Abstract: A weed removal tool removes weeds, including substantially all of the weed's root structure, by applying consistent pressure to the weed and the weed's root structure. The weed removal tool includes a loop formed from loop material and comprising a degree of partial twist, a handle, an attachment means for securing the loop to the handle, and a removable attachment. The degree of partial twist corresponds to the ratio of the length of the loop material to the thickness of the loop material. A method of removing a weed using the weed removal tool includes engaging the weed with the loop of the weed removal tool, digging into the soil adjacent to a root structure of the weed, and removing the root structure of the weed.

Abstract: A handheld cultivator blade generally composed of a crescent shaped blade formed of a non-permeable material such as metal with a hole cut out on each end of crescent blade; attaching at the center to a metal rod that attaches to a handle for precision handheld cultivation.

Abstract: A method of real-time plant selection and removal from a plant field including capturing a first image of a first section of the plant field, segmenting the first image into regions indicative of individual plants within the first section, selecting the optimal plants for retention from the first image based on the first image and the previously thinned plant field sections, sending instructions to the plant removal mechanism for removal of the plants corresponding to the unselected regions of the first image from the second section before the machine passes the unselected regions, and repeating the aforementioned steps for a second section of the plant field adjacent the first section in the direction of machine travel.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for regulating the flow of fluid supplied to actuators of an agricultural implement may include a tool and a fluid-driven actuator configured to actuate the tool relative to a surface. The system may also include a pump configured to supply fluid to the fluid-driven actuator and a valve configured to control a flow of the fluid supplied to the fluid-driven actuator. Furthermore, the system may include a first sensor configured to detect a parameter indicative of a first pressure upstream of the valve and a second sensor configured to detect a parameter indicative of a second pressure downstream of the valve. Additionally, the system may include a controller communicatively coupled to the first and second sensors, with the controller configured to determine a pressure differential across the valve based on measurement signals received from the first and second sensors.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for determining field characteristics of a field across which an implement is being moved may include a tine configured to engage a surface of soil within the field. The system may also include a sensor configured to detect a parameter indicative of a load being applied to the ground engaging tine by the soil. Furthermore, the system may include a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor, with the controller being configured to determine a field characteristic of the field based on measurement signals received from the sensor.

Abstract: An agricultural work system for optimizing agricultural work flows has at least one agricultural work unit and a plurality of functional units, each having a control device for controlling the respective functional unit based on a stored set of rules. The agricultural work system has a central pattern recognition system which stores at least one agricultural work situation as a situation pattern. Work situation-specific information is transferrable to the pattern recognition system which identifies a stored work situation and the associated situation pattern based on the obtained information and transmits meta-information (M) characterizing the identified work situation to the functional units. The pattern recognition system and/or the control devices coordinate the cooperation of those functional units which work together in the identified work situation based on the meta-information so that the control devices carry out corresponding parameter adjustments of the associated functional unit.

Abstract: A seed planter meter that orients plant seed and a delivery mechanism which can transport the seed to the soil while maintaining the seed's orientation during transport to the soil and encapsulation in the soil.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing spreading of particulate material over a surface by a spreader. One step of the method includes receiving a selection of a type of the spreader. An additional step includes receiving a selection of a type of the particulate material to be spread by the spreader. An additional step includes obtaining data indicative of a travel speed of the spreader, with the data being received from a sensor associated with the spreader. An additional step includes determining an operational attribute of the spreader. The determination is based on (i) the type of the spreader, (ii) the type of the particulate material, and (ii) the travel speed of the spreader. A further step includes presenting the operational attribute.

Abstract: A knife blade for a cutting knife of an agricultural harvesting machine, with a blade top side and a blade bottom side, wherein a surface of the blade bottom side is composed of a planar surface arranged in a plane and a recess region extending above the plane. A height of the knife blade corresponds to a maximum distance between the blade top side and the planar surface in a direction normal to the plane, a material thickness of the knife blade corresponding to a distance between the blade top side and the blade bottom side, and a method of manufacturing a knife blade.

Abstract: The cutter bar of a header including two sickle bars is driven by a center drive system including a rotary input drive member driven by a motor, first and second rotary members each driven by the drive member about a generally upstanding first rotational axis. Each of the rotary members has an eccentric drive system for driving a respective sickle bar. A flywheel is driven by the rotary input drive member for common rotation therewith and the first and second rotary members are driven by a common drive sprocket to rotate in the same direction about the first and second rotary axes.

