Owen Jessop, branch manager for AGrowQuip Cambridge says the constituent sensing technology provides precise measurement of the starch, crude protein, sugar and acid detergent fibre, plus neutral detergent fibre of the crop within seconds. The HarvestLab sensor takes more than 4000 measurements per second while the crop is being harvested.

Starting in September, AGrowQuip will be running demonstrations of the technology fitted to a John Deere 8500 tractor and Owen invites contractors who want to see the advantages first hand to make contact to reserve a date for a demonstration on one of their sites.

The systems are ideal for those operating which can produce in access of 400 tonnes of maize silage an hour.

“The fact the results are available while harvesting means farmers or contractors have accurate information about the crop and information can even be sent, in real time, to an operations centre where decisions can be made about where to direct or use the crop,” says Owen.

“The level of information available from these technologies is extensive and may seem beyond what some operators might think they need, but once they understand the data, the opportunities to use it to the best advantage of their businesses and clients, or farms, becomes obvious.”

The HarvestLab sensor on the spout of a John Deere SPFH automatically takes thousands of samples for representative, accurate dry matter readings of the crop being harvested.

Real-time moisture and yield information is shown on the GreenStar 2630 display inside the cab, along with readings for material throughput and crop yield per field, hectare or trailer load. It is even possible to print a summary of this vital information for company records or for customers with the optional on-board printer, providing an instant hard copy of the work done.

Teamed with AutoLOC, 8000 Series SPFH automatically adjusts the length of cut based on the dry matter values gathered, allowing for optimum throughput and silage quality.

Taking it one step further, HarvestDoc lets the operator optimise silage additive dosage for perfect silage preservation according to dry matter, cut length and throughput.

HarvestDoc provides automatic, geo-referenced recordings of harvesting data for later documentation, analysis or fully-automated invoicing for farm contractors.

Owen says the extensive information captured by the John Deere systems has implications beyond immediate harvesting.

John Deere Constituent Sensing ensures higher silage preservation quality and feed cost control through less silage spoilage for higher farm output, including milk production optimisation, lower cattle illness rates, and energy production optimisation.

Based on the documented harvesting values, variety selections can easily be done for the upcoming season. Decisions can be taken according to individual grower circumstances and conditions to increase the forage amount in the next year, if needed.

By documenting the specific constituent values, growers know immediately the organic matter that was harvested. This is fundamental in managing soil quality. The fertiliser usage can be adjusted as a result. Specific fertilisers can be used according to the individual grower’s requirements with the ability to manage direct inputs – there is direct cost savings to the bottom line.