Abstract: A digging tool system provides a combination pickaxe and shovel superior to other digging tools in that it effectively allows a user to both break apart dense or impacted material and to move the material with a single tool. The digging device includes a digging head with a generally triangular blade which is capable of penetrating and moving substrate. The blade has a vertically and horizontally curved face, with a greater depth of curve on one side of the horizontal curvature, and a substrate-piercing tip formed by the apex of the blade which is positioned off-center relative to a handle. The greater depth on one side and the off-center placement of the substrate-piercing tip allow for material to be moved to one side as the digging device is pulled through the material.

Abstract: A system and method cuts and increases surface area of surface stubble material while contemporaneously mulching, tiling and aerating the soil. A discoidal coulter blade is configured with sharpened areas at the circumference and one or more inside bevel for cutting the surface stubble as well as reducing the downward pressure required for the blade to enter the type and depth of soil desired. The bevel aids in coulter blade lifespan, ensuring a self-sharpened blade, and allows mating with a second coulter blade.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for predictively generating data for controlling a drive track and an operating sequence of an agricultural vehicle and of an agricultural machine, the method comprising the steps automatically detecting and storing vehicle and/or machine data through a sensor arrangement that is arranged at individual vehicles or individual machines for generating a vehicle and machine model; collecting and storing data regarding a three dimensional terrain topography and/or data regarding current and/or forecasted terrain properties and/or a weather condition for generating a predictive three dimensional geo referenced terrain model; optimizing imaging of the vehicle and machine model into the three dimensional predictive terrain model and computing drive track control data for defining a drive track and/or machine control data for controlling machine components; putting out and transmitting the drive track control data and/or the machine control data to a control unit of the agricultural v

Abstract: A fertilization design device calculates a fertilization amount of a field to be fertilized and includes the following units. A database reception unit receives one or both of growth data indicating growth potential of the field and soil data indicating plant growth potential of soil in the field and receives position data as position coordinate information for the field. A designated position reception and retrieval unit receives a freely selected position designated by a user and retrieves information of the freely selected position from the position data. A user input fertilization amount value reception unit receives a fertilization amount value freely set by the user for the freely selected position or for a range including the freely selected position. A calibration curve generation unit generates a calibration curve, based on one or both of the growth data and the soil data, the position data, and the fertilization amount value.

Abstract: A potato harvesting machine has a lifting device picking up a mixture of crop and admixtures. Screening belts downstream of the lifting device transport the mixture away from the lifting device and a feed belt feeds the mixture to a sorting zone. A separating device is arranged in the sorting zone above the feed belt. A sorting belt is arranged downstream of the separating device that has first and second stripper belts circulating in a stripping direction and provided with stripper elements. The stripper elements act on the crop transverse to a feed direction and supply the crop to the sorting belt. The admixtures remain on the feed belt and are discharged in a guiding direction angled to the stripping direction. First and second support devices hold the first and second stripper belts. The first and second stripper belts are individually adjustable at the first and second support devices.

Abstract: A root corp harvester has a lifting device picking up a mixture of crop and admixtures. Screening belts downstream of the lifting device transport the mixture away from the lifting device. A feed belt feeds the mixture to a sorting zone where a separating device is arranged above the feed belt. A sorting belt is arranged downstream of the separating device that has first and second stripper belts circulating in a stripping direction and provided with stripper elements. The stripper elements act on the crop transverse to a feed direction and supply the crop to the sorting belt. The admixtures remain on the feed belt and are discharged in a guiding direction angled to the stripping direction. At least one of the stripper belts has a discharge section with an incline smaller than 55° relative to the stripper plane and has in sections a non-round contour and a constant incline.

Abstract: A controller on a harvester vehicle is arranged to automatically identify a header in electrical communication with the vehicle upon key activation of the harvester vehicle. Programming instructions on the controller can generate notifications to the user based upon a state of activation of the float mechanism and the state of header identity detection. The controller also prompts the user to confirm the identity of the header if the detected identity of the header has changed. The controller also uses header identity to log usage hours of the header on the computer controller in association with the identity of the header such that maintenance schedules for a plurality of different headers interchangeably used on a common harvester vehicle can be tracked.

