Patent · US Active

Method and system for monitoring and reducing ruminant methane production

US7966971B2 · kind B2 · utility

17Cited by
5References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMay 21, 2009
Grant dateJun 28, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 4, 2029

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02P60/22
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method, and systems implementing such method, for reducing methane emissions by ruminants. The method includes providing a feed dispenser for feeding ruminants one or more nutrient supplements, and the feed dispenser includes a gas analyzer proximate to where the ruminant places its head. The method includes determining a particular ruminant has accessed the feed dispenser such as by reading an identifier from an RFID ear tag and operating the feed dispenser to provide a ration of methane-controlling nutrient supplement. The method includes using the gas analyzer to determine levels of carbon dioxide and methane and operating a data analyzing station to determine a ratio of methane to carbon dioxide and modify the type or amount of nutrient supplement for the ruminant for a next feeding to control methane production or achieve an animal production goal, such as by selectively operating a hopper with two or more supplements compartments.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.