Abstract: An agricultural implement includes: a frame including a front frame section, a rear frame section, and a counterbalancing frame section between the front frame section and the rear frame section; a hitch connected to the front frame section; a plurality of shanks connected to the rear frame section; a plurality of residue managing assemblies connected to the front frame section and/or the counterbalancing frame section; and a ground engaging assembly connected to the frame between the counterbalancing frame section and the rear frame section and defining a fulcrum between a front side and a rear side of the frame, the front side and the rear side of the frame being substantially balanced about the fulcrum.

Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement has a vertical tillage section and an aerating section behind the vertical tillage section, each extending substantially perpendicular to the pull direction of the implement. Individual vertical tillage elements, such as disc blades, can be indexed with individual rotary tine assemblies of the aerator section so that discrete holes formed by the aerator section are positioned between substantially continuous slits formed by the vertical tillage section. Rolling baskets can be provided behind the aerator section for further soil conditioning.

Abstract: A fertilizer row unit including a toolbar coupling, first and second suspension members, a pressure applying device, a tensioned wheel assembly, a knife assembly and a depth control system. The first suspension member has a first end pivotally coupled to the toolbar coupling. The second suspension member is generally parallel to the first suspension member. The pressure applying device is coupled to the first or second suspension member. The tensioned wheel assembly has at least one wheel. The knife assembly is pivotally coupled to both the first and second suspension members. The depth control system is coupled to the knife assembly for controlling the depth of penetration of the knife into the soil. The depth control system includes a sensor that provides a measured depth signal representative of a depth of the knife. The depth control system controls the pressure applying device dependent upon the measured depth signal.

Abstract: A fertilizer row unit including a toolbar coupling, first and second suspension members, a pressure applying device, a wheel assembly, a knife assembly and a wheel down pressure system. The first suspension member has a first end pivotally coupled to the toolbar coupling. The second suspension member is generally parallel to the first suspension member. The pressure applying device is coupled to the first or second suspension member. The wheel assembly has at least one wheel. The knife assembly is pivotally coupled to both the first and second suspension members. The wheel down pressure system is coupled to the wheel assembly, the wheel down pressure system substantially maintaining a selected pressure on the wheel assembly while the pressure applying device applies varying pressure to at least the first suspension member and the second suspension member.

Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement has a vertical tillage section and an aerating section behind the vertical tillage section, each extending substantially perpendicular to the pull direction of the implement. Individual vertical tillage elements, such as disc blades, can be indexed with individual rotary tine assemblies of the aerator section so that discrete holes formed by the aerator section are positioned between substantially continuous slits formed by the vertical tillage section. A ground deposit system is provided for depositing a component on the ground and may be configured for conducting and depositing a granular component, such as seeds, fertilizers, minerals or the like, or liquid components, such as liquid manure.

Abstract: A coulter assembly for an agricultural implement. The coulter assembly includes a support structure and a disc blade rotatably mounted to the support structure. The coulter assembly also includes a spring assembly coupled to the support structure and configured to urge the disc blade into soil. The spring assembly includes a variable rate spring.

Abstract: A robotic system for use in agriculture includes at least one tool-holding arm to hold an agricultural tool and capable of being controlled to enable the agricultural tool to be raised or lowered, a sensor for measuring the height of crops, and a computer to determine a set value for controlling the at least one tool-holding arm on the basis of measurements taken by the sensor for measuring the crop height. The tool-holding arm is connected to a connection member such that it can be mounted on a control arm provided on an agricultural vehicle. The computer can determine a set value for controlling the control arm to enable the tool-holding arm to be raised or lowered on the basis of measurements taken by the sensor for measuring the crop height.