Abstract: In a harvesting machine having an agricultural header which is adjustable in height, a computer controller includes programming instructions to allow an operator to associate a plurality of different harvester functions with a single programmable input button providing single-touch actuation. The input button is programmable to return the header height to a preset height value in addition to controlling position of one or more additional accessories such as a double windrow attachment, a deck shifting set of drapers of the header, and/or a crop compressor attachment, etc. Programming of the input button uses navigational inputs to select which functions of the machine are associated with the button, followed by a press-and-hold actuation to set the preset value of all associated functions based on the current operating condition.

Abstract: Cutting blades are disclosed for use with a rotary trimmer head assembly with one or more swiveling blade receptacles, where the receptacle has a cylindrical body which defines a passage therethrough for a trimmer blade. The cutting blade preferably has a connecting end portion defining a blade mount aperture adapted to receive the swiveling blade receptacle. A male plug connection member is disposed within the blade mount aperture and preferably has bowed spring arms which are resiliently inwardly deformable, which are urged inwardly upon insertion into the female blade receptacle. The spring arms flex outwardly upon passage through the female receptacle. A multitool retention device is disclosed having a mount aperture end adapted to receive the receptacle and a tool retention end comprising at least one tool retention arm defining an elongated retention slot configured to slidingly receive and retain at least one tool member having a flange at one end of the tool member.

Abstract: The invention provides a grass trimmer and a cord delivering method for a grass trimmer, the grass trimmer comprises an extending rod, an housing, a grass trimming head, a handle, a main motor and a main switch, wherein the grass trimming head comprises a base, a cap and a spool having a first state relative static with the base, and the grass trimmer further comprises a cord delivering mechanism; the cord delivering mechanism comprises a cord delivering electronic switch independent of the main switch and a control device; and the cord delivering electronic switch operably electrically controls the control device to enable the spool to be in a second state capable of generating a rotary speed difference with the base. An operator does not need to interrupt work of the grass trimmer and can timely pay off required and the cord delivering operation is simple and convenient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a no-till stem and root extractor system that has directionality, the ability to fit into tight clearance areas, which not only pushes the stalks down and splinters them, but extracts the root ball from the soil as well, enhances decomposition of remaining cellulose residue, and minimizes root ball interference with seedlings properly engaging the soil. A conveyor chain crop remnant extractor assembly has a pair of flexible conveyor chains, a pair of coupling conveyor arms, two pairs of rotatable wheels, a pinch cylinder, and a plurality of cross-slat bars. As the device moves along the crop remnants, the pair of flexible conveyor chains, guided and retained by the two pairs of rotatable wheels, pull the stalks and root balls from the earth, pinch, and pulverize the complete crop remnants.

Abstract: A self-propelled forage harvester is disclosed. The forage harvester includes a feed device, a chopping device comprising a cutterhead equipped with cutting blades and a shear bar for comminuting harvested material, a drive, and a driver assistance system for controlling at least the chopping device. The driver assistance system includes a memory for saving data and a computing device for processing the data saved in the memory, wherein the chopping device and the driver assistance system in combination form an automatic chopping system in that the computing device continuously determines a compaction of the comminuted harvested material using harvested material parameters during a harvesting process in order to autonomously ascertain and specify a cutting length to be adapted for maintaining nearly constant compactability.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for adjusting operating parameters of an agricultural harvester based on estimated crop volume values may include an image capture device configured to capture one or more images of the crop materials standing within the field prior to the crop materials being harvested by a harvester. The system may also include a controller communicatively coupled to the image capture device. The controller may be configured to estimate a crop volume value associated with a quantity of the crop materials transferred through the harvester based on the one or more images captured by the image capture device. Additionally, the controller may be further configured to initiate a control action associated with adjusting an operating parameter of the harvester based on a magnitude of the estimated crop volume value.

