SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR UNIFORMLY DELIVERING FEED RATIONS TO THE FEED-BUNKS OF ANIMAL PENS IN A FEEDLOT

摘要

A system and method for uniformly delivering assigned feed rations to the feedbunks associated with animal pens. The system includes a feed delivery vehicle having a feed storage compartment and a scale. The function of the scale is to weigh the amount of feed in the storage compartment at sampled time intervals, and produce a first data signal indicative of the weight of the feed at these sampled time intervals. The vehicle also has a ground speed radar unit which measures the two ground speed of the vehicle at sampled time intervals as the vehicle travels alongside of the feedbunk, and produces a second data signal indicative of the vehicular speed at these sampled time intervals. A computer aboard the vehicle processes the first and second data signals along with information regarding the length of the feedbunk and produces a control signal as the vehicle travels alongside the feedbunk. A feed dispensing mechanism aboard the vehicle, includes an electronically-controlled hydraulic pump that dispenses the assigned amount of feed ration into and along the feedbunk in response to the production of the control signal such that, for each foot travelled by the feed delivery vehicle along the length of the feedbunk, a substantially constant amount of feed is dispensed into the feedbunk as the feed delivery vehicle travels alongside the feedbunk.