Abstract: A machine is controlled to operate according to a first control configuration. Enhancement criteria values, that are indicative of an enhancement metric, are evaluated based on operation in the first control configuration. The machine is then controlled to operate according to a second control configuration, and the enhancement criteria are again evaluated. The machine is iteratively switched between operating in the first and second control configurations until a signal-to-background-variation-ratio with respect to the evaluated enhancement criteria is sufficient. One of the first and second control configurations are then identified as corresponding to a best enhancement criteria value.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle includes a chassis and a windrow assembly carried by the chassis. The windrow assembly includes a windrow chute and a width adjustment device operatively mounted to the windrow chute. The windrow chute includes a discharge panel and a pair of side walls attached and movable relative to the discharge panel. The width adjustment device includes a manual adjustment member mounted to the discharge panel, and a pair of linkages with each linkage interconnecting between the manual adjustment member and a respective side wall.

Abstract: A cane harvester including a support member and a basecutter assembly carried by the support member. The basecutter assembly has at least one rotating basecutter and a plurality of blades coupled thereto. The plurality of blades are not sharp.

Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting small fruit detached from fruit trees or bushes has a tarpaulin, a winding shaft fastened to a proximal end of the tarpaulin, a first bearing structure supporting the winding shaft, a rotary drive motor coupled to the winding shaft, at least one band having bending and shape memory, a winding drum connected to one end of the band, and a second bearing structure supporting the winding drum. The band has an end connected to the distal end of the tarpaulin. A distal end of the band pushes the distal end of the tarpaulin so as to move the tarpaulin away from the winding shaft so as to deploy the tarpaulin above the ground.

Abstract: A self-propelled tree fruit picking machine, of the type which includes a vibrator device which acts on the trunk of a tree detected by a probe device. The picking machine includes two side frames joined by a transverse gantries device, equipped with transporting devices to move the fruit towards peeling devices, and from these towards hoppers. Each gantry includes four successively articulated segments with anchoring devices between adjacent segments, which are extractable to fold the machine by closing together both side frames via the action of cylinders to a minimum width. The machine is further equipped with a control cabin which can be moved inwards to the position of minimum width, and with the transport wheels connected to suspension devices adjustable in height via cylinders.

Abstract: A reel for a harvester, such as for a combine harvester. The reel includes a reel supporting pipe and star-shaped supports at the ends of the reel, the star arms being connected to each other by means of tine rods which run parallel to the supporting pipe, wherein the star-shaped supports are specifically at least partially reinforced as a result of which at least one of the tensile and compression forces acting on the supporting pipe can be absorbed by one or more tine rods.

Abstract: A bale loading apparatus for use in the agricultural applications that enables conversion from a small bale pickup and transport vehicle to a big bale pickup and transport vehicle. A conveyor lifts big bales from the ground in the field onto the receiving table of a bale transport vehicle. A rotating and sliding motion enables the positioning of the big bale lengthwise across the receiving table of the bale transport vehicle. A control system for managing the big bale loading process is also provided.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a harvester capable of continuous bailing of crop material, particularly to a harvester comprising a crop supply chamber positioned in front of a bale chamber, capable of storing crop material during the wrapping of a bale of harvested crop material, and a deflection system, capable of allowing crop material to enter into the bale chamber. The crop supply chamber further comprises a supply inlet at the bottom of the crop supply chamber and a movable control plate positioned within the crop supply chamber.

Abstract: The air emission device for growing plants includes a plurality of air emission units for respectively emitting an air flow onto the new leaves growing on a tip of a stem of each plant that has one stem. The transpiration effect on the leaves and suctioning of water and nutrition from the roots of the plants can be promoted. Thus, wilting of leaves can be prevented and the tip burn due to insufficient calcium can be avoided. Provision of the air emission units are effectively arranged to evenly or uniformly supply air onto the new leaves of the each plant.

Abstract: A modular magnetic storage system including a container attachable to a surface, the container including a vessel having a top end, a bottom end, a wall and a magnet housing, the bottom end being positioned opposite to the top end, the wall extending between the bottom end and the top end, the wall and the bottom end defining a cavity, the top end defining an opening in the vessel, and the magnet housing defining a recess; a magnet disposed within the recess; and a resilient cover positioned over the magnet housing, the resilient cover providing a coefficient of friction between the resilient cover and the surface to maintain a position of the vessel on the surface.

