Abstract: A locking tree stand comprising a basin with a plurality of bolt mounts configured to accommodate locking bolts to slide into position. When a tab on the bolt mount is closed a threaded portion of the locking bolt comes in contact with a grip on the tab, preventing the bolt from sliding freely within the bolt mount. The bolt may slide on the thread base where a spring extends from, causing an arm from the spring to push the tab away from the locking bolt, when a locking tab is in an unlocked position. A foot pad may also be attached to the locking screw to provide a greater contact surface between the locking bolt and the trunk of a tree. The footpad may also include a plurality of nubs to provide greater grip between the footpad and the tree trunk.

Abstract: A modular grow lighting assembly provides a structure for integrating grow light strips into channels defined in vertical and horizontal structural supports. Levels of support structure can be added above previously installed levels as needed. A cable management system is also provided.

Abstract: A feeding management system for a free stall cow barn includes an evaluation-related information storage unit, an association information storage unit, an evaluating unit, a selecting unit, a transmission unit, a reading unit, a feed information acquiring unit, a device information acquiring unit, and a control information transmitting unit.

Abstract: An aquaculture system can include stacked growth trays. Animals, such as shrimp, can be transferred between the growth trays for different stages of growth. Waste water can be removed from the growth trays and can be processed by a water treatment system. Treated water can be returned to the growth trays. A valve in a first configuration can permit water to circulate through the growth tray, while impeding the animals from exiting the growth tray. In a second configuration, the valve can permit the animals to exit the growth tray, such as for transition to a subsequent growth tray. A sweeper system can be used for cleaning and/or mixing the water in the growth tray, and/or for pushing the animals out of the growth tray during a transition.

Abstract: A lighting system is provided with an illumination device with a semiconductor light emission solution and device suited for plant cultivation in a greenhouse environment are described. A lighting device with binary alloy quantum dots made by colloidal methods produces a size distribution of quantum dots that produces an emission spectrum similar to the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) spectrum. The methods and arrangements allow more precise spectral tuning of the emission spectrum for lights used in plant cultivation. Therefore unexpected improvements in the photomorphogenetic control of plant growth, and further improvements in plant production are realized.

Abstract: A watered tree stand system, which facilitates continual watering of a tree supported by the tree stand system, includes a base reservoir having a reservoir interior suitably configured to contain a supply of water and receive the trunk of a tree. The base reservoir is suitably configured to support a tree in an upward-standing position. A preferably see-through, water intake container is disposed in spaced-apart relationship to the base reservoir. The water intake container is suitably configured to contain a supply of refill water. An elongated water delivery conduit establishes fluid communication between the water intake container and the base reservoir.

Abstract: A system including means for encapsulating a plant in a closed environment; means for injecting pollen into said closed environment; means for expanding a space covered by said closed environment; means for filtering contaminants from entering said closed environment; means for attaching said closed environment to a plant appendage or plant container; means for holding or diffusing pollen inside said closed environment; and means for maximizing an amount light penetrating within said closed environment.

Abstract: A delivery device and system to supplement CO2 in an underwater environment without the need for electricity or the use of compressed CO2. The device consists of a container containing a biological organism such as mycelium and including an exit portal for CO2 to enter the underwater environment. The device may also incorporate a separation device to delay and control the flow of CO2. The system requires the device to be held in place through a securing point in the underwater environment. The minimum requirements for the device are described, but in certain instances it will be preferably used with a double-bag or an outer shell housing to protect or aesthetically conceal the placement underwater. The use of this device and system to supplement carbon dioxide in water will span many industries and applications. It will assist with mosquito trapping. It will also supplement CO2 in underwater growing environments.

Abstract: A method for limiting the volume of a crow of a rooster includes providing a collar that includes a strip of flexible material. The collar includes a securing element disposed on the strip and configured to secure the collar at the neck of the rooster. The method includes placing the collar around the neck of the rooster such that the strip encircles the neck of the rooster. After placing the collar around the neck of the rooster, securing the collar at the neck of the rooster via the securing element at a position and at a tightness around the neck of the rooster such that expansion of the neck of the rooster for breathing is allowed and further expansion of the neck of the rooster for crowing is restricted by the collar.

Abstract: A hydroponic cultivation system includes a plurality of hydroponic cultivation units vertically stacked one over another, each configured to provide a cultivation bed for the plants and including: a tank with an integrated structure; separation bars on a bed of the tank; a planting board; a plurality of removable dispensers, and a plurality of removable dam members. Every two neighboring hydroponic cultivation units are hydrologically coupled to one another such that the culture solution flows top-to-bottom through each of the plurality of hydroponic cultivation units on each level. The removable dam members and the separation bars are configured to facilitate flexible control of depths and passageways of a culture solution flowing in the tank, thereby allowing for convenient switching between a deep cultivation mode and a shallow cultivation mode to support different growth stages of plants being cultivated in the tank of the hydroponic cultivation unit.