Abstract: An agricultural work machine for performing an agricultural work process is disclosed. The agricultural work machine includes working units and a driver assistance system for controlling the working units to achieve one or more quality criteria. The driver assistance system may set parameters to control the working units in order to satisfy the criteria. Further, the driver assistance system includes a graphical user interface through which an operator may change the setting of one of the quality criteria. Responsive to the change, the driver assistance system may determine the expected effects on other quality criteria. In addition, the driver assistance system may visually highlight the expected effects on the graphical user interface.

Abstract: A combine double-decker crop residue spreader for use with a rotating chopper having chopper blades and through which air is blown may include a divider panel separating a lower portion from an upper portion of the spreader. The divider panel extends rearwardly from a location where the chopper blades transition from rotating towards the divider panel to rotating away from the divider. An airflow conduit extends above the divider panel in the upper portion to rearwardly direct air flow. At least one lower vertical panel below the divider panel in the lower portion rearwardly directs crop residue.

Abstract: A multiple outlet chute lawnmower housing assembly includes a housing with a top wall and a perimeter wall. The perimeter wall includes a front wall, a rear wall, a first side wall and a second side wall. The first side wall has a first discharge chute extending therethrough. The second side wall has a second discharge chute extending therethrough. A plurality of wheels is attached to the housing. A motor is attached to the housing and a cutting blade mechanically coupled to the motor is positioned beneath the top wall. A closure apparatus is attached to the housing and is actuated to selectively alter the first discharge chute or the second discharge chute from a closed condition to an open condition.

Abstract: A method of moving a component of a harvester that includes a topper for cutting top portions of crops, a conveyor for transporting the cut stalks of the crops, a primary hood, and a secondary hood, each of the primary and secondary hoods operable to direct the cut top portions of the crops away from the conveyor. The method includes selecting a cutting mode of operation from the following modes of operation: circular cutting mode and face cutting mode; selecting a crop position from the following crop positions: crop at right and crop at left; selecting at least one component from the following components: the conveyor, the primary hood, or the secondary hood; and in response to selecting at least one component, automatically moving the selected at least one component to one of a first operational position or a second operational position.

Abstract: A robotic fruit picking system includes an autonomous robot that includes a positioning subsystem that enables autonomous positioning of the robot using a computer vision guidance system. The robot also includes at least one picking arm and at least one picking head, or other type of end effector, mounted on each picking arm to either cut a stem or branch for a specific fruit or bunch of fruits or pluck that fruit or bunch. A computer vision subsystem analyses images of the fruit to be picked or stored and a control subsystem is programmed with or learns picking strategies using machine learning techniques. A quality control (QC) subsystem monitors the quality of fruit and grades that fruit according to size and/or quality. The robot has a storage subsystem for storing fruit in containers for storage or transportation, or in punnets for retail.

Abstract: A robotic fruit picking system includes an autonomous robot that includes a positioning subsystem that enables autonomous positioning of the robot using a computer vision guidance system. The robot also includes at least one picking arm and at least one picking head, or other type of end effector, mounted on each picking arm to either cut a stem or branch for a specific fruit or bunch of fruits or pluck that fruit or bunch. A computer vision subsystem analyses images of the fruit to be picked or stored and a control subsystem is programmed with or learns picking strategies using machine learning techniques. A quality control (QC) subsystem monitors the quality of fruit and grades that fruit according to size and/or quality. The robot has a storage subsystem for storing fruit in containers for storage or transportation, or in punnets for retail.

Abstract: A tine device for an impeller apparatus is disclosed. The tine device comprises at least one tine element having a first end configured to be rotatably coupled to a central rotor of the impeller apparatus. The tine element additionally comprises a second end positioned on a first side of a radial line extending through the first end, and a curved portion located on an opposite second side of the radial line between the first and second ends.

Abstract: A draper seal for a crop harvesting header is provided. The header includes a forwardly disposed cutter bar assembly and a rearwardly disposed draper deck assembly. The draper seal includes a flexible strip that runs parallel to the cutter bar assembly and perpendicular to the direction of travel. A bracket secures the forward edge of the flexible strip to an upper surface of the cutter bar assembly, which bracket also biases a rearward edge of the flexible strip into engagement with an upper surface of the draper deck assembly, thereby creating a seal between the cutter bar assembly and the draper deck assembly.