Abstract: A device for staking a tree into the earth has a ring suitable for extending around the trunk of the tree. A plurality of brackets are connected to the ring. The plurality of brackets have aperture formed therethrough suitable for receipt of stakes, which secure the ring to the earth. A support is connected to the ring and extends upwardly therefrom. A collar is connected to the support and positioned in spaced relation to the ring. The collar also has a diameter suitable for extending around the trunk of the tree.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting plants, trees, bushes, etc. from harsh environments when the ambient air temperature is below the lower tolerance limit for that species of plant. The apparatus consists of an envelope that covers the plant with a drawstring on the open end of the envelope that cinches around the base of the plant. Installed in envelope is a blower and heater that heats and circulates air throughout the envelope, creates a micro-environment within the envelope that is above the lower tolerance limit for that species of plant, keeping the plant from being harmed by the outside environment.

Abstract: One stump cutter cutting wheel disclosed herein includes a wheel structure having left and right sides and being rotatable about a central axis extending between the left and right sides. The left and right sides define receptacles having depths measured in an orientation extending along the axis. Cutter assemblies are mounted to the wheel structure and include cutters mounted to cutter holders. The cutter holders include base portions that fit within the receptacles, and the base portions each define at least one fastener opening. The base portions further define base thicknesses measured in the orientation extending along the axis. The receptacle depths are at least 0.25 times as large as the base thicknesses such that no more than 75 percent of the base thicknesses extend laterally outside the receptacles. Fasteners secure the cutter holders to the wheel structure and extend through the fastener openings defined by the base portions.

Abstract: Prescribing a drip line for use in a field includes: accessing soil conditions data that includes vertical transect data relating to at least one vertical transect of soil in a field; based on a plant type and a length of time between a first watering and a second watering of a plant via the drip line, determining, a desired plant available water content of a portion of the soil within the at least one vertical transect to be substantially achieved as a result of the first watering; and based on the vertical transect data, the determined desired plant available water content, climate conditions data and geographical conditions data, determining perforation spacing and flow rate for a set of emitters for the drip line such that the desired plant available water is substantially achieved in the portion of the soil.

Abstract: A dripper (120) comprises a dripper main body (121) and a movable unit (122). The moveable unit (122) forms the ceiling of a pressure reducing flow path (125) that reduces the pressure of a liquid flowing in the dripper (120), and the moveable unit advances and retracts in accordance with the pressure of the fluid in a tube (110). If the pressure is high, the height of the pressure reducing flow path (125) becomes lower and the flow rate of the liquid in the dripper (120) is thereby restricted. As a result, the flow rate of liquid discharged from a through hole (130) in the tube (110) can be maintained at a substantially constant rate regardless of the aforementioned pressure.

Abstract: A piece insertion method for a pipe, for example an irrigation pipe, including: ejecting at least one piece, for example a dripper, from an ejection unit, advancing the at least one dripper inside the irrigation pipe by a dripper advancing unit, lifting the dripper towards the inner surface of the irrigation pipe by using a lifting device such that the dripper is parallel or substantially parallel to this inner surface of the irrigation pipe on impact with this inner surface. The method according to the invention allows also coordination between the lifting device, the ejection unit and the dripper advancing unit such that the dripper spacing can be maintained in tight tolerances.

Abstract: A mesh-based wireless network 10 of sensor/actuator devices I, D, T for an agricultural production area involves battery-powered sensors and actuators deployed under or within the foliage for broadcast communication with at least one repeater R according to broadcast time slots. The repeaters R are mounted above the vegetation canopy so as to be powered by solar panels. The repeaters R form a mesh network for routing data and commands to and from the sensors and actuators and at least one gateway GW. The gateway communicates over a cellular network with a remote agricultural management server 14 and database 16.

Abstract: An anti-siphon system for use with an irrigation system, such as lawn sprinkling system is disclosed. The system includes a backflow prevention valve with a bonnet- and poppet valve system with a conical spring that biases a lower poppet valve head, and engages the valve body. The use of the conical spring simplifies the mechanism, while providing reliable backflow prevention.

Abstract: A liquid storage and delivery system includes a reservoir and a storage container. The storage container has a main body with a hollow interior, and is configured to hold a reserve volume of the water. The main body has an upper wall and a lower wall. The hollow interior is disposed between the upper wall and the lower wall. A refill conduit is in communication with the hollow interior of the storage container. An air conduit is in communication with the hollow interior of the storage container and the reservoir. A liquid passage is in communication with the hollow interior of the storage container and the reservoir. The liquid passage is configured to deliver the water from the storage container to the reservoir. The liquid storage and delivery system is particularly useful for the watering of plants and animals.

