Abstract: The present invention relates to a plough implement comprising a main frame supporting a plurality of first ground engaging tools, wherein the plough implement comprises a depth adjustment apparatus for moving a first ground engaging tool of the plurality of first ground engaging tools with respect to the main frame to enable adjustment of a working depth of the first ground engaging tool.

Abstract: A finishing assembly for an agricultural implement includes a first rolling basket and a second rolling basket. The finishing assembly also includes a basket support assembly coupled to the first rolling basket and the second rolling basket and configured to support the first rolling basket and the second rolling basket relative to each other. The finishing assembly further includes a linkage pivotably coupled to the basket support assembly at a first pivot point. The finishing assembly even further includes a hydraulic actuator pivotably coupled to the basket support assembly at a second pivot point, wherein the hydraulic actuator is configured to damp pivoting of the basket support assembly about the first pivot point in both a first pivot direction and a second pivot direction, the second pivot direction being opposite the first pivot direction.

Abstract: An autonomous farming machine navigable in an environment for performing farming action(s) is disclosed. The farming machine receives a notification from a manager that there are no obstacles in the blind spots of the detection system. The farming machine applies an obstacle detection model to the captured images to verify that there are no obstacles in unobstructed views. The farming machine determines a configuration of the farming machine. The farming machine determines a virtual safety bubble for the farming machine to autonomously perform the farming action(s) based on the determined configuration. The farming machine detects an obstacle in the environment by applying the obstacle detection model to the captured images. The farming machine determines that the obstacle is entering the virtual safety bubble. In response to determining that the obstacle is entering the virtual safety bubble, the farming machine terminates operation of the farming machine and/or enacts preventive measures.

Abstract: Implementations are described herein for predicting soil organic carbon (“SOC”) content for agricultural fields detected in digital imagery. In various implementations, one or more digital images depicting portion(s) of one or more agricultural fields may be processed. The one or more digital images may have been acquired by a vision sensor carried through the field(s) by a ground-based vehicle. Based on the processing, one or more agricultural inferences indicating agricultural practices or conditions predicted to affect SOC content may be determined. Based on the agricultural inferences, one or more predicted SOC measurements for the field(s) may be determined.

Abstract: A planter system includes a seeder assembly including a seed meter configured to dispense groups of seeds at intervals through a seed tube. The planter system also includes a sensor configured to transmit a first detection signal upon detection of a first seed passing through the seed tube and a second detection signal upon detection of a second seed passing through the seed tube. A control system is configured to compare a time between the first and second detection signals to a threshold time; determine that the first seed and the second seed are in a single group of seeds when the time between the first and second detection signals is less than the threshold time; and determine that the first seed and the second seed are in different groups of seeds if the time between the first and second detection signals is greater than the threshold time.

Abstract: A lift assembly includes an insert frame between the toolbar and a row unit on agricultural planter. The lift assembly frame includes an actuator which is extended and retracted to raise and lower a pair of arms engaging a crop shaft connected to the parallel link arms of the row unit, to thereby raise and lower the row unit between planting and non-planting positions. With one of the lift assemblies associated with each row unit, the row units can be selectively raised and lowered for varied planting operations.

Abstract: A piston device is disclosed as it may have a cylinder and a piston. In an example, the cylinder has a first end and a second end. The piston is configured to be pushed into the second end of the cylinder in an inserted configuration and withdrawn from the second end of the cylinder in an extended configuration. The piston is slidable between the inserted configuration and the extended configuration during operation. Material is received into the cylinder through an opening in the first end of the cylinder without a vacuum, and pressing the piston into the second end of the cylinder compresses the material within the cylinder, and then releases the material from the cylinder.

Abstract: An example trailer for a pump can include: a folding system including a first member and a second member that are pivotally connected to one another at a pivot point; a mechanism positioned to move the first member relative to the second member from a transport mode to an operating mode; a ground support system configured to support the trailer relative to a ground; and a guide member configured to hold the pump.

