Abstract: A method of optimally producing and harvesting agricultural products is provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the method may include identifying a first crop component, such as grain, and at least a second crop component, which may include a biomass component such as straw. At least one fact is obtained for each of the identified crop components and the facts are analyzed to determine a recipe for application to the agricultural crop. The recipe may include a fertilizing recipe, an irrigation recipe, a recipe for the application of pesticide, or for some other activity. The recipe may be devised to enhance one or all of the identified plant components depending, for example, on current or economical markets associated with each identified plant component.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for monitoring a flow path having plurality of different solid components flowing therethrough. For example, in the harvesting of a plant material, many factors surrounding the threshing, separating or cleaning of the plant material and may lead to the inadvertent inclusion of the component being selectively harvested with residual plant materials being discharged or otherwise processed. In accordance with the present invention the detection of the selectively harvested component within residual materials may include the monitoring of a flow path of such residual materials by, for example, directing an excitation signal toward of flow path of material and then detecting a signal initiated by the presence of the selectively harvested component responsive to the excitation signal. The detected signal may be used to determine the presence or absence of a selected plant component within the flow path of residual materials.