Abstract: A method for determining the degree of cure in forages using a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technique. An NMR instrument is used to determine the amount of bound moisture (typically called stem moisture) and free moisture (typically called dew moisture) the degree of which can be used to determine how cured the forage is. This method represents an improvement on the traditional ways of determining how cured a forage is. The traditional ways have been by twisting a bunch of forage in ones hands or using a mechanical method (Hammer of fingernail) to determine if there is too much stem moisture in the stem nodes. The method can be applied using a portable instrument or building the instrument into a forage harvesting machine such as a hay baler.

Abstract: A detection and alerting system for precursors to spoilage in haystacks caused by aerobic microbe activity. The system includes a plurality of temperature probes, measuring the temperature of the haystacks, at least one local communication system, communicating with the temperature probes about the temperatures of the haystacks. The system further includes an internet connected base communication module communicating with each of the local communication module, providing the temperature information of the haystacks; and alerting if the temperature information includes a first temperature indication such as a rapid increase in temperature.

Abstract: A method for determining the degree of cure in forages using a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technique. An NMR instrument is used to determine the amount of bound moisture (typically called stem moisture) and free moisture (typically called dew moisture) the degree of which can be used to determine how cured the forage is. This method represents an improvement on the traditional ways of determining how cured a forage is. The traditional ways have been by twisting a bunch of forage in ones hands or using a mechanical method (Hammer of fingernail) to determine if there is too much stem moisture in the stem nodes. The method can be applied using a portable instrument or building the instrument into a forage harvesting machine such as a hay baler.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for fluid flow control, for particular user in a hay baler. The system involves calculating or inputting a preferred flow rate (the Set Point), measuring the “actual” flow rate of liquid through the system, and controlling the speed of a pump used to move the liquid through the system to ensure that the flow rate is maintained as close as possible to the Set Point flow rate at all times during operation. The flow rate Set Point can be calculated using one or more user or sensor inputs, including the dose rate, the mass flow rate of fodder, the moisture content, etc.

Abstract: An apparatus for marking a bale of bulk material, such as a bale of fodder having a frame defining a gap through which passes the baled material. A marking system, typically comprising of at least one spray can operates to mark the bale. One specific use of the invention is where the moisture of a bale of fodder is measured and if it exceeds a predetermined level the bale is sprayed with a can of spray paint to indicate to a person that the moisture content of the bale is higher then a set threshold.