Abstract: A digger-shaker-inverter for harvesting rooted plants includes a plurality of row units, with each row unit comprising first and second carrying belts spaced to grip opposite sides of vines on the rooted plants. A first pulley drives the first carrying belt and a second pulley driving the second carrying belt. A first hydraulic motor is mounted to selectively cause rotation of the first pulley, and a second hydraulic motor is mounted to selectively cause rotation of the second pulley. A supply line connected to a tractor's hydraulic system provides hydraulic fluid to the first and second hydraulic motors, which are connected in daisy-chain fashion with an outlet of one connected to an inlet of the second, and the outlet of the second of the hydraulic motors connected to an inlet for a hydraulic motor of another row unit.

Abstract: A utility vehicle having a magnetic panel movably and removably coupled thereto. The vehicle includes a frame carrying a prime mover and ground engaging members operatively attached to the frame. The vehicle also include includes a panel extending between a first end region and a second end region. The first end region of the panel is operatively coupled to the frame such that panel is both movably and removably attached to the frame. One or more magnets are positioned between the portion of the frame and an inner surface of the panel proximate the second end region of the panel such that the second end region of the panel is adapted to be removably couplable to the control tower via the one or more magnets.

Abstract: A semiautonomous robot. The robot includes at least two powered locomotion devices and a monocular capture unit. The at least two locomotion devices are designed to rotate at least the capture unit about a rotational axis, which is situated in a fixed position relative to the capture unit, the capture unit and the rotational axis being set apart from each other. The robot further includes at least one control and/or regulating unit for ascertaining a distance traveled. As a function of a movement of the capture unit about the rotational axis fixed during the movement, in particular, at a known distance from the rotational axis and/or in a known orientation relative to the rotational axis, the control and/or regulating unit is configured to determine a distance conversion parameter, which is provided for ascertaining the distance traveled.

Abstract: A controlling method of a robot lawn mower includes a mowing procedure, an interruption determining procedure and an interrupting procedure. The interruption determining procedure includes steps of receiving sensing data indicating a current sensing result related to at least one of surrounding environment or an operation status of the robot lawn mower, and determining whether an interruption condition related to at least one of an environment factor or an operation factor of the robot lawn mower is met. When it is determined that the interruption condition is met, the interrupting procedure is executed, and the robot lawn mower moves to a preset standby location.

Abstract: An autonomous mobile device and a method for controlling the same are provided. The method includes: performing first positioning on the autonomous mobile device to acquire a first current pose of the autonomous mobile device in a first coordinate system; performing second positioning on the autonomous mobile device when determining, based on the first current pose and a first preset pose of a charging station in the first coordinate system, that a distance between the autonomous mobile device and the charging station is less than or equal to a first preset distance, to obtain a second current pose of the autonomous mobile device in a second coordinate system, and determining, based on the second current pose and a second preset pose of the charging station in the second coordinate system, a second planned path for directing the autonomous mobile device to a docking position of the charging station.

Abstract: A battery management system for a lawnmower that can include a first switch configured to issue a wake-up signal in response to a wake-up input, issue a battery status request signal in response to a battery status input, and issue a shut-down signal in response to a shut-down input. A first controller can be configured to, switch the second switch to an ON state to electrically connect the battery to the electrically powered device when the first controller receives the wake-up signal, cause the display to display information indicative of a status of the battery when the first controller receives the battery status request signal, and switch the second switch to an OFF state to terminate output from the battery to the electrically powered device when the first controller receives the shut-down signal.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and harvesters for adjusting settings of a harvester. In one embodiment, a computer implemented method includes capturing, with at least one image capture device that is located on the harvester, images of a field view of an unharvested region to be harvested, analyzing the captured images to determine crop information for a crop of a harvested region that is adjacent to the unharvested region, and adjusting settings or operating parameters of the harvester for the unharvested region based on the crop information for the crop of the harvested region.