Abstract: A ground engagement tool, such as a universal coulter, with an integrated offset to facilitate multiple mounting configurations. In some embodiments, the ground engagement tool includes a polygonal shank, defining, for example, an octagonal or hexagonal cross-section. The polygonal shank enables rotational offset to be secured in discrete rotational orientations. A lower bracket is mounted to a spindle, providing an angular displacement range for angular deflection of the ground engagement tool. The spindle includes a key structure that complements the angular orientations of the polygonal shank so that the lower bracket can be compensated for the rotational offset. A rotational indexing plate enables selection of one of a plurality of angular displacement ranges. Retention rods may be implemented for setting a depth of the tool. A dirt deflector may also be provided, dimensioned to prevent spewing dirt from landing on adjacent plant rows and to prevent fouling in muddy conditions.

Abstract: A system and method for the automated or semi-automated imagining and orienting of seeds to prepare the seeds for transformation and transgenic engineering.

Abstract: An agricultural seeder has furrow opener assemblies spaced along a width of the implement frame. Each furrow opener assembly has an opener arm pivotally attached to the implement frame, and a furrow opener attached to the opener arm. A product delivery system delivers agricultural products to the furrow opener assemblies, and a product control controls the product delivery system such that agricultural products are delivered only to active furrow opener assemblies. A bias force system is operative, when activated in a transport mode, to exert an upward bias force on the active and idle furrow opener assemblies, and operative, when activated in an operating mode, to exert a downward bias force on the active furrow opener assemblies, and to exert substantially no force on the idle furrow opener assemblies.

Abstract: “A self-propelled grass mower and a self-propelled wheeled apparatus that can perform precise guidance control by reliably detecting a guidance signal with a guidewire are provided. The self-propelled grass mower includes wheel motors for driving wheels, a cutting blade motor for driving a cutting blade, a rechargeable battery for supplying electrical power to these motors, and a guidewire sensor for detecting a magnetic field generated by a guidewire formed into a loop. In the self-propelled grass mower that detects whether is inside or outside of a region enclosed by the guidewire and runs autonomously in a grass cutting region, only the supply voltage for the cutting blade motor is reduced when a magnetic field is detected by the guidewire sensor. Driving of the cutting blade motor is restarted after detection of the magnetic field has completed. Thereby, the impact of noise due to the cutting blade motor is eliminated.

Abstract: A flexible rotary cutting device useful for attaching to a rotary drive configured to trim vegetation, particularly a lawn mower. The flexible rotary cutting device includes a cutting head, an attachment mechanism, at least one cutting-filament retention mechanisms, and at least one cutting-filament. At least one cutting-filament may be releasably attached to the at least one cutting-filament retention mechanism. The at least one cutting-filament may be configured to sever vegetation as the cutting head is rotated, and may be positioned such that it is passed through the at least one filament-aperture, and between the first-filament engaging pawl and the second-filament engaging pawl, in such a way that the at least one cutting-filament is engaged and anchored by the first-plurality of teeth and the second-plurality of teeth, and extends radially from the outer flange of the cutting head.

Abstract: A cutting unit arrangement for a harvester having a cutting unit has at least one working device relating to the processing and/or conveying of harvested crops and has a drive for the working device, wherein the drive is configured to drive the working device in accordance with harvesting operation via a rotatable drive element having a variable rotational speed. A control device of the cutting unit arrangement associated with the drive is configured to regulate the rotational speed of the drive element using a predefined desired rotational speed value.

Abstract: A stripper plate system is provided that includes a first stripper plate movably mounted to a frame, a second stripper plate movably mounted to the frame in an opposing orientation to the first stripper plate, and an elongated gap in-between the first and second stripper plates. A first tensioning mechanism biases a proximal end of the first stripper plate toward a center of the elongated gap, a second tensioning mechanism biases a distal end of the first stripper plate toward the center of the elongated gap, a third tensioning mechanism biases a proximal end of the second stripper plate toward the center of the elongated gap, and a fourth tensioning mechanism biases a distal end of the second stripper plate toward the center of the elongated gap. A biasing force of the first and third tensioning mechanisms is lower than a biasing force of the second and fourth tensioning mechanisms.

