Abstract: A system for limiting plugging within an agricultural implement. The system includes a ground engaging tool configured to be supported by the agricultural implement. An actuator is coupled to the ground engaging tool. The actuator is operable to apply a down pressure on the ground engaging tool. A soil moisture sensor is positioned forward of the ground engaging tool. The soil moisture sensor is configured to measure a soil moisture forward of the ground engaging tool. A controller is communicatively coupled to the soil moisture sensor. The controller is configured to receive, from the soil moisture sensor, a signal that corresponds to the soil moisture forward of the ground engaging tool. The controller is further configured to adjust the down pressure on the ground engaging tool applied by the actuator based at least in part on the signal from the soil moisture sensor.

Abstract: A method for operating an agricultural machine includes applying provided machine data of a work flow along a working route for an autonomous operation of the agricultural machine. The provided machine data includes a plurality of data sets. The method further includes recording, during the autonomous operation of the agricultural machine, a working position of the agricultural machine, and selecting and applying, as a function of the detected working position, a respective data set from the plurality of data sets of the provided machine data as a function of the detected working position.

Abstract: There is provided an agricultural field work vehicle capable of entering a work travel path intended by the driver in transition from manual turn travel to autonomous work travel.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle monitoring system includes one or more noncontact sensors configured to sense multiple objects along a scanline. A comparative vehicle monitor is in communication with the one or more noncontact sensors. The comparative vehicle monitor is configured to provide a specified row width and to identify one or more crop rows from the scan line and determine one or more lengths of scan line segments between identified crop rows. The comparative vehicle monitor is further configured to determine a vehicle position including one or more of a vehicle angle or a vehicle location according to the specified row width and the one or more determined lengths of scan line segments between the identified crop rows.

Abstract: A system includes a tractor with an automated guidance system and one or more computing devices. The one or more computing devices are configured to receive image data, the image data including a graphic depiction of an agricultural area including windrows of agricultural material within the agricultural area, determine geographic locations of the plurality of windrows of agricultural material in the agricultural area from the image data, and use the locations of the plurality of windrows of agricultural material to define one or more guidance paths for an agricultural operation to be performed on the windrows of the agricultural material. The automated guidance system of the tractor is configured to steer the tractor to follow the one or more guidance paths.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is vehicle (1) with trailer (2) operatively connected thereto with a cardan (3), said cardan (3) comprising a power take-off, said power take-off being switched off when said cardan (3) forms with said vehicle (1) and/or with said trailer (2) an angle (?; ?) smaller than a first threshold value and/or larger than a second threshold value and being switched on when said angle exceeds again said first threshold value or goes below said other threshold value, due to suitable actuators. According to the invention, it provides angle (?) detection means between the steering wheels (5) and the axle (A) of the vehicle and means apt to correlate said angle (?) between the steering wheels (5) and the axle (A) of the vehicle (1) with the angle (?; ?) comprised between the cardan (3) and said vehicle (1) and/or said trailer (2).

Abstract: A system for windrow path planning comprises a tractor with an automated guidance system, and one or more computing devices for receiving harvester travel information, determining the locations of a plurality of windrows of agricultural material in an agricultural area from the harvester travel information, wherein determining the locations of the windrows includes assigning windrow locations to the one or more travel paths followed by the harvester only where the harvester was harvesting a crop. The one or more computing devices use the locations of the plurality of windrows of agricultural material to define one or more guidance paths for an agricultural operation performed on the windrows of the agricultural material. The automated guidance system of the tractor uses the one or more guidance paths to steer the tractor to follow the one or more guidance paths for the agricultural operation.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and devices for a germination profile indicator based on conductivity including: utilizing a target-profile correlation of a target profile of an API from a plant seed to a target germination stage, the target profile includes identifying characteristics of chemical components, and wherein the target germination stage relates to a progress of a seed-germination process of the target profile; utilizing a process-profile correlation of germination-process profiles during the seed-germination process to respective process germination stages, wherein each germination-process profile relates to extracted seed material during the respective process germination stage; comparing characteristics of the target profile to corresponding features in the germination-process profiles; selecting an optimal state of the respective process germination stage to maximize an API quantity; and cross-correlating the optimal state to a conductivity range for the seed in a soak water within a g

