Abstract: An apparatus for controlling weeds, which includes a tine formation adapted to remove or disrupt targeted weeds, and a tine support assembly adapted to support the tine for movement about a first control axis in a generally vertical direction between an engaged position wherein the tine formation in use contacts a ground surface for removal or disruption of targeted weeds and a disengaged position wherein the tine formation is substantially retracted from the ground surface. The tine support assembly is further adapted to support the tine for movement about a second control axis in a generally horizontal direction. The tine support assembly further includes a first actuation mechanism adapted to effect movement of the tine about the first control axis, and a second actuation mechanism adapted to effect movement of the tine about the second control axis.

Abstract: An auxiliary track device for movement of a vehicle. The auxiliary track device may enhance traction and/or floatation of the vehicle, such as, for example, by being installable on the vehicle to convert the vehicle into a tracked one and/or by being deployable to engage the ground in certain situations, including where additional traction and/or floatation may be desirable based on an environment of the vehicle such as one or more characteristics of the ground (e.g., a compliance, such as a softness or hardness, a slipperiness, a soil compatibility, and/or a profile of the ground), a state of the vehicle (e.g., a speed of the vehicle, loading carried by the vehicle, etc.), a user's preferences (e.g., ride quality, etc.), and/or any other suitable factor. The auxiliary track device may be used only for traction and/or floatation of the vehicle or may be part of an implement to perform work with the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for adjusting the depth of a trench opened by a row unit of an agricultural planter. The row unit includes a trench depth adjustment assembly configured to modify the furrow depth. In one embodiment, the depth adjustment assembly may include a gear box having one or more gears which engage with a gear rack. The gear box may be pivotally connected to a depth adjustment body supporting a rocker that adjusts upward travel of gauge wheel arms. In another embodiment, the depth adjustment assembly may include a depth adjustment arm having a screw receiver that cooperates with a driven screw that adjusts the position of the depth adjustment arm acting on the gauge wheels to adjust trench depth.

Abstract: A work vehicle guidance system includes a control system that has a controller having a processor and a memory. The control system is configured to determine a relative location of a work vehicle to a work area. Moreover, the control system is configured to determine an end-of-row turn path for the work vehicle based at least on the relative location of the work vehicle and a minimum turning radius of the work vehicle. The end-of-row turn path is configured to direct the work vehicle to turn from a first main swath of the work area to a headland swath of the work area, travel along the headland swath in direction toward a second main swath of the work area, and turn from the headland swath to the second main swath. Further, the control system is configured to output a guidance signal comprising guidance instructions to implement the end-of-row turn path.

Abstract: Provided is a system which is able to easily perform pesticide distribution according to the latest criterion. In a GAP corresponding information providing system (1), a control section (10) selects a classification of a cultivated crop by executing a classification selection module (11), and acquires pesticide information related to a pesticide to be distributed by executing a pesticide information acquisition module (12). In this case, the control section (10) executes an extraction module (13) to extract criterion information which is in accordance with the latest criterion corresponding to the classification of the cultivated crop and the pesticide information, and then executes a providing module (14) to provide the extracted criterion information.

Abstract: A planting method of grass-white clover grassland includes the follows steps: (1) plowing and broadcasting Vicia villosa from July to August in a first year, applying a first base fertilizer, harvesting the Vicia villosa from December of the first year to March of a second year; (2) plowing and drilling corn from April to May of the second year, applying a second base fertilizer, weeding in a stage of 5 leaves of the corn, topdressing in a stage of 7-9 true leaves of the corn, and harvesting the corn in September of the second year; (3) plowing and drilling a grass from September to October of the second year, and applying a third base fertilizer; (4) not plowing but broadcasting white clover from May to June of a third year, applying a fourth base fertilizer, completing the planting.

Abstract: A seed meter for an agricultural planter in which the seed disc is rotatably mounted within a seed meter housing. As the seed disc rotates, the apertures in the disc rotate along a seed aperture path through a horizontally adjacent seed pool area. The seed disc includes cavities disposed along the seed aperture path to agitate the seeds in the seed pool area. A singulator having multiple co-planar singulator surfaces is biased against the seed side surface of the seed disc.

