fithinternationalconferenceonprecisionagriculture-Zeltex.docVIP

AN ON-LINE PROTEINSENSOR – FROM RESEARCH TO PRODUCT L. Thylén, and M. Gilbertsson Swedish Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering Uppsala Sweden T. Rosenthal, and S. Wrenn Zeltex Hagerstown, Maryland ABSTRACT While yield monitors and yield-mapping equipment are widely used by farmers, the possibility to measure grain protein on the combine harvester has only been discussed in recent years. Knowing grain protein content makes it possible to sort the grain into different fractions and thereby increase the overall value. Furthermore, knowing grain yield and protein content makes it possible to calculate the removal of nitrogen with the grain. In this project the first trials to measure protein content on-line on a combine harvester were carried out in 1999. In these experiments the work was based around an existing protein sensor (Zeltex, ZX50). The measurements were intermittent and each sample took one minute to analyze. Two valves controlled the grain flow through the sensor. The first version of the sensor was not very successful. During winter a new version was built and tested in a test rig. During these trials, effects of vibrations, dust, light etc. were evaluated. A third version was built based on previous experiences, and tested during the harvest 2000. This version worked well in the field and the system measured about 30 samples per hectare. This version was later rebuilt for use in elevators. The main differences between the combine version and the elevator version are that compressed air actuators control the valves and that an external computer replaces the control device. The intentions with this sensor are to study the possibilities to sort grain into different fractions at grain dryers and elevators. Furthermore, this sensor is used to optimise the amount of protein (soy) required when milling feed. Since the previous versions of the sensor system were based around an existing p