Abstract: A simulator of an agricultural working machine has a computer unit coupled to a display unit and a control unit. The agricultural working machine to be simulated has adjustable working parts and control elements that implement adjustment of the working parts and a software module that is stored in the computer unit. The software module depicts a process model of crop-processing processes to be implemented by the agricultural working machine and depicts the machine behavior resulting from the crop-processing processes. The process model and the machine behavior are visualized in the display unit and can be edited by the control unit.

Abstract: An artificial horse leg stand includes a planar base, outer and inner tubular members providing height adjustment with an angled bracket at an upper end of the inner member. The bracket has a mounting feature located adjacent the distal end for attachment of a rotating trunion and a lower shock mount at the proximate end. The trunion has cylindrical positioning features extending outwardly from first and second sides. An attachment fixture1 is located orthogonally to a horizontal axis of the trunion. The trunion has an upper shock mount spaced from the attachment fixture. The trunion is rotatably attached by the cylindrical positioning features to the mounting feature. Dual-acting gas shock absorbers are rotatably attached to the upper and lower shock mounts. A securing fixture is attached to the attachment fixture at the first end and has a mounting feature at the second end for attachment to an artificial horse leg.

Abstract: A hoof mounting for a farrier training includes a positioning block with a fixture for attaching to a central shaft of an artificial horse leg. The block has a front surface, a rear surface and first and second side surfaces and first and second securing ledges that extend laterally from the side surfaces. An artificial hoof has an open interior space with a partially open top, a closed bottom, a closed front wall, closed first and second side walls and an open back. The side walls have mating grooves sized and shaped to fit slidably about the securing ledges. At least one securing channel extends from a closed portion of the partially open top into one the mating grooves. A fastening latch has an activating tab and a locking portion that is slidably mounted to the positioning block and fits the securing channel when the block is within the hoof.

Abstract: An artificial horse leg stand includes a planar base, outer and inner tubular members providing height adjustment with an angled bracket at an upper end of the inner member. The bracket has a mounting feature located adjacent the distal end for attachment of a rotating trunion and a lower shock mount at the proximate end. The trunion has cylindrical positioning features extending outwardly from first and second sides. An attachment fixtures is located orthogonally to a horizontal axis of the trunion. The trunion has an upper shock mount spaced from the attachment fixture. The trunion is rotatably attached by the cylindrical positioning features to the mounting feature. Dual-acting gas shock absorbers are rotatably attached to the upper and lower shock mounts. A securing fixture is attached to the attachment fixture at the first end and has a mounting feature at the second end for attachment to an artificial horse leg.

Abstract: A hoof mounting for a farrier training includes a positioning block with a fixture for attaching to a central shaft of an artificial horse leg. The block has a front surface, a rear surface and first and second side surfaces and first and second securing ledges that extend laterally from the side surfaces. An artificial hoof has an open interior space with a partially open top, a closed bottom, a closed front wall, closed first and second side walls and an open back. The side walls have mating grooves sized and shaped to fit slidably about the securing ledges. At least one securing channel extends from a closed portion of the partially open top into one the mating grooves. A fastening latch has an activating tab and a locking portion that is slidably mounted to the positioning block and fits the securing channel when the block is within the hoof.

Abstract: The present invention is a team roping dummy that encourages more correct roping via new innovations. The dummy has a relatively compact main body with collapsible legs, removable head, and internal body storage for head. The dummy head has a means for allowing the head to be rotated to different angles to match that of a typical running steer. The neck is sloped similar to an actual steer. They shoulder of the dummy has a hump as to the shoulders of live steers, which makes roper deliver at the proper angle to achieve the rope curling on the back. It's legs rotate back onto body for storage, which also creates rope storage compartments on both sides of main body. In order to aid in the rope's loop expansion and ease of removal, the legs collapse toward one another under the pressure of a tightened rope, and re-expand after rope is loosened. A blocker post extends vertically out of neck, which makes the roper deliver the loop at the proper plane.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally low volatility herbicidal compositions comprising at least one auxin herbicide and at least one monocarboxylic acid, or monocarboxylate thereof. The invention further relates generally to methods for preparing and using such low volatility herbicidal compositions, including methods for controlling auxin-susceptible plant growth on agricultural and non-agricultural lands.

