Portable moisture sensing device for rapid determination of seed moisture content and seed harvest timing

A system, comprising:

• a seed moisture content (SMC) measuring apparatus, wherein the SMC measuring apparatus comprises:
• an enclosure;
• a seed cup attachable to an attachment ring extending from an opening within a first panel of the enclosure;
• a display screen within a second panel of the enclosure;
• a sensor fixture within the enclosure, wherein the sensor fixture is oriented over the seed cup from within the enclosure, and wherein the sensor fixture comprises:
• a baseplate;
• a photodetector disposed at a center of the baseplate one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) disposed around a periphery of the baseplate, wherein the one or more LEDs are oriented toward the seed cup;
• and
• a seed threshing apparatus, comprising
• a housing;
• a threshing drum disposed within the housing;
• a vibrating screen disposed within the housing below the threshing drum;
• a mixing chamber disposed within the housing below the vibrating screen;
• a mixing paddle disposed within the housing below the vibrating screen;
• and
• a rotary valve disposed within the housing below the mixing paddle.

A method, comprising:

• obtaining a plurality of seed heads from a grass species;
• feeding the plurality of seed heads to a portable seed threshing apparatus, wherein the portable seed threshing apparatus comprises:
• a housing;
• a threshing drum disposed within the housing;
• a vibrating screen disposed within the housing below the threshing drum;
• a mixing chamber disposed within the housing below the vibrating screen;
• a mixing paddle disposed within the housing below the vibrating screen;
• a rotary valve disposed within the housing below the mixing paddle;
• and
• a seed sample cup below the rotary valve;
• and
• filling the seed sample cup with seeds to a predetermined depth.