to have a large impact and cause serious problems, thereby enabling accurate and appropriate judgment processing to be performed on the health condition of the tethered cow C.

[0041] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, the controller E includes a determination processing means 6 that compares predetermined actually measured biological-related information Dcd with estimated biological-related information Dce obtained by calculation processing using a predetermined model formula based on one or more of other actually measured biological-related information Dc, environment-related information De, and milking-related information Dm. For example, as shown in Figure 1, when focusing on the respiratory rate, the controller E has a function of performing predetermined determination processing by comparing the actually measured respiratory rate with the estimated standard respiratory rate obtained from the model formula. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, the controller E includes a response processing means 7 that performs predetermined response processing based on the determination result of the determination processing means 6.

[0042] Next, a method for managing tethered cattle according to this embodiment using the management system 1 having the above configuration will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 and 9. FIG.

[0043] Figure 9 is a list showing the commonly known relationships between the condition of tethered cow C and various pieces of information. For example, if the temperature and humidity in the environmental information De are high and the THI is high, and the respiratory rate in the biological information Dc is high, this indicates that the tethered cow C is in a state of heat stress. In particular, in the case of calves, if the humidity is low and the respiratory rate increases rapidly, as well as the heart rate, pneumonia can be suspected. Furthermore, if the temperature, humidity, and THI are all low and the respiratory rate and heart rate both tend to increase, respiratory disease can be suspected. It is known that there is a certain relationship between various pieces of information and the condition of tethered cow C.

[0044] The method for managing tethered cattle according to this embodiment further optimizes this information and comparison relationship, and the specific processing steps will be explained below in accordance with the flowchart shown in Figure 5 while referring to the various figures.

[0045] It is assumed that the milking machine 2 is currently in a standby state at the home position of the guide rail R, and that the milking process is to be carried out from this state.

[0046] During milking, command data relating to the order of stalls St... to be milked is transferred from the controller E to the control box 21c of the milking unit 2, and the milking machine 2 moves along the guide rail R based on this command data (step S1).

[0047] Thereafter, when the movement reaches the milking position Pc in the target stall St, the movement is stopped (steps S2, S3). This milking position Pc becomes the milking position and also the measurement position of each of the sensors 3s and 4s described later.

[0048] Then, at this milking position Pc, data acquisition processing is performed, i.e., the respiratory rate and heart rate of the tethered cow C are measured by the vital sensor 3s constituting the biological information measurement means Mc, and the temperature and humidity around the stall St are measured by the temperature and humidity sensor 4s constituting the environment-related information acquisition means Me. The temperature and humidity data obtained by the measurements are sent to the controller E, and the THI (discomfort index) is calculated by the calculation means 11. Furthermore, the milking-related information acquisition means Mm acquires the milk yield, number of days since calving, and calving number of the tethered cow C from the management data 5 of the controller E (step S4).

[0049] As a result, necessary actual measurement values ​​are obtained from the obtained information, and various estimated values ​​are calculated from the following predetermined model formulas (step S5).

[0050] An example of the model formula is as follows: <1> - <4> In the model formula, a, b, c, and d are predetermined coefficients, and C is a predetermined constant. <1> Estimated standard respiratory rate (early lactation) = C + a × measured heart rate + b × THI + c × milk yield <2> Estimated standard respiratory rate (during and late lactation) = C + a × measured heart rate + b × THI + c × milk production + d × days after calving <3> Estimated normal heart rate = C + a × milk yield + b × measured respiratory rate + c × THI + d × parity <4> Estimated body temperature = C + a × measured respiratory rate + b × measured heart rate + c × labor rate + d × THI

[0051] Furthermore, upper and lower limits are set for each actual measurement value, and a judgment of whether the value is normal or abnormal is made (step S6). That is, if the actual measurement value is outside the set upper or lower limit, it is judged to be abnormal without any judgment, and error processing is immediately performed (step S7).

[0052] Specifically, an upper limit and / or a lower limit are set based on a predetermined threshold, and an alert output means 15 is provided that outputs an alert when the upper limit and / or the lower limit is exceeded. This alert output means 15 is one form of the response processing means 7 (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0053] In this way, if the response processing means 7 is provided with an alert output means 15 that sets upper and / or lower limit values ​​based on predetermined thresholds and outputs an alert when the upper and / or lower limit values ​​are exceeded, it becomes possible to issue an alert when necessary response is not possible or when an abnormal condition occurs, thereby improving safety and protection measures for the tethered cattle C. Furthermore, when comparing the estimated value with the actual measured value, if the difference is small, it is deemed to be in the excellent range, and for example, a display of excellent can be made (steps S8, S9).