Abstract: A method of harvesting plant product from a plant in a single pass using a combine harvester is disclosed. In the method, the plant has a protein content gradient that varies along a height of the plant. The method includes identifying, along a longitudinally-extending stalk of the plant, an upper protein gradient of the plant including high protein plant product and a lower protein gradient of the plant including lower protein plant product, wherein the high protein plant product from the upper protein gradient of the plant meets a threshold protein content that is higher than that of the lower protein plant product. The method also includes separately and substantially simultaneously harvesting the high protein plant product from the upper protein gradient and the lower protein plant product from the lower protein gradient in the single pass, and isolating the high protein plant product from the lower protein plant product.

Abstract: A method for automatically controlling a harvesting parameter on a header of a combine harvester. The combine harvester includes the header, a feeder, and a downstream processing device. Crop is cut by the header, transferred to the feeder, and then transported to the processing device.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a threshing system having a rotor, a rotor cage surrounding the rotor and including a concave, and a transition cone defining an infeed to the rotor cage. The transition cone has a conical inner surface extending in an axial direction between an upstream end and a downstream end of the cone. A vane is mounted to the conical inner surface of the transition cone. The vane protrudes radially from the conical inner surface, and extends along an axial direction between the upstream end and the downstream end. The vane has a body extending along an axis and a cross-sectional shape that is not constant along the axis.

Abstract: The threshing apparatus 6 includes a threshing chamber 11 into which the crops are introduced, a threshing drum 12 that is provided in the threshing chamber 11 so as to rotate with the threshing drum axial center in the front-rear direction of the threshing chamber 11 serving as the rotation center, and which threshes the crops introduced into the threshing chamber 11, and a receiving net 13 provided in the outer periphery of the lower part of the threshing drum 12. The receiving net 13 is divided into a plurality of divided receiving net bodies 13A in the front-rear direction, the plurality of divided receiving net bodies 13A are operated to adjust, for each of the plurality of divided receiving net bodies, the interval S in the radial direction of the threshing drum 12 between the divided receiving net body 13A and the threshing drum 12.

Abstract: A combine harvester separates crop into straw and chaff and weed seeds using a sieve, a chopping rotor with a spreading device and at least one weed seed devitalization section. The components can be operated in a first mode where both the first material and said second material are directed to the chopper and a second mode the first material is directed to the chopper inlet and the second material is directed to the WSD. This can be effected by providing a guide wall which has a leading edge attached adjacent a rear edge of the sieve and extends rearwardly therefrom. The chopper and the WSD can also be moved to provide the change of modes. A construction of destructor mill with an outer stator on the housing is also disclosed along with a method of feeding the lost grain to the WSD.

Abstract: A knot stretcher for use in tightening splice knots that connect twine balls on an agricultural baler. The knot stretcher includes a pair of pulling bars connected at pulling bar pivot at one end of each of the pulling bars, and a pair of levers, where one of the pair of levers is attached in a middle section of its respective pulling bar. Each lever has a handle portion at one end and an arm portion extending from an elbow formed in the lever. Each lever attaches to its respective pulling bar with a fixed pivot located near the elbow and distal ends of the arm portions of the two levers are attached at a moving pivot. The knot stretcher has clamping jaws positioned on the pulling bars to securely clamp a respective one of the twine tails of the splice knot that is to be tightened.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cutting device with a blade moving in parallel, a moving method and a plant trimmer. By the structural device, the round blade can be adjusted to be kept in vertical rising and dropping, and is always kept in parallel to the cutting mesh. By an adjustment knob, an adjustment screw is driven to rotate by a flexible shaft, so that the movable blade holder moves up and down, which completes the adjustment of the round blade in a visible region of the equipment.

