FarmTech: BinSentry brings AI automation to the feedlot

The agriculture workforce’s struggles with labor issues in recent years have opened the door to more automation and integration of artificial intelligence (AI).

Designers at BinSentry say they’ve developed a piece of FarmTech that helps livestock producers take the guesswork out of feeding time.

“BinSentry puts a high-end, time-of-flight camera into the top of animal feed bits,” explains Ben Allen. “That gives us a highly accurate reading of the inventory levels inside of those feed bins and the rate of consumption of animals out of the barn. That data is then fed into our software platform, where we can see things that go far beyond inventory. We can see what’s going on with profiles, how often we’re needing feed returns, when there are outages.”

Designers found that most feed outages are traced back to issues with bin slides. Those errors can increase feed conversion ratios by as much as seven basis points, costing farmers money.

“We can actually help our enterprise customers have fewer emergency orders for food, shorter amounts,” Allen explained. “Under these feed returns, you know, those types of really important metrics.”

The company has also developed 3D optical sensors powered by AI. The system enables farmers to monitor feed levels and optimize feed management, particularly when no one is on site.

Learn More: BinSentry Website

Related Stories
USDA says both crops remain ahead of the five-year average as farmers continue monitoring dry Corn Belt conditions.
Texas Farm Bureau takes us behind the scenes at USDA’s sterile fly facility, considered a first line of defense against New World Screwworm, a fight Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller fears is “futile.”
RealAg Radio’s Shaun Haney joins us to discuss Canadian farmer sentiment, saying many are also struggling with profitability and long-term outlook in agriculture.
Several fires have merged into Kansas’ largest active wildfire as crews continue battling shifting winds and dry conditions.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Accessing land is one of the biggest challenges facing the next generation of farmers and ranchers.
HTS Commodities broker Lewis Williamson joins us to break down the latest USDA Crop Progress Report and how weather and global supply chain issues could influence planting conditions moving forward.
Purdue University’s Dr. Michael Langemeier joins us to break down the latest read on farmer sentiment in the April Ag Economy Barometer, and growing concerns about the impact of global conflict on farm inputs and income.
Federal officials are signaling a more aggressive push on beef packer concentration, but any direct market impact will depend on what the investigation actually finds.
Higher freight rates and potential service disruptions are key concerns for agriculture, which relies heavily on rail to move commodities.
Pseudorabies case confirmed in Iowa herd prompts heightened biosecurity measures as U.S. swine producers work to prevent spread and protect herd health.
Agriculture Shows
Hosted by Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady and RFD News Markets Specialist Tony St. James, Commodity Talk delivers expert insight into the day’s ag commodity markets just before the CME opens. Only on RFD-TV and Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.
A look at the news, weather and commodities headlines that drove agriculture markets in the past week.
Everything profits from prairie. Soil, air, water — and all kinds of life! Learn how you can improve your land with prairie restoration, cover crops and prairie strips, while growing your bottom line.
From soil to harvest. Top Crop is an all-new series about four of the best farmers in the world—Dan Luepkes, of Oregan, Illinois; Cory Atley, of Cedarville, Ohio; Shelby Fite, of Jackson Center, Ohio; Russell Hedrick, of Hickory, North Carolina—reveals what it takes for them to make a profitable crop. It all starts with good soil, patience, and a strong planter setup.