Abstract: A planter system for planting seeds and spraying fluid includes a seeder assembly including a seed tube, a seed meter configured to dispense a seed into the seed tube, and a conveyor apparatus configured to carry the seed through the seed tube. The planter system also includes a sensor configured to transmit a detection signal upon detection of the seed passing a detection location. The planter system also includes a control system configured to determine a travel time of the seed from the detection location to a furrow based on a baseline drop time for the seed, a baseline travel speed of the seeder assembly, and an operating travel speed of the seeder assembly. The control system is configured to transmit a control signal to a valve coupled to a nozzle assembly based on the travel time and the detection signal to spray the fluid on or adjacent the seed.

Abstract: A conduit for an agricultural system includes a first end configured to couple to a metering system, a second end configured to couple to a pipe, one or more bellows disposed adjacent to the second end and configured to enable the conduit to flex adjacent to the second end, and a substantially rigid portion extending generally longitudinally from the first end to the one or more bellows, where the substantially rigid portion substantially rigidly supports the conduit between the first end and the one or more bellows.

Abstract: A spreader device for distributing agricultural materials over a defined delivery path, the device including a container for holding the materials atop a conveyor system that distributes the material over a delivery path that is adjustable in width. In the primary embodiment the container includes telescopically adjustable sidewalls that enable a user to control the width of the delivery path.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for monitoring soil properties and applying fertilizer during a planting operation. Various sensors are disposed in ground engaging components for monitoring soil properties. The ground engaging components may have structure for opening a side trench in the sidewalls of the seed trench and may include liquid application conduits for injecting liquid into the sidewalls of the resulting side trenches.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning device (2) for cleaning crops comprising a roller bed (4) comprising several rollers (3) rotatable about a rotational axis (3a), whereby gaps (10) are or can be provided between said rollers (3) in such a manner that impurities present together with the crop on an upper side (4a) of the roller bed (4) can be discharged through the gaps (10) while, at the same time, the crop can be kept on the upper side (4a), whereby the rollers (3) of the roller bed (4) can be driven in such a way that the impurities can be discharged through the gaps (10).

Abstract: A charging control system includes a lawn mower that has a battery and performs a lawn mowing work while traveling autonomously, and a charging station for charging the battery. The lawn mower includes a period calculator for calculating a shutoff period of supply power supplied from the charging station, and a first communication unit. The charging station includes a second communication unit communicating with the first communication unit, an information acquisition unit for acquiring shutoff period information indicating the shutoff period from the first communication unit via the second communication unit, a switch for shutting off the supply power, and a shutoff controller for controlling the operation of the switch. The shutoff controller releases the shutoff of the power supply to the lawn mower based on the shutoff period information.

Abstract: The trimmer head (1) includes: an axis of rotation (A-A); a housing (3); a spool (13) insertable in the housing, configured and arranged to wind a stock of cutting line (F) therearound. The spool includes flanges (13A, 13B), between which anchoring elements (15) extend to anchor the cutting line.

Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a hitching support, at least one tool or group of tools, at least one support arm which is connected to the hitching support by a first joint and to the tool or tool group, and which is mounted so as to pivot about a transfer axis between operational and raised positions, and a safety device making it possible to carry out a safety movement under the effect of pressure. The safety device includes a lift connected to the hitching support by a second joint. The second joint is offset relative to the first joint in the direction of travel. The safety movement can include a second movement phase during which the lift is able to move the tool or the group of tools away from the ground.

Abstract: A control system for a ground working vehicle. The control system may include a handle assembly including a handle member extending upwardly and rearwardly from a chassis of the vehicle. The control system may also include a speed control apparatus including a control grip operably connected to, and translatable along, the handle member. Translation of the control grip may activate a transmission to move the chassis in the forward direction when the control grip is translated downwardly along the handle member towards the chassis. Further, the control system may include a lockout apparatus movably attached to a handle member. The lockout apparatus may be adapted to selectively and physically restrict movement of the control grip relative to the handle member.

Abstract: An attachment for a tool having an elongated shaft including a generally S-shaped arm member including an elongated handle; and an attachment configured to pivotably couple the generally S-shaped arm member to the elongated shaft, wherein when the generally S-shaped arm member is coupled to the elongated shaft, the generally S-shaped arm member is configured to transition between a folded state in which the elongated handle is generally parallel relative to a longitudinally extending axis of the elongated shaft and an operable state in which an axis extending lengthwise along the elongated handle is orthogonal relative to the elongated shaft. A system including a gardening tool and the attachment is also disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment, an agricultural work vehicle includes a propulsion system for modifying vehicle speed, a harvesting system for harvesting crop, a perception system having at least one camera with a field of view of a forward zone in front of the vehicle, and a controller. The controller communicates with the propulsion, harvesting, and perception systems, and is configured to receive the perception signal, identify a harvest condition in the forward zone, adjust an operation setting of the propulsion system or harvesting system, and generate a forward-looking perception interface for a display screen. The forward-looking perception interface includes a forward zone area displaying the field of view and a status area displaying at least one harvest condition identified. The status area also displays a time and a sensitivity level associated with the at least one harvest condition identified.

