Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring nutrition, especially fermentation in a rumen of a ruminant, wherein a characteristic value of carbon dioxide inside the rumen and/or reticulum is determined.

Abstract: A pot flower which features a unique, internal catch-basin or reservoir designed to collect, store, and dispense upon demand water, minerals, and fertilizer which have been applied and have run through the potting soil.

Abstract: A horticultural container includes a tag slot for receiving a display tag. The tag slot has an inner wall and an outer wall spaced widthwise from one another, and one of the inner or outer walls has at least two curved peaks separated by a valley and extending into the slot towards the other of the inner or outer wall to hold the tag against the other of the inner or outer wall. The peaks provide a radius that reduces cracking of the tag and increases longevity thereof, and reduces tag sagging, collapsing, or curling.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating plant diseases and infestations includes a closed receptacle configured to contain a plant and/or produce, and at least one ultraviolet light source mounted in the receptacle and configured to direct ultraviolet light at the plant. The receptacle is provided with latches and position sensors that prevent the ultraviolet source from being activated if the receptacle is open or is not securely supported on a surface.

Abstract: A milking system including: at least one milking device; a milk storage vessel storing milk obtained with the milking device; a milk line system with a milk line with a first end connected to the milking device and with a second end connected to the milk storage vessel; and a monitoring system including: a sensor configured to measure a fluid parameter value of a fluid in the milk line, and a control system actively connected to the sensor and configured to process the measured fluid parameter value and generate a transition signal on fulfilment of a predefined transition criterion. The milk line includes a substantially vertical line portion, and a proposed discharge direction of milk runs through the milk line from the milking device to the milk storage vessel and is raised through the line portion, wherein the sensor is placed in or on the substantially vertical line portion.

Abstract: A seaweed farming system (100) for farming of seaweed in a water body is described herein. In an embodiment, the seaweed farming system (100) includes a seaweed farm operating assembly (102) which further includes a harvesting unit (106) to separate vegetative portion of seaweed from mature seaweed. The mature seaweed can grow on a plantation substrate (110). The seaweed farm operating assembly (102) also includes a seeding unit (108) to receive the vegetative portion of the seaweed from the harvesting unit (106) and to sow the vegetative portion of the seaweed in a fresh plantation substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cultivating vegetation at an arid location includes rooting immature vegetation in a mat combined with a super absorbent polymer (“SAP”) and, in embodiments, fertilizer, sand, and/or soil; placing the mat at the arid location; covering the mat with a perforated, transparent or semi-transparent cover; collecting urine in a water purification system; and providing purified water extracted from the urine to the mat. A water barrier can be placed below the mat. The cover can be placed on or suspended above the mat. SAP, seeds, and/or additional water barriers can be placed between mats in a stack. The opacity of the cover can be increased to emulate shade from natural vegetation. A water distribution system can be included for continued support of the vegetation, and can include a water reservoir and/or at least one solar still.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a carriage, platform, extension member, brush tool member, brush tool, and controller. The carriage is coupled to and moves along a track. The platform has a length orthogonal to and greater than its width and transverse to the lateral direction when in an operational state. The platform pivots such that its front and back ends move vertically in opposite directions. The extension member is movably coupled to the platform and its longitudinal axis is parallel to the platform's length. The back end of the brush tool member is coupled to the front end of the extension member. The brush tool is coupled to the front end of the brush tool member. The controller configured moves the extension member towards the front end of the platform such that a portion of the brush tool extends beyond the front end of the platform.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for growing marijuana plants, particularly for regulated purposes, for example medical purposes or in some jurisdictions recreational purposes, have automated subsystems with sensors to provide feedback information about system, apparatus and plant growth parameters to one or more controllers so that the one or more controllers can alter one or more parameters to provide optimal conditions for the growing and harvesting of the marijuana plants. In particular aspects, the systems, apparatuses and methods provide for control of odors produced during the growing of marijuana, root management of the marijuana plants and control over important levels of chemicals provided to the plants, for example enzymes and flavor additives.

Abstract: A tree injection apparatus includes a pump coupled with a fluid reservoir that holds a treatment solution under pressure generated by the pump. At least one fluid conduit is provided to have a first end coupled with the pump and a second end coupled with a valve assembly. A feeder tube is releasably engaged at the valve assembly, where the feeder tube is configured to engage a drilled hole extending into vascular tissue of the tree receiving treatment. The pump releases the pressurized treatment solution through the fluid conduit and to the feeder tube at a desired pressure, so as to generally coincide with the absorption rate of the vascular tissue. The feeder tube may be released from engagement with the valve assembly, so as to allow cleaning of the feeder tube of debris, pathogens, and spores before being installed on another tree.

