Abstract: A system for tilling compression marks formed in a field by wheels of agricultural machinery the system including a first roller assembly having a plurality of blade assemblies positioned in spaced relation to one another. The first roller assembly rotatably connected to a swing arm which moves the first roller assembly between a disengaged position, where the roller assembly does not penetrate the soil, and an engaged position where the roller assembly does penetrate and till the soil. The first roller assembly is positioned behind and in alignment with a first wheel of the agricultural machinery such that the first roller assembly tills the compression mark formed by the first wheel.

Abstract: A multiple row agricultural implement with adjustable ground-working tools which allows use with a variety of row spacing configurations. Ground-working tools, which may include chopper baskets, drag harrow spikes, drag boards, rollers, etc., are mounted on each of two or more fixed width sections of a tool bar. Embodiments of such horizontal adjustability of the ground-working tools may include sliding ground-working tools along a horizontal axis to alternate positions; removing ground-working tools, reversing the ground-working tools 180 degrees, and reattaching the ground-working tools; removing ground-working tools, swapping positions of the ground-working tools, and reattaching the ground-working tools; or removing ground-working tools and reattaching the ground-working tools in an alternate position.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for recommending agricultural activities is implemented by an agricultural intelligence computer system in communication with a memory. The method includes receiving a plurality of field definition data, retrieving a plurality of input data from a plurality of data networks, determining a field region based on the field definition data, identifying a subset of the plurality of input data associated with the field region, determining a plurality of field condition data based on the subset of the plurality of input data, identifying a plurality of field activity options, determining a recommendation score for each of the plurality of field activity options based at least in part on the plurality of field condition data, and providing a recommended field activity option from the plurality of field activity options based on the plurality of recommendation scores.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of priming dry seeds, wherein said seeds firstly are immersed into an aqueous solution and subsequently removed once the seeds have been saturated with water.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a machine for laying seeds (or grains), in particular in cultivations providing the use of a plastic film for protection of the seeded soil or ground.

Abstract: A system for providing seed-specific placement of fluid as seeds are planted by a twin row planter includes a planter row unit, at least one nozzle assembly, and a controller. The planter row unit includes a first seed meter configured to dispense seeds into a first furrow at a seed frequency and a second seed meter configured to dispense seeds into a second furrow at the seed frequency. The nozzle assembly is configured to spray the seeds dispensed into the first and second furrows, and includes a valve. The controller is communicatively coupled to the valve, and is configured to determine the seed frequency of the first and second seed meters based on a speed-related parameter of the planter. The controller is further configured to control operation of the valve based on the seed frequency such that fluid is sprayed at least one of on or adjacent to each seed.

Abstract: A method of adding a compost bulking agent to seed and applying the compost bulking agent/seed mixture to an area of soil is discussed herein. The disclosure describes determining an amount of seed for an area soil and adding an amount of compost bulking agent to the determined amount of seed. In some embodiments, the disclosure describes applying the compost bulking agent/seed mixture to an area of soil.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for fertigation comprising: (a) providing an acidic mixture of water and a fertilizer dissolving agent; (b) contacting the acidic mixture with a fertilizer composition in fertigation equipment to dissolve the fertilizer composition and to form a fertigation composition; and (c) contacting the fertigation composition with soil. Also disclosed are a fertigation composition and a fertilizer system.

Abstract: A frequency of clip control system includes a vehicle controller receiving an output from a ground speed user interface for a requested ground speed, and an output from a frequency of clip user interface for a requested frequency of clip. The vehicle controller sets the speed of an electric reel motor based only on the requested ground speed, the requested frequency of clip, and parameters of the cutting unit including the number of cutting blades of the cutting reel and reel motor to reel speed ratio.

Abstract: A basecutter and a method for controlling a basecutter are described for a sugarcane harvester. A basecutter may include a cutting spindle, a transport spindle, at least one power source configured to rotate the cutting spindle and the transport spindle, one or more cutting blades attached to the cutting spindle, and one or more transport devices attached to the transport spindle. The cutting spindle or the transport spindle may be configured to rotate within the other. The cutting spindle and the transport spindle may be rotated at different speeds by the at least one power source. For example, a controller may determine a cutting speed for the cutting spindle and a transport speed for the transport spindle and control the at least one power source to rotate the cutting and transport spindles at the cutting and transport speeds, respectively.

