Abstract: A system and method are provided for optimizing the flow of seed along a seed handling path. The system and method include multiple stages at which seeds undergo different processes to prepare the seeds for sale or further handling. The stages may include one or more of Receiving, Husking, Sorting, Drying, Shelling, Bulk Storage, Sizing, Conditioning, Treating, and Packaging. Sensors may be located along the seed handling path for monitoring the seed handling path and the operations and conveyances occurring along the seed handling path at and between different stages. The sensors may provide feedback signals to a controller, which may in turn adjust the operating parameters of various processing devices associated with one or more of the stages in a real-time scenario to optimize the operations and conveyances occurring along the seed handling path.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for separating seed or grain based on optical differences in the starch composition. A method for separating seed or grain based on optical differences in the starch composition includes receiving a seed group comprising a plurality of seeds. The method further includes illuminating each seed of the seed group from an illumination source disposed behind the seed such that the seed is back-illuminated. The method further includes sorting each seed of the seed group based on the differences in the starch composition. In some cases, the method includes sorting each seed by separating the seed group into the following groups: waxy seeds and non-waxy seeds.

Abstract: A geoposition is determined at a point using a geoposition determining mobile communication device. A crop management zone is identified based on one or more predetermined crop management boundaries and the geoposition of the point. Information about the field is wirelessly communicated between the geoposition determining mobile communications device and a remote site. Analysis may be performed at the remote site with the results of the analysis communicated to the mobile communication device at the growing point. Information may be collected at the point which is stored or analyzed at the remote site. Information may include digital images of plant conditions which may be analyzed to determine conditions such as disease or pest infestation. Contextual information from a number of different types of sources may be used to provide meaningful analysis and feedback to the producer. The producer may define crop management zones using the geoposition determining mobile communication device.

Abstract: Seeds containing a genetic element of interest can be distinguished and sorted from a bulk sample of seeds. In certain embodiments, a marker is associated with at least some of the seeds containing a genetic element of interest, the seeds are excited using an photonic emitting device, and at least some of the seeds of the bulk sample are evaluated for the presence or absence of the marker and may be sorted based on the presence or absence of the marker. In certain embodiments, the marker is a red fluorescent protein marker. In certain embodiments, the red fluorescent protein marker is discernable when excited by a certain energy and the evaluating step comprises exciting the seeds containing a genetic element of interest with the certain energy and detecting an emission resulting at least in part from the exciting step.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention comprises associating a marker with at least some of the seeds containing a genetic element of interest of the bulk sample, exciting the seeds using an photonic emitting device, evaluating at least some of the seeds of the bulk sample for the presence or absence of the marker, and sorting the seeds containing a genetic element of interest based on the presence or absence of the marker. In various other embodiments, the method may comprise associating a red fluorescent protein marker with at least some of the seeds containing a genetic element of interest of the bulk sample, evaluating at least some of the seeds of the bulk sample for the presence of the red fluorescent protein marker using an evaluating device, and sorting the seeds containing a genetic element of interest based on the presence of the red fluorescent protein marker.

Abstract: A system for aggregating data obtained from different organizations within a seed company or within multiple seed companies is provided. The system may receive seed product development data from a seed product development source, seed production data from a seed production source, and/or seed sales and/or marketing data from a seed sales and/or marketing source. The data may be aggregated in a central storage unit based on the geospatial data associated with the received data. The aggregated data may then be accessed and/or output in response to a query and/or algorithm.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for distinguishing and sort seeds containing a genetic element of interest from a bulk sample. In various embodiments, the present invention comprises associating a marker with at least some of the seeds containing a genetic element of interest of the bulk sample, exciting the seeds using an electromagnetic energy emitting device, evaluating at least some of the seeds of the bulk sample for the presence or absence of the marker using an evaluating device configured to excite a majority of the surface area of the seeds, and sorting the seeds containing a genetic element of interest based on the presence or absence of the marker.

Abstract: A method for distinguishing and sorting seeds containing a genetic element of interest from a bulk sample. In various embodiments, the present invention comprises associating a marker with at least some of the seeds containing a genetic element of interest of the bulk sample, exciting the seeds using an photonic emitting device, evaluating at least some of the seeds of the bulk sample for the presence or absence of the marker, and sorting the seeds containing a genetic element of interest based on the presence or absence of the marker. In various other embodiments, the method may comprise associating a red fluorescent protein marker with at least some of the seeds containing a genetic element of interest of the bulk sample, evaluating at least some of the seeds of the bulk sample for the presence of the red fluorescent protein marker using an evaluating device, and sorting the seeds containing a genetic element of interest based on the presence of the red fluorescent protein marker.

Abstract: A geoposition is determined at a point using a geoposition determining mobile communication device. A crop management zone is identified based on one or more predetermined crop management boundaries and the geoposition of the point. Information about the field is wirelessly communicated between the geoposition determining mobile communications device and a remote site. Analysis may be performed at the remote site with the results of the analysis communicated to the mobile communication device at the growing point. Information may be collected at the point which is stored or analyzed at the remote site. Information may include digital images of plant conditions which may be analyzed to determine conditions such as disease or pest infestation. Contextual information from a number of different types of sources may be used to provide meaningful analysis and feedback to the producer. The producer may define crop management zones using the geoposition determining mobile communication device.

