Methods and systems for the alteration of cannabinoid expression and composition are described. Modular systems for processing cannabis and hemp are described. Described components of the modular system include improved recovery of high-value cannabis components and methods for utilizing residual biomass components after the cannabis plant has been fully processed.

An asparagus harvester includes a chassis movable over a bed of growing asparagus. Spears above a selected height are severed at the ground by a severing assembly. A conveyor receives from a pick-up apparatus and conveys away the severed asparagus spears to bin. In one embodiment, counter-rotating rollers of the pick-up apparatus have interfering members configured to disable the severed asparagus spears when being engaged and lifted by and between them from passing outwardly from between their trailing ends. In another embodiment, a partition in the bin cooperates with it to define a confined volume open to receive severed asparagus spears from the conveyor. A drive assembly actuates to displace the bin relative to the partition to increase the confined volume to enable it to accept more severed asparagus spears each time a sensor senses severed asparagus spears at a fill level of the confined volume.

A harvester for bedded plants having a driving mechanism having two sets of wheels or tracks positioned on opposing sides of a plant bed. An adjustable “U” shaped frame allows the legs connected to the wheels/tracks to be elongated or shortened with the cross member also being elongated to meet the demands of the particular plant bed. Secured to the cross member is a harvest mechanism which grips and cuts the plants stock, removes the flowers and or leaves, and then deposits the harvested material into a receiving bin.

A harvester for bedded plants having a driving mechanism having two sets of wheels or tracks positioned on opposing sides of a plant bed. An adjustable “U” shaped frame allows the legs connected to the wheels/tracks to be elongated or shortened with the cross member also being elongated to meet the demands of the particular plant bed. Secured to the cross member is a harvest mechanism which grips and cuts the plants stock, removes the flowers and or leaves, and then deposits the harvested material into a receiving bin.

Systems and methods here may include a vehicle with automated subcomponents for harvesting delicate items such as berries. In some examples, the vehicle includes a targeting subcomponent and a harvesting subcomponent. In some examples, the targeting subcomponent utilizes multiple cameras to create three-dimensional maps of foliage and targets. In some examples, identifying targets may be done remotely from the harvesting machine, and target coordinates communicated to the harvesting machine for robotic harvesting.

Systems and methods here may include a vehicle with automated subcomponents for harvesting delicate items such as berries. In some examples, the vehicle includes a targeting subcomponent and a harvesting subcomponent. In some examples, the targeting subcomponent utilizes multiple cameras to create three-dimensional maps of foliage and targets. In some examples, identifying targets may be done remotely from the harvesting machine, and target coordinates communicated to the harvesting machine for robotic harvesting.

Systems and methods for managing the waste associated with the extraction of rubber from guayule shrubs are provided. Also provided is a portable local sub-station for reducing the transportation costs associated with the processing of guayule shrubs for the extraction of rubber. Use of the disclosed systems, methods and/or local sub-station can reduce transportation costs, reduce processing costs and reduce the downstream processing complexity associated with the extraction of rubber from guayule shrubs.

Systems and methods for managing the waste associated with the extraction of rubber from guayule shrubs are provided. Also provided is a portable local sub-station for reducing the transportation costs associated with the processing of guayule shrubs for the extraction of rubber. Use of the disclosed systems, methods and/or local sub-station can reduce transportation costs, reduce processing costs and reduce the downstream processing complexity associated with the extraction of rubber from guayule shrubs.

A non-row sensitive forage harvester header is formed with a single rotary member driven by a simplified drive mechanism coupled to the primary drive of the forage harvester to which the header is mounted. A horizontal drive shaft transfers the rotational power laterally to a gear box. The vertical output shaft from the gearbox has a first drive sprocket mounted thereon to connect directly with a drive chain fixed to the crop transfer disks, and a second drive sprocket mounted thereon and coupled to a drive chain entrained around a driven sprocket on the cutting disk to provide a drive speed differential with respect to the crop transfer disks. The crop guides are formed with rearwardly angled transfer arms cooperable with sweeper members on the crop transfer disk to direct the severed crop into engagement with the transfer disks for feeding into the forage harvester.

Provided are a system, method(s), and apparatus for automatically harvesting mushrooms from a mushroom bed. The system, in one implementation, may be referred to herein as an “automated harvester”, having at least an apparatus/frame/body/structure for supporting and positioning the harvester on a mushroom bed, a vision system for scanning and identifying mushrooms in the mushroom bed, a picking system for harvesting the mushrooms from the bed, and a control system for directing the picking system according to data acquired by the vision system. Various other components, sub-systems, and connected systems may also be integrated into or coupled to the automated harvester.