Abstract: An automated seed planter may include at least two vacuum cylinders which simultaneously and/or independently pick up and deliver seeds to a single tray. The vacuum cylinders may have a common rotational axis about which the vacuum cylinders rotate. The automated seed planter may include a plurality of vertical seed chutes which receive seeds therein. The vertical seed chutes have open upper and lower ends. A shutter assembly of the seed planter is associated with the lower ends of the vertical seed chutes. The shutter assembly is selectively opens and closes the lower ends of the seed chutes to plant the seeds on the tray. The automated seed planter may include a seed correction assembly including seed wells which receive seeds therein. The seed correction assembly selectively displaces one or more of the seeds from the seed wells to deliver the one or more seeds toward the tray for planting.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are related to the singularization and metering of seeds in pneumatic meters. Such pneumatic meters may include a rotating disk with a plurality of holes arranged radially. The plurality of holes may define a circular seed path passage when the rotating disk rotates. The pneumatic meter may include a seed container structure associated with the rotating disk.

Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a source of a substance to be applied to an agricultural field and a substance outlet through which the substance is configured to pass to be applied to the field. The agricultural machine further includes a controllable piezo-actuated valve and a control signal generator configured to generate a valve control signal. The piezo-actuated valve includes a valve inlet configured to be in fluidic communication with the source of substance to be applied to the field and a valve outlet through which the substance to be applied to the field passes to move through the piezo-actuated valve. The piezo-actuated valve further includes a piezo element configured to move in response to the valve control signal and a flexure, coupled to the piezo element, and configured to amplify the movement of the piezo element to provide a valve driving movement.

Abstract: A leaf mulcher includes a carriage, a plurality of wheels rotatably secured to the carriage, and a main housing having a front and a rear. A scoop is removably coupled to the front of the main housing and configured to direct leaves into the main housing to be mulched. The leaf mulcher also includes an impeller housing having an entry and an exit, where the entry of the impeller housing is coupled to a rear of the housing. In addition, the leaf mulcher includes a bag having an intake conduit coupled to the exit of the impeller housing and is configured to receive mulched leaves, and an impeller is within the impeller housing and has an insert and nut. A motor is coupled to the impeller and is configured to spin the impeller to create a vacuum to draw leaves into the impeller housing where the leaves are mulched.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically and dynamically controlling a height of a cutting element on a swather or other agricultural machine based on feedback from NIR testing of the cut plant material. An NIR testing system receives and analyzes NIR reflected by the material cut at a particular cut height, and generates an actual value for an RFV or other property of interest. A user interface allows for entering a desired target value. A cut controller compares the actual value and the target value, and adjust (e.g., raises or lowers) a cutting element (by, e.g., changing a pitch of the cutting element) to change the particular cut height if the actual value for the property is different from the target value. If the actual value is substantially similar to the target value, then the cut controller maintains the position of the cutting element.

Abstract: A traction and steering control system and method for a small- or zero-radius-turning maintenance vehicle. The traction and steering control system may determine operator intended speed and direction by monitoring positions of speed and directional control members and one or more operational parameters of the vehicle. The vehicle may then generate drive wheel speed commands that achieve the intended speed and direction by determining how best to manipulate the left and right drive wheels. In some instances, the drive wheel speed commands are disproportionately related to the positions of the speed and directional control members.

Abstract: A walk reel mower has a pivotal rear traction drum that can be selectively disposed in two different mowing positions that allow a single mower to cut grass on golf course greens as well as tee boxes with no degradation in cutting or power performance. The reel cutting unit has a pivotal rear shield to allow the rear shield to be pivotally adjusted to maintain its radial spacing relative to the orbit of the reel at a desired amount as the reel diameter decreases due to wear. The ground speed of the walk reel mower is automatically slowed during turns of the mower by a mechanical cable assembly that links a user operable throttle control and throttle reducing control to a prime mover throttle. Finally, the leverage provided by the mower handle assembly when placed in a lowered position is used by the user to more easily deploy a kickstand.

Abstract: A combine harvester and method of detecting and notifying an operator of operational inefficiencies of the combine harvester are provided. The combine harvester may include a user interface, a plurality of sensors, and a control system having a processing element configured to perform certain steps. The steps may include receiving, via the user interface or a database, data representative of a performance target; receiving, via the user interface or the database, data representative of a mechanical configuration of the combine harvester; detecting, via a sensor, data representative of an operational metric; determining, via the processing element, whether the operational metric satisfies the performance target; determining, via the processing element, a suggested adjustment to the mechanical configuration associated with the operational metric; and displaying, via the user interface, the suggested adjustment to the mechanical configuration associated with the operational metric.

