• the tag is CCIA approved, mandated in Canada and recommended for use by US state agencies
• each tag has a unique number

 2.  When an animal drinks the tag is automatically read by GrowSafe hardware installed in front of the existing water trough.

• one unit monitors 1 pen - typically containing 250 animals
• unit is solar powered

 3.  As the animal drinks he naturally places his two front legs on a platform, and a partial body weight measurement is captured.

• conversion from partial weight to full body weight is highly accurate
• unit tares automatically
• this is a non-invasive measurement causing no stress to the animal

  

4.  The acquired data is sent wireless to the data acquisition computer. GrowSafe software automatically analyses data.

     Based on feedyard criteria such as target average daily gain and/or market weight the system determines:

• poor performing animals
• animals requiring treatment
• animals ready for market

5.  When the software has targeted an animal that requires treatment, or is ready for market the system will automatically mark (spray paint) the animal the next time it comes to drink.

• pen rider receives a report identifying the location and ID of marked animal.
• any weight greater than 200 lbs. without an eartag ID will be marked, visually identifying animals with a missing transponder.

The system includes an ability to determine feeding economics, pen occupancy, and product efficacy (i.e. implants)

The feedyard can practically determine whether individual animals should be treated or shipped.

Data such as daily gain is stored in a database and can be seamlessly integrated into existing ODBC compliant feedyard databases.

What all of this technology does is maximize profits through a real time ability to:

• Optimize market timing - know when to sell.
• Manage inventory - know how many animals and where they are at all times.
• Mitigate risk - early identify sick animals and poor performers, eliminate overweights.
• Reduce labor - focus pen riding to animals requiring intervention.

This is a new marketing concept for the feedyard. Typically the feedlot forecasts a number of days on feed for the entire pen, and markets all animals on the same day.

• Cost of gain - yardage and individual animal feed intake
• Value of gain - market price and discounts for out weight carcasses

GrowSafe provides customers with a "turnkey" service program which includes:

• equipment supply.
• regular equipment maintenance.
• analytical software upgrades.
• customer training.
• ongoing remote troubleshooting.
• management decision support.

We take  the risk and expense out of owning advanced technology equipment.  We provide a customized software decision support program that automates feedyard activities, and drives results direct to our customer's bottom line.

Program benefits include:

• installation, commissioning, and regular service visits.
• guaranteed replacement of equipment in case of breakdown.
• fixed, predictable monthly cost.
• no equipment ownership risks - no capital outlay.
• access to the latest feedyard technology without requiring sophisticated in-house IT capability.
• remote monitoring of equipment.
• periodic statistical process control.
• industry benchmarking.