Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for growing mushrooms, comprising a shelving, arranged for supporting beds for holding casing soil and compost on a pulling net, wherein the beds are placed at a mutual distance above each other; characterized in that the beds are mutually movable, between at least a first position, wherein a second bed supported above a first bed at least partially impedes the accessibility of the first bed in a direction perpendicular to the plane in which the first bed extends; and a second position in which at least a larger part of the first bed is free approachable from a direction perpendicular to the plane in which the first bed extends than in the first position, wherein the displacement between the first and the second position requires a displacement of the first bed only, wherein there is at least a free zone of 40 centimeter in said perpendicular direction, and wherein the movement between the first and the second position comprises both a translation, in particular in a

Abstract: This invention in various embodiments is a spike for use with landscape and paver edging. The spike may include a generally circular disk-shaped head and opposite from the head is a tip of the spike. The spike may include one or more features for securing the spike in place once installed with the edging product. Another feature according to various embodiments of this invention of the spike is an upper head stabilizer. The stabilizer may extend from the shaft to an underside of the head. In some embodiments, the stabilizer may be provided in discrete sections and positioned diametrically opposite from one another on the shaft and the undersurface of the head. The stabilizer may support the entire radial dimension of the head and is joined to the shaft.

Abstract: A mobile culture assembly for feeding larvae of black soldier fly includes a mobile vehicle, a breeding device disposed in the mobile vehicle, and a turning device disposed on the breeding device. The breeding device includes spaced-apart breeding bodies, each of which defines a breeding space for accommodating feed materials and larvae. The turning device includes a base movably disposed on the breeding body, a feeding unit adapted to introduce the feed materials to the breeding space, a turning unit disposed under the base, a scrapping unit disposed at one end of the base, and a heat dissipating unit disposed on the base. The turning device serves to stir the feed materials and the larvae and also dissipate heat accumulated in the breeding space to thereby provide a preferable growing environment for the larvae, reduce feeding costs, and increase a reproductive rate and quality of the larvae effectively.

Abstract: Modular systems for propagating plants in at least one of a hydroponic environment and an aquaponics environment may include at least one tank configured to hold liquid. A modular drive assembly may be carried by the at least one tank. At least one propagation module may be drivingly engaged for rotation by the modular drive assembly. The at least one propagation module may be configured to support and propagate at least one plant. At least one pump may be disposed in fluid communication with the at least one tank. The at least one pump configured to pump the liquid from the at least one tank through the at least one propagation module. Modular methods for propagating plants in at least one of a hydroponic environment and an aquaponics environment are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an air flow method and system for plant growth and air purification within a grow room to optimize plant production and promote constant growth and quality. The grow room includes a first air mover, a second air mover, and a third air mover. The first air mover is configured to pull air upwards into a first air mover inlet and out of a first air mover outlet oriented away from the first air mover and proximate to the ceiling. The second air mover is configured to pull air into a second air mover inlet and out of the second air mover outlet, moving air towards the floor. The third air mover is to pull air into the third air mover inlet out of the third air mover outlet, moving air away from the third air mover in a horizontal direction towards an opposing wall.

Abstract: A horticultural plant growing assembly includes a pair of casings, each with a bottom and a side wall. Each side wall includes an upper edge configured to engage one another to define a cavity between the casings. The plant growing assembly further includes a light system, and a plurality of frame members that are connectable together to form a frame, with the light system being attachable to the frame. The plant growing assembly is configurable into a packaged configuration and an assembled configuration. In the packaged configuration, the frame members and the light system are contained within the cavity, and in the assembled configuration the frame members are connected together to form the frame with the light system attached to the frame. One of the casings includes a shelf adapted to support a plant with the light system disposed above the shelf.

Abstract: An elevator support (10) for holding a block (16) of an animal consumable substance includes a body (22). The body includes a central hub (24) and a plurality of radially outward extending arms (26). A ground face side (32) of the body includes a recess (36) or a projection (112) for engaging the body with a top of a vertically extending post (40, 120). The body is positioned above ground level (12) at a height that is appropriate for the animals that are to consume the substance. The body includes a plurality of spaced apertures (46). A plurality of pins (56) are selectively locatable in the apertures for purposes of holding various sizes and configurations of blocks of animal consumable material in intermediate relation of the pins and in supported relation on the body.

Abstract: A true living organic (TLO) plant growing system that allows soil to be reused for every new growth cycle. In one aspect, the TLO plant growing system of the solves the problem of preventing opportunities for anaerobic micro-organism activity from building up within the soil thereby creating toxic chemicals that kill microbes beneficial to the growth of the plant. Specifically, the TLO system includes an aerated chamber between the bottom of the bed and the soil that the plants are growing to provide oxygen, carbon dioxide, water, and moisture to the TLO soil and plants and to promote optimal growing conditions, among other advantages disclosed herein.

Abstract: An automated seed sampler system includes an orientation system configured to orient a seed, and a sampling station configured to remove tissue from the oriented seed. In addition, a method for removing tissue from seeds includes positioning multiple seeds together in a desired orientation in a seed transport subsystem, and removing tissue from the oriented seeds while the seeds are in the seed transport subsystem.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an animal toilet usage status management system, which is an animal toilet usage status management system including an animal toilet and a management server, wherein the animal toilet has a hole penetrating in the vertical direction at the bottom of the formed upper container, a lower container that receives urine passing through the hole, and a weight measuring unit that measures the weight of the upper container, the management server including a calculating part configured to calculate animal body weight and excretion information based on the measured weight transition change of the upper container.