Abstract: A sickle drive incorporated into a generally flat package or enclosure or floor. The drive includes an epicyclic mechanism, including a rotatable input element in an upper region of a cavity of the enclosure, and an eccentric element below the input element rotatable eccentrically thereby. A drive arm is connected to the eccentric element for rotation about, and eccentric rotation with, the eccentric element, and extends to a pivot element which can be the only component extending upwardly from the enclosure or floor, such that the shaft will be pivoted by the eccentric movement of the drive arm. A knife arm connects to the pivot element and a sickle knife assembly which will be reciprocated by the pivoting action. A second epicyclic arrangement can be employed such that opposite forces generated by operation of the drive will be largely canceled.

Abstract: A job-site tool in one aspect of the present disclosure includes and a display. The display is configured to display information regarding the job-site tool. The display includes a circuit board, at least one light emitter, an electric conduction member, at least one lens, and a resin member. The at least one lens is provided on the circuit board to cover the at least one light emitter. The resin member includes a lens cover area that covers surroundings of the at least one lens to thereby secure the at least one lens to the circuit board, and an electric conduction cover area that covers the electric conduction member.

Abstract: A garden tool, including a main body, a walking wheel mounted on the main body and a control panel disposed on the main body. The control panel includes a main blade control assembly. The main blade control assembly includes a main blade button and a main blade pull rod. When starting the garden tool, the two actions of starting the main blade button and starting the main blade pull rod can be performed at intervals, but it needs to be completed within a certain time. The starting of the garden tool is completed in a short time by separately controlling the main blade button and the main blade pull rod, thereby ensuring the simplicity of operation and the safety of operation.

Abstract: A riding mower includes front wheels and rear wheels that support a vehicle body frame on the ground surface, a driver's seat disposed upwardly of the vehicle body frame, a mower deck disposed downwardly of the vehicle body frame and a cutting guide device configured to create an overlap mark that hints a cutting overlap line at a position forwardly of the front wheels and the mower deck and closer to the ground surface than the vehicle body frame.

Abstract: A spreader configured for dispersing a non-grain crop material onto a field. The spreader includes a floor panel having a distal end, a pair of side deflectors pivotally connected to the floor panel, and a table slideably connected to the floor panel and slideable between a retracted position and an extended position in which at least a portion of the table is extended past the distal end of the floor panel.

Abstract: A process for conveying a flow of harvested crop along a first conveyor, which is configured to convey the flow along a first direction, and a second conveyor arranged downstream of the first conveyor and which is configured to convey the flow along a second direction different from the first direction. The process includes operating the first conveyor at a variable conveyor speed presenting a cycle of acceleration and deceleration, the cycle being operable to ensure a spatial repartition of the flow of harvested crop on the second conveyor, which receives the flow at a location that is variable according to the first direction.

Abstract: Belts having a cover layer and opposing continuous tooth section defining an outer surface, a cross-linked elastomeric body, and a tensile reinforcement section disposed between the cover layer and the cross-linked elastomeric body. The continuous tooth section includes a plurality of tooth structures, each having tooth flank, a land, and an easement area between the tooth flank and the land, and the easement area has a progressively decreasing radial thickness from the tooth flank to the land. In some aspects, the easement area has a low pressure-angle of contact with a sprocket, when engaging a sprocket. In some aspects, the belt is an endless belt, while in some other aspects, the belt is a spliced belt having a splice.

Abstract: A grass mower includes a frame that extends in a front/rear direction of a machine body, a mower deck supported to/under the frame, the mower deck extending in a transverse direction of the machine body, a side edge of the mower deck protruding laterally from the machine body, a tilt detector for detecting a rolling angle of the machine body, a display device for displaying the rolling angle, a first informing device for effecting a first informing for calling attention to grass scraping by the side edge when a rolling angle detected by the tilt detector exceeds a first tilt angle and a second informing device for effecting a second informing for calling attention to traveling danger when the rolling angle detected by the tilt detector exceeds a second tilt angle.