Abstract: A system including a lawnmower and an attachment for a lawnmower that is configured for releasably coupling a handheld leaf blower to a riding lawnmower including a tube having a first end and a second end, the first end including a receptacle configured to releasably secure an airflow end of the handheld leaf blower to the tube; and an outlet member disposed at the second end of the tube and including at least one outlet to direct air from the outlet, the outlet member including at least one fastener for securing the outlet member to the riding lawnmower. At least one nozzle may be secured to the at least one outlet of the outlet member and may direct airflow from the tube along an adjustable and repositionable orientation relative to a longitudinally extending axis of the at least one outlet.

Abstract: One embodiment of a stalk roll to be mounted upon a stalk roll drive shaft of a corn harvesting header comprises a cylindrical shell with a recess in the main cylinder, wherein reduced flutes are not present in the recess, but full flutes are present therein. This embodiment includes a stalk slot having a length equal to the length of the recess. Additionally, the flutes may be configured such that a stalk engagement gap is present at least once during a full revolution of two opposing stalk rolls.

Abstract: A threshing and separating system for an agricultural harvester includes a rotor configured to rotate about a rotor axis, a rotor cage at least partially enclosing the rotor and including a tailings return inlet formed therein and configured to couple to a tailings return elevator and an insert opening formed therein that is at least partially circumferentially aligned with the tailings return inlet relative to the rotor axis, at least one concave coupled to the rotor cage and defining a plurality of concave perforations, and a threshing insert removably coupled to the rotor cage and including at least one mounting opening. The threshing insert at least partially covers the insert opening and is positioned such that material from the tailings return inlet travels past the threshing insert before reaching the concave.

Abstract: Weed seeds are destroyed in the chaff from a combine harvester by repeated high speed impacts caused by a rotor mounted in one of a pair of side by side housings which accelerate the discarded seeds in a direction centrifugally away from the rotor onto a stator including angularly adjustable stator surfaces around the axis. Thus the discarded seeds rebound back and forth between the rotor and the stator to provide a plurality of impacts. The destructor is mounted on a suitable drive shaft within the straw path and the chaff and weed seed material is carried from the rear end of the sieve to the destructor on the straw chopper by one or more fans driving the material through a transfer duct.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for an agricultural baler. The rotor assembly has a rotor shaft having a central portion and first and second end portions either side of the central portion. The rotor assembly further has a number of tine plates to be arranged axially along the rotor shaft, each of the tine plates having one or more tines. The tine plates are arranged such that there is an angular spacing between the tines of adjacent ones of the tine plates. A magnitude of the angular spacing is greater or smaller at the central portion than at the first and second end portions of the rotor shaft. This can help to ensure that collected crop is more evenly distributed when it is moved into a pre-compression chamber of the baler in the case of relatively narrow or wide windrows, in particular that the crop that fills the sides of the pre-compression chamber is optimal, which means that a desired bale shape and bale rate may be more readily achieved.

Abstract: A planar tine plate having a number of tines. The tine plate is configured to be arranged on a rotor shaft of a rotor cutter apparatus of an agricultural baler. The tine plate is for moving or conveying crop material collected by the agricultural baler, for example by a pickup apparatus of the agricultural baler. The tine plate has at least one first tine and at least one second tine spaced angularly from the at least one first tine. The at least one first tine has a length greater than that of the at least one second tine. An increase in the cleaning efficiency and the crop conveying efficiency of an area to be swept by the tine plate as the rotor shaft rotates may be achieved.

Abstract: A self-contained apparatus for protected agriculture The apparatus includes a tank, framing connected to the tank including uprights and trusses, a light rack movably positioned between the tank and the trusses, and a drive system connected to the framing and the light rack. The drive system is dimensioned and configured to move the light rack to different positions between the tank and the trusses.