Abstract: A combine head and stalk roll retention shaft apparatus. The combine head may include a plurality of combine head row units. A drive system is provided to drive the row units and a stalk roll feeder; the feeder having a drive system to drive the feeder and feed corn stalks into at least one of the plurality of combine head row units. The stalk roll retention apparatus may be slidably attached proximate to the tip of the stalk roller shaft to reduce wear of the stalk rollers and guide the corn stalks into the row unit(s). The stalk roll retention shaft apparatus may include one more bearings. The stalk roll retention shaft apparatus may also include a cap or plug on the front of the apparatus.

Abstract: Crop processing rolls are provided for operative use in forage harvesters wherein the crop processing rolls are formed with spiraled grooves that are oriented in opposing slopes extending from the opposite ends of the crop processing roll toward the center of the roll. The formation of these spiraled grooves defines teeth from the ridges created with the formation of vertical grooves into the circumferential surface of the crop processing roll. In one configuration, the spiraled grooves meet at the center of the crop processing roll in a V-shaped intersection to provide a chevron shape to the spiraled grooves. In a second configuration, the spiraled grooves do not intersect at the center and form a semi-chevron pattern that does not form a short tooth that the chevron configuration creates at the V-shaped intersection.

Abstract: Crop processing rolls for operative use in forage harvesters are disclosed. The crop processing rolls are formed with a plurality of first grooves that are oriented in a parallel manner with second smaller grooves intersecting the ridges to form discrete teeth from the ridges. The ridges can be formed vertically, horizontally or in a spiraled pattern with the smaller second grooves oriented into a spiraled pattern to form the discrete teeth. Crop processing roll segments can be formed in this manner and assembled into full processing rolls with the spiraled second grooves being oriented in opposing directions from adjacent segments. The number of segments can vary from two to eight individual segments with the second grooves breaking ridges into discrete teeth on adjacent segments forming a chevron pattern at intersecting positions along the longitudinal length of the processing roll.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a universal hay apparatus and method of use.

Abstract: A threshing system for an agricultural harvester includes a rotor and a substantially cylindrical cage that surrounds at least a portion of the rotor. The threshing system also features a material flow adjustor for controlling axial movement of material through the cage. The material flow adjustor is movably mounted adjacent to a threshing space and includes at least one material conveying edge that enters the threshing space. The material flow adjustor is moveable between a first operative position, in which the at least one material conveying edge is spaced from the rotor in a radial direction by a first distance, and a second operative position in which the at least one material conveying edge is spaced from the rotor in the radial direction by a second distance, the second distance being less than the first distance.

Abstract: A concave for an agricultural combine includes first and second frames and a threshing mat that includes threshing bars each including a separating grate. An engagement assembly non-destructively connects each of the threshing bars to the first frame, the threshing bars form openings therebetween for grain to pass through, the separating grate of each of the threshing bars extends across an adjacent one of the openings for separating grain from threshed crop material, and the separating grate of each of the threshing bars is fixedly connected to an adjacent one of the threshing bars. The engagement assemblies enable non-destructive removal of the threshing mat from the first frame, when the second frame is spaced apart from the first frame. The second frame restrains non-destructive removal of the threshing mat from the first frame via the engagement assemblies, when the second frame is juxtaposed to the first frame.

Abstract: A rectangular baler having a wall positioning system. The baler having a bale chamber which includes a plurality of walls including a movable wall section. The wall positioning system includes a positioner for moving the movable wall section from a first position to a second position. The positioner is configured for applying pressure to a first pressure point and to a second pressure point on the movable wall section such that the second position of the movable wall section is substantially parallel to the first position of the movable wall section. The first pressure point and the second pressure point are spaced apart along a longitudinal direction of the bale chamber.

