Abstract: A soil sampling apparatus, system and method for creating soil shavings. As the continuous soil shaving chain or other means of creating soil shavings penetrates the soil, soil shavings are discharged through a discharge opening for collection in a canister for analysis of the soil characteristics. In an alternative embodiment, a sensor is positioned to detect soil characteristics as the soil shavings are discharged.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing apparatus for applying liquid products to row crops. The liquid dispensing apparatus includes a plurality of drop assemblies supported by and laterally spaced along a boom structure and pivotal with respect thereto. Each of the drop assemblies includes dribble hoses for dribbling a liquid product onto the soil in a rhizosphere of adjacent crop rows. The drop assemblies may include a spray assembly for spraying the row crops.

Abstract: A fertilizer knife for applying fertilizer to soil. The fertilizer knife includes a knife body having a primary chamber through a rearward end thereof. Fins diverge laterally outwardly from a tip at a lower forward end of the knife body and curve upwardly from the lower forward end, terminating above a discharge end of the primary chamber. Liquid from a liquid source is communicated to the primary chamber and is discharged from the discharge end into the furrow formed by the fertilizer knife. In another embodiment, a secondary passage through the knife body communicates gas from a gas supply into a gap surrounding a supply tube disposed within the primary chamber. In another embodiment flow controllers disposed on the knife regulate liquid into the primary chamber and gas into the secondary passage.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing apparatus for applying liquid products to row crops. The liquid dispensing apparatus includes a plurality of drop assemblies supported by and laterally spaced along a boom structure. Each of the drop assemblies includes dribble hoses for dribbling a liquid product onto the soil in a rhizosphere of adjacent crop rows. The drop assemblies may include a spray assembly for spraying the row crops. The dribble hoses may be supported by a base unit with positionable support brackets.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing system that includes a carrier having a storage tank disposed thereon for storing a liquid product. A boom is coupled to the carrier and includes a distribution hose through which the liquid product flows from the storage tank and into a number of liquid placement apparatuses. Each liquid placement apparatus includes a drop assembly coupled to the boom and extending downward. A base assembly is coupled to the lower end of the drop assembly and a hose assembly extends from the distribution hose to the base assembly. A lower hose assembly is protected within the base assembly and includes a pair of dribble hoses extruding from the base assembly. The liquid product is delivered proximate to the ground surface through the dribble hoses.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing system that includes a carrier having a storage tank disposed thereon for storing a liquid product. A boom is coupled to the carrier and includes a distribution hose through which the liquid product flows from the storage tank and into a number of liquid placement apparatuses. Each liquid placement apparatus includes a drop assembly coupled to the boom and extending downward. A base assembly is coupled to the lower end of the drop assembly and a hose assembly extends from the distribution hose to the base assembly. A lower hose assembly is protected within the base assembly and includes a pair of dribble hoses extruding from the base assembly. The liquid product is delivered proximate to the ground surface through the dribble hoses.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing system that includes a carrier having a storage tank disposed thereon for storing a liquid product. A boom is coupled to the carrier and includes a distribution hose through which the liquid product flows from the storage tank and into a number of liquid placement apparatuses. Each liquid placement apparatus includes a drop assembly coupled to the boom and extending downward. A base assembly is coupled to the lower end of the drop assembly and a hose assembly extends from the distribution hose to the base assembly. A lower hose assembly is protected within the base assembly and includes a pair of dribble hoses extruding from the base assembly. The liquid product is delivered proximate to the ground surface through the dribble hoses.

Abstract: Gathering chains for row crop harvester heads which improve yield by minimizing the loss of kernels that may prematurely break loose and be lost to the ground. The gathering chains include continuous loops with a plurality of lateral extension segments which provide a substantially continuous conveying surface extending substantially across the width of the slot defining the path of travel of the row crop entering the row unit.

Abstract: In one aspect, an agricultural system is provided and includes an information gathering component, a first component and a second component. The information gathering component is configured to gather information pertaining to at least one agricultural characteristic and generate agricultural data associated with the gathered information. The agricultural data is transmitted over a network and used to generate an agricultural prescription, which is comprised of at least one agricultural characteristic and at least one agricultural action. The first component includes a network interface for receiving the agricultural prescription over the network and the second component is in communication with the first component. The second component is configured to receive the agricultural prescription from the first component and is configured to output the at least one agricultural action.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing system that includes a carrier having a storage tank disposed thereon for storing a liquid product. A boom is coupled to the carrier and includes a distribution hose through which the liquid product flows from the storage tank and into a number of liquid placement apparatuses. Each liquid placement apparatus includes a drop assembly coupled to the boom and extending downward. A base assembly is coupled to the lower end of the drop assembly and a hose assembly extends from the distribution hose to the base assembly. A lower hose assembly is protected within the base assembly and includes a pair of dribble hoses extruding from the base assembly. The liquid product is delivered proximate to the ground surface through the dribble hoses.