Abstract: A self-propelled harvesting machine for harvesting a crop field has a ground drive including multiple working units, a control system and a sensor system. The sensor system periodically emits transmitted pulses of electromagnetic transmission beams in at least one transmission direction onto the crop field and the transmitted pulses are reflected on the crop field and are received as echo pulses by the sensor system. For at least one portion of the transmitted pulses, different partial beams of a single transmission beam are reflected by plants of the crop field lying one behind the other with a time offset, so the particular resultant echo pulse is composed of time-offset partial echo pulses. The control system determines a value for the crop density on the basis of a time correlation within the resultant echo pulse, and controls the ground drive and/or the working units on the basis of the determined crop density.

Abstract: A harvesting header of an agricultural machine includes a frame, a cutting mechanism coupled to the frame and configured to cut crop, an auger rotatably coupled to the frame at a location rearward of the cutting mechanism, and an impeller rotatably coupled to the frame at a location rearward of the auger. The impeller is configured to receive crop from the auger and condition the cut crop. The crop is projected by the auger in a rearward and upward direction relative to the impeller.

Abstract: GRAIN BEATER ACCELERATOR CYLINDER TO HARVESTERS provided with multiple paddles in a shell shape (2), distributed in the axial direction of the machine forming two sets of helioides (3 and 3), prepared reserved with respect to the center of the cylinder (4), in order to cut the straw, pull it toward the center of the cylinder (1) and feed the rotor homogeneously.

Abstract: A baler including a baling chamber that includes a bale-forming channel including an inlet end and an outlet end, a plunger mounted within the channel for compressing bale material in the channel and driving the compressed bale material towards the outlet end of the channel, and a rotary drive mechanism for driving reciprocating movement of the plunger, and an additional drive mechanism for driving the compressed bale material towards the outlet end of the channel, thereby reducing torque in the rotary drive mechanism.

Abstract: A gardening shear may comprise a main body and two grip bodies. The main body has a pair of blades, and each of the blades is connected to a handle at a rear end thereof. The two blades are pivotally connected to enable a user to operate the handles to cut plants through the blades. Each of the handles comprises a couple surface and a locating end, and the couple surface is shaped and formed ergonomically. Each of the couple surfaces is configured to receive and connect to the grip body, and the locating end located at a rear portion of the handle has at least a protruding edge thereon. When each of the grip bodies is connected to the couple surface of the handle, the protruding edge is configured to engage with and firmly secure the grip body on the handle.

Abstract: Photosynthetically active photon flux density (PPFD) provided to plants from a grow light may be calculated based on light-canopy distance measurements, intensity measurements around the plants, and a known shape or distribution of light at the measured distance from the grow light. A controller and a method of controlling one or more grow lights can employ closed-loop techniques that repeatedly measure and adjust light until a desired PPFD is achieved and then maintained.

Abstract: A light fixture comprising a set of known LEDs which have different emission spectra in a range of the order of 400-800 nm and are equipped with drivers, is characterized in that from the known LEDs having different spectra, LEDs are selected which have emission spectra in a range of 443-650 nm, wherein the spectra of the selected LEDs overlap one another at different spectral sections of the range, preferably at a level of 0.5 of the maximum amplitude, wherein 5 types of LEDs each having a power of 10 W in the preferred embodiment are used, including warm white, dark blue, light blue, green and full spectrum, wherein the drivers of the LEDs are capable of feeding energy thereto that amounts to 1.4, 0.3, 0.3, and 1.25, respectively, of the level of energy supplied to the full-spectrum LED. The invention provides a light fixture with an emission spectrum corresponding to sunlight while minimizing the total number of LEDs used.