Abstract: A rope connecting device and method are provided especially for use in calf roping as a rope breakaway. The device includes a stem with a first hook formed at one end, and a second hook formed at the other end. The hooks each have a small gap separating respective free ends of the hooks from the stem. During use, a portion of the rope is passed through the first hook, and another portion of the rope is passed the through the second hook. With sufficient force applied to the rope, the force causes one of the hooks to open to a degree allowing the rope to pass through, thereby releasing the rope from an object that was lassoed. The device remains attached to the rope at the other hook. The rope is configured for the next use by reattaching the portion of the rope to the hook that was released.

Abstract: A first instruction is provided to add the contents of a container to the reservoir bowl portion of a tree stand, where the material includes an amount of a SuperAbsorbent Polymer (SAP). A second instruction is provided to add ice. In one example, an assembly includes a container, where the SAP is in the container, and where the container bears the instructions. This assembly is provided to the user. The user follows the instructions, and pours the contents into the reservoir bowl, and then adds ice to the reservoir bowl. The melting ice hydrates the SAP. The hydrated SAP then transfers moisture to a cut tree held by the stand. Water is replenished by adding more ice. No water must be poured or handled to hydrate the tree, so spilling and difficulties associated with pouring volumes of water into the bowl portion are avoided. The SAP is reusable and biodegradable.

Abstract: A calf roping training apparatus incorporating a simulated calf, a support column and a towing structure. The support column has a spin joint and an invert joint. The calf body of the simulated calf is formed by one or more pieces of simulated skin and a simulated head fixed in anatomical form by a body frame. The support column is anchored to the towing structure. The towing structure has a tow member, a pair of long skids, a short skid, and a towing attachment device. The support column base is attached to the short skid which provides for transfer of the weight of the simulated calf to the ground. The support column top is attached to or integrated with the body frame.

Abstract: A team roping training apparatus that comprises a motor having a motor shaft, a spool having a spool shaft, and a switch to selectively energize the motor. The spool is selectively rotatable with the motor shaft such that when rotation of shaft is impeded through a roper's grasping of an attached rope, the spool is disengaged form the motor shaft. According to the preferred embodiment, such selective rotation is accomplished with a clutch mechanically coupling the spool shaft with the motor shaft.

Abstract: A livestock training aid includes a carriage having wheels that move along a set of tracks. The carriage has a livestock model mounted thereon. A first motor and first controller are provided to move the carriage on the tracks and control the speed and direction of the carriage movement. A second motor and second controller are provided on the carriage itself to move the model with respect to the carriage. The carriage also has a power storage device to provide power to the second motor and second controller. A charger is provided for the power storage device and is coupled to one of the wheels. The charger charges the power storage device when the carriage moves along the tracks. At least one of the controllers can store a sequence of commands for the carriage and the model movements, which commands can then be played back and executed. A livestock training aid is also provided for horseback riders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fishing simulation method, a fishing simulation execution method, and a fishing simulator, and more specifically, to a fishing simulation method, a fishing simulation execution method, and a fishing simulator, in which a fishing activity procedure of detecting a fish school, gathering fish, and catching the fish can be realized in a three-dimensional virtual space of a computer, and a fishery environment and fishing activity simulated in the computer virtual space comes to be similar to a real fishery environment and fishing activity by simulating the behavior of the fish school, including an avoidance behavior of fish entities forming the fish school, responding to the movement of a fishing boat and a fishing gear, thereby enhancing learning effects on the fishery environment and the fishing activity.

Abstract: A farrier training system includes an artificial leg portion attached to an artificial hoof portion. The hoof portion is removably attached to the lower end of the leg portion. The leg is articulated with at least one spring-loaded joint to simulate a real horse's leg and train the farrier in proper shoeing techniques. The removable hoof portion is replaceable with hoof portions exhibiting typical hoof diseases and abnormalities. The hoof portion is carvable and indicates through color changes when the hoof portion has been carved too deeply. The hoof portion is also nailable and includes the ability to indicate when nails have been inserted too deeply. Horseshoe stock is provided along with tools for forming the stock into horseshoes fitted to the removable hoof portion. A support platform is provided to allow the upper end of the leg portion to be removably attached to a fixture, building or ground surface.

