Patent ID: 7670292

Claim:
A method for managing at least one animal, comprising: receiving a live animal at a feedlot; entering into a computer system information relating to the animal; directing the animal to a processing location remote from a feed pen; measuring the animal at the processing location and entering measurement data in the computer system including at least weight; associating the measurement data with a unique identifier for the animal in the computer system; imaging at least one lung of the animal to determine a degree of respiratory damage in the animal; assigning the animal a respiratory damage designation corresponding to the animal's degree of respiratory damage; recording the respiratory damage designation in the computer system; associating the respiratory damage designation with the unique identifier for the animal in the computer system; comparing an image of the animal's lung to at least one image from another animal to determine whether the image indicates active or past respiratory disease; determining in the computer system, from at least in part the measurement data and the respiratory damage designation, a projected condition for the animal; and selecting at least one aspect of treatment, care or disposition of the animal based on the animal's respiratory damage designation and projected condition.