An object detection system compensates for variations in transmission characteristics within an object passageway caused by, for example, dust or dirt. An object detection device includes a plurality of electromagnetic radiation emitters and detectors arranged in rows on opposite sides of a passageway. First lenses focus radiation from the emitters into a semi-columnated beams of radiation that together create a plane of semi-columnated electromagnetic radiation that spans substantially across a width of the passageway. Second lenses focus the received electromagnetic radiation onto corresponding ones of the plurality of radiation detectors. A controller receives a radiation intensity signal from the detectors, determines that its value is outside of a predetermined range, and adjusts an amount of electrical power supplied to the plurality of radiation emitters so that the value of the radiation intensity signal changes to become within the predetermined range.

A seed planter for creating and planting together the combination of both seed and contents of a seed growing environment. The seed planter includes, for example, a wheeled frame configured with at least one soil opener and at least one soil closer for planting a field. A seed growing environment aggregator assembly has at least one input opening for receiving a plantable portion of a seed growth medium and seed from the seed hopper and at least one discharge opening for discharging an aggregation of the plantable portion of the seed growth medium and seed to the at least one soil opener for planting a desired growing environment in the field.

The present invention comprises an artificial seed device, a drilling process for the artificial seed device and a fabrication method for the artificial seed device.

This present invention is directed to a method for the production and use of the leaf and/or leaves and/or stem(s) and/or stalk(s) of plants of the cannabis species for animal, microbial, bacteria, fungi or human consumption as a food, supplement, medicine, beverage.

This present invention is directed to a method for the production and use of the leaf and/or leaves and/or stem(s) and/or stalk(s) of plants of the cannabis species for animal, microbial, bacteria, fungi or human consumption as a food, supplement, medicine, beverage.

A seedbed preparation and planting machine includes a cutting assembly including powered forward cutting blades for chopping crop residue. A cutting disc assembly follows the cutting assembly effective for forming a seedbed trench at a seed planting depth. A seed assembly follows the cutting disc assembly including a seed hopper and a seed tube located to drop seed into the seedbed trench. A packer assembly tamps down seed in the seedbed trench for covering seed therein.

Modern farming is currently being done by powerful ground equipment or aircraft that weigh several tons and treat uniformly tens of hectares per hour. Automated farming can use small, agile, lightweight, energy-efficient automated robotic equipment that flies to do the same job, even able to farm on a plant-by-plant basis, allowing for new ways of farming. A hybrid airship-drone has both passive lift provided by a gas balloon and active lift provided by propellers. A hybrid airship-drone may be cheaper, more stable in flight, and require less maintenance than other aerial vehicles such as quadrocopters. However, hybrid airship-drones may also be larger in size and have more inertia that needs to be overcome for starting, stopping and turning.

Planting apparatus includes: (i) a housing that defines: a primary guide; and first and second opposed branch guides extending laterally from the primary guide; (ii) a first runner slidably secured to, and movable along the primary guide; (iii) a second runner securable to, and movable along a first branch guide; and (iv) a third runner securable to, and movable along a second branch guide. The first, second and third runners are configured such that: the second runner is receivable from the first branch guide on to the first runner; and the third runner is receivable from the second branch guide on to the first runner. Drive means move: (i) the second runner along the first branch guide and on to the first runner; (ii) the third runner along the second branch guide and on to the first runner; and (iii) the first runner, together with either of the second or third runners received thereon, along the primary guide.

In one aspect, a crop input applicator is provided. In one aspect, the applicator comprises a valve (e.g., voice coil valve) disposed to deposit liquid on or near a seed furrow and/or on or near a seed. In one aspect, the applicator includes one or more seed sensors disposed to detect passage of seeds.

A harvesting and sowing integrated compound operation machine, including a combine harvester, a stubble cleaning device, a topsoil loosening device, a fertilization device, a rotary tillage and ditching device, a sowing device, a detection device, a first driving device, a second driving device and a control device, wherein the stubble cleaning device is mounted below a header of the combine harvester; and the topsoil loosening device, the fertilization device, the rotary tillage and ditching device and the sowing device are mounted at a rear of a chassis of the combine harvester.