Abstract: A land preparation tool includes a tool body having a longitudinal axis, wherein the tool body includes a cutting surface and a mounting surface disposed on the tool body opposite the cutting surface, wherein the mounting surface includes an apex that extends along about half of the mounting surface parallel to the longitudinal axis and first and second side mounting surfaces that extend from the apex; a blade disposed on the same side of the tool body as the cutting surface; and a channel disposed into the mounting surface and extending into the tool body.

Abstract: An oscillating gardening device includes a drive unit and at least one cam gear that is configured to be driven by the drive unit and has at least one guide section configured to guide at least one element. The guide section is rotatable about an axis of rotation and closed relative to the rotation axis in the circumferential direction. The guide section is arranged eccentrically with respect to the axis of rotation and deviates at least substantially from one or more of a circular shape and a circular ring shape in the circumferential direction. The oscillating gardening device in at least one embodiment is configured as one or more of hedge shears, grass shears, and branch shears.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a light emitting device and a method of regulating plant growth using the same. In the light emitting device of the present disclosure, the drive module is connected to the light source and the dimming control module, the dimming control module is configured to output a control signal to the drive module, and the drive module is configured to adjust brightness of the light source according to the control signal. Further, brightness of the light source is adjusted according to the control signal, so as to automatically turn on and off the light source at regular time, and meanwhile, a natural transition process of brightness change is inserted between lighting and lighting-off to simulate dusk and dawn.

Abstract: A canopy treatment system to treat plants is disclosed. In one implementation according to examples of the present disclosure, a canopy treatment system comprises a hot fluid generating system configured to heat a fluid, the hot fluid generating system including a canopy valve; and a canopy in fluid communication with the hot fluid generating system, the canopy defining a treatment region, the canopy valve of the hot fluid generating system selectively positionable to control fluid flow between the hot fluid generating system and the canopy.

Abstract: A living art article incorporates traditional art elements and also incorporates a living element in the form of a living plant, including cut flowers, etc.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cooling and condensation device (10) of a greenhouse (1), preferably of a plastic film greenhouse, comprising at least one condenser (11) located in the greenhouse (1). The exterior (21) of the wall of said condenser is in contact with the air in the greenhouse (1) to be cooled and a cooling medium is applied to the interior (22) of the wall. According to the invention, the at least one condenser (11) is designed as a film tube that can be folded and consists, for example, of hollow articles (12), produced of a film material that can be folded, and stringed together, the tubular condenser (11) being deployable from a folded storage form to an elongated operating form.

Abstract: A rope brake is provided for controlled lowering of a branch or limb cut from a tree by a person holding one end of the rope. The rope brake includes a drum mounted to a back plate. The back plate is mounted to the tree. The rope for lowering the branch or limb is threaded through guides on the drum and wrapped around the drum one, two or three times. One end of the rope is tied to the branch to be cut and the other end is held by the operator. When the branch is cut from the tree, the tension on the rope supplied by the operator controls the friction between the rope and the drum, such that the branch can be safely lowered in a controlled manner.

Abstract: A membrane for a drip emitter includes at least two first and second regions. The regions are of different thickness.

Abstract: A turf management system includes an irrigation system for providing water to the turf at a turf site, and an irrigation evaluation system for evaluating the performance of the irrigation system. The irrigation evaluation system segments the turf site into irrigation management units, where each of the irrigation management units includes at least one sprinkler head. Qualities of the turf are measured to generate collected data points. The data points are used by the irrigation evaluation system to compute a value for the turf in each of the irrigation management units. The values can then be used to identify irrigation management units having common characteristics. The values can be used to define irrigation management zones for controlling the irrigation system.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an apparatus for hydroponic plant production which comprises a plant production space and an irrigation system. The plant production space is enclosed by a plurality of surfaces. Columns of holes may be made through one or more surfaces. Holes of one column and holes of an adjacent column are arranged in a staggered manner. The apparatus may also include a cap and a supporting frame. The cap and the supporting frame are secured with the surfaces through fastening mechanism, which improves stableness of the apparatus. The present disclosure also provides a method for hydroponic plant production accordingly.

