Mobile Livestock Enclosure Anchoring for Stable Pasture Relocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stationary livestock facilities require high materials and labor costs, lead to environmental concerns, and pose health risks due to antibiotic use, while existing pasture-raised methods are expensive and not scalable for commercial farmers.
Innovation Solution
An anchoring system for mobile livestock enclosures that includes a securing flange, anchor, and drive mechanism to securely anchor and retract the enclosure to the ground, allowing for automated relocation and integration with weather sensors and controllers for enhanced stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stationary facilities are used for livestock production, then livestock can be kept in controlled environments, but facilities require high materials costs, elevated labor costs, and generate environmental concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms stationary facilities into mobile enclosures that can be relocated to fresh pasture. The enclosure system includes movable walls, roofing, and flooring components that can be transported and reassembled, allowing livestock to move between locations while maintaining controlled environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The facility is divided into modular, relocatable sections. The enclosure consists of separate wall panels, roof sections, and floor components that can be independently transported and reconfigured, reducing the need for permanent infrastructure and enabling pasture rotation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If pasture raising methods are used for livestock, then environmental impact is reduced and health risks from antibiotics are eliminated, but the amount of land and labor required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile enclosure enables dynamic pasture rotation, allowing livestock to be moved systematically between grazing areas. This optimizes land use efficiency and reduces the total acreage needed compared to static pasture systems, while maintaining the environmental and health benefits of pasture-raised animals.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure design incorporates self-contained features including integrated feeding systems, water provisions, and waste management capabilities that reduce the need for additional labor and infrastructure during pasture operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mobile enclosures are used for livestock, then relocation is enabled and pasture raising becomes scalable, but anchoring stability must be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring system transitions between mobile and stationary states as needed. During relocation, anchors are retracted to allow movement; during grazing periods, anchors are deployed to secure the enclosure firmly to the ground, providing stability while maintaining overall system mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchoring mechanism is pre-configured with quick-deploy features that allow rapid securing to the ground before livestock are introduced. The system includes pre-positioned anchor points and automated or semi-automated anchoring mechanisms that reduce the time and effort required to stabilize the enclosure at each new location.
Data Source
AI summary
In general, one aspect disclosed features an anchoring system for anchoring an at least partially floorless mobile livestock enclosure to the ground. The anchoring system comprising: a securing flange configured to mechanically couple the anchoring system to the enclosure; an anchor; and a drive configured to place the anchor into contact with the ground, and to retract the anchor from contact with the ground.