Abstract: A ground-engaging component disposed at least partially within a planting trench formed by a planter row unit in a soil surface. The ground engaging component is capable of pivoting laterally side-to-side about a pivot axis as the ground engaging component advances in a forward direction of travel. The ground engaging component may include at least one wing extending laterally outward to form a side trench in a sidewall of the planting trench as the planter row unit advances in the forward direction of travel. The at least one wing may include a fluid outlet in fluid communication with a fluid source to deposit fluid into the side trench.

Abstract: A seed firmer and bracket combination for a planter row unit. The bracket includes a forward configured to mount to a frame member of the planter row unit. A rearward portion extends rearward of the seed tube or seed conveyor. The seed firmer includes a body having an upper portion, a tail portion, and a resilient flexible portion between the upper portion and the tail portion. The upper portion is releasably received in a vertical opening in the bracket such that the resilient flexible portion and tail portion extend downwardly and rearwardly from the bracket. The seed firmer is releasably restrained in the bracket preventing the seed firmer from moving upward, forward, rearward and downward until the upper portion of the seed firmer is disengaged from the bracket.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for planting seed. A system includes a row unit configured to open a planting trench. A first seed meter has a first coding scheme and receives a first seed type from a first hopper having the first coding scheme. A second meter has a second coding scheme and receives a second seed type from a second hopper having the second coding scheme.

Abstract: Described herein are systems, implements, and methods for seed orientation during planting operations of agricultural plants of agricultural fields. In one embodiment, a seed firmer includes a base support to be positioned in operation in proximity to a trench for planting seed in the trench and a lower member integrated with the base support or coupled to the base support. The lower member includes a non-planar ground contacting lower surface to adjust an orientation of the seed to a desired seed orientation within the trench and to position the seed within the trench at a desired depth.

Abstract: Described herein are systems, implements, and methods for seed orientation during planting operations of agricultural plants of agricultural fields. In one embodiment, a seed firmer includes a base support to be positioned in operation in proximity to a trench for planting seed in the trench, a vision system coupled to the base support in operation to determine seed orientation data for a first seed in a pre-orientation position, and an actuator coupled to the base support. The actuator adjusts an orientation of a second seed to a desired seed orientation within the trench if desired based on the pre-orientation data for the first seed in the pre-orientation position.

Abstract: A soil imaging system having a work layer sensor disposed on an agricultural implement to generate an electromagnetic field through a soil area of interest as the agricultural implement traverses a field. A monitor in communication with the work layer sensor is adapted to generate a work layer image of the soil layer of interest based on the generated electromagnetic field. The work layer sensor may also generate a reference image by generating an electromagnetic field through undisturbed soil. The monitor may compare at least one characteristic of the reference image with at least one characteristic of the work layer image to generate a characterized image of the work layer of interest. The monitor may display operator feedback and may effect operational control of the agricultural implement based on the characterized image.

Abstract: Described herein are systems, implements, and methods for seed orientation during planting operations of agricultural plants of agricultural fields. In one embodiment, a system for seed orientation includes a seed disk capable of rotation in operation and having at least one singulator to adjust an orientation of seed to a desired seed orientation for placement within a furrow during planting. A vision system in proximity to the seed disk determines seed orientation data for seed on the seed disk.

Abstract: Described herein are systems, implements, and methods for seed orientation during planting operations of agricultural plants of agricultural fields. In one embodiment, a system for seed orientation includes a vision system positioned in proximity to a seed disk. The vision system determines seed orientation data for seed on the seed disk. A seed belt receives seed from the seed disk and the seed belt adjusts an orientation of the seed from the seed disk to a desired seed orientation with a furrow during planting.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for monitoring soil properties and applying fertilizer during a planting operation. Various sensors are disposed in ground engaging components for monitoring soil properties. The ground engaging components may have structure for opening a side trench in the sidewalls of the seed trench and may include liquid application conduits for injecting liquid into the sidewalls of the resulting side trenches.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for modifying a position of crop input application. In some embodiments, a positioning control actuator modifies a position of liquid application relative to a seed.