Abstract: To grow a plant which stores nutrients synthesized in an above-ground part into an underground part, a hydroponic cultivation apparatus waters the underground part. The hydroponic cultivation apparatus includes: a void portion housing the underground part while establishing a substantially sealed state; a sensor which detects an amount of moisture in the void portion at the underground part or around the underground part; an air conditioning fan which introduces outside air to the void portion and controls temperature and humidity inside the void portion; and a controller which controls the amount of moisture detected by the sensor by driving the air conditioning fan in such a way as to adjust an amount of the outside air or an introduction period of the outside air.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system of culturing and harvesting floating aquatic species with high growth rates. Also disclosed is a method of culturing and harvesting floating aquatic species using such a system.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for identifying soybean plants that are tolerant, have improved tolerance or are susceptible to Charcoal Rot Drought Complex. The methods use molecular genetic markers to identify, select and/or construct tolerant plants or identify and counter-select susceptible plants. Soybean plants that display tolerance or improved tolerance to Charcoal Rot Drought Complex that are generated by the methods of the invention are also a feature of the invention. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention provides seed and plants of tomato line FIRXM11-5005. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of tomato line FIRXM11-5005, and to methods for producing a tomato plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another tomato 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 fruit and gametes of such plants.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of soybean variety SJ1312299 breeding and development. The present invention particularly relates to the soybean variety SJ1312299 and its seed, cells, germplasm, plant parts, and progeny, and methods of using SJ1312299 in a breeding program.

Abstract: The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01058780. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01058780. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01058780 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01058780 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.

Abstract: A determinate castor is provided. Also provided are methods of generating and using same as well as products thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01058666. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01058666. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01058666 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01058666 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.

Abstract: A novel maize variety designated PH2G2C and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant comprise crossing maize variety PH2G2C with another maize plant are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH2G2C through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby are provided. Hybrid maize seed, plants or plant parts are produced by crossing the variety PH2G2C or a locus conversion of PH2G2C with another maize variety.

Abstract: A novel maize variety designated PH2CV9 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant comprise crossing maize variety PH2CV9 with another maize plant are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH2CV9 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby are provided. Hybrid maize seed, plants or plant parts are produced by crossing the variety PH2CV9 or a locus conversion of PH2CV9 with another maize variety.

Abstract: A novel maize variety designated PH2RT9 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant comprise crossing maize variety PH2RT9 with another maize plant are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH2RT9 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby are provided. Hybrid maize seed, plants or plant parts are produced by crossing the variety PH2RT9 or a locus conversion of PH2RT9 with another maize variety.

Abstract: A novel maize variety designated X13K460 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are produced by crossing inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant by crossing hybrid maize variety X13K460 with another maize plant are disclosed. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X13K460 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X13K460, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X13K460. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X13K460.

Abstract: A novel maize variety designated X00H389 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are produced by crossing inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant by crossing hybrid maize variety X00H389 with another maize plant are disclosed. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X00H389 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X00H389, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X00H389. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X00H389.

Abstract: A soybean cultivar designated 50270736 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 50270736, to the plants of soybean cultivar 50270736, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 50270736, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 50270736. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 50270736. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 50270736, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 50270736 with another soybean cultivar.

Abstract: A soybean cultivar designated 64091728 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 64091728, to the plants of soybean cultivar 64091728, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 64091728, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 64091728. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 64091728. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 64091728, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 64091728 with another soybean cultivar.

Abstract: A soybean cultivar designated 65012333 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 65012333, to the plants of soybean cultivar 65012333, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 65012333, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 65012333. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 65012333. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 65012333, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 65012333 with another soybean cultivar.

Abstract: A soybean cultivar designated 64480739 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 64480739, to the plants of soybean cultivar 64480739, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 64480739, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 64480739. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 64480739. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 64480739, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 64480739 with another soybean cultivar.

Abstract: A novel soybean variety, designated 5PTEG52 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety 5PTEG52, cells from soybean variety 5PTEG52, plants of soybean 5PTEG52, and plant parts of soybean variety 5PTEG52. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety 5PTEG52 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety 5PTEG52, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety 5PTEG52, and methods of characterizing soybean variety 5PTEG52. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety 5PTEG52 are further provided.

Abstract: A novel soybean variety, designated 5PZVU43 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety 5PZVU43, cells from soybean variety 5PZVU43, plants of soybean 5PZVU43, and plant parts of soybean variety 5PZVU43. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety 5PZVU43 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety 5PZVU43, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety 5PZVU43, and methods of characterizing soybean variety 5PZVU43. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety 5PZVU43 are further provided.

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH858215. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH858215, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH858215 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH858215.

Abstract: A milking robot comprises a frame that is movable along a guide track that is positioned adjacent to a rotary platform such that the frame can move in conjunction with the movement of the rotary platform. The milking robot further comprises a moveable arm having a first end that couples to the frame and a second end that extends in a longitudinal direction, and at least one gripper coupled to the movable arm at the second end. The gripper is extendable in the longitudinal direction of the movable arm.

