Innovative device counts corn stalks in experimental fields

Agricultural businesses that develop market corn seed varieties typically use high school students or other unskilled labour to walk their experimental fields counting corn stalks. The information is useful in determining important seed qualities and planter efficiency. This tedious task often leads to significant counting errors and inconsistencies.

To improve the process of counting corn stalks and gather other important information from agricultural fields, University of Illinois agricultural engineer Tony Grift developed an innovative device that eliminates the need for manually counting plants. Mounted with laser transmitters and an on-board computer, the machine allows for corn stalk counting to be accomplished with greater ease and enhanced accuracy.

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