Abstract: A trimming apparatus includes a trimmer head assembly and trimmer head frame portion. The trimmer head assembly including a first wheel, a second wheel, a drive motor coupled to the first wheel, the trimmer head assembly first and second wheels in frictional contact with each other and their rotation axis defining a non-zero camber angle. A trimming apparatus may include a plurality of trimmer head assemblies arranged in a grid, and include movable grid flap assemblies. A trimming apparatus may include a plurality of trimmer head assemblies formed and distributed as a drum module, or a plurality of drum modules. A trimming apparatus may include a single trimmer head assembly with a handle for manual operation.

Abstract: A novel connector assembly that allows building a versatile; low-cost plant support structure out of widely used garden stakes is described. Such a plant support structure can easily be reconfigured throughout a plant growing season. Various configurations of this connector element to build an adaptable system suitable for multiple plants are shown.

Abstract: Provided is a greenhouse plant growth monitoring system. The system includes a master controller, an external monitoring module, an internal monitoring module and an external circulation device. The external monitoring module is disposed outside a greenhouse, and is configured to monitor an external environment of the greenhouse and output an external environment monitoring signal. The internal monitoring module is disposed inside the greenhouse, and is configured to monitor an internal environment of the greenhouse and output an internal environment monitoring signal. The master controller includes an external environment signal input terminal, an internal environment signal input terminal and an external circulation control signal output terminal. The external environment signal input terminal is connected to an external monitoring signal output terminal of the external monitoring module.

Abstract: A multi-stage plant cultivation system for and method of enhancing plant production efficiency is disclosed. For example, a multi-stage plant cultivation system and method may provide a vegetation module and multiple growing modules arranged sequentially and wherein the full growing life cycle of a plant may be perform within the modules. In one example, the multi-stage plant cultivation system and method may provide a vegetation module and multiple growing modules that may further include a plant transport system, one or more air handler systems, one or more lighting systems, one or more water delivery systems, one or more wastewater systems, and a controller.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the technical field of Gastrodia elata planting, in particular to an organic planting method of G. elata, including the process of mycelia colonized material preparation: cutting a branch of Quercus acutissima into bars; cutting out fish scale openings on the bars to obtain bars with the fish scale openings; successively soaking the bars with the fish scale openings in boiling water and a growth-promoting solution to obtain bars after growth promotion treatment; and putting Amillariella mellea spawns and an inoculation substrate into each fish scale opening of the bars after the growth promotion treatment to obtain a mycelia colonized material. The growth-promoting solution and the inoculation substrate are prepared by treatment of fresh G. elata stalks with Bacillus pumilus and hot-dip extraction treatment in ethanol.

Abstract: A spout clip is provided including a spout and a tube clip. The spout is coupled to the tube clip. The tube clip is configured to attach to a sidewall of a water supply line to secure the spout to the line. The water supply line may include a water discharge hole, and the spout clip may be positioned at the hole. An emitter inside the line may also be positioned at the hole. The spout clip may be attached to the fluid supply tube at the hole to bring the spout of the spout clip into fluid communication with the outlet of the emitter and to distribute water from the line from a location spaced apart from the line.

Abstract: A mobile tower for use with an irrigation system having horizontally-extending spans, the mobile tower comprising a frame and a number of wheels. The frame includes a crossbeam, first and second diagonal legs, first and second lower gussets, and an upper bracket. The crossbeam, first diagonal leg, and second diagonal leg include tubular members having gusset connectors. The tubular members are interchangeable and adaptable with other tubular members.

Abstract: A tilt monitoring system for a mobile irrigation system including a sensor and a controller. The sensor is configured to detect a tilt magnitude of the span and generate a corresponding tilt signal. The controller is configured to receive the tilt signal representing the tilt magnitude, generate a deactivation signal representing an instruction to deactivate the drive motor if the tilt magnitude is greater than a tilt threshold, transmit the deactivation signal to the drive motor, generate a notification signal representing a notification that the drive motor has been deactivated due to the tilt magnitude, transmit the notification signal, receive a follow-up input signal representing a follow-up input, generate a follow-up command signal representing a command for implementing the follow-up input, and transmit the follow-up command signal so that the mobile irrigation system implements the follow-up input.