Abstract: an animal tag comprising: a one-piece animal tag retaining member made of molded material, having: a first part comprising a female opening connectable to a male member for coupling the animal tag to a body part of an animal; a second part configured to accommodate one or more electronical components capable of obtaining information relating to the animal to which the animal tag is coupled; an intermediate part, located between the first tag part and the second tag part, having a form of a latitudinal recess for enhancing a flexibility of the animal tag.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method comprising a vertical farm where the plants are nourished by an aqueous nutrient solution and where all operations of the farm: the circulation of aqueous nutrient solution, replenishment of nutrients and supplements to the solution, as well as the seeding, growing, harvesting and packaging of plants are able to be effected in an automated manner and controlled by the farm controller system. It is possible for the operations of the present invention to be non-automated, semi-automated, or fully-automated, or any combination of non-automated, semi-automated and fully-automated operations, and to be controlled either centrally or locally.

Abstract: A seed flow chamber for handling seed and grain commodity, especially for use with a seed treatment applicator. Seed flow is received through an upper inlet opening configured to receive a flow of seed and discharged through a lower discharge opening. A diverging guide member splits the seed flow. A converging guide member disposed below the diverging guide member reunites the seed flow prior to discharge. The converging member has a downward sloping surface and an air vent, such as a plurality of airflow apertures connected to a plenum. The air vent is configured to communicate with an air supply. A vacuum vent—disposed below the diverging guide member—is configured to communicate with a vacuum source. A fan system recirculates air between the air vent and the vacuum vent. Dehumidifier may condition the air supply to assist with drying.

Abstract: A pet bed is disclosed that includes a bolster and removable mattress portion. The bolster may be formed from a foam cushion, a fiber-filled cushion, a lower bolster cover, and an upper bolster cover. The upper bolster cover may comprise an upper and lower outer member such that the lower outer member connects to the lower bolster cover and separates the foam cushion from the fiber-filled cushion. The upper outer member of the upper bolster cover may cover the foam cushion.

Abstract: A door assembly for an animal enclosure includes a door frame and a door each having a plurality of interconnected horizontal and vertical wires. The door frame defines an opening for an animal to pass therethrough, and the door is slidably coupled to the door frame such that it moves between an open position and a closed position relative to the door frame to allow egress and ingress through the opening. A catch member is coupled to the door frame. A latch includes a base member, a bolt, and a lever portion. A first vertical wire and a second vertical wire of the door are spaced from one another such that the first vertical wire is at a first end of the door and the second vertical wire is at a second end of the door. In the closed position, the bolt is coupled to the first vertical wire.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an indoor gardening household appliance system is disclosed. The system includes a housing, having a front side and a plurality of enclosed sides, a front side opening, a rotatable tubular shaped wall within the housing that is concentric with the opening, a backplate in attachment with the back side of the rotatable tubular shaped wall, a plurality of drawers, and at least one stop engaging a grow drawer such that the grow drawer is retained within the interior compartment. The stop includes a locked configuration for retaining the drawers within the interior compartment and an unlocked configuration for allowing a drawer to move into and out of the interior compartment. The system further includes a locked configuration having grow drawers disposed about a top arc section of the opening, and an unlocked configuration having a grow drawer disposed within the bottommost arc section of the opening.

Abstract: An installation that has a plurality of conduits hung by pairs of steel cables connected to rotary shafts such that the rotation of the same causes some conduits to ascend and others to descend, allowing the same to be situated at different heights. The rotary shafts from which the cables of the conduits hang are actuated by reducers actuated by a chain-and-sprocket drive that is actuated by a main shaft connected to a motor reducer.

Abstract: A freeze-resistant watering device has a nipple or ball valve, a heat pipe, a sleeve in tight thermal contact with the nipple, a water-tight connection to a liquid containing container or supply pipe, and an outer shield enclosing an insulating space or insulation material. This device thermally couples a watering nipple or ball valve to a container or supply pipe via a thermal conduction path including bends so the nipple or ball valve maintains a temperature near that of the liquid in the container or supply pipe, and also provides a means for thawing the watering device with heat from the liquid in the container or supply pipe. The use of one or more freeze-resistant watering devices with a thermally insulated container in a watering unit with an insulated container or supply pipe provides drinking water to animals, and in particular, birds in sub-freezing and in hot weather.

Abstract: Collar devices including interlinking collar components that have a hollow portion and a securing portion connected by a flexible portion have increased strength and security. The number of collar components included in a collar device may be adjusted in order to properly fit a collar to a particular animal. Such collar devices generally include a plurality of interlinking collar components, as well as first and second loop attachment components, which couple to respective ends of interlinked collar components. A loop with a fastening element is then inserted into openings of the first and second loop attachment components.

Abstract: An animal training system used to train an animal includes a movement controlling device and a wearable device. The movement controlling device includes a first segment and a second segment. The first segment is coupled to a first connecting member. The second segment is coupled to a second connecting member. The wearable device includes a first attachment point and a second attachment point. The first attachment point is located at a midline position of the wearable device. The first segment is configured to detachably couple to the first attachment point via the first connecting member. The second segment is configured to detachably couple to the second attachment point via the second connecting member.