[0054] The estimated value is compared with the actual measured value, and if the estimated value is within the upper or lower limit and is not within the excellent range, the corresponding processing means 7 performs the necessary processing (steps S10, S11). The above steps S4 to S11 are the basic processing steps.

[0055] A specific example of the management method according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0056] Figure 1 shows an example of heat stress management. In this example, as shown in Figure 1, respiratory rate and heart rate are used as biological information Dc obtained from biological information measurement means Mc. Temperature, humidity, and THI are used as environment-related information De obtained from environment-related information acquisition means Me. Furthermore, milk yield and number of days since calving are used as milking-related information Dm obtained from milking-related information acquisition means Mm.

[0057] When the tethered cow C is in the "early lactation" stage, the obtained respiratory rate is given as an actually measured respiratory rate to the determination processing unit 52 in the controller E constituting the determination processing means 6 shown in Fig. 1. In addition, the calculation processing unit 51 shown in Fig. 1 calculates the respiratory rate by the above-mentioned model formula <1> In this case, the milk volume is used for the milking-related information Dm. As a result, an estimated standard respiratory rate is obtained, and the obtained estimated standard respiratory rate is provided to the determination processing unit 52. Then, the determination processing unit 52 performs a determination process of "actual respiratory rate>estimated standard respiratory rate", and based on this determination result, the response processing means 7 performs the necessary response process.

[0058] In the judgment processing unit 52, if the "measured respiration rate>estimated standard respiration rate", the ventilation fan control means 12 controls to increase the ventilation fan's air volume (M101). In this case, the actual respiration rate of tethered cow C indicates a state in which it is faster than the standard respiration rate, and it is assumed that the "heat stress" is high due to the heat. For this reason, the ventilation fan control means 12 can increase the ventilation fan's air volume. On the other hand, if the "measured respiration rate≦estimated standard respiration rate", the ventilation fan control means 12 controls to decrease or maintain the ventilation fan's air volume (M102).

[0059] On the other hand, when the tethered cow C is in "lactation or late lactation", the respiratory rate is given as an actually measured respiratory rate to the determination processing unit 52 in the controller E constituting the determination processing means 6 shown in Fig. 1. In addition, the calculation processing unit 51 shown in Fig. 1 calculates the respiratory rate by the above-mentioned model formula <2> In this case, the milk volume and the number of days since parturition are used as the milking-related information Dm. As a result, an estimated standard respiratory rate is obtained, and the obtained estimated standard respiratory rate is given to the determination processing unit 52. Then, the determination processing unit 52 performs a determination process of "actual respiratory rate>estimated standard respiratory rate", and based on this determination result, the response processing means 7 performs the necessary response process.

[0060] At this time, as in the case described above, if the "measured respiratory rate > estimated standard respiratory rate", the ventilation fan control means 12 controls to increase the ventilation fan's air volume (M101). On the other hand, if the "measured respiratory rate ≦ estimated standard respiratory rate", the ventilation fan control means 12 controls to decrease or maintain the ventilation fan's air volume (M102).

[0061] Figure 2 shows an example of management related to "energy balance." In this example, as shown in Figure 2, respiratory rate and heart rate are used as biological information Dc obtained from biological information measurement means Mc. Furthermore, temperature, humidity, and THI are used as environment-related information De obtained from environment-related information acquisition means Me. Furthermore, milk yield and calving number are used as milking-related information Dm obtained from milking-related information acquisition means Mm.

[0062] The obtained heart rate is given as an actually measured heart rate to the determination processing unit 52 in the controller E constituting the determination processing means 6 shown in FIG. 2. In addition, the calculation processing unit 51 shown in FIG. 2 calculates the heart rate using the model formula <3> In this case, the milk yield and calving number are used for the milking-related information Dm. As a result, an estimated standard heart rate is obtained, and the obtained estimated standard heart rate is provided to the determination processing unit 52. Then, the determination processing unit 52 performs a determination process of "actual measured heart rate>estimated standard heart rate", and based on this determination result, the response processing means 7 performs the necessary response process.

