Docket Number: 13805
Serial Number: 11183703

Technology Description:   Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists, in cooperation with Auburn University researchers, have developed a smooth rolling cover crop roller, which can be used to replace chemicals as a method of killing cover crops prior to planting.  Cover crops are increasingly being used on U.S. soils to protect against soil erosion during winter months, to enhance water infiltration and winter rainfall storage, and to increase organic matter in the soil to improve soil structure.  Cover crops are planted before the planting of the major cash crop.  Farmers typically use chemicals to kill the cover crop prior to cash crop planting.    ARS’s invention replaces the straight bars found on conventional roller machines with coils, allowing for a smooth ride as the cover crop is rolled.  Another advantage of ARS’s machine is that the spacing between the coils can be increased to increase the effectiveness of the roller without increasing its weight.   This invention will work in conservation tillage programs.  Conservation tillage systems use various forms of conservation technologies, which attempt to maintain large amounts of residue on the soil surface.  Conservation tillage is used on approximately 37 percent of U.S. farmland.  It is an environmentally-friendly alternative to chemical crop kills and will help save money.  Machine rolling crops is estimated at $1.50 an acre, while chemical spraying is estimated at $12.00 an acre.   Agricultural equipment manufacturers would be able to use this technology.  American farmers interested in conservation tillage practices will benefit from the development of this technology.   Reference:  Please refer to S.N. 11/183,703 (Docket #0138.05), “Smooth Rolling Cover Crop Roller,” which was filed on July 18, 2005, and is a continuation of USPN 6,968,907 (Docket #0096.02), which issued on November 29, 2005.  Foreign rights are not available.   Inventors:   Randy L. Raper National Soil Dynamics Laboratory Auburn, Alabama  36832-5806 Phone: (334) 844-4654    Fax: (334) 887-8597 rlraper@msa-stoneville.ars.usda.gov Petru-Aurelian Simionescu Auburn University Auburn, Alabama  36832 Phone: (334) 884-5867