Abstract: A seed or seedling is coated with a cross-linked biopolymer and, optionally, a second binder selected from underivatized guar, cationic hydroxypropyl guar, polyacrylamide, poly(methacrylic acid), poly(acrylic acid), polyacrylate, poly(ethylene glycol), polyethyleneoxide, polyamide, hydroxypropyl guar, carboxymethyl guar, carboxymethylhydroxypropyl guar, underivatized starch, cationic starch, corn starch, wheat starch, rice starch, potato starch, tapioca, waxy maize, sorghum, waxy sarghum, sago, dextrin, chitin, chitosan, xanthan gum, carageenan gum, gum karaya, gum arabic, pectin, cellulose, hydroxycellulose, hydroxyalkyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, carboxymethylhydroxyethyl cellulose, or hydroxypropyl cellulose. The seed coating composition is characterized by a dust value, as measured using a Heubach dustmeter device, which is lower by at least 30% as compared to an analogous composition that does not contain the crosslinked biopolymer.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for stimulating a desired response, such as ovulation and egg laying, fertility, hunger, growth, mood and sexual maturity in birds or ayes, by controlling the pulsing of two or more different wavelength bands, duty cycle, and frequency of photon bursts within a photon signal to a bird, where the photon modulation and duty cycle is based upon the specific needs of the bird.

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: A pet carrying backpack is provided and includes a backpack body having a bottom panel, a front panel, a rear panel, a right-side panel, and a left-side panel that collectively form an interior compartment. The backpack body also has a top portion with a collar that forms an opening through which a head of an animal disposed within the interior may protrude. The collar may be stretchable. Paw holes are disposed on a front of the backpack body which accommodate paws or legs of the animal. Shoulder straps are disposed on and extend from the front panel. A pet carrying platform is disposed on or within the bottom panel. The pet carrying platform includes a frame member and a pad member.

Abstract: In order to reduce a possibility of damaging a seedling in the event of transplant of unit nursery beds when the seedlings are replanted from a seedling tray that supports unit nursery beds individually planted with seedlings germinated from seeds to a hydroponic panel capable of securing a longer seedling-to-seedling distance, a seedling transplanter (1) includes: a seedling tray (3) supported by a frame (2) and configured to support a nursery bed (7) having unit nursery beds (71) separable from each other and arranged in two directions on a plane; a hydroponic panel (4) supported by the frame (2) and provided with holes (41) for storing the unit nursery beds (71), the hydroponic panel (4) serving as a transplant destination of the unit nursery beds (71) on the seedling tray (3); and a holding member (5) supported by the frame (2) pivotally around a vertical axis and vertically movably to separate the unit nursery bed (71) from the nursery bed (7) by holding any one or a plurality of the unit nursery beds (7

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is generally directed to a slow feeder grazing muzzle for use with animals, such as horses. Slow feeder grazing muzzles fit over at least a portion of the animal's nose and mouth, affecting the amount of grass or other feed that is accessible to the animal. The disclosed muzzle includes a top flap, bottom flap, and opposing side flaps that are capable of interconnecting with each other to form a central opening. In addition, a series of interchangeable inserts can be positioned within the central opening to adjust the amount of grass or feed the horse can access. In this way, the rate of speed and amount of grass the horse eats can be controlled and/or adjusted as desired by the owner.

Abstract: A rope halter conversion attachment that attaches reins to a rope halter fitted to a horse's head to create a bitless bridle which allows a rider to communicate commands to the horse via the rope halter by manipulation of the reins. To accomplish this task, the rope halter conversion attachment forms an angle between the halter's cheek knot and the point of attachment of the reins. When rein tension is applied by the rider, this angle causes a pivoting motion at the halter's cheek knot that pulls on the nose band and creates pressure on the horse's nose. The pressure communicates nonverbal commands to the horse.

Abstract: A method of making absorbent granules can include mixing activated carbon with a liquid and a binder to form a slurry; applying the slurry to particles of absorbent core material to at least partially coat the particles of the core material with a first distinct layer containing the activated carbon; and applying a clumping agent to the first distinct layer to at least partially coat the first distinct layer with a second distinct layer containing the clumping agent. The absorbent granules can be used as a deodorizer and/or a pet litter, and each of the absorbent granules can include an absorbent core, a first distinct layer containing activated carbon, and a second distinct layer containing a clumping agent such that the first distinct layer is between an outer surface of the absorbent core and an inner surface of the second distinct layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of culturing a floating aquatic species, the method including introducing the aquatic species into a receptacle having (a) a culture medium, (b) at least one raceway configured to allow the culture medium to flow in a continuous loop, and (c) a sufficient quantity of the culture medium to flow in the continuous loop; cultivating the aquatic species to generate a floating mat on a top surface of the culture medium; generating a fluid current of sufficient force to propel the floating mat on the top surface of the culture medium; and varying a velocity of the fluid current in a controlled manner to maintain a relatively uniform distribution of the floating mat on the top surface of the culture medium.

Abstract: Provided is an absorbent article for a pet animal being capable of prevent urine leaking out of a tail opening. The absorbent article includes a cutting line forming the fail opening positioned on a dorsal region side in an intermediate region and an indicator positioned on a body non-facing surface of an absorbent layer and to show a color reaction by coming in contact with excreted urine. The absorbent layer is positioned between the cutting line and a ventral region. The absorbent core has a first end edge and a second end edge opposite to the first end edge in a longitudinal direction, and the indicator is positioned longitudinally outboard of at least the first end edge of the first end edge and the second end edge.