Abstract: An animal control device having a stem with a gripping portion at one end and an electric prod head at the opposite end. Removably connected to the stem is a paddle body.

Abstract: A canine tethering device for walking a dog includes a leash that is coupled to an upper end of a frame. An umbrella, a flashlight, and a pouch are coupled to the frame. A sprayer that comprises capsaicin and propellent is coupled to the leash. The sprayer is configured to selectively aerosolize the capsaicin. Waste bags are sequentially extractable, through a hole that is positioned in the pouch, from a roll that is positioned in the pouch. A pair of jaws is pivotally coupled to a lower end of the frame. An actuator is coupled to the frame proximate to the upper end. The actuator is operationally coupled to the jaws. The actuator is positioned to pivot the jaws to an open configuration to insert dog waste between the jaws and to pivot the jaws to a closed configuration to collect the dog waste.

Abstract: An automated method for analyzing seeds generally includes collecting image data from individual seeds using a seed sampling system, determining at least one characteristic of each of the individual seeds based on the collected image data, and removing tissue from each of the individual seeds using the seed sampling system. The method also includes, prior to removing the tissue sample from each of the individual seeds, adjusting at least one operational parameter of the seed sampling system based on the at least one characteristic of the seed from which the tissue is to be removed to thereby allow for generally consistent removal of tissue from each of the individual seeds. In some aspects, the method further includes analyzing the tissue removed from the seeds for presence or absence of at least one characteristic, and selecting seeds based on presence or absence of the at least one characteristic.

Abstract: The present invention provides a set of large-scale and high-efficiency fly maggot culture equipment and a large-scale and high-efficiency fly maggot culture process and pertains to fly maggot culture. The equipment comprises at least one culturing workshop with a multi-functional ceiling. At least one feeder traveling along double-row burden distributing rails is arranged in the culturing workshop. A pair of main rails is perpendicularly arranged on the front of one ends of the burden distributing rails. A rail car used for transferring the feeder among different burden distributing rails is arranged on the main rails. Transferring rails horizontally perpendicular to the main rails are arranged on the rails car. The height of the transferring rails is consistent with the height of the distributing rails. The workshop ground between the two rails of the distributing rails form a culturing bed for fly maggot culture.

Abstract: A container can be used for growing a plant having roots. The container can comprise a rectangular sheet having an upper edge, a lower edge, a first side edge and a second side edge. The first side edge and the second side edge are joined forming a cylinder. The upper edge is configured to rest above a ground surface such that vertical root growth is substantially uninhibited by the container above the ground surface. An inward contoured lip can be formed into the lower edge. The rectangular sheet from the upper edge to the inward contoured lip constrains lateral growth of the roots of the plant above the ground surface while vertical root growth is completely uninhibited by the container below the inward contoured lip.

Abstract: Animal litter compositions having relatively low densities are described herein. Methods of manufacturing such litter compositions are also described.

Abstract: A protective and decorative system for trees, particularly holiday or Christmas trees, which segregates portions of the tree for safety reasons, by utilization of concentric ring mechanisms and a backing section. The versatile system includes fire retardant capabilities and includes demarcations on is fitted to any size of tree for ease of installation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a planter forming part of a hydroponic system. The planter includes a longitudinal body defining at least two longitudinally extending liquid channels and at least two plant holders defined in the body, the plant holders spaced on the outer circumference of the longitudinal body, each one of the at least two plant holders in fluid flow communication with one of the at least two longitudinally extending liquid channels.

Abstract: A feeder and watering apparatus for pigs and a method for rehabilitating a fallback pig and preventing the fallback of a weaned pig is disclosed. A pair of semi-cylindrical troughs are mounted to either side of a fluid supply line. The troughs have a rooting protector mounted to the open portion of the trough, the rooting protector has a pair of longitudinally extending bars and multiple rung portions that are longitudinally spaced apart to provide a plurality of discrete eating areas. The troughs have a front wall portion that is lower than the rear wall portion to prevent feed from spilling over the rear wall. Multiple waterer nipples extend horizontally through holes in the rear wall. A quick-connect floor mount is rotatably mounted to the fluid supply line, with a handle that allows a retaining portion to lock the apparatus in cooperation with floor slats.

