Abstract: A computer-implemented method for providing variable rate application of crop inputs to an agricultural field includes determining an index value of biomass health for multiple regions in the agricultural field and determining, based on the index value for each of the multiple regions, a number of unique soil types in the agricultural field. The computer-implemented method also includes determining a distinctness of pairs of the unique soil types in the agricultural field, determining a statistical variation based on the distinctness of the pairs, and calculating, based on the statistical variation, a variable rate suitability score for the agricultural field relating to spatially varying a rate of application of one or more crop inputs to the agricultural field. The computer-implemented method then includes displaying the agricultural field along with the variable rate suitability score for the agricultural field.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for managing crop harvesting activities is implemented by a harvest advisor computing device in communication with a memory. The method includes receiving an initial date of a crop within a field, receiving an initial moisture value associated with the crop and the initial date, and receiving a target harvest moisture value associated with the crop. The method also includes receiving field condition data associated with the field. The method further includes computing, by the harvest advisor, a target harvest date for the crop based at least in part on the initial date, the initial moisture value, the field condition data, and the target harvest moisture value, and displaying the target harvest date for the crop to the grower for harvest planning. The target harvest date indicates a date at which the crop will have a present moisture value approximately equal to the target harvest moisture value.

Abstract: A suture retainer includes a first panel and foldably connected second through fifth panels. When all of the panels are folded, the retainer has the approximate size and shape of the first panel, and the suture is contained within the folded panels. Separator facilities on the first panel prevent suture strands from becoming tangled. The separator may constitute a pleated low friction sheet with the strands contained between the plats, or it may constitute one or more sinuous cuts in the first panel which define tabs for holding the strands. Sutures are withdrawn from a site at one end of the first panel. The second panel is foldably located at the other end of the first panel and maintains suture strands within the boundary of the first panel. The third panel is foldable about a side of the first panel to overly the folded second panel, the separator and the sutures and to complimentarily overly the first panel.