Methods and systems are presented for making good use of recently obtained biometric data, for configuring propagule capsules (e.g. containing seeds or spores with growth media and other helpful materials) for deployment via drones so that each has an improved chance of survival, and for configuring drones or piloted craft for safe fleet deployment in remote locations.

A method for controlling an agricultural spreading machine during the discharging of spreading material on an agricultural area, comprising: using a conveyor belt of the spreading machine to feed the spreading material to be discharged along an idling section, which relates to a longitudinal section of the conveyor belt, wherein the idling section lies between a rate-setting plane, in which the feed rate of spreading material entering the idling section is set by a feed-rate-setting device of the spreading machine, and an ejection plane, in which the feed rate of spreading material leaving the idling section is ejected from the conveyor belt in the direction of a first and a second spreading disc.

A seed delivery system for use in a seeding or planting machine that removes the seed from a seed meter by capturing the seed therefrom. The delivery system then moves the seed down to a lower discharge point and accelerates the seed horizontally rearward to a speed approximately equal to the forward travel speed of the seeding machine such that the seed, when discharged has a low or zero horizontal velocity relative to the ground. Rolling of the seed in the trench is thus reduced. Furthermore, as the seed only has a short drop from the outlet to the bottom of the seed trench, the seed has little vertical speed to induce bounce. The delivery system uses a brush belt to capture, move and accelerate the seed. By capturing the seed and moving it from the meter to the discharge, the seed is held in place relative to other seeds and the planter row unit. As a result, the seeds are isolated from row unit dynamics thereby maintaining seed spacing.

A seed delivery system for use in a seeding or planting machine that removes the seed from a seed meter by capturing the seed therefrom. The delivery system then moves the seed down to a lower discharge point and accelerates the seed horizontally rearward to a speed approximately equal to the forward travel speed of the seeding machine such that the seed, when discharged has a low or zero horizontal velocity relative to the ground. Rolling of the seed in the trench is thus reduced. Furthermore, as the seed only has a short drop from the outlet to the bottom of the seed trench, the seed has little vertical speed to induce bounce. The delivery system uses a brush belt to capture, move and accelerate the seed. By capturing the seed and moving it from the meter to the discharge, the seed is held in place relative to other seeds and the planter row unit. As a result, the seeds are isolated from row unit dynamics thereby maintaining seed spacing.

An electric handheld broadcast spreader with pattern and speed controlling baffled skirt detachably attaches to a conventional spreader mechanism to disperse particles in a controlled, directional manner within a proximal coverage area with two hands. A broadcasting/dispersing skirt receives particulate material from a conventional spreader. The inner volume of broadcasting/dispersing skirt comprises upper layer baffles, with upper gaps forming between each upper layer baffle; lower layer baffles, offset from the upper layer baffles, with lower gaps forming between each lower layer baffle; and multiple vertical deflector vanes disposed perpendicular to lower layer baffles. Discharged particulate material strikes the surface of the baffles, before passing through gaps. The particulate material traveling in a lateral direction strikes the deflector vanes and outlet edge of broadcasting/dispersing skirt. This controls velocity and direction of dispersed particulate material, causing particulate material to be confined within a close pattern coverage area on ground surface.

An apparatus for broadcasting particulate or granular material over a ground surface involves a variable speed spinner and a material conveyor. The spinner is positioned generally horizontally below a discharge end of a material conveyor. The spinner has a disk having a generally radially disposed fin fixed to an upper side of the disk and radiating outwardly from a center of the disk. The spinner is positioned to receive material from the material conveyor at a location about half way along a length of the fin. In a method broadcasting particulate or granular material over a ground surface, the spinner is preferably rotated at a speed of 900 to 1,000 rpm. The apparatus and method provide for distribution of material over greater distances and can do so without pulverizing the material, creating a uniform pattern of distribution over a 50% wider swath.

A sprayer equipment includes a support frame, a pump, a pressure regulator, a concentrate tank, an injector, a spray nozzle, and a controller. The support frame has a plurality of wheels. The pump is coupled to the support frame and includes a pump inlet configured to be fluidly coupled to a water source and a pump outlet providing water at an increased water pressure. The pressure regulator is configured to control the pressure of the water. The concentrate tank is supported by the support frame and configured to store a concentrate fluid. The injector is fluidly coupled to the concentrate tank and configured to inject the concentrate fluid into the water. The spray nozzle is fluidly coupled to the pump outlet and the injector. The controller is coupled to the injector and is configured to control operation of the injector.

A metering and mixing system of solid particulates for a rotary seed dispenser in agricultural equipment for sowing, wherein the rotary seed dispenser is mounted under a seed feeder. The rotary seed dispenser is driven at the bottom by a planter drive system, which provides rotation to a spinning disc provided with a number of calibrated orifices through which the seeds housed in the disc orifices fall on a given point of the agricultural equipment. The metering and mixing system of solid particulates includes a solid particulate feeder that is positioned between the seed feeder and the rotary seed dispenser.

A metering and mixing system of solid particulates for a rotary seed dispenser in agricultural equipment for sowing, wherein the rotary seed dispenser is mounted under a seed feeder. The rotary seed dispenser is driven at the bottom by a planter drive system, which provides rotation to a spinning disc provided with a number of calibrated orifices through which the seeds housed in the disc orifices fall on a given point of the agricultural equipment. The metering and mixing system of solid particulates includes a solid particulate feeder that is positioned between the seed feeder and the rotary seed dispenser.

An agricultural combine including a residue spreading system adapted for spreading residue onto a field. The residue spreading system includes a seed container and a seed dispensing system adapted to dispense seeds from the seed container into the residue so that, in operation, the dispensed seeds are spread onto the field together with the residue.