Company Filing History:
Years Active: 2012
Title: Rich Ketcham: Innovator in Agricultural Technology
Introduction
Rich Ketcham is a notable inventor based in Ames, Iowa, who has made significant contributions to agricultural technology. His innovative work focuses on improving plant breeding through advanced measurement techniques.
Latest Patents
Ketcham holds a patent for a corn stalk strength measuring device. This apparatus is designed to measure the stalk strength of plants, specifically corn. It features a force sensor mounted on a harvester, which measures the resistance to crushing of the plant stalk by the harvester's stalk roll. The device includes counter-rotating stalk rolls that crush the plant stalk between them, along with strain gauges that sense the tension and compression forces induced in the mounting apparatus. The data collected can be utilized in breeding programs to make informed breeding decisions based on stalk strength.
Career Highlights
Rich Ketcham is currently employed at Syngenta Participations AG, a leading company in agricultural science. His work at Syngenta emphasizes the importance of innovation in enhancing crop performance and sustainability.
Collaborations
Ketcham collaborates with his coworker, Scott Tragesser, to further develop and refine agricultural technologies that benefit farmers and the agricultural industry.
Conclusion
Rich Ketcham's contributions to agricultural technology through his patented inventions demonstrate the vital role of innovation in enhancing crop breeding and sustainability. His work continues to impact the agricultural sector positively.