An end effector for harvesting fruit. The end effector includes a collection device that has an opening with a plurality of prongs over the opening. The end effector also has an oscillating device secured to, and in an oscillating relationship with, the plurality of prongs.

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.

Methods and systems for crop grading and crop management. One or more images of crops are obtained and one or more crop related features are at least one of identified or extracted from the one or more images. A crop health status is determined based on the one or more crop related features, an environmental context, a growth stage of the crop, and a farm cohort by using a computerized deep learning system to perform an automated growth stage analysis. One or more actions are at least one of recommended, triggered, and performed.

The Multipurpose Leaf Crop Harvesting Apparatus and Processing Method will accomplish seven steps in one pass of the combine harvester. This apparatus and processing method harvests leaf crops and is configured to perform multiple processing operations, including fractionation of the leaf crop, leaf maceration, leaf sizing, elevating the leaf fraction to a transport vehicle, and stem conditioning, cutting and windrowing, in a single pass through the crop field. These steps are accomplished using a header unit, an adapter feeder macerator and a forage harvester vehicle, expeditiously removing the leaf fraction from the field. Following leaf fraction harvesting, the leaf fraction is processed by densification into forage feed products. The processed leaf fraction can be combined with other feeds to make up customized feed rations. The stem fraction is also processed. The present invention can also be used to harvest grass crops.

The Multipurpose Leaf Crop Harvesting Apparatus and Processing Method will accomplish seven steps in one pass of the combine harvester. This apparatus and processing method harvests leaf crops and is configured to perform multiple processing operations, including fractionation of the leaf crop, leaf maceration, leaf sizing, elevating the leaf fraction to a transport vehicle, and stem conditioning, cutting and windrowing, in a single pass through the crop field. These steps are accomplished using a header unit, an adapter feeder macerator and a forage harvester vehicle, expeditiously removing the leaf fraction from the field. Following leaf fraction harvesting, the leaf fraction is processed by densification into forage feed products. The processed leaf fraction can be combined with other feeds to make up customized feed rations. The stem fraction is also processed. The present invention can also be used to harvest grass crops.

A combine including a chassis, a crop residue handling system including a residue chopper, residue spreader, a spreader chute and a swath selection door, a receiver configured to determine a location of the combine, and a controller that controls the residue handling system. The controller configured to determine the location of the combine on a map, execute a crop residue spreading mode in response to the controller determining that the location of the combine is located in a designated crop residue spreading zone indicated on the map, and execute a crop residue windrow mode in response to the controller determining that the location of the combine is located in a designated crop residue windrow zone indicated on the map.

A combine including a chassis, a crop residue handling system including a residue chopper, residue spreader, a spreader chute and a swath selection door, a receiver configured to determine a location of the combine, and a controller that controls the residue handling system. The controller configured to determine the location of the combine on a map, execute a crop residue spreading mode in response to the controller determining that the location of the combine is located in a designated crop residue spreading zone indicated on the map, and execute a crop residue windrow mode in response to the controller determining that the location of the combine is located in a designated crop residue windrow zone indicated on the map.

A harvesting machine along with a method of operating the harvesting machine. The harvesting machine includes a frame having a first end and a second end. A rotatable pick-up head is pivotally mounted on the first end and is capable of urging a crop into the machine. A cutting mechanism is mounted on a bottom plate for cutting the stems of the plants. A crimper mechanism is positioned downstream of the bottom plate and is capable of compacting the cut stems into a moving web. A moisture removal mechanism is positioned after the crimper mechanism to lower the moisture in the cut stems. A crop converging mechanism is located downstream of the moisture removal mechanism and reduces the width of the moving web into a ribbon. A chopper then chops the ribbon into small pieces so that they can be blown into a storage wagon for transport.

A harvesting machine along with a method of operating the harvesting machine. The harvesting machine includes a frame having a first end and a second end. A rotatable pick-up head is pivotally mounted on the first end and is capable of urging a crop into the machine. A cutting mechanism is mounted on a bottom plate for cutting the stems of the plants. A crimper mechanism is positioned downstream of the bottom plate and is capable of compacting the cut stems into a moving web. A moisture removal mechanism is positioned after the crimper mechanism to lower the moisture in the cut stems. A crop converging mechanism is located downstream of the moisture removal mechanism and reduces the width of the moving web into a ribbon. A chopper then chops the ribbon into small pieces so that they can be blown into a storage wagon for transport.