Abstract: Described is a plant, derived from Solanum lycopersicum, the ripe fruits of which comprise a total mineral content of sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphor, manganese, magnesium, iron, copper and zinc of at least 4500 mg per kg ripe fruit. The ripe fruit also has a total solubilised sugar content of at least 5.5 w/w %, based on the total weight of the ripe fruit and optionally a lycopene content of more than 5 mg per 100 g ripe fruit.

Abstract: Long-day onion plants, capable of producing onion bulbs comprising ‘high soluble solids’ combined with a ‘sweet taste’ as a result of low pungency, are provided, as are methods for producing such plants, bulbs and seeds. Such onions can be stored for long periods without a loss in quality and without an increase in pungency.

Abstract: The invention provides a new and distinct hybrid variety of tomato, NUN 00279 TOP as well as seeds and plants and fruits thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a new and distinct hybrid variety of Cucumber, NUN 52012 CUP as well as seeds and plants and fruits thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for a specialty breeding of cannabis.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a number of sequences involved in the transport of alkaloids from the root to the leaf in tobacco, methods of using such sequences, tobacco plants carrying modifications to such sequences, and tobacco products made from such plants.

Abstract: Disclosed is a Ganoderma Lucidum strain suitable for large-scale liquid fermentation, named as Ganoderma Lucidum G2, deposited with China General Microbiological Culture Collection Center under the accession number CGMCC No. 3982 on Jul. 20, 2010, and a method of mutation breeding the same and use of the strain. The Ganoderma Lucidum strain which belongs to Ganodermataceae, genus Ganoderma, species red Ganoderma Lucidum is obtained by artificial mutagenizing and breeding. The production of mycelia using the Ganoderma Lucidum strain G2 is 80˜120 times higher as compared with the production of mycelia using wild-type naïve Ganoderma Lucidum strain. The mycelia produced using the Ganoderma Lucidum strain G2 have higher contents of main pharmaceutical ingredients. The Ganoderma Lucidum strain suitable for large-scale liquid fermentation can be used for manufacturing oral solution or beverage comprising Ganoderma mycelia or extracts of Ganoderma mycelia as main active ingredient.

Abstract: A climate control system (20) for an animal house (10) is configured by determining a minimum ventilation curve for required minimum ventilation. A plurality of ventilation stages is created based on the minimum ventilation curve and the plurality of ventilation fans (23) in the climate control system, each stage providing a percentage of the required minimum ventilation. Creating the stages includes prioritizing the ventilation fans to create a selection hierarchy and determining a minimum stage ventilation and a maximum stage ventilation for each stage. Ventilation fans are selected following the hierarchy that provides the desired percentage of the minimum required ventilation. An increment between a maximum stage ventilation and a minimum stage ventilation for the next higher stage is defined, wherein the minimum capacity level is a function of the minimum capacity of the group of fans added to the next higher stage and the maximum capacity for the next higher stage is determined based on the increment.

Abstract: A litter box kit is provided.

Abstract: A litter box liner disposed within a litter box. The litter box liner includes a sheet made of a pliable material. The sheet includes an outer edge. Handles include an elongated tube and a clip. The outer edge of the sheet wraps around the elongated tube and the clip releasably secures the outer edge of the sheet to the elongated tube.

Abstract: A pet sanitation device provides a litter-containing basket in a housing, with a spinner/agitator in the basket. After a pet uses the device, the housing and basket are filled with water to dissolve waste in the litter, and the spinner/agitator is caused to spin at a first, relatively slower speed within the basket to help break-up the waste. The basket is then caused to spin at a second, relatively faster speed in the housing, and this second spinning motion produces centrifugal forces that force the wastewater outward from the basket and into the space between the basket and the housing. The wastewater is drained from the housing, leaving the device ready for a subsequent use.