Abstract: The LED grow light system includes at least one of a first LED that includes a 4,000 k LED having a first light output, at least one of a second LED having a second light output in about an orange spectra, at least one of a third LED having a third light output in about a green/yellow spectra, and at least one of a fourth LED having a fourth light output in about a red spectra. Each of the first light output, the second light output, the third light output, and the fourth light output combine into an aggregate light output that mimics a full spectrum of sunlight at a relatively efficient input power of about 600-650 watts.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising of a component used in agriculture or cultivation that utilizes a device, such as wheels, rollers, bearings etc. . . . , to assist in the free range mobility of the component. Further the apparatus comprising of a component used in agriculture or cultivation that may also contain devices, such as quick connected couplers with internal valves, fittings, tubing etc. . . . , to couple and un-couple the components if multiple components are used in conjunction with one another and links to connect components if one component is removed from a series of components. This apparatus increases efficiency. This is achieved by allowing the free range mobility of the component used in agriculture or cultivation and the coupling and un-coupling of the component. The benefit of this is to allow the process to achieve an assembly line approach rather than a stationary single point approach.

Abstract: Polyethylene spunbond nonwoven date-bunch covers are an urgently needed, price-competitive alternative to mesh covers made of synthetic monofilament yarn. They are the first improvement to the ideal date-bunch cover that USDA researchers theorized seventy years ago, by adding dust and mold spore exclusion, yet providing sufficient shade and vapor transmission for proper ripening. Black mold is insignificant even under close tree spacing and “wet summer” conditions. The lowered temperature and increased humidity inside the cover promotes pliable, smooth skin instead of dry and brittle as commonly occurs with covers made of monofilament mesh fabric. Covers made of polyethylene spunbond nonwoven fabric are lighter, less abrasive, compress easier, and thus are far more user-friendly. Ripe dates can be held on-tree longer than was ever possible before without accumulating dust or losing quality, which renders unnecessary the labor-intensive practice of multiple pickings, and saves cold storage costs.

Abstract: A frost shield device may include a base having blocks. At least some of the blocks each may define a first through passageway and a second through passageway. The frost shield device may have poles, each pole having a first end to be received by one of the first through passageway and the second through passageway, and a second end. The frost shield device may also include a top ring coupled to the second ends of the poles, and a cover layer configured to extend from the base to the top ring, thereby covering a plant within the base.

Abstract: A composite characterized by an average density of 60 Kg/m3 to 180 Kg/m3, with at least two portions having a different density of at least 20 Kg/m3, made of a binder, and a foamed elastomer or a foamed rigid polymer, is disclosed herein. Uses of the composite and of matrices and articles incorporating same for the improvement of plant growing and/or weed control are further disclosed.

Abstract: A modular system includes a hub and a set of modules removably coupled to the hub. The modules are physically coupled to the frame relative to each other so that each module can operate with respect to a different row of a field. An individual module includes a sensor for capturing field measurement data of individual plants along a row as the modular system moves through the geographic region. An individual module further includes a treatment mechanism for applying a treatment to the individual plants of the row based on the field measurement data before the modular system passes by the individual plants. An individual module further includes a computing device that determines the treatment based on the field measurement data and communicates data to the hub. The hub is communicatively coupled to the modules, so that it may exchange data between the modules and with a remote computing system.

Abstract: A forestry harvester for delimbing a tree with an angular upper cutter and side cutters while advancing the tree by feed rollers, wherein when the feeding of the tree is stopped due to being incapable of cutting the limbs off, the angle-shaped upper cutter and the side cutters are moved relative to the tree with rotation of the feed rollers stopped to cut off the limbs of the tree therewith. The forestry harvester comprises a feed unit (1 or 100) including a pair of left-hand and right-hand clamp arms (8, 9 or 108, 109) and feed means (20 or 120), a chain saw box (22a) having a power chain saw (22), a delimbing unit (2) including an angle-shaped upper cutter (52) and a pair of cutter arms (26, 26) each having a side cutter (25), guide mechanism for guiding the delimbing unit for forward and rearward movement of the delimbing unit relative to the feed unit, and a hydraulic cylinder (47) actuated to move the delimbing unit (2) toward and away from the feed unit (1 or 100).