Abstract: A gravity flow feeder is disclosed having a vertically arranged canister, funnel, chute, and trough arrangement wherein feed contained within each canister is allowed to flow down, aided by gravity, to settle within a feed trough. Use of a timing mechanism and a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder allows for the articulation of a closeable access to open or close the trough in order to protect the feed contained from the elements and scavenging animals and condition the timing of animal arrival at the feeder. Any number of feed containing canisters may be implemented in order to provide for mixing of various types of feed within the trough for maintenance of a balanced diet for desired animals.

Abstract: A feeding trough for poultry farming includes automatic dispensing of feed from a vertically displaceable horizontal dispensing tube, formed by just three pieces. One of the pieces is a plate formed in one piece with a ring which in a lowered position of the bell-like housing opens a crown of apertures and in a raised position of the bell-like housing closes the crown of apertures so as to reduce the amount of feed transferred to the plate. The feed trough is also configured to facilitate periodic rinsing thereof.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a submersible net pen system for receiving a net. The system includes a plurality of support members, a plurality of span members connecting the support members together to define a pen volume, one or more chambers defined by one or more of the span members and the support members, and one or more compressors in fluid communication with the chambers to selectively inflate the chambers.

Abstract: A tree water bag that has a bag body, a tying assembly and a dispensing assembly. The bag body has a first side edge and a second side edge. The tying assembly is configured to couple the first side edge to the second side edge to define a hoop with the bag body. The dispensing assembly has at least one drip tube coupled to the bag body and extending therefrom. A drip emitting device is also disclosed having a nozzle with a main body and an inverted discharge portion positioned at the distal end of the main body.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for training a grape vine. The apparatus is a swing arm supporting a linear grid composed of transverse and longitudinal elements that are configured to result in a network of spaces that are sized to capture and separate the grape vine shoots. The apparatus is mobile within the vine canopy serving various functions as the growing season progresses. The mobility of the grid apparatus allows repositioning throughout the growing season while still retaining the shoots within the grid openings.

Abstract: A grafting method includes: making a cut surface of a scion and a cut surface of a rootstock contact with each other, and disposing sheet-like thermoplastic resin films facing each other across a contact part; and covering a periphery of the contact part with the thermoplastic resin films by ultrasonically welding the thermoplastic resin films.

Abstract: Plant collars which define slots extending from their peripheries toward the centers are provided. Their bodies define (smooth) surfaces which are substantially free of stress risers. Moreover, the opposing slot surfaces are spaced apart from one another and/or the slot termini are semi-circular.

Abstract: An indoor three-dimensional planting frame, includes a composite frame, a control system, planting pots and LED light panels, wherein the composite frame is assembled from a plurality of side baffles, fixing rings and fixing plates; said side baffles are vertically arranged on both sides of a frame body of the composite frame, and ends of adjacent side baffles are connected to the fixing rings; the fixing rings are arranged horizontally as rectangular rings of beams, and a plurality of mounting holes are arranged thereon; the fixing plates are bracket plates; the LED light panels are fixed at the bottom of the fixing plates with screws, and multiple LED light wicks are arranged on the LED light panels; The indoor three-dimensional planting frame helps control the plant growth photoperiod and photomorphogenesis by controlling the work cycle of the grow lights and the fans.

Abstract: An animal nutrition system and method for effectively monitoring and managing animal nutrition. The animal nutrition system and method generally includes a food container storing a volume of pet food, a package identification chip attached to the food container, a food serving appliance configured to removably receive the food container, and a scale positioned within the food serving appliance to weigh the food container periodically to generate weight data. The food serving appliance includes a chip reader that communicates with the package identification chip to receive food container data from the package identification chip to acquire data related to the food package.

Abstract: An adjustable crowding alley used to route livestock or other animals towards a destination. The adjustable crowding alley includes an adjustable panel that allows the width of the alleyway to vary according to the width of the animals being routed through the adjustable crowding alley. The adjustable crowding alley includes one or more backup blockers that allow animals to move forward through the adjustable crowding alley, but restrict backwards movement of the animals within the adjustable crowding alley after passing each backup blocker.

Abstract: A system includes a robotic arm, a laser, and a processor. The processor is configured to determine whether a first teat of a diary livestock is found in a first scan of the dairy livestock by the laser, and if so, command the robotic arm to move to a location corresponding to the location of the first teat. The processor is further configured to increment a counter associated with the first teat and then determine whether the counter equals a predetermined number. If the counter equals the predetermined number, the processor commands the robotic arm to attach a teat cup to the first teat. If the counter does not equal the predetermined number, the processor determines whether the first teat is found in a second scan by the laser. If the first teat is found in the second scan, the processor commands the robotic arm to attach the teat cup to the first teat.