An automated computer-controlled sampling system and related methods for collecting, processing, and analyzing agricultural samples for various chemical properties such as plant available nutrients. The sampling system allows multiple samples to be processed and analyzed for different analytes or chemical properties in a simultaneous concurrent or semi-concurrent manner. Advantageously, the system can process soil samples in the as collected condition without drying or grinding. The system generally includes a sample preparation sub-system which receives soil samples collected by a probe collection sub-system and produces a slurry (i.e. mixture of soil, vegetation, and/or manure and water), and a chemical analysis sub-system which processes the prepared slurry samples for quantifying multiple analytes and/or chemical properties of the sample. The sample preparation and chemical analysis sub-systems can be used to analyze soil, vegetation, and/or manure samples.

A system and method that automatically transfer liquid manure from an intermediate holding receptacle to a lagoon involves a common pump for both agitating the liquid manure in and pumping the liquid manure from the receptacle. A pump motor, first valve, second valve and directable agitation nozzle of the pump are controlled by an electronic controller. The electronic controller switches on the pump motor, ensures that the first valve is closed and ensures that the second valve is open when the receptacle is full, directs the nozzle to at least two different locations in the receptacle to permit liquid manure to be redirected to the at least two different locations to agitate the liquid manure for a predetermined period of time, and opens the first valve after the predetermined period of time to permit pumping of the liquid manure from the receptacle to the lagoon. The system and method reduce equipment cost, equipment maintenance and the amount of operator time required to perform liquid manure transfer, while providing better agitation and more complete emptying of the receptacle in a shorter period of time.

A floating manure agitator that floats on the surface of a manure lagoon and that may be remotely controlled to agitate manure supernatant into a slurry with sludge settling on the bottom of the lagoon. The agitator is provided with a plurality of fluid outputs, the direction of which may be controlled to motivate and steer the agitator. The outputs are angled to develop vortices of supernatant into the sludge to further mix the materials into a slurry.

The present invention relates to a system for disposal of waste containing food waste or livestock manure and production of energy and a method therefor, wherein the system can dispose of waste, such as food waste or livestock manure, without using chemical additives or a precipitation bath generally used for disposal of wastewater, and can allow separation of wastewater and solid organic substances from the waste, disposal thereof, and then recycling thereof, respectively.

A coulter assembly for collecting soil samples from an agricultural field in one embodiment comprises an annular collection blade configured for penetrating soil to capture a sample, an annular cam ring configured for stationary mounting to a frame of an agricultural vehicle and comprising a cam track, a blade hub coupled to the blade for rotatably supporting the annular collection blade from the annular cam ring, and a movable sample collector mounted to the annular collection blade. The moveable sample collector is configured and operable for extracting a soil sample as the annular collection blade is rotated through the soil. The moveable sample collector in one embodiment comprises a piston mechanism including a cylinder and rod movably disposed therein which actuated by the annular cam ring to alternatingly open and close a collection end of the cylinder as the annular collection blade rotates through the soil.

A method for aerating a manure pit by providing fluid at a pressure of greater than 10 psi within a plurality of tubes placed in designated zones of the manure pit. Tubes are mounted below a raised floor of the manure pit at an average depth of between 12 and 120 below a top surface of the manure. Fluid is emitted into the manure at a flow rate that is maintained between 0.1 GPH and 1.0 GPH through a series of emitters positioned along the length of each tube. Each emitter prevents backflow of manure into the tube and reduces the volume of fluid released into the pit relative to fluid pressure within the tube. The aeration process produces small bubbles having an approximate diameter of between 1 micrometer and 1 millimeter to promote the efficient decomposition of organic matter while reducing odors from the manure pit.

An example fluid moving device for manure agitation in a pit located beneath a confinement building can include: a boom extending vertically into a pump-out wall of the pit; and a mechanism for extending horizontally into a main chamber of the pit to provide agitation. In some examples, the device can also include a self-propelled mechanism for moving along a surface.

An example fluid moving device for manure agitation in a pit located beneath a confinement building can include: a boom extending vertically into a pump-out wall of the pit; and a mechanism for extending horizontally into a main chamber of the pit to provide agitation. In some examples, the device can also include a self-propelled mechanism for moving along a surface.