Abstract: A combine harvester includes: a grain conveyance mechanism for conveying grains from a threshing apparatus to a grain tank; a grain discharge apparatus provided in an end area of the grain conveyance mechanism, the grain discharge apparatus having a discharge case provided with a grain discharge opening, and a discharge rotor rotatably arranged in the discharge case; a pressed portion that is subjected to a pressing force applied by grains immediately before the grains are discharged by the discharge rotor; a load detector for detecting the pressing force exerted on the pressed portion; and a yield evaluator for evaluating the amount of conveyed grain based on a detection signal from the load detector.

Abstract: A drop pan system for collecting a sample of crop material discharged by a harvester while harvesting crops. The drop pan is magnetically coupled to a support structure disposed on the harvester by at least one electro-permanent magnet having a default de-energized state and an energized state. In the default de-energized state, the at least one electro-permanent magnet is electrically isolated from an electric power source. In the energized state, the least one electro-permanent magnet is electrically coupled with the electric power source. As the harvester advances through the field harvesting the crop, the drop pan is released from the support structure by switching the electro-permanent magnet from the default de-energized state to the energized state such that the drop pan drops to the ground surface. The open top end of the drop pan on the ground surface captures a sample of the crop material discharged by the advancing harvester.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring a throughput of a crop cut from a field. The system may include, and the method may be performed at least in part using, a combine harvester including a feeder box, a main body, a threshing mechanism, and an organic material throughput sensor provided within the feeder box. The system may also include a data management system. The organic material throughput sensor senses organic material throughput data including at least one of a volume of the organic material, and a weight of the organic material, and the data management system outputs an organic material throughput map or other information based on the organic material throughput data. Using the organic material throughput data or the organic material throughput map, a producer or other operator can make a more informed planting or treatment decision for a field.

Abstract: A vehicle automated unloading system may include a fill model and an unloading controller. The fill model is a model of a fill characteristic of a container as a function of variables comprising material unloading times, material unloading rates and material unloading locations. The unloading controller is to (a) determine a current model-based fill characteristic of the container using the dynamic fill model and (b) output control signals to adjust at least one of a material unloading time, a material unloading rate and a material unloading location based upon the current model-based fill characteristic of the container.

Abstract: A hay baler includes a compression stage having a first major wall conveying means, a support surface, a first sidewall conveying means, and a second sidewall conveying means, which are arranged to form a compression chamber and each driven at compatible speeds to propel hay toward a downstream end of the compression stage. The first and second major wall conveying means are in spaced relation to each other. The first and second sidewall conveying means are transversely oriented and form first and second side walls of the compression chamber and are angled so that the compression chamber tapers from an initial width at the upstream end to a smaller final width at the downstream end.

Abstract: A baler including a flywheel driven by a PTO of a tractor, an input shaft which connects to the PTO, an output shaft which connects to the flywheel, an intermediate gear mounted for rotation between the input shaft and the output shaft, the intermediate gear being parallel to the input shaft and adapted to drive the output shaft, wherein the input shaft includes a displaceable geared collar adapted to engage the intermediate gear with either a first lower gear ratio or a second higher gear ratio. This allows the tractor PTO a lower ratio (speed) range to start the flywheel and then accelerate the flywheel to an intermediate speed before shifting and accelerating to the final desired operating speed.

Abstract: A bale binding mechanism is configured to form crop material into a bale. The bale binding mechanism includes a baling needle and a twine tensioner. A baler chassis presents a baling chamber in which the bale is formed. The baling needle is shiftable up and down relative to the baling chamber, with the needle being shiftable to advance twine upwardly along an end of the bale. The twine tensioner is configured to maintain tension on a tensioned twine section extending between the twine tensioner and the needle, with the tensioned twine section defining a twine feed axis. The twine tensioner includes a tension device that restricts upward advancement of the tensioned twine section. The twine tensioner also includes a shiftable guide element. The guide element is shiftable into and out of a twine feed position associated with upward advancement of the tensioned twine section, with the guide element operable to define an offset twine section offset from the twine feed axis in the twine feed position.

Abstract: A bale binding mechanism is configured to wrap twine around a bale of severed crop material. The bale binding mechanism broadly includes a baling needle, a twine tensioner, and a sensor. A baler chassis presents a baling chamber in which the bale is formed. The baling needle is shiftable up and down relative to the baling chamber, with the needle being shiftable to advance twine upwardly along an end of the bale. The twine tensioner is configured to maintain tension on a tensioned twine section extending between the twine tensioner and the needle, with the tensioned twine section defining a twine feed axis. The twine tensioner includes a tension device that restricts upward advancement of the tensioned twine section. The twine tensioner also includes a shiftable guide element.