Abstract: A cladded knife guard is provided. In one aspect, the invention provides for a knife guard that comprises a guard body that further comprises a base material. The base material includes a mounting bar that defines at least one bolt hole and at least one tine projecting forward from the mounting bar. The base material has a first hardness. A cladded material is formed on the base material. The clad material comprises a second hardness greater than the first hardness.

Abstract: A laser cladded agricultural blade is provided. The blade includes a blade body. The blade body is of a first hardness. The blade body is additionally provided with a cladding material of a second hardness, wherein the cladding material comprises an amorphous metal. The cladding material is applied by a laser cladding process.

Abstract: A method of estimating the mass of crop entering into a grain tank on a harvesting machine, comprising the steps of mounting a load sensor on the upper bearing of a conveyor belt moving crop through the clean grain elevator into the grain tank, connecting the load sensor to a processor, using the load sensor to measure a load on the conveyor belt when no crop is present in the clean grain elevator, and also when crop is moving through the clean grain elevator, and comparing the load with no crop present to the load when crop is present to estimate the mass of crop moving through the clean grain elevator.

Abstract: Robotic systems and specialized end-effectors provide for automated harvesting of produce such as fresh market apples. An underactuated design using tendons and flexure joints with passive compliance increases robustness to position error, overcoming a significant limitation of previous fruit harvesting end-effectors. Some devices use open-loop control, provide a shape-adaptive grasp, and produce contact forces similar to those used during optimal hand picking patterns. Other benefits include relatively low weight, low cost, and simplicity.

Abstract: A corn header for an agricultural harvester is disclosed. The header includes a chassis having first and second lateral ends and a plurality of row units defining crop receiving gaps. The header further includes a power takeoff member having a first end operatively connected to the agricultural harvester. A plurality of chopping units is carried by the chassis adjacent the row units, each chopping unit including a rotating blade configured to span a crop receiving gap of the row unit. A drive assembly including a gearbox, driveshaft and secondary gearbox is operably connected to the second end of the power takeoff member. The drive shaft extends from the gearbox to the secondary gearbox disposed between the first and second lateral ends of the chassis. The drive shaft is operably connected to a rotating line shaft of the row units or the chopping units via the secondary gearbox.

Abstract: A cleaning shoe, material-other-than-grain (MOG) discharge method of a combine harvester is provided. The method comprises discharging first MOG from a rotor assembly; chopping with a chopper the discharged first MOG; discharging second MOG from an outlet end of a shoe; and combining the second MOG with the chopped first MOG before the chopped first MOG and the second MOG reaches the ground, wherein the second MOG that is combined with the chopped first MOG is not chopped by the chopper.

Abstract: A sieve for a combine harvester that is moveable by a sieve drive assembly to perform a reciprocating sieve movement having a sieving stroke and a sieve throwing angle, wherein the sieve drive assembly has a rotary drive, having a rotatable output shaft, a transmission between the rotatable output shaft of the rotary drive and the sieve, an eccentric device, at least one transmission element, and a plurality of linkage pivots, wherein the eccentric device is an adjustable eccentric device in which the eccentricity is adjustable in order to adjust at least one of the sieving stroke and sieve throwing angle, the eccentric device comprising an input shaft, a flange, a gear, an output shaft, an annular gear, and an adjustment gear.

Abstract: A method of applying compost to soil which enables a substantial reduction in the use of compost and/or fertilizer. The method may employ adding a compost to soil, wherein the compost is added in an amount of from about 40% to about 200% per weight of seed, and wherein the compost is added to the soil so that a portion of the amendment is from about 0 to about 2 inches from each seed. Alternatively, the compost may be added at an amount of from about 30 to about 100 lbs of compost per acre of soil.

Abstract: Techniques for generating high-yield fungi production are disclosed. In one particular embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a system for generating high-yield fungi production, the system comprising at least one modular container and a growing system housed within the modular container. The growing system may include a substrate preparation system configured to accept substrate and prepare substrate for pasteurization, a pasteurization system configured to pasteurize prepared substrate received from the substrate preparation system, a draining, cooling, and packing system configured to cool and drain pasteurized prepared substrate from the pasteurization system and to pack pasteurized and cooled substrate into at least one growing container, an inoculation system configured to inoculate the pasteurized and cooled substrate, and a plurality of vertical racks coupled to a ceiling of the modular container and configured to hold the at least one growing container.