Abstract: A system and method for sorting ear corn are provided. The system may include a transport device for transporting ear corn along a processing path and an ear corn husking stage for removing husks from the ear corn. The system may further include an ear corn sorting stage for sorting the ear corn downstream from the ear corn husking stage. The ear corn sorting stage may include one or more sensor devices for identifying and determining a location of the ear corn having at least one defined characteristic. Further, the ear corn sorting stage may include robotic devices for picking up the identified ear corn and placing the identified ear corn in an alternate location.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for optimizing the flow of seed along a seed handling path. The system and method include multiple stages at which seeds undergo different processes to prepare the seeds for sale or further handling. The stages may include one or more of Receiving, Husking, Sorting, Drying, Shelling, Bulk Storage, Sizing, Conditioning, Treating, and Packaging. Sensors may be located along the seed handling path for monitoring the seed handling path and the operations and conveyances occurring along the seed handling path at and between different stages. The sensors may provide feedback signals to a controller, which may in turn adjust the operating parameters of various processing devices associated with one or more of the stages in a real-time scenario to optimize the operations and conveyances occurring along the seed handling path.

Abstract: A system for aggregating data obtained from different organizations within a seed company or within multiple seed companies is provided. The system may receive seed product development data from a seed product development source, seed production data from a seed production source, and/or seed sales and/or marketing data from a seed sales and/or marketing source. The data may be aggregated in a central storage unit based on the geospatial data associated with the received data. The aggregated data may then be accessed and/or output in response to a query and/or algorithm.

Abstract: In general the present invention provides various embodiments of an encapsulated seed article and a method for encapsulating a seed to form an encapsulated seed article. The encapsulated seed article may comprise one or more seeds that are encapsulated by a compressible encapsulation medium. In various embodiments, the encapsulated seed article may include a surface coating and/or an intermediate coating. In some embodiments, the encapsulated seed article may include an additive. In some embodiments, a characteristic or a combination of characteristics of the encapsulated seed article may be configured to identify a feature of encapsulated seed article. The present invention also provides various embodiments for a plurality of encapsulated seed articles having uniform seed article sizes or seed article shapes and a method for encapsulating a plurality of seeds to form a plurality of seed articles having uniform seed article sizes or seed article shapes.

Abstract: A method for distinguishing and sorting seeds containing a genetic element of interest from a bulk sample. In various embodiments, the present invention comprises associating a marker with at least some of the seeds containing a genetic element of interest of the bulk sample, exciting the seeds using an photonic emitting device, evaluating at least some of the seeds of the bulk sample for the presence or absence of the marker, and sorting the seeds containing a genetic element of interest based on the presence or absence of the marker. In various other embodiments, the method may comprise associating a red fluorescent protein marker with at least some of the seeds containing a genetic element of interest of the bulk sample, evaluating at least some of the seeds of the bulk sample for the presence of the red fluorescent protein marker using an evaluating device, and sorting the seeds containing a genetic element of interest based on the presence of the red fluorescent protein marker.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for distinguishing and sort seeds containing a genetic element of interest from a bulk sample. In various embodiments, the present invention comprises associating a marker with at least some of the seeds containing a genetic element of interest of the bulk sample, exciting the seeds using an electromagnetic energy emitting device, evaluating at least some of the seeds of the bulk sample for the presence or absence of the marker using an evaluating device configured to excite a majority of the surface area of the seeds, and sorting the seeds containing a genetic element of interest based on the presence or absence of the marker.

Abstract: A geoposition is determined at a point using a geoposition determining mobile communication device. A crop management zone is identified based on one or more predetermined crop management boundaries and the geoposition of the point. Information about the field is wirelessly communicated between the geoposition determining mobile communications device and a remote site. Analysis may be performed at the remote site with the results of the analysis communicated to the mobile communication device at the growing point. Information may be collected at the point which is stored or analyzed at the remote site. Information may include digital images of plant conditions which may be analyzed to determine conditions such as disease or pest infestation. Contextual information from a number of different types of sources may be used to provide meaningful analysis and feedback to the producer. The producer may define crop management zones using the geoposition determining mobile communication device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring drying of an agricultural porous media such as grain and seed, includes deriving moisture content of the porous media using time domain reflectometry and utilizing moisture content to monitor and/or control the drying process. The porous media is positioned around a time domain reflectometry probe. An array of probes can be used to measure moisture in different areas of one batch of porous media or in a plurality of batches of porous media. The derivation of moisture content of the porous media around each probe would allow information to be provided to a dryer controller to alter the drying process if needed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring drying of an agricultural porous media such as grain and seed, includes deriving moisture content of the porous media using time domain reflectometry and utilizing moisture content to monitor and/or control the drying process. The porous media is positioned around a time domain reflectometry probe. An array of probes can be used to measure moisture in different areas of one batch of porous media or in a plurality of batches of porous media. The derivation of moisture content of the porous media around each probe would allow information to be provided to a dryer controller to alter the drying process if needed.

Abstract: A method of maintaining sterility in plants is disclosed. The method comprises genetic transformation of parental plant lines with a sterility gene that is genetically linked to a resistance gene which confers resistance to a selective agent, increasing the transgenic parental line and coating the seed of the increased transgenic parental line with a composition comprising the selective agent to which the resistance gene confers resistance. The resistance gene can be under the control of an inducible gene, or, alternatively, under the control of constitutive or tissue specific, including seed-specific, promoters.