[0063] In this case, if the "actual measured heart rate > estimated standard heart rate", the feed design means 13 reviews the body fat mobilization feed design, i.e., performs a design process to reduce the feed by adjusting the feed menu (M103). In this case, the actual heart rate of tethered cow C is faster than the standard estimated heart rate, and it is assumed that the energy balance is such that the cow is overfed. For this reason, the feed design means 13 can perform a process to reduce the feed. On the other hand, if the "actual measured heart rate ≦ estimated standard heart rate", the feed design means 13 performs a process to increase the feed (M104).

[0064] Figure 3 shows an example of management related to "body temperature." In this example, as shown in Figure 3, respiratory rate and heart rate are used as biological information Dc obtained from biological information measurement means Mc. Furthermore, temperature, humidity, and THI are used as environment-related information De obtained from environment-related information acquisition means Me. Furthermore, calving number is used as milking-related information Dm obtained from milking-related information acquisition means Mm.

[0065] The obtained respiratory rate, heart rate, temperature and humidity, and birth rate are input to the calculation processing unit 51 shown in FIG. 3, and are calculated based on the above-mentioned model formula <4> As a result, an estimated body temperature is obtained, and the level of the estimated body temperature is judged by the judgment processing unit 52, and based on the judgment result, the response processing means 7 performs necessary response processing.

[0066] At this time, if the "estimated body temperature is below Td", an alert is output to indicate that the patient is in a hypothermic state (M105). If the "estimated body temperature is above Tu", an alert is output to indicate that the patient is in a feverish state (M106). Note that if the "estimated body temperature is above Td and below Tu", the result is "no abnormality", which can be displayed if necessary (M107).

[0067] FIG. 4 shows an example of management related to "disease prevention." As shown in FIG. 4, this example uses information similar to "body temperature" shown in FIG. 3. That is, respiratory rate and heart rate are used as biological information Dc obtained from biological information measurement means Mc. Furthermore, temperature, humidity, and THI are used as environment-related information De obtained from environment-related information acquisition means Me. Furthermore, calving number is used as milking-related information Dm obtained from milking-related information acquisition means Mm.

[0068] The obtained respiratory rate, heart rate, temperature and humidity, and birth rate are input to the calculation processing unit 51 shown in FIG. 4, and are calculated based on the above-mentioned model formula <4> As a result, an estimated body temperature is obtained, and the level of the estimated body temperature thus obtained is judged by the judgment processing unit 52, and based on the judgment result, the necessary response processing is carried out by the response processing means 7.

[0069] In this case, if the "estimated body temperature is equal to or higher than Tu" (M108) and THI and temperature and humidity are all above the set thresholds, the estimated body temperature is considered to be in a feverish state and an alert is output (M109). Also, if THI and temperature and humidity are all below the set thresholds, the space cleaning control means 14 performs a process to clean the space (M110).

[0070] In this way, the response processing means 7 includes one or more of the following: a ventilation fan control means 12 that controls the strength of the ventilation fan; a feed design means 13 that designs the increase / decrease or change of feed; and a space cleaning control means 14 that controls whether or not the space is cleaned.Therefore, various measures such as necessary environmental measures, environmental conservation, and even appetite measures can be taken for the tethered cows C.

[0071] The above-described management example is merely an example, and basically, one or more of the biological information Dc of the tethered cow C measured by predetermined sensors 3 and 4 installed directly or indirectly on the mobile milking machine 2, the environmental information De measured or determined regarding the state of the environment including the stall St housing the tethered cow C, the milking data of the tethered cow C, and the milking-related information Dm of the tethered cow C related to milking are acquired, and a determination process is performed in which estimated biological information Dce calculated by calculation using a predetermined model formula is determined based on one or more of the measured biological information Dc, the environmental information De, and the milking-related information Dm, or the estimated biological information Dce is compared with predetermined actually measured biological information Dcd, and predetermined response processing is performed based on the determination result. This allows sufficient information related to the tethered cows to be acquired, making it possible to accurately determine the health status of each livestock and implement optimal response processing.