Abstract: A vertical frame secured on a free-standing mobile base that has horizontal sections to which are attached removable plant bins, approximately up to 30, on the front and also the rear of the frame's horizontal sections. Each plant bin may hold one or more living plants, and the excess water level may be visible at the front of the plant bin.

Abstract: This disclosure includes an upside-down planter with a body having an upper end opposite a lower end. The body includes at least two separate and discrete sections secured together to define a cavity. Support cables are secured to the upper end of the body. An opening in the lower end of the body is configured to receive a portion of a plant. At least one mechanical fastener releasably secures the at least two sections of the body together.

Abstract: One variation of a method for automatically redistributing plants throughout an agricultural facility includes, at a mobile robotic system: delivering a first module—defining a first array of plant slots at a first density and loaded with a first set of plants in approximately a second growth stage—from a grow area within a facility to a transfer station within the facility; delivering a second module—located within the facility and defining a second array of plant slots at a second density less than the first density—to the transfer station; and following transfer of a first subset of plants from the first array of plant slots in the first module into the second array of plant slots in the second module at the transfer station, delivering the second module to the grow area in the facility.

Abstract: A soil bed covering and planting apparatus is adapted to be carried along the length of a soil bed by a conveyer vehicle and includes a cover material reel configured to retain and supply a sheet of cover material, and a compaction roller configured to feed cover material over a soil bed and to press the cover material onto the soil bed. Two spike hammers are positioned adjacent to and at opposite sides of the compaction roller, each being configured to drive at least one spike through the cover material into the soil bed. An actuation structure is associated with each spike hammer and urges the spike hammer against a spike. A piercing assembly forms a series of holes in the sheet of cover material and engages with a drive structure that reciprocates the piercing assembly to drive one end of the piercing assembly through the sheet of cover material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a single-tube blowing suction device, including a body (1), an airflow generation apparatus, a collection apparatus, and a blowing-suction tube (2). The airflow generation apparatus has an air inlet portion and an air outlet portion. The airflow generation apparatus is rotatably mounted on the body (1). The airflow generation apparatus rotates relative to the body (1) to enable the single-tube blowing suction device to switch between a suction mode and a blowing mode. In the suction mode, the air inlet portion of the airflow generation apparatus is in fluid communication with a first end (21) of the blowing-suction tube (2), and the air outlet portion of the airflow generation apparatus is in fluid communication with a connection port of the collection apparatus. In the blowing mode, the air outlet portion of the airflow generation apparatus is in fluid communication with the first end (21) of the blowing-suction tube.

Abstract: A method for culturing a microbial or cellular seed culture includes positioning a first flexible bag within a chamber of a first retainer, the first retainer being secured to a mixer table. A culture is produced within a compartment of the flexible bag, the culture comprising a growth media and a microbial or cellular starter culture added thereto. The mixer table is activated so that the culture is mixed within the compartment of the first flexible bag while the microbes or cells of the culture grow, the culture having a maximum volume of less than 10 liters.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for reinforcement learning-based irrigation control to maintain or increase a crop yield or reduce water use. A computing device may be configured to determine an optimal irrigation schedule for a crop planted in a field by applying reinforcement learning (RL), where, for a given state of a total soil moisture, the computing device performs an action, the action comprising waiting or irrigating crop. An immediate reward may be assigned to a state-action pair, the state-action pair comprising the given state of the total soil moisture and the action performed. The computing device may instruct an irrigation system to apply irrigation to at least one crop in accordance with the optimal irrigation schedule determined, where the optimal irrigation schedule includes an amount of water to be applied at a predetermined time.

Abstract: A hydroponic plant container configured to facilitate the hydroponic growing of a plant wherein the container is configured to provide access to the root ball and other elements disposed therein without engaging the plant. The hydroponic plant container includes a body having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion and the second portion are defined by the same walls and bottom wherein the second portion is offset to the first portion. The first portion and the second portion have an interior volume that is fluidly coupled wherein the interior volume of the second portion is configured to provide a user access to the interior volume of the first portion. The first portion is provided in a preferred shape of round or square. The first portion further includes opposing lip members that are formed on the upper perimeter edge thereof.

Abstract: An environmental control and transport system for agricultural products is provided and includes a shipping container (12) comprising at least one zone (18) for containing an agricultural product therein, wherein the shipping container (12) is a self-powered electric unit. Also included is an evaporator (20) operatively coupled to the shipping container (12), the evaporator (20) controlling at least one environmental condition of the at least one zone (18).