Abstract: A soil imaging system having a work layer sensor disposed on an agricultural implement to generate an electromagnetic field through a soil area of interest as the agricultural implement traverses a field. A monitor in communication with the work layer sensor is adapted to generate a work layer image of the soil layer of interest based on the generated electromagnetic field. The work layer sensor may also generate a reference image by generating an electromagnetic field through undisturbed soil. The monitor may compare at least one characteristic of the reference image with at least one characteristic of the work layer image to generate a characterized image of the work layer of interest. The monitor may display operator feedback and may effect operational control of the agricultural implement based on the characterized image.

Abstract: A trench closing sensor adapted to mount to an agricultural implement to detect whether a seed trench is sufficiently closed with soil to ensure good seed to soil contact. The trench closing sensor may also detect the amount of compaction of the soil over the seed within the seed trench. The trench closing sensor may be in the form of a seed firmer from which a drag wire extends. As the open seed trench and drag wire are covered with soil, instrumentation measures or detects whether the seed trench is being adequately closed with soil by measuring the amount of force required to pull the wire through the soil or by measuring the amount of strain, pulling force or tension in the wire or by measuring the amount of soil pressure acting on the wire. The trench closing sensor may include other sensors for detecting soil characteristics.

Abstract: A seed trench depth sensor is adapted to mount to an agricultural implement. The trench depth sensor comprises an elongate member which drags within the seed trench and a second part which detects the distance to the elongate member within the seed trench.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for monitoring soil properties and applying fertilizer during a planting operation. Various sensors are disposed in ground engaging components for monitoring soil properties. The ground engaging components may have structure for opening a side trench in the sidewalls of the seed trench and may include liquid application conduits for injecting liquid into the sidewalls of the resulting side trenches.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for adjusting the depth of a trench opened by a row unit of an agricultural planter. The row unit includes a trench depth adjustment assembly configured to modify the furrow depth. A first depth adjustment sub-assembly is configured to select one of a plurality of pre-selected furrow depths. A second adjustment sub-assembly is configured to modify at least one of a plurality of the pre-selected furrow depths.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for adjusting the depth of a trench opened by a row unit of an agricultural planter. The row unit includes a trench depth adjustment assembly configured to modify the furrow depth. In one embodiment, the depth adjustment assembly may include a gear box having one or more gears which engage with a gear rack. The gear box may be pivotally connected to a depth adjustment body supporting a rocker that adjusts upward travel of gauge wheel arms. In another embodiment, the depth adjustment assembly may include a depth adjustment arm having a screw receiver that cooperates with a driven screw that adjusts the position of the depth adjustment arm acting on the gauge wheels to adjust trench depth.

Abstract: A tillage implement comprising a frame operably supporting tillage tools, and a soil monitoring system comprising instrumentation operably supported from the frame and disposed to detect soil criteria before, after, or before and after the soil is tilled by the tillage tools. The soil criteria detected is at least one of surface residue criteria, soil clod size criteria and soil shatter criteria.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for monitoring soil properties including soil moisture, soil electrical conductivity and soil temperature. Embodiments include a soil reflectivity sensor and/or a soil temperature sensor for measuring moisture and temperature.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for monitoring soil properties including soil moisture, soil electrical conductivity and soil temperature during an agricultural input application. Embodiments include a soil reflectivity sensor and/or a soil temperature sensor mounted to a seed firmer for measuring moisture and temperature in a planting trench. A thermopile for measuring temperature via infrared radiation is described herein. In one example, the thermopile is disposed in a body and senses infrared radiation through an infrared transparent window. Aspects of any of the disclosed embodiments may be implemented in or communicate with an agricultural intelligence computer system as described herein.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are disclosed for selecting an agricultural input. First and second seed meters selectively meter seed from first and second sources, respectively, into a common planting trench. In some embodiments the seed meters are selectively operated by electric motors controlled with reference to a seed type prescription. In some embodiments the first and second seed meters deposit seeds along a common plane.