Abstract: A system and method for providing landscaping integration into a watering system or water management system. The system may include a processor with programmable landscape events or pre-programmed landscape events. A user may select or enter in landscape events to manipulate a watering or irrigation schedule based on the landscape event. The system may also be pre-programmed to a landscape event based on recurring or scheduled events to alter watering or irrigation. A landscaper may access a system on an electronic device that may be linked to a cloud based platform for managing the system or systems to allow for alteration and manipulation of watering and irrigation times and durations based on landscape events.

Abstract: Disclosed are a plant growth management system and a control method thereof. A station device of the plant growth management system includes a flowerpot detector configured detect entry of a movable flowerpot device and to generate a detection signal according to whether entry of the movable flowerpot device is detected, a wireless charger configured to wirelessly supply power to the movable flowerpot device according to the detection signal, and a water supply device configured to supply water to a flowerpot included in the movable flowerpot device according to the detection signal, wherein the movable flowerpot device includes an obstacle detection sensor and a solar detection sensor, performs autonomous driving based on the obstacle detection sensor and the solar detection sensor, searches for a space, an illuminance value of which is equal to or greater than a preset illuminance value, through the autonomous driving, and performs rotational motion in the searched space.

Abstract: A gardening appliance includes a grow tower rotatably mounted within a liner and defining a root chamber. A mixing tank defines a water inlet, a nutrient inlet, and a mixture outlet. An overflow protection system is operably coupled to the mixing tank and includes a wastewater reservoir, an overflow port fluidly coupled to the mixing tank, an overflow conduit providing fluid communication between the overflow port and the wastewater reservoir, and a one-way overflow valve fluidly coupled to the overflow conduit to prevent liquid flow back into the mixing tank.

Abstract: Floating ponds for the cultivation of algae are disclosed. The floating ponds consist of a buoyant framework, a liner, a culture, and a mooring system. Submersible floating ponds are disclosed with a buoyant framework built from tubes that may be filled or partially filled with, for example, air, or water, or the surrounding water, or the culture, and thereby the present invention provides a framework in which the buoyancy may be modulated. Use of submerging lines and spools are disclosed to control the orientation and depth of the floating pond during submersion.

Abstract: A neutron ray irradiation target apparatus 100 of the present invention is used to irradiate irradiation targets (seeds, etc.) with a neutron ray generated by a neutron ray irradiation apparatus. The neutron ray irradiation target apparatus 100 has a holding means 70 for holding the irradiation targets. The holding means 70 holds at least one closed container 30 which can accommodate the irradiation targets 20 stacked randomly and three-dimensionally. In the case where the irradiation targets are stacked three-dimensionally and accommodated in the closed container, the irradiation targets overlapping each other are irradiated with the neutron ray in a chain reaction fashion. The neutron ray irradiation target apparatus 100 can be used in a method for irradiating a large amount of irradiation targets (seeds of crops, etc.) with a neutron ray, while reducing a required time, thereby efficiently inducing mutations in the irradiation targets.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods of making gene-edited plants that are resistant to downy mildew, such as plants with reduced expression of homoserine kinase (HSK), 2-oxoglutarate-Fe(II) oxygenase (2OGO), or both. The disclosure further provides methods of making gene-edited modified plants that are cold tolerant, such as plants with reduced expression of MYB14. In some examples, CRISPR/Cas methods are used, wherein the plants include a mutated HSK, 2OGO, and/or MYB14 gene resulting in reduced expression and/or gene activity. Plants generated using the methods are provided. Such plants can include other desirable traits. HSK, 2OGO, and/or MYB14 nucleic acid and protein molecules are provided, as are gRNAs specific for HSK, 2OGO, or MYB14 and vectors containing such.

