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
Purdue economist Dr. Joana Colussi discussed the U.S. and Brazil’s reliance on imported fertilizers and their impact on global food security amid rising input costs.
RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper joined us to discuss the proposed E15 amendment in the Farm Bill, industry reaction to the legislation, and the outlook for year-round E15 sales.
Kansas row crop farmer Brad Keeler joins us to discuss drought conditions, planting decisions, input costs, and overall farmer sentiment in his region.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Rich Nelson with Allendale joined us to break down early planting progress, market expectations, and what producers should keep an eye on as the season moves forward.
Tight global supply is likely to keep fuel and fertilizer costs elevated.
Dr. Michael Langemeier with Purdue University provided perspective on the improving farmer sentiment and the trends shaping the agricultural economy moving forward.
Roger McEowen discusses how long-term healthcare costs for elderly Americans are reshaping estate-planning decisions for farm families and what producers should consider moving forward.
Farmer Jeffry Mitchell with the Mississippi Farm Bureau joins us for a spring planting update from the southeast region as drought, input costs, and fertilizer access complicate crop progress.
Cattle producers face mounting pressure as U.S.-Mexico trade talks resume, but expanding drought, rising input costs, and policy work to improve the long-term industry outlook.
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.