Abstract: A gardening trimmer may include: a first blade connected to a first cam member and configured to reciprocate in response to rotation of the first cam member; and a second com connected to a second cam member and configured to reciprocate in opposite phase to the first blade in response to rotation of the second cam member. The first cam member includes a first eccentric cam configured to revolve around a first rotation axis and is connected to the first blade at the first eccentric cam. The second cam member includes a second eccentric cam configured to revolve around a second rotation axis and is connected to the second blade at the second eccentric cam. Each of the first and second blades is configured to reciprocate along a plane including the first and second rotation axis.

Abstract: Provided is an anti-theft deterrent hanger device comprises a top hook member and a bottom hook member with an elongated suspension arm therebetween. The top hook member is for placement over a top of an entry way of a building structure. Both hook members face inwardly toward the entryway.

Abstract: Modular cultivation systems utilized in a Vertical Farm or Plant Factory is described herein. The modular cultivation system has a growing module that includes an expandable and collapsible support frame with growing boards or pods, lighting boards, and an irrigation system arranged within the support frame to maximize the quantity of crops that can be grown within an available volume of space in a Vertical Farm unit, warehouse or greenhouse per unit time. The modular cultivation system further includes a mover robot for moving the growing module. The Vertical Farm relies on an ambulatory cultivation system and a cyclical automated operational protocol for planting, growing and harvesting made possible by the ambulatory growing module. Thus, access for crop planting, maintenance and harvesting is conveniently carried out through automation, that is, by commanding a specific ambulatory cultivation system to move autonomously to designated locations in the vertical farm.

Abstract: A pot stand is provided that is capable of being simply used, receiving drained water without causing water leakage, reducing manufacturing cost and enables easy disposition of the drained water. The pot stand includes a main body, a water reservoir and a load receiving part. The main body includes an upper surface part that has a drain hole, a side surface part that supports the upper surface part and has a space opened upwardly, and a bottom surface part that is connected to the side surface part. The pot stand further includes an opening that is formed in a part of the side surface part and ribs that are provided in an inner side of the main body. The water reservoir is slidably movable through the opening to be taken in or out from the space. The load receiving part is a standing wall-like shaped and extends from the bottom surface part in the space.

Abstract: In order to reduce a possibility of damaging a seedling in the event of transplant of unit nursery beds when the seedlings are replanted from a seedling tray that supports unit nursery beds individually planted with seedlings germinated from seeds to a hydroponic panel capable of securing a longer seedling-to-seedling distance, a seedling transplanter (1) includes: a seedling tray (3) supported by a frame (2) and configured to support a nursery bed (7) having unit nursery beds (71) separable from each other and arranged in two directions on a plane; a hydroponic panel (4) supported by the frame (2) and provided with holes (41) for storing the unit nursery beds (71), the hydroponic panel (4) serving as a transplant destination of the unit nursery beds (71) on the seedling tray (3); and a holding member (5) supported by the frame (2) pivotally around a vertical axis and vertically movably to separate the unit nursery bed (71) from the nursery bed (7) by holding any one or a plurality of the unit nursery beds (7

Abstract: The present invention is directed to computerized agricultural systems and methods for controlling and managing plant development, from seeding through harvest, in greenhouses and other agricultural production facilities.

Abstract: The agricultural greenhouse of the invention and the plant cultivation method using the same can cultivate plants economically and efficiently with less energy per crop yield, as it is provided with a CO2 supply means, a heat-ray shielding means, and a dehumidification and cooling means, the heat-ray shielding means is formed of using a heat-ray reflecting film, and plural through holes are formed in the heat-ray shielding means. The heat-ray reflecting film structure can cultivate plants by the agricultural greenhouse utilizing sunlight economically and efficiently as it has a structure that narrow band-shaped tapes obtained by cutting a multi-layer laminated film made by laminating at least two kinds of resin layers with different refractive indices alternately and having an average transmittance at 80% or more for visible light and an average reflectance at 70% or more for heat-ray is woven or knitted as a warp or a weft.