Abstract: A farrier training system includes an artificial leg portion attached to an artificial hoof portion. The hoof portion is removably attached to the lower end of the leg portion. The leg is articulated with at least one spring-loaded joint to simulate a real horse's leg and train the farrier in proper shoeing techniques. The removable hoof portion is replaceable with hoof portions exhibiting typical hoof diseases and abnormalities. The hoof portion is carvable and indicates through color changes when the hoof portion has been carved too deeply. The hoof portion is also nailable and includes the ability to indicate when nails have been inserted too deeply. Horseshoe stock is provided along with tools for forming the stock into horseshoes fitted to the removable hoof portion. A support platform is provided to allow the upper end of the leg portion to be removably attached to a fixture, building or ground surface.

Abstract: A mechanical roping steer apparatus for practicing roping of a steer is disclosed that comprises a support assembly for engaging the ground surface and a steer assembly mounted on the support assembly. The support assembly may comprise a main frame and a pair of lateral skids mounted on the main frame, and the pair of lateral skids may each be pivotable with respect to the main frame. In some embodiments, the steer assembly includes a frame and a body covering assembly mounted on the frame and configured to move with respect to the frame in response to movement of the steer assembly across the ground surface. In some embodiments, the steer assembly comprises includes a frame and a head assembly mounted on the frame and configured to move with respect to the frame in response to movement of the steer assembly across the ground surface.

Abstract: A dally practicing system which simulates the conditions of roping a steer with relative safety. The portable dallying practice system takes up slack in a rope without applying excessive tension which could injure the user, provides a clutch system which allows for convenient manipulation of the tension, and provides a safety release mechanism which automatically releases the tension if the tension becomes excessive.

Abstract: A customer is offered a realistic experience of growing and harvesting plants, flowers or fishes through instructions from the customer connected with a network. The home vegetable garden or the network farm includes customer terminals connected with a network and a management terminal connected with the network for receiving instructions from a customer and reporting the growing process of plants, flowers and fishes. The customer terminal decides a kind of farm, land, seed and fertilizer, and then transmits instructions on the basis of the decision. The management terminal receives the instructions, and executes the instructions for growing and harvesting the selected plants, flowers and fishes.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to offer a customer a realistic experience of growing and harvesting plants, fishes through instructions from the customer connected with a network. The home vegetable garden or the network farm of the present invention comprises: customer terminals connected with a network; and a management terminal connected with the network for receiving instructions from a customer and reporting the growing process of plants and fishes. The customer terminal decides a kind of farm, land, seed and fertilizer, transmits instructions on the basis of the decision. The management terminal receives the instructions, and executes the instructions for growing and harvesting the selected plants and fishes.

Abstract: An interactive hatching egg provides a learning experience for children. The egg is formed of upper and lower sections joined along a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the egg. The lower section carries a power supply, a controller having an input coupled to a touch sensor and outputs coupled to a motive drive, an illumination source and a sound generator. The controller is programmed to initiate a cycle upon detecting when the egg is touched, with the cycle including sound and light patterns. The cycle concludes with the motive drive actuating a latch which releases a hatch lid contoured in the upper shell to expose a baby animal. Upon detecting the egg being touched during a cycle, the controller alters the sound and/or light patterns.

Abstract: The invention is of a training rope for use in teaching and learning roping. The training rope eliminates from the traditional roping rope the spanning and coiled segments, allowing the user to avoid entanglement with and of these segments and thereby to concentrate on the more difficult aspects of roping--twirling, loop orientation, and proper release. The mode of attachment between the spoke segment and the adjacent portion of the loop segment (an elastic hobble) causes the training rope to perform in all aspects of roping practice in virtually an identical manner to that of a traditional roping rope, without the distracting effects of spanning and coiled segment entanglement or management.

Abstract: An animal packing dummy comprising a replica of a packing animal; a saddle coupled to the packing animal; a plurality of pack boxes coupleable to the saddle; a plurality of lash lines for securing the pack boxes to the replica using knots; and an instruction manual describing how to tie knots for securing the pack boxes to the replica.

Abstract: An educational toy that shows how watermelons and similar farm products are grown, harvested, and removed from the field in field trucks and taken to a packing shed where they are placed on conveyors and transferred to over the road trucks. These trucks take the melons to commission houses where they are put into wooden or cardboard bins. The bins are transferred to city trucks that finally deliver the melons to chain stores and fruit markets for sale. The various types of trucks and equipment are introduced at the appropriate time and all are manipulable by children in a teaching toy mode.