Abstract: Described herein are containers with tear-aways. The tear-aways make the containers easier to open. Containers described herein include pots with a closed bottom and an open top. These pots may be cylindrical, conical, rectangular, or any other shape. The pots may be made with a variety of materials, such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) which is very dense and hard to tear. Tear-aways may be placed in various positions on a pot such that portions of the pot adjacent to the tear-aways may be separated from each other with ease. Tear-aways may also include hardened ends configured to be pulled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided that combine solar technology and agriculture in a symbiotic relationship that optimizes revenue from both sources. An array of reconfigurable solar collector assemblies is deployed in a crop field. As various crops benefit from varying degrees of shade through their development cycles, and are prone to damage from high winds and hail, the array of adaptable, reconfigurable solar collectors is deployed in the crop field and allows for the easy reconfiguration of each solar collector assembly to vary the amount of shade that is applied to the crops below the assembly, and to provide maximum hail and wind protection when necessary.

Abstract: Crop protection netting is of a knitted mesh construction, knitted such that at yarn intersections in the netting multiple yarns of which the netting is formed are knitted around each other to define the netting mesh apertures so that the netting is stretchable in multiple directions, and wherein connecting yarn portions between said yarn intersections extend substantially linearly between intersections, and wherein at least one of the multiple yarns of which the netting is formed comprises a tape, and/or in addition to the multiple yarns of which the netting is formed (whether comprising a tape as above or otherwise) the netting also comprises multiple yarns or tapes extending through the netting (as a ‘lay-in’) woven through the mesh apertures and/or around intersections of the multiple yarns of which the netting is formed.

Abstract: A device for fastening and adjusting the carrying wires on a row of plants, such as a vineyard, and in particular to support and manage the row of plants, so as to make both manual and mechanized operations simpler and more functional.

Abstract: A device for comminuting whole trees or brush type vegetation comprising a set of more than two rotatable substantially horizontally oriented comminution drum assemblies; said set of rotatable comminution drum assemblies being constructed and arranged in an angular orientation so that the uppermost rotatable comminution drum assembly in said set of more than two substantially horizontally oriented comminution drum assemblies first engages the top portion of the whole tree or brush type vegetation and the remaining rotatable comminution drum assemblies in said set of more than two substantially horizontally oriented comminution drum assemblies sequentially engage lower portions of the whole tree or brush type vegetation that exist immediately below the portions that are comminuted by each successive comminution drum assembly.

Abstract: A soaker hose with scalable permeable surface area and method for selecting and controlling which areas to be watered. The soaker hose with scalable permeable surface area and method includes a hose having a wall with a plurality of perforations disposed about and through the wall and along the length of the hose and also having ends and a passageway extending though the length of the hose and through the ends, for moving water to specified locations; and a sheathing arrangement including at least one sleeve movably disposed about the hose to prevent the water exiting through the perforations which are covered by the at least one sleeve.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an irrigation/aeration method and related device utilizing the optimal substrate air pocket properties of pea gravel and sub-pavement irrigation/aeration.

Abstract: There is provided a plant holder capable of, with a simple configuration, causing a root of a plant stock to pass through a holding hole downwardly without damaging the root of the plant stock, preventing a leaf from drooping downward and being damaged, and improving workability when transplantation and harvest are automated without damaging the plant stock by contact with the plant stock. A plant holder 110 includes a fitting portion 111 and having a plant stock support hole 114 in an inner surface, a placement portion 113 which is provided above the fitting portion 111, and a flange portion 112 which is provided above the placement portion 113. The outer diameter of the placement portion 113 is formed smaller than the outer diameter of the flange portion 112, and larger than the outer diameter of the holding hole 121.

Abstract: Methods for conveying soybean rust (SBR) resistance into non-resistant soybean germplasm are provided. In some embodiments, the methods include introgressing SBR resistance into a non-resistant soybean using one or more nucleic acid markers for marker-assisted breeding among soybean lines to be used in a soybean breeding program, wherein the markers are linked to and/or associated with SBR resistance. Also provided are single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with resistance to SBR; soybean plants, seeds, and tissue cultures produced by any of the disclosed methods; seed produced by the disclosed soybean plants; and compositions including amplification primer pairs capable of initiating DNA polymerization by a DNA polymerase on soybean nucleic acid templates to generate soybean marker amplicons.

Abstract: A method of treating a seed for sowing is provided for improving subsequent plant performance comprising the step of treating the seed for sowing with UV-B irradiation.