Abstract: Growing systems including double-walled growing devices, and methods of making and using the same are provided. Growing devices include two sheets of material, a sprouting layer and a rooting layer, strategically bonded together to form containers for growing plants. Each container includes openings in the layers to allow the plants to grow out of their containers and to allow roots to access water through the rooting layer. The two layers can be formed into a cylinder where the center of the cylinder provides a channel for watering such that the roots grow into that channel. Deployed as a flat sheet of containers, the device can include a third layer to provide a water channel between the rooting layer and the third layer. Growing systems include the device and can also include a system to provide water thereto, and an enclosure around the device for providing an overpressure.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide irrigation systems comprising: a central irrigation controller; a radio module; a control module; and a radio adaptor in communication with the control module; where the control module comprises: a processor, a first communication interface, and one or more valve drivers, where the control module is configured to implement irrigation commands in implementing at least a portion of irrigation programming such that the one or more valve drivers are each configured to control a different irrigation valve in accordance with the irrigation programming; and the radio adapter comprises: a second communication interface communicationally coupled with the first communication interface, and a wireless radio frequency transceiver configured to provide wireless communication with the radio module where the radio adapter is configured to relay information between the radio module and the control module.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide systems for use in controlling irrigation, comprising: an irrigation controller configured to couple with one or more valves at a site and to control activation and deactivation of the one or more valves in accordance with an irrigation schedule stored in the irrigation controller; a wireless adapter directly communicationally coupled through a direct wired connection with the irrigation controller; and a network adapter wirelessly coupled over a point-to-point wireless communication path with the wireless adapter, wherein the network adapter is configured to further couple through a direct wired connection with a local router configured to provide communication over a distributed network to a remote server; wherein the wireless adapter is configured to poll the irrigation controller to acquire and locally store status information; and the wireless adapter is configured to communicate, over the point-to-point wireless channel, the status information to the server.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plate-shaped structure for cultivating one or more plants. The plate-shaped structure may optionally collect moisture from the atmosphere and comprises a generally flat upper surface provided with a cavity for holding plant material. The cavity has a sidewall and a bottom portion. Further, the bottom portion includes an aperture traversing the plate-shaped structure. In use, the plate shaped structure can cover a reservoir or can be placed on the soil. The plate-shaped structure comprises a drain opening with a cap that is heavier than water and a covering cap so as to allow moisture to seep between the cap and the sidewall of the drain opening while minimizing evaporation.

Abstract: A hydroponic cultivation apparatus includes: a growth tank in which a plant is grown; an air blower which supplies wind; and an air blowing pipe which guides the wind sent from the air blower to the plant. The air blowing pipe includes a first pipe and a second pipe which extend in the same virtual line, and each of the first pipe and the second pipe is provided with a plurality of air outlet holes in a pipe longitudinal direction and supplies the wind from the air outlet holes to the plant. The air blower supplies the wind such that a direction of the wind inside the first pipe and a direction of the wind inside the second pipe are opposite directions.

Abstract: The invention provides a plant growth system comprising growing substrates (110; 206; 306) as well as plants (P) of which the roots (R) grow in the growing substrate, a number of holding bodies (100; 202; 301) each having a bottom (101; 224; 324) and at least one bottom spacer (104, 105; 9b; 309b), the at least one bottom spacer at the upper side thereof supporting a growing substrate thereon such that a distance is maintained between the bottom and the growing substrate, —irrigation means (331) for supplying water to the roots of the plants, —drainage means having a drainage opening (241; 341) in the bottom as well as a common drainage which is in communication with each of the drainage openings for allowing water supplied by the irrigation means to the plants to drain via the drainage opening to the common drainage, —a water permeable root barrier (123; 205; 305) for each holding body wherein the at least one root barrier is positioned below the upper side of the at least one bottom spacer, upstream of the

