In one aspect, a system for controlling the operation of a residue removal device of a seed-planting implement may include a residue removal device configured to remove residue from a path of the seed-planting implement. The system may also include a sensor configured to capture data indicative of a residue characteristic associated with a portion of the field within a detection zone positioned forward of the residue removal device relative to a direction of travel of the seed-planting implement. Furthermore, the system may include a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor. As such, the controller may be configured to monitor the residue characteristic associated with the portion of the field within the detection zone based on data received from the sensor. Additionally, the controller may be further configured to control the operation of the residue removal device based on the monitored residue characteristic.

The present invention provides a system for conducting agricultural operations in a field using one or more autonomous vehicles in which the agricultural operations may be optimized during run time. The system includes providing a mission plan for an autonomous vehicle, receiving progress updates from the vehicle as it conducts an agricultural operation according to the mission plan, and monitoring for event conditions which may he reported by the vehicle. Event conditions may include, for example, detection of an obstacle, or an oncoming vehicle, or a disablement of the vehicle. Upon receiving an event condition, the system may revise the mission plan to resolve the event condition while providing an optimization based on current agricultural conditions.

The present invention provides a system for conducting agricultural operations in a field using autonomous vehicles in which a collision avoidance mechanism may be provided. The system may include providing a mission plan for autonomous vehicles to conduct agricultural operations, establishing a hierarchy for the vehicles, and monitoring for an event conditions indicating vehicles are traveling toward a collision with respect to one another. Upon receiving an event condition, the system may revise the mission plan to adjust a path of one of the vehicles based on the hierarchy in order to avoid the collision.

In an embodiment, agricultural intelligence computer system stores a digital model of nutrient content in soil which includes a plurality of values and expressions that define transformations of or relationships between the values and produce estimates of nutrient content values in soil. The agricultural intelligence computer receives nutrient content measurement values for a particular field at a particular time. The agricultural intelligence computer system uses the digital model of nutrient content to compute a nutrient content value for the particular field at the particular time. The agricultural intelligence computer system identifies a modeling uncertainty corresponding to the computed nutrient content value and a measurement uncertainty corresponding to the received measurement values. Based on the identified uncertainties, the modeled nutrient content value, and the received measurement values, the agricultural intelligence computer system computes an assimilated nutrient content value.

An agricultural machine includes a main frame, a rotate frame, and a row unit. A control method for the machine includes: selecting at least one of: (i) a desired position-based relationship between a portion of the rotate frame and the row unit, and (ii) a desired downforce of the row unit; determining at least one of: (i) an actual position-based relationship defined between the rearward portion of the rotate frame and the row unit, and (ii) an actual downforce of the row unit; and adjusting at least one of: (i) the actual position-based relationship toward the desired position-based relationship, and (ii) the actual downforce of the row unit toward the desired downforce of the row unit; wherein adjusting the actual position-based relationship and adjusting the actual downforce of the row both include moving the rotate frame relative to the main frame of the agricultural machine.

An agricultural machine includes a main frame, a rotate frame, and a row unit. A control method for the machine includes: selecting at least one of: (i) a desired position-based relationship between a portion of the rotate frame and the row unit, and (ii) a desired downforce of the row unit; determining at least one of: (i) an actual position-based relationship defined between the rearward portion of the rotate frame and the row unit, and (ii) an actual downforce of the row unit; and adjusting at least one of: (i) the actual position-based relationship toward the desired position-based relationship, and (ii) the actual downforce of the row unit toward the desired downforce of the row unit; wherein adjusting the actual position-based relationship and adjusting the actual downforce of the row both include moving the rotate frame relative to the main frame of the agricultural machine.

Land cultivating systems and methods utilizing high-pressure fluid jet cutting techniques are disclosed. An example system includes a mobile unit, a traveler arrangement operably coupled to the mobile unit to ride on the surface of stubble residues as the mobile unit moves across land to be cultivated, and a fluid jet cutting head supported by the traveler arrangement. The cutting head is configured to selectively discharge a high-pressure fluid jet to make a cut through the stubble residues and underlying soil as the mobile unit moves across the land. A soil opening device is provided to form a furrow in the ground in line with the cut made by the high-pressure fluid jet, and a liquid injector nozzle is provided to discharge fertilizer or other chemical(s) into the soil.

Land cultivating systems and methods utilizing high-pressure fluid jet cutting techniques are disclosed. An example system includes a mobile unit, a traveler arrangement operably coupled to the mobile unit to ride on the surface of stubble residues as the mobile unit moves across land to be cultivated, and a fluid jet cutting head supported by the traveler arrangement. The cutting head is configured to selectively discharge a high-pressure fluid jet to make a cut through the stubble residues and underlying soil as the mobile unit moves across the land. A soil opening device is provided to form a furrow in the ground in line with the cut made by the high-pressure fluid jet, and a liquid injector nozzle is provided to discharge fertilizer or other chemical(s) into the soil.

An agricultural system can include an agricultural machine having an in-situ sampling of samples for analysis and determination of preferred courses of action based on characteristics of the samples. Options regarding the preferred courses of action can be communicated to a user for selection.

An agricultural system can include an agricultural machine having an in-situ sampling of samples for analysis and determination of preferred courses of action based on characteristics of the samples. Options regarding the preferred courses of action can be communicated to a user for selection.