Abstract: A method and system utilizing one or more agricultural drones to improve the monitoring, measuring and mapping of a field in order to produce contour maps that will be used in working a field, in particular, controlling a direction of tillage and/or controlling the spreading of matter (e.g., fertilizer, manure or sewage treatment sludge) across the field while preventing undue erosion and/or runoff.

Abstract: A method and system utilizing one or more agricultural drones for real-time monitoring, delivery and dispensing of feed in feed bunks associated with feed lots.

Abstract: A method and system utilizing one or more agricultural drones to improve the real-time monitoring, measuring and analysis of the health of livestock, in particular, the core body temperatures thereof.

Abstract: A handheld moisture sensing device for use in determining the moisture content of biological material, such as animal feed. Adapted to be pressed against biological material to be analyzed, the device includes a sensor assembly, including a housing with an end structure including a grate adapted to engage the material to be examined, a near infrared (NIR) LED, an NIR light sensor, a glass mounted in the housing adjacent the light source so that light from the light source passes through the glass, a glass heater positioned adjacent the glass for heating the glass, a lens mounted in the housing adjacent the NIR sensor so that the NIR light reflected off the biological material passes through the glass and is focused by the lens onto the NIR sensor, and a controller connected to the NIR sensor and receiving a signal related to the reflected NIR light received by the NIR sensor.

Abstract: A method includes the step of receiving a first weight value from a sensor associated with a feed mixer. A first rotation speed associated with the first weight value is monitored. A second weight value is received from the sensor associated with the feed mixer and a second rotation speed associated with the second weight value is monitored. A mixing profile is generated based on the first weight value, the second weight value, the first rotation speed, and the second rotation speed. In one embodiment, a first feed ingredient is associated with the first weight value and a second feed ingredient is associated with the second weight value.

Abstract: An Animal Feed Mixer (Dairy or Beef) Scale indicator system records Feed Mixer Operating Speed along with the operating temperatures and hydraulic & lube oil pressures of the mixer gearboxes and hydraulic drive system and notifies the operator and records the temperature or pressures, along with the weight, date, and time, when limits have been exceeded.

Abstract: A method of operation of a machine control indicator located on a first machine includes the step of monitoring operational parameters of a second machine operationally associated with a first machine. Each of the operational parameters is associated with a common clock of the machine control indicator. The operational parameters are stored in a memory of the machine control indicator with a date and time stamp based on the common clock. The operational parameters are transmitted along with the date and time stamp to a user device separate from the first machine and the second machine. In one embodiment, the operational parameters comprise one or more of a weight value, a rotation value, a revolutions per minute value, a peak weight value, a gearbox temperature value, and a hydraulic pressure value.

Abstract: A scale controller system and method of using the system is disclosed. The scale controller is adapted for use with a grain cart or similar implement that includes a discharge opening and conveyor. The system includes a scale and a plurality of sensors that work together to automate numerous functions that are typically performed manually. For example, the present invention discloses a system that automatically records the amount of material loaded or unloaded by continuously monitoring the load on a scale and the RPMs of a power take-off shaft that drives a conveyor.

Abstract: A handheld moisture sensing device for use in determining the moisture content of biological material, such as animal feed. Adapted to be pressed against biological material to be analyzed, the device includes a sensor assembly, including a housing with an end structure including a grate adapted to engage the material to be examined, a near infrared (NIR) LED, an NIR light sensor, a glass mounted in the housing adjacent the light source so that light from the light source passes through the glass, a glass heater positioned adjacent the glass for heating the glass, a lens mounted in the housing adjacent the NIR sensor so that the NIR light reflected off the biological material passes through the glass and is focused by the lens onto the NIR sensor, and a controller connected to the NIR sensor and receiving a signal related to the reflected NIR light received by the NIR sensor.

Abstract: A scale controller system and method of using the system is disclosed. The scale controller is adapted for use with a grain cart or similar implement that includes a discharge opening and conveyor. The system includes a scale and a plurality of sensors that work together to automate numerous functions that are typically performed manually. For example, the present invention discloses a system that automatically records the amount of material loaded or unloaded by continuously monitoring the load on a scale and the RPMs of a power take-off shaft that drives a conveyor.

Abstract: A method of controlling a scale in connection with to a carrier of pourable bulk materials. The scale involved has a control with a display and control buttons. Upon a first press of a first control button, the system is transitioned into a “tare” mode and displays a base, or tare, value. Upon a second press of the first control button, generally after unloading some or all of the load, the difference in weight from the first press is saved to a storage medium, and a value displayed representing the weight of bulk material in the container at that time. The method may also include the pressing of a Zero button to zero the scale before the carrier is first loaded.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved grain drill and a method retrofitting a previously manufactured grain drill to provide accurate weight determination of seed in a seed hopper of the grain drill. A grain drill in accordance with the invention includes a frame having a plurality of wheels for supporting the grain drill during rolling over a surface of ground to be planted with seed grain; a hopper for containing the seed grain to be planted in the ground; a support which is joined to opposed sides of the frame and to spaced apart locations of the hopper to transfer weight of the hopper to the frame, the support including at least one weight sensing device which senses a weight of seed grain in the hopper transferred through the support to the frame and provides an output of the sensed weight of the seed grain in the hopper; and a display, coupled to the output, for displaying the weight of the seed grain contained in the hopper.

Abstract: A peak weight detecting system and method which analyzes signals generated by a load cell indicating a load within a container. The signal indicates a weight which is compared with a stored peak weight. If the new weight exceeds the stored weight, the new weight is verified by comparison to a weight indicated by a second signal from the load cell. If the weights indicated by the first and second signals are within a specified percentage of each other, the weight indicated by the first signal may displace the stored peak weight and may be stored as a new peak weight.

Abstract: An electronic device that is attached to a mixing machine for calculating the weight of the material being mixed and the number of auger revolutions that has occurred during the mixing process, and a method therefor. The electronic device can display the weight and auger revolutions, and store such information in the device memory or an external memory. The data relating to mixing a particular batch of ingredients can be stored in the memory and used to determine operator productivity and mixer maintenance schedules. An alarm alerts the mixer operator when a predetermined number of revolutions has occurred.