Abstract: A combine (10) including a cutting wheel for harvesting crop, a separating system (24) for threshing the harvested crop to separate grain from residue, at least one of a yield monitor (115) or a loss monitor (113), a crop cleaning system (26) including a cleaning fan (52), and a controller (310) coupled to the at least one of the yield monitor (115) or the loss monitor (113). The controller (310) controls the crop cleaning system (26), and is configured to determine at least one of a throughput from the yield monitor (115), or a loss from the loss monitor (113), compare the determined throughput or loss to a respective throughput threshold or loss threshold, and control a speed of the cleaning fan (52) based on the throughput or loss comparison.

Abstract: A rotor assembly that has a support tube having a first diameter, at least one tooth coupled to the support tube, wherein the tooth rotates with the support tube to direct crop toward a chamber, and an undershot auger having an auger flight extending radially away from an auger core, the auger flight configured to cause the crop to flow towards a bale chamber region of the rotor assembly when rotation of the rotor assembly causes the crop to flow under the rotor assembly. Wherein, the auger core has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter.

Abstract: A flower stem insertion device for forming flower bouquets in accordance with the present invention includes an outer portion fabricated from a relatively flexible polymer material and having a plurality of apertures disposed to ultimately configure a preselected flower bouquet when stem portions of preselected flowers are inserted through the apertures. The flower stem insertion device further includes a deformable inner portion fabricated from Floral foam configured to cooperate with the outer portion such that when the stem portions of the preselected flowers are ultimately inserted through the apertures, the stem portions penetrate the deformable inner portion a predetermined distance sufficient to maintain the position of each preselected flower relative to the outer portion.

Abstract: One variation of a method for automating transfer of plants within an agricultural facility includes: dispatching a loader to autonomously deliver a first module—defining a first array of plant slots at a first density and loaded with a first set of plants at a first growth stage—from a first grow location within an agricultural facility to a transfer station within the agricultural facility; dispatching the loader to autonomously deliver a second module—defining a second array of plant slots at a second density less than the first density and empty of plants—to the transfer station; recording a module-level optical scan of the first module; extracting a viability parameter of the first set of plants from features detected in the module-level optical scan; and if the viability parameter falls outside of a target viability range, rejecting transfer of the first set of plants from the first module.

Abstract: A drainage system for connecting a rack drain on a mobile plant rack to a stationary building drain, wherein the plant rack is operable to slide between first and second positions wherein the building drain is proximate and distal thereto, respectively. The drainage system comprises at least one horizontal support proximate to the bottom of the mobile plant rack and a flexible conduit fluidically connected to the discharge end of the rack drain, extending arcuately between a receiving end fixed within the interior rack space and a discharge end fixed outside of the interior rack space, wherein the discharge end is fluidically connected to the stationary building drain. The receiving end of the flexible conduit is raised above the discharge end and the flexible conduit is supported by the at least one horizontal support to maintain a generally down slope grade.

Abstract: A vertical farming system comprising: a plant storage frame including a plurality of horizontal guiding members; a plurality of plant receiving trays received on a corresponding horizontal guiding member for receiving a plurality of plants, the plant receiving trays being disposed adjacent each other and being laterally movable along the horizontal guiding members towards and away from an open front end of the storage frame, the plant receiving trays being connectable to each other such that movement of one of the plant receiving trays in a lateral direction moves the remaining plant receiving trays in the same lateral direction, the plant receiving trays being detachable from each other to allow each plant receiving tray to be removed from the storage frame through the open front end to be tended individually from the other plant receiving trays.

Abstract: A stain-proof gardening container having a cap brace including a plurality of grooves, each groove connects to a top edge of one of a corresponding vertically oriented left side panel member, right side panel member and back panel member, a front panel member including a handle, the front panel member attaches to the left side panel member, a floor panel including a well and a plurality of grooves, each groove connects to a bottom edge of one of a corresponding vertically oriented left side panel member, right side panel member and back panel member, a housing frame formed by the cap brace, left side panel member, right side panel member, back panel member, front panel member and floor panel, the housing frame including an interior cavity, a gardening collection receptacle for receiving and storing at least one gardening component, the gardening collection receptacle including an elastic headband located at its top region for installing the gardening collection receptacle in the interior cavity of the housing

Abstract: This invention is able to enhance growth of plants and increase plant production by increasing exposure to air and light and stressing the plant. The apparatus has at least one post and at least one crown attached thereto. At least one of the crowns has a plurality of spaces sized and configured to receive, stress and support branches of a plant to define user desired growing pattern of the plant. In one configuration, the spaces are interstitial between coils of a coiled member, such as a spring, that is attached to or part of the crown. The crown is surfaced with an abrasive material such as a sand or polymer grit thereby more effectively holding the plant in place and providing a means to abrade or stress the plant to stimulate a growth response which can be controlled over the internet by means of a cellular microcontroller.