Abstract: The present invention is relative to the agricultural sector and more specifically in the field of fruit growing. In recent years, the agricultural sector has undergone significant developments, often due to the need to meet the demands of the production of products that can meet certain standards, including, for example, in fruit production, the size of the fruit produced, which is often recognized as a quality parameter, as well as the quantity and availability of the fruit itself, which should remain as constant as possible over the years. In particular in the sector it is known that it is important in this sense the thinning out of flowers and/or small fruits that is carried out. One purpose of this invention is to describe an innovative device suitable for the purpose.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a container tray for harvesting a plurality of commercially cultivated button-type mushrooms. The present disclosure discusses a mushroom harvesting container tray that cannot only be used for temporarily storing the harvested (picked) mushrooms during the harvesting (picking) process, but the tray can also effectively store and retain the untrimmed mushrooms in place during trimming such that the mushroom stems may be trimmed while being housed in the tray, thereby substantially increasing the efficiency of harvesting mushrooms. For example, the tray holds the mushroom steady while a blade or other cutting mechanism simultaneously trims a plurality of mushroom stems.

Abstract: Various implementations disclosed herein includes a method for operating lighting fixtures in horticultural applications. The method may include receiving a user input of a desired irradiance for a first color channel of one or more lighting fixtures that irradiates a plant bed, in which each of the one or more lighting fixtures comprises at least one light emitting diode (LED) array, determining, for each of the one or more lighting fixtures, a PWM setting of the first color channel such that each of the one or more lighting fixtures irradiate the plant bed at the desired irradiance based on calibration data stored in each of the one or more lighting fixtures, and applying, to each of the one or more lighting fixtures, the determined PWM setting of the first color channel.

Abstract: A multi-process machine including a base machine, a boom assembly and a felling head for felling and further processing trees is provided with at least one pressure accumulator for increasing the instantaneous output with a motor and the system includes a separate auxiliary supply line led to the pressure accumulator from a pump and control valves for the auxiliary supply line, and an auxiliary control line led from the pressure accumulator directly to a selected side of the hydraulic motor and valves for the auxiliary control line.

Abstract: A harvester (1), comprising a harvester aggregate (2) for felling, trimming and preparing tree trunks, a first measuring device (I) provided in connection with the harvester aggregate (2) for measuring of at least one dimension of a tree trunk. The harvester comprises a second measuring device (II) for measuring a feature of the first measuring device, whereby said feature is an attribute reflecting the capability of the first measuring device to measure said dimension correctly, and a control unit (11) configured to make a comparison between an actual value (a) of the measured feature and a target value (?) of said feature, whereby the target value is indicative of a state of the first measuring device, where its measurement of said dimension is considered to be correct.

Abstract: An underground soil sensors system is disclosed. The underground soil sensors system can include a base station having at least one antenna. The underground soil sensors system can include at least one set of soil sensors, where each soil sensor in the at least one set can be positioned at a predetermined vertical distance below a surface of a target soil. Each soil sensor in the at least one set can transmit signals to an adjacent soil sensor positioned thereabove in that set and to receive signals from an adjacent soil sensor positioned therebelow in that set. A topmost soil sensor in the at least one set can transmit signals to the at least one antenna of the base station.

Abstract: A hydroponic apparatus comprises an enclosed housing (2). A plurality of levels is provided in the enclosed housing (2) for supporting plant containers (9) for containing seeds or plants (11) to be grown. The apparatus includes a conveyor system (16, 14, 15) for moving the plant containers (9) on each level and/or from one level to another level within the enclosed housing (2), and a control system for controlling environmental plant growing conditions in the enclosed housing (2). The plant containers (9) can be moved to different levels within the enclosed housing (2) at different stages of growth of the plants (11) in the containers (9).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to melon plant and seed, namely of C. melo subsp. melo, which are resistant to ToLCNDV, comprising in their genome introgressed sequences from C. melo subsp. agrestis var. acidulous conferring resistance to said virus, when present homozygously. The introgressed sequences are preferably characterized by defined alleles of SNPs on chromosome 11, inter alia allele A of SNP Melon_sbg_14207_58 (SEQ ID No:9). The introgressed sequences can be chosen from those present in the genome of a plant of ToLR1 accession number NCIMB 42506. The invention is also directed to parts of these resistant plants, as well as progeny, to the use of these plants for introgressing the resistance in another genetic background, as well as to different methods for obtaining resistant melon plants or seeds.

Abstract: Methods of propagating a Cannabis cutting are provided. A method of propagating a Cannabis cutting can include: providing a coherent growth substrate comprising man-made vitreous fibres bonded with a cured binder composition, the growth substrate having a density in the range of 60 kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m3) to 70 kg/m3; inserting the Cannabis cutting into the growth substrate at a location where the growth substrate does not have a seed hole; and providing a nutrient solution having an electrical conductivity value between 1.6 milli-Siemens per centimeter (mS/cm) and 2.4 mS/cm to the Cannabis cutting in the growth substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Lactuca sativa seed designated 79-224 RZ. The present invention also relates to a Lactuca sativa plant produced by growing the 79-224 RZ seed. The invention further relates to methods for producing the lettuce cultivar, represented by lettuce variety 79-224 RZ.

