Development of a Web Module for Automatic Farm Management

Abstract

Frequent visits to livestock farms for cleaning, feed and water distribution are possible ways of spreading viruses and bacteria. An automatic feed distribution and water management system can significantly reduce the workload by helping to control transmissible animal diseases. To this end, an automatic solar-powered module for feed and water distribution, sanitation management, and communication via the global mobile communications system and the internet through a web application has been developed for livestock farms. This module consists of an Arduino Mega board, water and feed level sensors, a "Reel Time Clock", relay modules, an LCD screen, a "Global System for Mobile Communications" module and a web application.  Initial testing of the prototype revealed a minimum efficiency of 83.33% for all units. Field and laboratory tests indicated that the module is capable of communicating with the farmer 1 to 3 seconds after completion of each task. It was concluded that the use of this module can seriously limit the visits to the farms, thus reducing the drudgery of the work and the possibility of spreading diseases.