US 12,455,233 B2
System and method for assigning weighted average quality value to baled plant material
Kevin J. Hamilton, Newton, KS (US); and Patrick Kendrick, Hesston, KS (US)
Assigned to AGCO Corporation, Duluth, GA (US)
Appl. No. 17/758,052
Filed by AGCO Corporation, Duluth, GA (US)
PCT Filed Oct. 8, 2020, PCT No. PCT/IB2020/059463
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jun. 27, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/136991, PCT Pub. Date Jul. 8, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/954,776, filed on Dec. 30, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2023/0066442 A1, Mar. 2, 2023
Int. Cl. A01F 15/08 (2006.01); A01F 15/04 (2006.01); G01N 21/3563 (2014.01); G01N 21/359 (2014.01); G01N 21/84 (2006.01); G01N 33/00 (2006.01); G09F 3/02 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 21/3563 (2013.01) [A01F 15/04 (2013.01); A01F 15/08 (2013.01); G01N 21/359 (2013.01); G01N 21/84 (2013.01); G01N 33/0098 (2013.01); G09F 3/02 (2013.01); G01N 2021/8466 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising:
a baler machine configured to receive a plurality of subunits of a plant material, and to aggregate, compress, shape, and secure the plurality of subunits into a plurality of bales;
a near-infrared testing system configured to receive near-infrared radiation reflected by the plant material in each subunit of the plurality of subunits in at least one bale of the plurality of bales and, to analyze the near-infrared radiation and generate subunit evaluation data reflecting one or more properties of the plant material in each subunit of the plurality of subunits; and
a computer configured to receive and combine the subunit evaluation data of the plant material in each subunit of the plurality of subunits to produce overall evaluation data reflecting one or more overall property values for the at least one bale of the plurality of bales, and assign the overall evaluation data to the at least one bale of the plurality of bales,
wherein the subunit evaluation data is selected from the group consisting of a protein content, a fiber content, a nitrate content, an ash content, a moisture content, and a relative feed value for the plant material in each subunit of the plurality of subunits.