Abstract: New soybean varieties designated ‘2984050’, ‘2984004’, ‘2987416’, ‘2987413’, and ‘2987331’ are described. ‘2984050’, ‘2984004’, ‘2987416’, ‘2987413’, and ‘2987331’ are soybean varieties exhibiting stability and uniformity.

Abstract: A milking system includes a milking device with a milking control, a milk line, and a sampling/analysis device. The milking control controls the milking based on said analysis. The sampling/analysis device includes a reagent carrier, including a tape with a first side with a reagent pad that detects the presence of a substance in the milk sample and a second side, a dosing device to provide a droplet of said sample onto the reagent pad, a source for emitting source radiation onto the reagent pad, and a sensor to detect response radiation emitted by the reagent pad, and to analyse the detected response radiation to indicate the presence or concentration of said substance. The first side faces away from the sensor during analysing by the sensor. By viewing “from below”, the observed reaction in the reagent is cleaner, and suffers less from artefacts, and the camera will stay cleaner.

Abstract: Consisting of a toilet (1) for dogs composed of a tray (2), in rigid material, with concentric indentations (3) running towards a central hole (4) from where a dogleg (5) originates with piping (6) into the sewer (E) where the urine of the animal is carried away with the water from the perimeter of said tray (2) that arrives through the hose (6?) connected to the tap (7) and/or the recycled water (8).

Abstract: Present invention teaches construction of a pet cooling pad by mixing four substances into a gel layer. A soft fabric layer then wraps the gel layer together with a light sponge layer into an integrated pad. An anti-slip layer can be added to the bottom to provide more stable grip to the surface the pad is place upon, especially when the pad is used in a moving vehicle to transport pets. Optionally, the soft fabric layer can be made to be waterproof, easy for a pet owner to take care of and/or clean the pad products.

Abstract: A method and system for preparing a distribution program for insects comprises obtaining distribution data of a wild population of insects; obtaining distribution parameters including distribution resolution levels of at least one available distribution vehicle; generating a population density map at a resolution level consistent with the distribution resolution level of the vehicle; generating a release map by modifying the population density map in accordance with the distribution parameters; and generating a path using the release map, the path defining dosages of insects to be released at respective locations along the path.

Abstract: A computing system classifies each of a plurality of media units as either having or not having a characteristic of interest by testing the media units using a plurality of non-human animals. The testing comprises, for each of the media units and responsive to detecting a non-human animal at a location, sending the media unit to a media output device perceivable by the non-human animal from the location. The testing further comprises, for each of the media units, determining the classification of the media unit as either having or not having the characteristic of interest based on data derived, at least in part, from an input sensor configured to accept input from the non-human animal while the non-human animal is at the location.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for tracking the consumption of foodstuffs by an animal, comprising: a front wall, a rear wall and side walls defining therebetween a chamber, and an opening formed in the front wall in order to allow an animal to gain access to the chamber; a receptacle in the chamber, defining a cavity for storing foodstuffs; a foodstuff retrieval element for retrieving foodstuffs discharged from the cavity and not consumed by the animal, which element extends substantially from the cavity as far as one of the walls; and a weighing system which is configured to determine the weight of foodstuffs that have been taken from the cavity and not retrieved by the retrieval element over a period of time.

Abstract: A three-dimensional accelerometer in an animal tag registers a first set of acceleration parameters expressing a respective acceleration of the tag along each of three independent spatial axes. A processor in the tag derives a respective estimated gravity-related component in each parameter in the first set, and compensates for the respective estimated gravity-related components in the first set to obtain a second set of acceleration parameters representing respective accelerations of the animal tag along each of three independent spatial axes each in which the parameter is balanced around a base level with no influence of gravitation. The processor determines behavior-related data of rise-up and/or lie-down movements of an animal carrying the animal tag based on deviations in a single parameter in the second set of acceleration parameters relative to the base level.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a consumable cartridge removably attachable to an animal marking apparatus. The consumable cartridge comprises a movably mounted needle and a biasing element operatively coupled to the movably mounted needle to withdraw the needle to a withdrawn position. Also disclosed herein is a method for marking an animal.