Abstract: A smart home gardening cabinet is disclosed that includes a plurality of plant growing drawers each having a vertical lift door and an automatic precision weather system to grow a specific type of plants, each automatic precision weather system includes an array of lights for photosynthesis, an air circulation system, and a water circulation system that provides nutrient water to the specific plants in each plant growing drawer; each plant growing drawers having a plant growing tray that includes an array of growing holes filled with a sponge materials to absorb and retain nutrients which are misted to the roots of the plants, excess nutrient water being returned to the water circulation system to save water.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a new cotton variety FM 2498GLT. The disclosure relates to seeds, plants, plant cells, plant tissue, harvested products and cotton lint as well as to hybrid cotton plants and seeds obtained by repeatedly crossing plants of variety FM 2498GLT with other plants. The disclosure also relates to plants of variety FM 2498 reproduced by vegetative methods, including but not limited to tissue culture of regenerable cells or tissue from cotton variety FM 2498GLT.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to an inbred corn line designated MZ-H012 that includes plants and seeds of inbred corn line MZ-H012. Methods for producing corn plants, such as inbred corn plants, hybrid corn plants, or other corn plants, as by crossing inbred corn line MZ-H012 with itself or any different corn plant are an integral part of these embodiments, as are the resultant corn plants including the plant parts and seeds. Embodiments of the invention further relates to methods for producing MZ-H012-derived corn plants, to methods for producing male sterile MZ-H012 corn plants and to methods for regenerating such plants from tissue cultures of regenerable cells as well as the plants obtained therefrom. Methods for producing a corn plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic corn plants produced by that method are also a part of embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for producing processed cheese portions, comprising a plurality of modules that are arranged successively in the direction of production, in which the processed cheese is formed into a band, cooled, and divided into portions, wherein the modules define a production space through which the processed cheese travels during the production of the processed cheese portions. The production space is enclosed by a spray-proof casing, wherein the casing comprises a frame structure and a plurality of sheet metal elements which are detachably connected to the frame structure, and wherein a sealing hose is arranged between a sheet metal element and the area of the frame structure opposite thereto, and encircles the sheet metal element or the area of the frame structure opposite thereto.

Abstract: A structure for sheltering and cooling livestock may include a concrete floored barn having an improved evaporative cooling system. The cooling system may include a misting stack having air inlets, a mixing chamber, and three cooling zones wherein the cooling zones correspond to three different temperature ranges. Each of the cooling zones may include a plurality of nozzles which produce a mist. As air passes through the mixing chamber, the mist may evaporate and cool the air. The cooling system may further include a plurality of large exhaust fans located at an end of the barn distal from the misting stack. The fans may draw the cool air through the barn, over and around the livestock, and out of the barn.

Abstract: A universal liner including one or more bendable or trimmable wall sections configured to permit the universal liner to fit within a variety of different sized pet crates.

Abstract: A monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad system and method for managing excreta of domestic pets, such as cats and dogs, performing tests for materials present in the excreta, indicating presence of such materials, and providing for secure and sanitary disposal, comprising an impermeable liner with an affixed absorbent pad having one or more incorporated indicator areas, where the indicator areas provide a level of indication ranging from a general overall level of concern in an alerting embodiment to a more detailed indication suitable for analysis by a veterinary practitioner in a diagnostic embodiment. The monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad system and method does not contaminate, denature, or otherwise compromise the urine or stool excreta, and therefore provides a secure and pleasant means of containing, saving, and transporting any such samples which are thought to warrant further analysis.

Abstract: A device for detecting and recording animal behavior is provided. The device includes at least one corral that defines a contained field, the base surface of the at least one corral being sensitive to the animal's footprint. The device also includes an image capturing device that cooperates with the base surface to capture both a profile of the animal's full footprint and a profile of the animal's toe print when the animal is standing on its toes. In some embodiments, the device is capable of providing a stimulus to the animal and observing the resulting behavior of the animal via the image capturing device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for a virtual burrow assay for a diversity of neurological and psychiatric disorders. For example, a virtual burrow assay device including a virtual burrow (or enclosure), a linear actuator and one or more sensors is provided. A novel rail system is configured to have a lightweight configuration which, when coupled to the virtual burrow or enclosure, reduces inertia of the virtual burrow or enclosure and can facilitate nearly-frictionless motion of the virtual burrow or enclosure.