Abstract: The present invention provides a spiral artificial generator for the artificial generation of a tornado, a hurricane, yellowdust, or a typhoon, wherein the diameter D of the spiral artificial generator is selected by a basic module formula D=0.382H, a module formula H=2.618D is used when the diameter D of the spiral artificial generator is selected first, funnel-shaped arresters made of silver (Ag) are basically installed at a top of the spiral artificial generator, a solar cell heat collecting plate is installed on the outer wall of the top, and a door configured to be selectively opened and closed by solar cells and wind power generation, a blower configured to blow air to the artificial generator, and a stainless steel plate and heating coil configured to heat the inner walls of the paths are installed on the bottom of the spiral artificial generator.

Abstract: A cap (10) for a cultivation bottle for brown beech mushrooms includes a cylindrical member (20) that is fitted onto a wide-mouth part (54) of a cultivation bottle (50). The cylindrical member (20) includes a large-diameter cylindrical part (22) that covers and is fitted to an end edge of the wide-mouth part (54) and an outer surface in a vicinity of the end edge, a small-diameter cylindrical part (24) that has a first opening (21) with a smaller diameter than the large-diameter cylindrical part (22), and that is positioned toward a center of the large-diameter cylindrical part (22), and a connecting part (25) that connects an outer peripheral edge of the large-diameter cylindrical part (22) with the small-diameter cylindrical part (24). A height of an inner surface (15) of the small-diameter cylindrical part (24) is from 6 mm to 30 mm.

Abstract: The invention is a method for enhanced growth of mycelium in culture including the key steps of seed blend choice from among corn, rice, quinoa, chia, canihua, cumin and flax seed, germinating the seed blend prior to inoculating the mycelium starter, and conducting the mushroom cultivation with water and particular transmissions of sound and particularly colored light. Mushrooms grown by such a method not only mature in 13-15 days rather than 21 days, but have an enhanced nutritional and medicinal profile along with absence of unwanted organism contaminants whose unwanted overgrowth occurs during days 16-21 (or days 16-28) of typical mushroom culture.

Abstract: A modular system includes a hub and a set of modules removably coupled to the hub. The modules are physically coupled to the frame relative to each other so that each module can operate with respect to a different row of a field. An individual module includes a sensor for capturing field measurement data of individual plants along a row as the modular system moves through the geographic region. An individual module further includes a treatment mechanism for applying a treatment to the individual plants of the row based on the field measurement data before the modular system passes by the individual plants. An individual module further includes a computing device that determines the treatment based on the field measurement data and communicates data to the hub. The hub is communicatively coupled to the modules, so that it may exchange data between the modules and with a remote computing system.

Abstract: A drip or bubbler irrigation system releasing device consisting of a chemical bond between a fertilizer, herbicide, insecticide or other desired chemicals and a water soluble medium, forming a molded device of various shapes and sizes used in conjunction with drip or bubbler irrigation system water emitters, allowing for the slow dissolution of the chemicals of the release device over a time period of weeks or months, so that on each irrigation cycle the water soluble chemicals are released to the planted areas below and around the emitter in a slow continuous manner.

Abstract: Methods for installing a plant hydration status sensor into a plant to provide reliable plant hydration data are disclosed. One contemplated method comprises creating a hole from an exterior surface of the plant to a depth that exposes the water tissue. Once the hole is created, a slurry can be applied, and a sleeve and a plant hydration status sensor can be inserted into the hole. A sealant can be applied about the plant hydration status sensor and the sleeve to prevent or reduce sensor interference due to outside environment conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a combined intelligent recyclable planting device which includes a bracket, a plurality of planting baskets arranged on the bracket and a circulation mechanism. The bracket includes a base plate, a plurality of vertical support rods and a plurality of lateral support rods. The vertical support rod is composed of a plurality of expansion joints. The planting basket includes an outer basket disposed on the lateral support rod, and an inner basket disposed in the inner cavity of the outer basket. The circulation mechanism includes a filter control box and a water storage tank. The filter control box is provided with a filter, a first water pump, an air pump and a controller. The water tank box is provided with a float liquid level switch and a second water pump. The combined intelligent recyclable planting device has simple and reasonable structure, easy to use, convenient disassembly and assembly, and high degree of intelligence.