Abstract: A system for operating a robotic arm, comprises a camera, a controller and a robotic arm. The camera captures an image of a rear of a dairy livestock located in a stall of a rotary milking platform. The controller receives the image and in conjunction with the stall of the rotary milking platform in which a dairy livestock is located moving into an area adjacent a robotic arm, determines whether a milking cluster is attached to the dairy livestock based at least in part upon the image. The robotic arm is communicatively coupled to the controller and extends between the legs of the dairy livestock if the controller determines that the milking cluster is not attached to the dairy livestock. The robotic arm does not extend between the legs of the dairy livestock if the controller determines that the milking cluster is attached to the dairy livestock.

Abstract: Litter compositions are provided comprising sodium bentonite and various fillers. These litter compositions have substantially the same clumpability properties as a composition consisting of only the sodium bentonite.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a portable feeding apparatus or bowl, more particularly to a travel feeding apparatus for pets having hinged, collapsible bowls for holding food and water.

Abstract: A bottle, including a bottle body having a bottom aperture through a bottom end thereof and a top aperture through a top end thereof opposite the bottom end; a top valve assembly that extends through the top end of the bottle body and allows for selectable dispensing of fluid disposed within the bottle body out therethrough; a flexibly invertible dish coupled about the bottom aperture, wherein in a stored mode the dish is coupled about an outer surface of the bottle body and in a deployed mode the dish is inverted with respect to itself in the stored mode and extends outwardly from the bottom end of the bottle body forming a concave surface within which fluid may be disposed; and a bottom valve assembly that may extend through the bottom end of the bottle body and allows for selectable dispensing of fluid disposed within the bottle body out therethrough.

Abstract: A hoof boot has a base, a heel captivator, and a pivoting mechanism that disposes the heel captivator to pivot relative to the base, preferably in a manner that allows the heel captivator at least three degrees of freedom of movement relative to the base. The heel captivator is preferably low in the rearmost portion, which provides clearance for the pastern bones of the equine lower leg to descend upon weight bearing during movement at various gaits. To reduce the possibility for bruising and chaffing of soft tissue around the pastern bones, and to help eliminate accumulation of debris, preferred heel captivators have an open mesh architecture. Heel captivators can alternatively or additionally be designed with fabric covered neoprene or other liners. Boots are preferably tightened using mechanically advantages laces.

Abstract: A disposable diaper for pets includes: a back-side waist area; a stomach-side waist area; a crotch area; both end sections in the diaper longitudinal direction; both end sections in a diaper longitude-intersecting direction; a tail insertion opening; an absorbent core; an area not having the absorbent core arranged therein; an attachment section provided in the stomach-side waist area; an attachment area that accepts the attachment section; an expandable/contractible elastic member for legs, arranged, in the extended state, in a prescribed area in the diaper longitudinal direction, between the absorbent core and an end section in the diaper longitude-intersecting direction; a leg gather formed by the contraction of the expandable/contractible elastic member for legs; and a standing-up section in which the end sections in the diaper longitudinal direction stand up as a result of the contraction of the expandable/contractible elastic member for legs.

Abstract: A disposable diaper for pets, having: a diaper longitudinal direction; a diaper longitude-intersecting direction; a rear-side flap section; a stomach-side flap section; and a tail insertion opening provided in a prescribed area in the diaper longitudinal direction. The disposable diaper for pets is formed such that the length in the diaper longitude-intersecting direction in the rear-side flap section is different from the length in the diaper longitude-intersecting direction in the stomach-side flap section.

Abstract: An improved device to retain a dog leash in a manner so that the garment can be used to walk the dog in a hands-free manner and also retain portable electronic devices in an operative condition while the dog is being walked.

Abstract: Systems and methods for companion animal health monitoring are described. In one embodiment, an animal health monitoring system including an electronic assembly located on a companion animal including a microprocessor, a power source connected to the microprocessor, and a transceiver and a microchip implanted in the companion animal and including memory storing identification data and a temperature sensor measuring the temperature of the companion animal, wherein the electronic assembly interrogates the microchip to obtain identification data and temperature data and transmits the identification data and the temperature data.

Abstract: A method for remote animal surveillance and distress monitoring includes detecting biometric and behavioral parameters of the animal, identifying novel events based on comparison of detected parameters to predefined parameter values and qualifications; determining whether a composite parameter value exceeds a predefined composite threshold value indicative of possible distress in the animal; and notifying remote caretakers of possible distress in the animal based on the composite value exceeding the predefined composite threshold value.