Abstract: A method for organically planting Dendrobium, including using a planting medium in the epiphytic planting step of Dendrobium. The raw materials of planting medium include fermented powder of Dendrobium candidum leaves and sawdust; a method for preparing the fermented powder of Dendrobium candidum leaves is as follows: cutting Dendrobium candidum leaves into small pieces and mashing the small pieces of Dendrobium candidum leaves to obtain materials to be fermented, and then adding liquid medium to the materials to be fermented to obtain fermentation system; sterilizing the fermentation system, adding fermentation bacteria to the fermentation system to obtain a mixture, fermenting and filtering the mixture to obtain post-culturing fermentation broth and fermented products of Dendrobium candidum leaves, dewatering and crushing the fermented products of Dendrobium candidum leaves to obtain fermented powder of Dendrobium candidum leaves.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid sequences for detecting soybean plant DBN8002 and detection methods thereof, wherein said nucleic acid sequences comprise SEQ ID NO: 1 or a complementary sequence thereof, and/or SEQ ID NO: 2 or a complementary sequence thereof. The soybean plant DBN8002 of the present invention has good resistance against Lepidoptera insects as well as good tolerance to glufosinate herbicide without compromising the yield, and the detection methods can accurately and rapidly identify whether a biological sample contains the DNA molecule of the transgenic soybean event DBN8002.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to modified plants or seeds that include: (1) overexpressed rice SUMO E3 ligase SIZ1 (OsSIZ1), an analog thereof, a homolog thereof, a derivative thereof, or combinations thereof; and (2) overexpressed Larrea tridentate rubisco activase (LtRCA), an analog thereof, a homolog thereof, a derivative thereof, or combinations thereof. The modified plant or seed demonstrates enhanced resistance to environmental stress. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of developing a modified plant or seed of the present disclosure by overexpressing in the plant or seed: (1) rice SUMO E3 ligase SIZ1 (OsSIZ1), an analog thereof, a homolog thereof, a derivative thereof, or combinations thereof; and (2) Larrea tridentate rubisco activase (LtRCA), an analog thereof, a homolog thereof, a derivative thereof, or combinations thereof. Further embodiments pertain to methods of growing a modified plant or seed of the present disclosure in a field.

Abstract: A method of grading and processing hemp microgreens into a consumable hemp microgreen desiccant that includes the steps of first screening a plurality of hemp seeds for a predetermined manufacturing use that is based on a plurality of quantitative seed characteristics, separating the plurality of hemp seeds into a first and a second separated plurality of hemp seeds based on at least one of a plurality of organoleptic seed characteristics predicated on a standard for manufacturing high-grade hemp microgreens, cultivating a plurality of hemp microgreens with the first separated plurality of hemp seeds, then screening the plurality of hemp microgreens based on the above-described organoleptic characteristics to confirm the plurality of hemp seeds maintain grading standards.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel squash plant having an especially small seed cavity, and a method for producing the squash plant. The present invention provides a method for producing a small seed cavity squash plant that includes developing, from the progeny of an F1 seed obtained by crossing a Cucurbita maxima and a Cucurbita moschata, a small seed cavity squash plant in which the proportion of the volume of the seed cavity relative to the fruit volume is 15% or less, and also provides a small seed cavity squash plant that is a small seed cavity Cucurbita maxima plant having, within the nuclear genome, a gene associated with a small seed cavity trait of a plant of the genus Cucurbita, or a hybrid plant obtained using the small seed cavity Cucurbita maxima plant as a parent, or a progeny of either of these plants.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to the field of plant molecular biology, specifically to DNA constructs for conferring insect resistance to a plant.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for generating maize plants that exhibit resistance to northern leaf blight are provided herein. Polynucleotides encoding a polypeptide that confers resistance to northern leaf blight, polynucleotide constructs comprising such, and maize plants comprising the polynucleotide constructs are provided.