Abstract: A planter wherein a water tray is positioned in the bottom of a front compartment of a housing and has a bottom surface angled downwardly to the horizontal. A water generating unit comprising a Peltier device is also mounted in the front compartment and draws air through a plurality of vertically disposed cold sink fins such that moisture in the air condenses on the fins, flows downwardly by gravity into the water tray, and then by gravity through the water tray and into the bottom of a plant container portion of the housing.

Abstract: The present invention presents a method for obtaining female inbred lines from Asteracea hybrids, using the species Helianthus annuus as a model. The method of the invention is based on the modification of lines with the fertility restorer gene (Rf), obtained from self-pollination of hybrids, in lines presenting normal cytoplasm and not containing the Rf gene. Further, derived male sterile lines were developed. Through the use of this methodology it was possible to obtain female lines from commercial hybrids of sunflower.

Abstract: The invention provides seed and plants of the onion line designated SVNZ3927. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of onion line SVNZ3927, and to methods for producing an onion plant produced by crossing a plant of onion line SVNZ3927 with itself or with another onion plant, such as a plant of another line. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of a plant of onion line SVNZ3927, including the bulbs and gametes of such plants.

Abstract: The invention provides seed and plants of the onion line designated SVNZ5847. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of onion line SVNZ5847, and to methods for producing an onion plant produced by crossing a plant of onion line SVNZ5847 with itself or with another onion plant, such as a plant of another line. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of a plant of onion line SVNZ5847, including the bulbs and gametes of such plants.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the invention relates to the seeds, plants, and plant parts of canola variety SCV528587 and to methods for producing a canola plant produced by crossing canola variety SCV528587 with itself or with another canola variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a canola plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic canola plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to canola varieties or breeding lines and plant parts derived from canola variety SCV528587, to methods for producing other canola varieties, lines or plant parts derived from canola variety SCV528587 and to the canola plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid canola seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the variety SCV528587 with another canola variety.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the invention relates to the seeds, plants, and plant parts of canola variety SCV572130 and to methods for producing a canola plant produced by crossing canola variety SCV572130 with itself or with another canola variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a canola plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic canola plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to canola varieties or breeding lines and plant parts derived from canola variety SCV572130, to methods for producing other canola varieties, lines or plant parts derived from canola variety SCV572130 and to the canola plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid canola seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the variety SCV572130 with another canola variety.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the invention relates to the seeds, plants, and plant parts of canola variety SCV724303 and to methods for producing a canola plant produced by crossing canola variety SCV724303 with itself or with another canola variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a canola plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic canola plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to canola varieties or breeding lines and plant parts derived from canola variety SCV724303, to methods for producing other canola varieties, lines or plant parts derived from canola variety SCV724303 and to the canola plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid canola seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the variety SCV724303 with another canola variety.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the invention relates to the seeds, plants, and plant parts of canola variety SCV988969 and to methods for producing a canola plant produced by crossing canola variety SCV988969 with itself or with another canola variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a canola plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic canola plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to canola varieties or breeding lines and plant parts derived from canola variety SCV988969, to methods for producing other canola varieties, lines or plant parts derived from canola variety SCV988969 and to the canola plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid canola seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the variety SCV988969 with another canola variety.

Abstract: The invention provides seed and plants of melon hybrid SVMF7059 and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds, and tissue cultures of melon hybrid SVMF7059 and the parent lines thereof and to methods for producing a melon plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another melon 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 plants, seeds, plant parts, and tissue cultures of melon hybrid SVMF7059 and melon line CAN-DV16-4385MO comprising introduced beneficial or desirable traits.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of soybean variety CL1460639, CL1560184, CL1562109, CL1562124, CL1562543, CS1660005, CW1510074, CW1660042, and EE1660699 breeding and development. The present invention particularly relates to the soybean varieties CL1460639, CL1560184, CL1562109, CL1562124, CL1562543, CS1660005, CW1510074, CW1660042, and EE1660699 and to the seed, cells, germplasm, plant parts, and progeny of each or any of these cultivars, and methods of using CL1460639, CL1560184, CL1562109, CL1562124, CL1562543, CS1660005, CW1510074, CW1660042, or EE1660699 in a breeding program.