Abstract: A potato cultivar designated E12 is disclosed. The invention relates to tubers of potato cultivar E12, to seeds of potato cultivar E12, to plants and plant parts of potato cultivar E12, to food products produced from potato cultivar E12, and to methods for producing a potato plant by crossing potato cultivar E12 with itself or with another potato variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a transgenic potato plant and to the transgenic potato plants and parts produced by those methods.

Abstract: A potato cultivar designated F10 is disclosed. The invention relates to tubers of potato cultivar F10, to seeds of potato cultivar F10, to plants and plant parts of potato cultivar F10, to food products produced from potato cultivar F10, and to methods for producing a potato plant by crossing potato cultivar F10 with itself or with another potato variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a transgenic potato plant and to the transgenic potato plants and parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to potato plants and plant parts derived from potato cultivar F10, to methods for producing other potato plants or plant parts derived from potato cultivar F10 and to the potato plants and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid potato tubers, seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing potato cultivar F10 with another potato cultivar.

Abstract: A potato cultivar designated J55 is disclosed. The invention relates to tubers of potato cultivar J55, to seeds of potato cultivar J55, to plants and plant parts of potato cultivar J55, to food products produced from potato cultivar J55, and to methods for producing a potato plant by crossing potato cultivar J55 with itself or with another potato variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a transgenic potato plant and to the transgenic potato plants and parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to potato plants and plant parts derived from potato cultivar J55, to methods for producing other potato plants or plant parts derived from potato cultivar J55 and to the potato plants and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid potato tubers, seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing potato cultivar J55 with another potato cultivar.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of Cucumis melo, in particular to a new variety of melon designated NUN 26147 MEM as well as plants, seeds and melon fruits thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of Allium in particular to a new variety of onion. designated NUN 08003 ON as well as plants, seeds and bulbs thereof.

Abstract: An inbred rice line designated 133008 is disclosed. Seeds of inbred rice line 133008, plants of rice line 133008 and methods for producing a rice plant by crossing line 133008 with itself or hybrid rice by crossing with another rice line, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides seed and plants of spinach hybrid SV3653VA and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of spinach hybrid SV3653VA and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a spinach plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another spinach plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the leaf and gametes of such plants.

Abstract: This invention provides an onion exhibiting very weak or no punuency and a method for producing such onion. in such onion, alliinase gene expression is reduced.

Abstract: An animal enclosure that contains an animal within a defined area. The animal enclosure includes a main enclosure with four sides, one of which includes a gate. The gate can be opened to allow access through the panel by the animal. The animal enclosure also includes a secondary enclosure with three panels that is rotatably affixed to the main enclosure. When in a first position, the secondary enclosure creates a secondary containment area bounded by the three panels of the secondary enclosure, and one panel of the main enclosure. When in a second position, the secondary enclosure acts as a fifth panel to the main enclosure.

Abstract: A feeder for feeding animals has a trough with two opposed outwardly inclined front walls over which the animals can reach for taking feed from the trough and a feed hopper for discharging feed downwardly onto a shelf above the trough. Water is supplied into the trough through a pipe along the trough underneath the shelf with a series of animal actuated nipples so that the animals may take the feed dry on the shelf or wet from the trough. A valve is provided at one end wall through which the water supply to the pipe passes, the valve having a plurality of separate orifices of different flow area and a manually operable control for selecting one of the plurality of orifices for passage of the water from the supply to the pipe.

Abstract: A pet brush has an outwardly curved brush body integrally formed with a handle section. The outwardly curved brush body has a first radius of curvature at one end and a smaller, second radius of curvature at the handle section, second end. The brush body has bristles extending from the lower surface of the pet brush. The handle section extends inward from one end of the pet brush. The handle section has a spacer element and a gripping element. Two or three fingers of the user can grip the gripping element. The spacer element provides enough space for the two or three fingers to fit under the gripping element and above the brush body. Alternately, the handle section can extend from along the length of the brush body. Two or three fingers can grip the gripping section or fit sideways between the gripping section and the brush body.

Abstract: The present invention is a distinctive pet grooming glove which provides a fluid supply to allow users to wash and/or groom pets using a single gloved hand while a stream of fluid (such as water) flows from the glove. The Pet Grooming Glove includes an attachment port for attaching a source of primary fluid (such as water) as well as apertures in the glove which allow the primary fluid to flow from the primary supply source port to the palm of the glove. Additionally the Pet Grooming Glove includes an attachment port for attaching a source of secondary fluid (such as shampoo) as well as apertures in the glove which allow the secondary fluid to flow from the secondary fluid supply port to the palm of the glove.