Abstract: Inbred corn line, designated KL16, are disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of inbred corn line KL16, to the plants and plant parts of inbred corn line KL16 and to methods for producing a corn plant, either inbred or hybrid, by crossing inbred corn line KL16 with itself or another corn line. The invention also relates to products produced from the seeds, plants, or parts thereof, of inbred corn line KL16 and/or of the hybrids produced using the inbred as a parent. The invention further relates to methods for producing a corn plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic plants produced by that method and to methods for producing other corn lines derived from inbred corn line KL16.

Abstract: Inbred corn line, designated BC136, are disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of inbred corn line BC136, to the plants and plant parts of inbred corn line BC136 and to methods for producing a corn plant, either inbred or hybrid, by crossing inbred corn line BC136 with itself or another corn line. The invention also relates to products produced from the seeds, plants, or parts thereof, of inbred corn line BC136 and/or of the hybrids produced using the inbred as a parent. The invention further relates to methods for producing a corn plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic plants produced by that method and to methods for producing other corn lines derived from inbred corn line BC136.

Abstract: Inbred corn line, designated CD7, are disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of inbred corn line CD7, to the plants and plant parts of inbred corn line CD7 and to methods for producing a corn plant, either inbred or hybrid, by crossing inbred corn line CD7 with itself or another corn line. The invention also relates to products produced from the seeds, plants, or parts thereof, of inbred corn line CD7 and/or of the hybrids produced using the inbred as a parent. The invention further relates to methods for producing a corn plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic plants produced by that method and to methods for producing other corn lines derived from inbred corn line CD7.

Abstract: Inbred corn line, designated IN1, are disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of inbred corn line IN1, to the plants and plant parts of inbred corn line IN1 and to methods for producing a corn plant, either inbred or hybrid, by crossing inbred corn line IN1 with itself or another corn line. The invention also relates to products produced from the seeds, plants, or parts thereof, of inbred corn line IN1 and/or of the hybrids produced using the inbred as a parent. The invention further relates to methods for producing a corn plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic plants produced by that method and to methods for producing other corn lines derived from inbred corn line IN1.

Abstract: Inbred corn line, designated KW4M1223, are disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of inbred corn line KW4M1223, to the plants and plant parts of inbred corn line KW4M1223 and to methods for producing a corn plant, either inbred or hybrid, by crossing inbred corn line KW4M1223 with itself or another corn line. The invention also relates to products produced from the seeds, plants, or parts thereof, of inbred corn line KW4M1223 and/or of the hybrids produced using the inbred as a parent. The invention further relates to methods for producing a corn plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic plants produced by that method and to methods for producing other corn lines derived from inbred corn line KW4M1223.

Abstract: An inbred corn line designated BHH069 is disclosed. The invention relates to the plants and seeds of inbred corn line BHH069 and methods for producing a corn plant by crossing inbred corn line BHH069 with itself or with another corn plant. The invention also relates to methods for producing a corn plant containing in its genetic material one or more additional traits and to the corn plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to corn plants and plant parts derived from inbred corn line BHH069 and to methods for producing other corn plants or plant parts derived from inbred corn line BHH069, and to the corn plants and parts derived from those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid corn seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing inbred corn line BHH069 or a locus conversion of BHH069 with another corn line.

Abstract: Herein provided is a new soybean variety designated ‘G13LL-44’ as well as the seeds, plants and derivatives of the new soybean variety ‘G13LL-44’. Also provided are tissue cultures of the new soybean variety ‘G13LL-44’ and the plants regenerated therefrom. Methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the new soybean variety ‘G13LL-44’ with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods are also provided. ‘G13LL-44’ is a MG VII line with glufosinate tolerance technology, and with resistance to race 3 of the soybean cyst nematode and frogeye leaf spot, and moderate resistance to southern root-knot nematode. ‘G13LL-44’ yielded 1.4 bu/ac (2.3%) greater than its recurrent parent ‘G00-3213’, across 11 environments and 0.5 bu/ac more than the high-yielding check cultivar ‘AG738 RR’. ‘G13LL-44’ provides a high yielding glufosinate tolerant soybean cultivar with superior nematode resistance.

