Apparatus and method to feed livestock

摘要

A method and apparatus for feeding livestock is presented. The method includes providing a mobile feed preparation apparatus that includes a feed container containing a base feed, a conveying assembly that receives the base feed from the feed container, a feed additive assembly comprising a reservoir containing a feed additive, where the feed additive assembly is in flowable communication with the conveying assembly, a weight sensitive platform having a weigh cell, where the reservoir is mounted on said platform, and a controller in communication with the conveying assembly and the weigh cell. The method further includes weighing the reservoir to determine a first weight, dispensing from the mobile feed preparation apparatus a feed ration, and weighing the reservoir to determine a second weight. Additionally, the method includes calculating a distributed amount of the feed additive using the first weight and the second weight.

主权项

1. A method of feeding livestock, comprising:
providing a mobile feed preparation apparatus comprising a feed, a feed additive reservoir, feed additive disposed in said feed additive reservoir, and a weigh cell attached to the feed additive reservoir; weighing the feed additive reservoir to determine a first weight of feed additive disposed therein; spraying feed additive onto said feed; weighing the feed additive reservoir to determine a second weight of feed additive disposed therein; calculating a distributed amount of the feed additive using the first weight and the second weight; a conduit having a first end in communication with said feed additive reservoir and a second end disposed adjacent a first end of an auger, a motor connected to said auger, a first end of a funnel disposed adjacent a second end of said auger, a discharge line having a first end attached to a second end of said funnel, and a spray assembly nozzle assembly attached to a second end of said discharge line; said method further comprising: transporting said feed additive particles to said funnel via said conduit and via said auger; disposing said feed additive particles into said funnel and through said discharge line to said spray assembly; wherein: said spraying step comprises spraying said feed additive particles from said spray nozzle assembly; the mobile feed preparation apparatus further comprises a controller; the controller further comprises a wireless network communication module; the method further comprising wirelessly providing a distributed amount of the feed additive to a computing device external to the mobile feed preparation apparatus.