Abstract: An offset for a first milking tool in a tool carrier of an automatic milking machine is determined as a spatial vector between a tool reference position (TRP) and an estimated actual position (TAP) of the milking tool. A three-dimensional image data is registered that represents a teat (T) during attachment to and/or detachment from the milking tool. The image data is processed by searching, within a search zone, for a predefined part (MP) of the teat (T) while the teat (T) is attached to the milking tool. Provided that the predefined part (MP) fulfills a measurement criterion, a distance (doff) is calculated between a specific point of the predefined part (MP) and the tool reference position (TRP). The offset is then determined based on the calculated distance (doff).

Abstract: A tailboard system for horse stalls. A tailboard system for a horse stall includes a plurality of tailboard sections, each tailboard section including a first arched portion between a first pair of integral flanges including an upper flange and a lower flange, the arched portion including a pair of straight, angled sides connected by a rounded tip, and a first tapered end adjacent to a second tapered end of an adjacent section of the plurality of tailboard sections to form a triangular gap therebetween, and a joint strap covering the triangular gap, the joint strap including a second pair of flanges between a second arched portion, and wherein the plurality of tailboard sections are adapted to be mounted by the pair of flanges in a row around at least a portion of an inside perimeter of the horse stall to form the tailboard system.

Abstract: A module type pet toilet includes a base part that has an open top and a housing space for housing a bed part, the bed part that is housed in the housing space and accommodates sand therein, and a self-assembly entrance part that is coupled on the base part and includes a space connected to the bed part. The self-assembly entrance part includes side portions constituting both side walls of the space, a back portion constituting a back wall of the space, a front entrance portion that is detachably coupled to the side portions and includes an opening portion formed by opening at least a part of the front entrance portion in order for a pet to enter and exit, and a top entrance portion that is detachably coupled on the side portions, the back portion and the front entrance portion.

Abstract: A cat litter box is designed to be folded into a compact form for storage and shipment to a customer and unfolded by the customer for use. When it is time to replace the litter box, the cat litter box can be refolded back into a compact form for disposal. A lid protects the box during storage and shipment.

Abstract: Method and coated lightweight granular absorbent formed of lightweight inner cores made of extruded pellets coated with powdered smectite, preferably bentonite, to form an outer sorbent smectite shell around each pellet producing lightweight sorbent granules where the pellets have sufficient water soluble binder to facilitate shell formation and clumping during sorbent use. When lightweight sorbent granules are wetted, clumps are formed that shrink during drying producing a clean, generally non-sticking clump having a high clump retention rate of at least 92% and/or a crush strength of at least 15 PSI. In a preferred method, the pellets are dried coated with dry powdered smectite before wetting using an atomizer or mister while turbulently directing air towards the pellets and powdered smectite to coat the pellets with the powdered smectite forming the outer sorbent shell while minimizing pellet shrinkage and densification. Such lightweight granular sorbent is well suited for use as litter.

Abstract: An animal interaction device with a base, a housing, and a feeding mechanism having a rotatable platform mounted on the top surface of the base to rotate about an axis of rotation. There is a low profile drive cavity between the platform and the base and a food tray disposed on a top surface of the platform. A drive mechanism is located within the drive cavity and includes a drive mechanism with a curved rack gear engaged with the rotatable platform. There is a horizontally disposed worm drive mounted in communication with the curved rack gear to enable rotation of the rotatable platform about the axis of rotation. As the platform is rotated, the food tray moves from a first position where the tray is concealed under the housing to a second position outside of the housing, thereby allowing access to the food tray by an animal.

Abstract: A sampling device adapted to cooperate with a sampling member subsequent to collection of a sample of animal tissue. The sampling device includes: a receiving tube designed for receiving the sample of animal tissue, containing at least one specific agent and comprising an inlet; a tube head removably attached to the inlet of the receiving tube and provided with a through channel ending in the receiving tube; a closing element configured to take at least two positions: a first position, in which the closing element is held into the tube head so as to plug the through channel of the tube head, and a second position, in which the closing element is released into the receiving tube.