Abstract: A novel garden bean cultivar, designated HMX0164423, is disclosed. In some embodiments, the invention relates to the seeds of garden bean HMX0164423, to the plants and plant parts of garden bean HMX0164423, and to methods for producing a garden bean plant by crossing the garden bean HMX0164423 with itself or another garden bean plant. The invention further relates to methods for producing other garden bean plants derived from the garden bean HMX0164423.

Abstract: A milking system for milking a dairy animal comprises teat cups, a robot arm with actuators, for connecting the teat cups to teats of the dairy animal, and a control device in order to reach and/or maintain a desired position of the robot arm, by adjustment of a respective adjusting force parameter exerted by the actuators. The control device is configured to adjust a selectable compliance of the robot arm, wherein the compliance is a reaction of the robot arm to an external force which is exerted on the robot arm, such as a kick. This compliance is a function of the external force or of an animal identity. Thus, the behaviour of the robot arm can be adapted, such as, under otherwise unchanged circumstances, more or earlier yielding in the case of sensitive animals, and, conversely, less in the case of playful animals.

Abstract: A hinge locking system is provided for locking pivotable hinge parts at a desired angular position relative to one another. The hinge locking system includes a locking pin, a plate with a locking pin receiver, a movable pin receiver defining an axial bore for receiving the locking pin, and a pair of spaced-apart limit stops along the plate. The movable pin receiver is movable relative to the plate, and the limit stops are selectively contacted by the movable pin receiver to limit the maximum relative movement of the movable pin receiver. When the axial bore of the movable pin receiver aligns with the plate's locking pin receiver, the locking pin is insertable through the locking pin receiver and the axial bore in the movable pin receiver, to thereby lock the movable pin receiver and the hinge parts against further movement.

Abstract: A pet litter box system comprising a base tray with a non-apertured bottom wall and a plurality of sifting trays each with an apertured bottom wall, the sifting trays formed of molded pulp material. The sifting trays and base nest together. The system may include an upper shield seated on the nested sifting trays to contain litter that is kicked up by a cat utilizing the tray system. The shield may be formed of pulp and inverted to receive nested pulp sifting trays to define a transport or storage mode, the shield enhancing the combined structure in the transport or storage mode.

Abstract: The present invention provides an animal excreta disposal sheet capable of ensuring sufficient bonding strength between a surface sheet and a back sheet and preventing urine excreted from an animal from leaking to the outer side in the planar direction. This animal excreta disposal sheet (1) comprises: a center part (A1) that is located at the center of the animal excreta disposal sheet (1) and that is defined as a part in which a surface sheet (2), an absorbent body (3) and a back sheet (4) overlap one another in the thickness direction; and an outer circumferential part (A2) extending from the outer edge of the center part (A1) toward the outer edge of the animal excreta disposal sheet (1).

Abstract: An animal feeder for use in an electronic animal feeding system comprising a computer controller, a feed storage, a feed delivery system, and at least one feeding station comprising the feeder, a bowl and an identifier, the feeder comprising a reservoir for receiving feed and comprising an agitator for agitating the feed inside the reservoir and a dosage tray, a motor assembly comprising a motor actuatable by the computer controller, the motor rotating the agitator and the dosage tray such that the dosage tray receives a pre-determined dosage of feed from the reservoir, the motor assembly further comprising a detector detecting the rotation of the dosage tray and communicating a rotation status to the computer controller, and a funnel assembly comprising an upper funnel transferring feed from the reservoir to the bowl, wherein an alarm is activatable by the computer controller if a blockage is detected by the detector.

Abstract: A drop tube for providing food to an animal in a milking stable, the drop tube configured to receive food from a food container arranged vertically above the drop tube and to deliver the received food into a food manger, the drop tube including a tubular connection section to connect to a food container, a tubular mid-section with a first end connected to the connection section, and a tubular end section connected to a second end of the tubular mid-section, the tubular end section having a centre axis and presenting an opening in a tubular wall portion of the tubular end section, and the tubular end section has an end wall which is intersected by the centre axis of the tubular end section.