Abstract: A litter box stand. The litter box stand includes a support platform having an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface of the support platform is configured to support a litter box. A plurality of legs are coupled to the lower surface of the support platform. The plurality of legs support the support platform in an elevated position when resting on a surface. A plurality of step platforms are coupled to the plurality of legs. The step platforms are disposed circumferentially and at a different height about the plurality of leg so that a cat may step up the step platforms and into the litter box.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for feeding livestock, which suspends one or more round hay bales above the ground, preventing hay rot, at a height that enables large livestock to feed on the round hay bales while small or young livestock feed from the underside of the bale where they are better protected from the larger animals. The round hay bale feeder comprises a box frame; one or more baskets for supporting a round hay bale disposed within the box frame; a base comprising pipe skids, and a plurality of vertical supports that support the basket or baskets, which allow enough space for small or young animals to feed underneath the feeder; and one or more hinged and latched gates for accessing the feeder.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a bowl with a freely adjustable height, comprising: a pedestal; a lifting support rod, whose one end is fixed on the pedestal; a bowl seat, which is fixed on the other end of the lifting support rod; a lifting locking piece, which has a fixing piece and an extrusion piece matched with each other, wherein the fixing piece has a fixing hole, the lifting support rod penetrates through the fixing hole and is partially located in the fixing hole, the extrusion piece exerts an action force to the fixing piece so as to fix the lifting support rod on the bowl seat, and the fixing piece is matched with and fixed on the bowl seat or arranged on the bowl seat; and a bowl body, which is arranged on the bowl seat. According to the disclosure, the height of the bowl may be adjusted freely.

Abstract: A pet feeding device receiving a plurality of feed pellets for pet is provided. The pet feeding device includes a base and a rotating tray. The base has a first opening and a second opening communicated with each other, and the second opening connects the base and an exterior environment. The rotating tray having a plurality third openings is assembled to the base and rotates about an axis. The feed pellets received in the pet feeding device fall into the third openings respectively with a rotation of the rotating tray. In a process of rotation, the first opening covers portion of the third openings correspondingly in a unit time, and the feed pellets in the corresponding third openings drop out of the pet feeding device via the first opening and the second opening.

Abstract: An improved feeding bowl for household pets having a central portion for placement of food or water surrounded by a first annular wall upwardly disposed joining a second annular wall downwardly disposed, wherein the first and second annular walls meet at an angle, ?2, ranging from about 5 to about 120 degrees to facilitate stacking of multiple bowls, wherein said second downwardly disposed annular wall engages a peripheral portion of the bowl, or apron, having a radial extent, L1, sufficient to cause the household pet to stand on the apron in order to feed wherein said apron engages the surface upon which the bowl is disposed at an angle, ?1, ranging from 0 to about 30 degrees.

Abstract: A method of removing waste oil from an animal includes the steps of contacting the animal having waste oil with a solid oil-absorbent material for a sufficient duration for the oil-absorbent material to absorb at least a portion of the waste oil and removing the oil-absorbent material with the absorbed waste oil from the animal.

Abstract: A horse blanket includes a blanket shell to protect a horse from cold and moisture, and when needed in colder weather, it can be augmented by insertion of one of several insulators into a space provided between layers of the blanket shell. The blanket shell's outer layer is waterproof and weather-resistant, with the inner layer that bears against the horse having a surface comfortable to the horse. The outer layer has one and preferably two elongated access openings, positioned to be at left and right sides of the horse, for inserting, removing or exchanging insulative inserts.

Abstract: A chew toy is disclosed. The chew toy includes an elongate body formed as a capsule having opposed first and second ends; and a plurality of projections extending radially outward from and substantially perpendicular to an exterior surface of the body, at least one of the plurality of projections having a pointed tip at a distal end, wherein the plurality of projections are distributed on the exterior surface in spaced relation to each other.