Abstract: Free stall systems having free stall units arranged in a substantially parallel relationship having coated rail members. The coated rail members comprising an elongated fiberglass material manufactured by grinding a starting fiberglass material prior to a coating being applied. The starting fiberglass material can be reclaimed and reused from other industries such that the fiberglass material may be cut to remove unwanted metal end portions and/or cut to a desired size prior to the grinding and coating steps. The coated fiberglass material can be coated with a UV-resistant material or other coating to maintain the longevity of the fiberglass member during its use. The coated fiberglass apparatus may be utilized in free stall systems, gates, fencing materials and other applications where a solid fiberglass rod or hollow fiberglass tube having a desired coating is desired.

Abstract: A pet waste disposal apparatus having an open top container, a sloping floor surface, an outlet drain, a pair of spaced apart support bars located within and connecting the side walls of the container, a walking board supported on the support bars, a first roller located between the first end of the walking board and a second roller located between the second end of the walking board, a waste inlet located between the first roller and the first end of the container, a rotating belt having an artificial turf exterior surface and tensioned mounted to the rollers, an electrically driven cover plate moveable between a closed and opened position, a spray cleaning system located within the container for cleaning the rotating belt of wastes and directing pet wastes out of the container and a motor for powering rollers, the cover plate, and the spray cleaning system.

Abstract: A method of disposing of an absorbent pad may include pivoting a flexible bag from a storage position to a use position such that at least a portion of the flexible bag extends from the absorbent pad, folding a left and right portion of the flexible bag towards a center portion of the flexible bag to form a stacked portion, rolling the stacked portion towards the flexible bag to form a roll, and disposing the roll within a cavity defined by one of an outer surface or an inner surface of the flexible bag.

Abstract: Pet carriers, car seat frames, pet strollers, assemblies of pet carriers with car set frames or pet strollers, and systems comprising the foregoing are provided.

Abstract: An insect storage and release device includes suitably rigid container that may be used to store and transport insects. The insect storage and release device may hold compressed insects or non-compressed insects. The insect storage and release device includes a removable enclosure and a reticulated foam for adding compliance during packing of the insects.

Abstract: An automatic milking installation controlled by a system including: a graphical user interface enabling user interaction with the automatic milking installation via at least one display view, an imaging unit recording image data representing at least one portion of a dairy animal, the imaging unit having a transparent cover surface configured to protect an optics section of the imaging unit and through which transparent cover surface the image data are recorded, and a control unit receiving the recorded image data, and based thereon, producing a control signal for controlling functions of the automatic milking installation. The control unit further processes the recorded image data to determine a parameter indicating an amount of dirt on the transparent cover surface, and generates graphics data for presentation to the user via the graphical user interface, which includes at least one graphical element reflecting the amount of dirt on the transparent cover surface.

Abstract: Example hay nets for providing hay to horses are disclosed. A disclosed example hay net includes a mesh body forming a bag, having a securing member at a first position relative to the body of the net, a mouth formed at a second position relative to the body of the net, the first position being spaced from the second position, and a strap engaging the net adjacent the first position to secure the strap relative to the body of the net adjacent the first position, and engaging the net adjacent the second position to secure the strap relative to the body of the net adjacent the second position, wherein the length of the strap between the first and second positions is variable whilst maintaining engagement between the strap and the net adjacent both the first and second positions.

Abstract: Disclosed in the present invention is a self-feeder for sows, which includes a hopper, a feed volume adjusting mechanism, and a discharge mechanism. The feed volume adjusting mechanism is mounted in the hopper. The hopper includes a C-shaped housing, a front side plate, a bottom plate, and a guide plate. The front side plate is fixed on the front side of the C-shaped housing. The bottom plate is welded on the bottom of the C-shaped housing. A gap is disposed between the bottom plate and the front side plate and used as a discharge port. The guide plate is welded between the bottom plate and a rear wall of the C-shaped housing and is aligned with the bottom plate at the discharge port. The discharge mechanism includes a discharge plate, a push rod, a top cap, and a stop pin. The discharge plate is located above the guide plate. The top cap is located below the bottom plate. An upper end of the push rod passes through the bottom plate and the guide plate and is welded to the discharge plate.

Abstract: Animal watering stations having a liquid piping system including watering lines, a supply line, and a return line. The supply line supplying liquid simultaneous to all watering lines and the return line returning of liquid to a liquid reservoir. In this way, a circulation of the liquid can be realized in at least parts of the liquid piping system and on the other hand the parallel fluidic circuit of the watering lines enables an easy adapting of the liquid pressure at the drinking valves.