A single plant harvesting machine capable of harvesting 1 to 10 single plants concurrently wherein the seeds of each single plant are separately harvested, packaged, and stored. A large scale production system for producing high yield potential seeds from individually harvested plants is also provided.

Systems and methods are provided for determining a degree of maturity of crop material to be harvested. Image data from one or more image sensors is analyzed to identify one or more crop components, and a crop maturity metric is determined for the identified one or more crop components. The crop maturity metric here includes a measure indicative of a bloom percentage of the crop material. The operation of one or more operable components associated with a harvesting of the crop material is controlled based on the crop maturity metric.

There is provided a system, installed on a vehicle or trailer, for performing an agricultural task. The system comprises a platform connecting to the vehicle or trailer and comprising a socket for an accessory. A plurality of accessories is provided, wherein one accessory is selected among them for installation in the accessory socket. A vision system is operatively connected to a computer and collects data of the environment about the accessory, the computer using the collected data to determine an instruction for performing the agricultural task and to send the instruction to the accessory installed in the accessory socket to perform the agricultural task. The accessory is interchangeable in the accessory socket depending on the agricultural task. The box handling stage and pallet mounting stage can be robotized for efficient automation.

There is provided a system, installed on a vehicle or trailer, for performing an agricultural task. The system comprises a platform connecting to the vehicle or trailer and comprising a socket for an accessory. A plurality of accessories is provided, wherein one accessory is selected among them for installation in the accessory socket. A vision system is operatively connected to a computer and collects data of the environment about the accessory, the computer using the collected data to determine an instruction for performing the agricultural task and to send the instruction to the accessory installed in the accessory socket to perform the agricultural task. The accessory is interchangeable in the accessory socket depending on the agricultural task. The box handling stage and pallet mounting stage can be robotized for efficient automation.

A system for collecting biomass for the production of ethanol is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method for collecting biomass. The method comprising: harvesting biomass with a combine, wherein a first portion of the biomass is substantially forced against the ground and a second portion of the biomass passes through the combine and forming bales comprising the second portion of the biomass. According to an aspect, the bales comprise a majority of the second portion of the biomass and a small part of the first portion of the biomass.

A system for collecting biomass for the production of ethanol is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method for collecting biomass. The method comprising: harvesting biomass with a combine, wherein a first portion of the biomass is substantially forced against the ground and a second portion of the biomass passes through the combine and forming bales comprising the second portion of the biomass. According to an aspect, the bales comprise a majority of the second portion of the biomass and a small part of the first portion of the biomass.

A computer system and computer-implemented techniques for determining crop harvest times during a growing season based upon hybrid seed properties, weather conditions, and geo-location of planted fields is provided. In an embodiment, determining crop harvest times for corn fields may be accomplished using a server computer system that receives over a digital communication network, electronic digital data representing hybrid seed properties, including seed type and relative maturity, and weather data for the specific geo-location of the agricultural field. Weather data includes temperature, humidity, and dew point for a specified period of days. Using digitally programmed equilibrium moisture content logic within the computer system to create and store, in computer memory, an equilibrium moisture content time series for the specific geo-location that is based upon weather data. The equilibrium moisture content is used to determine the rate of grain dry down because it gives a basis for how strongly water vapor will dissipate from a kernel to open air. Using digitally programmed grain moisture logic of the computer system to calculate and store in computer memory R6 moisture content for a specific hybrid seed based on a plurality of hybrid seed data. Using digitally programmed grain dry down logic of the computer system to create and store in computer memory a grain dry down time series model for the specific hybrid seed at the specific geo-location that represents the estimated moisture content of the kernel over specified time data points. The grain dry down time series is based upon the equilibrium moisture content time series, the estimated R6 date, the estimated R6 moisture content value, and specific hybrid seed properties. Using digitally programmed harvest recommendation logic of the computer system to determine and display a harvest time recommendation for harvesting crop grown from a specific hybrid seed plant based on the grain dry down time series and the desired moisture level of the grower.

A computer system and computer-implemented techniques for determining crop harvest times during a growing season based upon hybrid seed properties, weather conditions, and geo-location of planted fields is provided. In an embodiment, determining crop harvest times for corn fields may be accomplished using a server computer system that receives over a digital communication network, electronic digital data representing hybrid seed properties, including seed type and relative maturity, and weather data for the specific geo-location of the agricultural field. Weather data includes temperature, humidity, and dew point for a specified period of days. Using digitally programmed equilibrium moisture content logic within the computer system to create and store, in computer memory, an equilibrium moisture content time series for the specific geo-location that is based upon weather data. The equilibrium moisture content is used to determine the rate of grain dry down because it gives a basis for how strongly water vapor will dissipate from a kernel to open air. Using digitally programmed grain moisture logic of the computer system to calculate and store in computer memory R6 moisture content for a specific hybrid seed based on a plurality of hybrid seed data. Using digitally programmed grain dry down logic of the computer system to create and store in computer memory a grain dry down time series model for the specific hybrid seed at the specific geo-location that represents the estimated moisture content of the kernel over specified time data points. The grain dry down time series is based upon the equilibrium moisture content time series, the estimated R6 date, the estimated R6 moisture content value, and specific hybrid seed properties. Using digitally programmed harvest recommendation logic of the computer system to determine and display a harvest time recommendation for harvesting crop grown from a specific hybrid seed plant based on the grain dry down time series and the desired moisture level of the grower.

A combine harvester is provided that separates grain material from material other than grain using multiple processing areas, including a harvesting area, a feederhouse area, a threshing area, a cleaning area, and a grain delivery area. In a location at or prior to entering one of the processing areas, the material may be collected and held until a collection threshold is reached. Once it is determined that the collection threshold is reached, the material forming a first group of material may be transported from the location to the processing area or a subsequent processing area. The first group of material is transported from the location to the processing area or the subsequent processing area substantially simultaneously and thus simulates the gathering of a large amount of crop material even when small plots are involved. In this way, reduced cycle times may be achieved, and the efficiency benefits of large-plot harvesting may be extended to small-plot applications.

A combine harvester is provided that separates grain material from material other than grain using multiple processing areas, including a harvesting area, a feederhouse area, a threshing area, a cleaning area, and a grain delivery area. In a location at or prior to entering one of the processing areas, the material may be collected and held until a collection threshold is reached. Once it is determined that the collection threshold is reached, the material forming a first group of material may be transported from the location to the processing area or a subsequent processing area. The first group of material is transported from the location to the processing area or the subsequent processing area substantially simultaneously and thus simulates the gathering of a large amount of crop material even when small plots are involved. In this way, reduced cycle times may be achieved, and the efficiency benefits of large-plot harvesting may be extended to small-plot applications.