Method and system for automated tracing of an agricultural product

A method of tracing a crop, the method comprising:

• electronically recording planting information about the characteristics of a particular crop from a defined geographic area, the planting information including at least one of a planting date, a planting time of day, a precursor identity for the particular crop, a seed identity, a seed identity, a seed source, a stock source, a planting location, a precursor genetic history, a seed parentage, a stock parentage, a crop maturity date, a planting date, a planting location, soil conditions at a planting time, and any chemical application;
• segregating the crop after harvesting from intermixing with other harvested crop by placing the crop in one or more containers each having a container identifier,
• electronically recording the container identifier of the one or more containers;
• and
• associating a data profile, including the planting information, with the container identifier for each of the one or more containers;
• receiving adjacent crop information regarding an adjacent crop in an adjacent location with respect to the particular crop, the adjacent crop information including one or more of a precursor identity for the particular crop, a seed identity, a stock identity, a seed source, a stock source, a seed parentage, a stock parentage, a precursor genetic history, a crop maturity, a planting date, a planting location, the soil conditions at a planting time, or any chemical application for the adjacent crop;
• combining the adjacent crop information into the data profile for the particular crop;
• and
• tailoring a genetic test of the particular crop based on a genetic make-up of the adjacent crop.

A system for tracing a crop, the system comprising:

• data storage device for electronically recording at least one of planting information, growing information, harvesting information, chemical application information, and weather information about the characteristics of a particular crop from a defined geographic area;
• a reader for electronically recording a storage identifier associated with one or more storage volumes for holding the particular crop in a segregated manner after harvesting;
• a data processor for forming a respective data profile for the particular crop based on the recorded information and associating the formed data profile with the storage identifier for each of the one or more storage volumes for holding the particular crop;
• a data receiver for receiving adjacent crop information regarding an adjacent crop in an adjacent location with respect to the particular crop, the adjacent crop information including one or more of a precursor identity for the particular crop, a seed identity, a stock identity, the seed source identity, a stock source identity, a seed parentage, a stock parentage, a precursor genetic history, a crop maturity, a planting date, a planting location, the soil conditions at a planting time and date, and any chemical application for the adjacent crop;
• and
• a data storage manager for combining the adjacent crop information into the data profile for the particular crop.