[0072] Although the preferred embodiment has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and the detailed configuration, shape, material, quantity, numerical values, etc. can be changed, added, or deleted as desired within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

[0073] For example, while the biological information measurement means Mc has been described as measuring both heart rate and respiratory rate, it may be either one of them, or another sensor measuring biological information Dc may be used. Similarly, the environmental information acquisition means Me has been described as measuring both temperature and humidity, but it may be either one of them, or another sensor measuring environmental information De may be used. Furthermore, the milking-related information acquisition means Mm has been described as using the milk yield, postpartum days, and parity of tethered cow C, but it may be any one of them, or other milking-related information Dm may be used. Furthermore, the response processing means 7 has been described as including one or more of the ventilation fan control means 12 that controls the strength of the ventilation fan, the feed design means 13 that designs the increase / decrease or change of feed, and the space cleaning control means 14 that controls whether or not the space is cleaned, but other control means or design means may be used. It is desirable to provide the response processing means 7 with an alert output means 15 that sets an upper limit and / or a lower limit based on a predetermined threshold and outputs an alert when the upper limit and / or the lower limit is exceeded, but this is not an essential component. [Industrial Applicability]

[0074] The method and system for managing tethered cattle according to the present invention can be used to obtain information relating to tethered cattle, determine their health status, and take any necessary corrective action. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1: Management system, 2: Milking machine, 3: Biometric sensor, 3s: Vital sensor, 4: Environmental sensor, 4s: Temperature and humidity sensor, 5: Management data, 6: Judgment processing means, 7: Response processing means, 11: Calculation means, 12: Ventilation fan control means, 13: Feed design means, 14: Space cleaning control means, 15: Alert output means, C: Tethered cow, St: Stall, Dc: Biometric information, Dcd: Actual measured biological information, Dce: Estimated biological information, De: Environmental information, Dm: Milking information, E: Controller, Mc: Biometric information measurement means, Me: Environmental information acquisition means, Mm: Milking information acquisition means

Claims

1. A method for managing tethered cows, which acquires specified information related to at least the tethered cows and performs a judgment process on the health condition of at least the tethered cows based on the acquired information, thereby performing specified response processes in response to the judgment results.The method comprises acquiring biological information obtained by non-contact measurement of the body condition of the tethered cows using a biological sensor installed directly or indirectly on a moving milking machine, environmental information obtained by actual measurement of the environmental condition including the stall in which the tethered cows are housed using an environmental sensor, and milking data of the tethered cows and milking-related information of the tethered cows related to milking registered as management data of a controller, and performing a judgment process to judge estimated biological information obtained by calculation using a specified model formula based on one or more of the actually measured biological information, the environmental information, and the milking-related information, or to make a judgment by comparing the estimated biological information with the specified actually measured biological information, and performing specified response processes based on the judgment results.

2. This tethered cow management system acquires specified information related to at least tethered cows, and performs a judgment process on the health condition of at least the tethered cows based on the acquired information, thereby performing specified response processes in response to the judgment results.The system is characterized by comprising: a biological information measurement means that uses a biological sensor installed directly or indirectly on a moving milking machine to measure the body condition of the tethered cows non-contactly to acquire biological information; an environmental information acquisition means that uses an environmental sensor to measure the environmental condition including the stall in which the tethered cows are housed to acquire environmental information; a milking-related information acquisition means that acquires milking data of the tethered cow and milking-related information of the tethered cow related to milking registered as management data of the controller; a judgment processing means that judges estimated biological information obtained by calculation using a specified model formula based on one or more of the measured biological information, the environmental information, and the milking-related information, or makes a judgment by comparing the estimated biological information with the specified measured biological information; and a response processing means that performs specified response processes based on the judgment results of the judgment processing means.

3. 3. A management system for tethered cattle according to claim 2, wherein the biological information measuring means uses a vital sensor that measures the heart rate and / or respiratory rate of the tethered cattle without contact.

4. 3. A management system for tethered cattle according to claim 2, wherein the environmental information acquisition means includes a temperature and humidity sensor for measuring temperature and humidity and / or a calculation means for calculating a discomfort index.

5. A tethered cow management system as described in claim 2, characterized in that the milking-related information acquisition means acquires one or more of the milk yield, number of days since calving, and number of births of the tethered cow from the management data of the controller.

6. A tethered cattle management system as described in claim 2, characterized in that the response processing means includes one or more of a ventilation fan control means for controlling the strength of the ventilation fan, a feed design means for designing the increase / decrease or change of feed, and a space cleaning control means for controlling whether or not the space is cleaned.

7. A tethered cattle management system as described in claim 2, characterized in that the response processing means sets upper and / or lower limit values ​​based on a predetermined threshold value and is equipped with an alert output means that outputs an alert when the upper and / or lower limit values ​​are exceeded.

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