Abstract: A solar float device for use in a livestock watering facility to inhibit the freezing of water in a livestock watering facility. The solar float device having upper and lower shells that are connected to each other. The upper shell encloses an air space and the lower shell encloses a ballast space. A bulkhead is connected to the lower shell and separates the air and ballast spaces. A ballast material contained within the ballast space maintains the float device upright in the water and is thermally conductive for receiving and storing heat generated by the solar float device from solar radiation. An energy absorbing element contacts the lower shell and at least a portion is arranged either at or above the level of the water such that the energy absorbing element is exposed to the solar radiation for absorbing the solar radiation and converting the solar radiation into heat.

Abstract: A method of pollinating a plant includes receiving, with a processing circuit, plant data regarding a plant having flowers, and controlling, by the processing circuit, operation of an robotic device to selectively pollinate a portion of the plurality of flowers based on the plant data. The robotic device includes sensors configured to acquire plant data, a pollination device configured to pollinate flowers of a plant, a collection device configured to collect pollen, and a pollination prevention device configured prevent a flower from being pollinated.

Abstract: A fan coil apparatus for a closed greenhouse that recirculates are within the greenhouse includes a housing with an intake and an outtake further including a filter that filters recirculating air that enters the intake, cooling coils that cool the recirculating air and condense water therefrom, heating coils that heat the recirculating air, a sterilization system that kills and prevents the spread of airborne pathogens, and a fan that directs the recirculating air through the outtake outside the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reusable floral bouquet arranging fixture having a 3D substantially conic section frame, with apertures arranged thereon for the insertion of plant stems, such that the plant stems converge substantially to a common point; wherein the frame attaches to an adjustable support apparatus, including an associated spindle, and a bracket having a lower arm with a slotted portion that adjusts the location of the spindle, and an upper arm slotted portion that adjusts the location of a holding device, including a clamp that attaches to a base; and wherein said frame is removable for use at an event, as a gift, or as a household or business decoration.

Abstract: A method for a hydroponics farm comprising a light source, a container filled with a liquid medium, a plate support positioned above the container comprising a foam support, wherein the foam support supports a plant at a stem portion. The foam support may comprise a small foam fitted in a larger foam. The foam supports may allow ease of transfer of the plants among a plurality of plate supports. The method may comprise exposing the plants to a light source based on characteristics of the plants, such as based on a total plant density, a young plant density and a mature plant density. The method may also comprise periodically raising the level of the liquid medium, spreading a plant density, and oscillating the plant to promote growth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cultivating vegetation at an arid location includes rooting immature vegetation in a mat combined with a super absorbent polymer (“SAP”) and, in embodiments, fertilizer, sand, and/or soil; placing the mat at the arid location; and covering the mat with a perforated, transparent or semi-transparent cover. Most or all of the apparatus can be biodegradable or removable, and the sand or soil can be similar to indigenous sand or soil. A water barrier can be placed below the mat. The cover can be placed on or suspended above the mat. SAP, seeds, and/or additional water barriers can be placed between mats in a stack. The opacity of the cover can be increased to emulate shade from natural vegetation. A water distribution system can be included for continued support of the vegetation, and can include a water reservoir and/or at least one solar still.

Abstract: The invention is a pet feeding device provides a feeding mechanism on a basis of fixed time and fixed amount of food for a pet. The pet feeding device includes a base and a rotatable tray. The base has a first opening and a second opening communicated with each other, and the second opening connects the base and an exterior environment. The rotatable tray having third openings is assembled to the base and rotates about an axis. The feed pellets received in the pet feeding device fall into the third openings with a rotation of the rotatable tray. In a process of rotation, the first opening covers portion of the third openings correspondingly in a unit time, and the feed pellets in the corresponding third openings drop out of the pet feeding device via the first opening and the second opening.

Abstract: A horticulture apparatus and method for planting, growing, and harvesting plants may include a platform having a width axis and a length axis, a gantry sized to straddle and move across at least one of the platform's width and length axes, and a controller. The gantry may comprise a frame, a motor mounted to the frame, a container bin operatively connected to the frame, and a modular tool operatively connected to the frame. The controller may engage the motor of the gantry to move the gantry across the platform, thereby providing the modular tool with access to different locations on the platform.

Abstract: An underground tree staking system that includes a ridged w-unit that may releasably couple to a ridged stabilizer. The w-unit includes at least three arcs or curves that are each configured to engage with hooks of a stake to apply a downward force on the root ball that allows the plant to resist forces experienced during high winds by the trunk and branches.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a carriage, a foundation, a pivot coupler, a platform, a coupler, a linear actuator, an extension member, a spray tool member, and a controller. The carriage moves along the track. The foundation is coupled to the carriage. The pivot coupler is coupled to the foundation. The coupler is coupled to the platform. The coupler couples the platform to the pivot coupler. The extension member is coupled to the linear actuator. The spray tool member is coupled to the extension member. The controller is configured to cause the carriage to move along the track, the platform to pivot, and the extension member to move in the lengthwise direction to position a spray tool coupled to the spray tool member at a spray position from which the spray tool may discharge a solution to a teat of a dairy livestock.