Abstract: A grooming tool includes a handle and a head attached to the handle. The head has curved blades adjustable in at least an extended position and a non-extended position. Methods of grooming an animal can include selecting the length of the curved blades by adjusting the blades in at least an extended position or non-extended position.

Abstract: Provided is an animal leash with leash strap retractable through an ergonomic hand grip which is releasably fixed to said leash at any length position along the leash strap, and is quickly adjusted by simple push button release and manual repositioning. Leash is fixed against being pulled through handle in either direction until user presses release button, at which time leash may be pulled back to quickly restrain the animal, or pulled forward to allow more length freedom. Handle is equipped with wrist strap to better secure it to handler.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing lameness in quadrupeds utilizing computer vision and a computerized depth perception system to scan quadrupeds, such as sport horses, over time. The method enables a detailed analysis of the quadruped's movement, and changes thereof over time without the need for attaching sensors to the body of the horse, or requiring force plates or expensive high speed cameras. A processing system receives the input of this movement data and utilizes it to make a determination of severity of lameness signals of the animal. The system is inexpensive enough that non-specialists, such as non-veterinary trained quadruped owners, may install the system at an appropriate location such as a horse barn enabling identification of lameness early, to aid in objectively analyzing rehabilitation from injury, and relating changes in gait to performance changes.

Abstract: A poultry feed distribution system includes a feed storage, a conveyor line and feeding devices. Each feeding device has an attachment part that is rotatable around the line. The attachment part has a drop tube of the device hingedly connected thereto. The attachment part together with the hinge connection to the drop tube is rotatable around the line between a feeding and a cleaning position, with an inlet of the drop tube getting distanced from the line when the attachment part together with the hinge connection to the drop tube is rotated from the feeding to the cleaning position.

Abstract: [Problem to be Solved] The present invention provides a method for producing a chimeric animal using a primed pluripotent stem cell, a tissue stem cell, a progenitor cell, a somatic cell, or a germ cell. [Solution] The method for producing a chimeric animal according to the present invention comprises introducing a mammal-derived cell into the embryo of a mammal, the cell being primed pluripotent stem cell, tissue stem cell, progenitor cell, somatic cell, or germ cell.

Abstract: A fishing lure having an inertially-activated pivotable hook system having a pivotable hook assembly.

Abstract: A clamp assembly for maintaining two rod sections parallel to each other includes a collar encircling a longitudinal axis for receiving a first rod section, and a retainer attached to the collar. The retainer has a first hook attached to the collar and a second hook connected to the first hook for receiving a second rod section. The clamp assembly has an open configuration in which the retainer hinges from the collar, and a closed configuration in which the first hook at least partially surrounds the collar. The collar includes a band for encircling the first rod section. The band has a first circumferential end and an opposing second circumferential end that meet to form a closure. A first cylindrically rolled tab extends from the first circumferential end; and a second cylindrically rolled tab extends from the second circumferential end longitudinally offset from the first cylindrically rolled tab.

Abstract: A line roller for guiding fishing line onto a spool of a spinning reel, includes a bearing member, a retaining member and a guide member. The bearing member includes an inner ring, an outer ring, and a rolling body. The retaining member abuts both ends of the outer ring. The guide member includes a guide surface for guiding the fishing line, is disposed radially outside of the retaining member, and engages the retaining member.

Abstract: A bottom bouncer with swiveling section a lure arm member pivotally attached to a weighted arm member has an elongated rod having a weight affixed to it and a tip extending longitudinally therefrom to form one end. The lure arm member has one of its end terminated by an end loop to which is clipped an interlock snap swivel. The interlock snap swivel is used for attaching a lure line. The weighted arm member has an angled bend which is comprised of a bushing, and a pair of balls, wherein one of the ball is located on one side of a ring and the other ball is positioned on the opposite side of the ring. The ring is made from a loop portion extending integrally from the lure arm member. The bushing is frictionally connected to the weighted arm member so as to squeeze the balls between the bushing and a grommet, and the ring is rotationally connected to the weighted arm member passing therethrough such that the lure arm member can pivot around an axis formed by the weighted arm member.