This is the John Deere HarvestLab 3000 nutrient analyser

The HarvestLab 3000 instrument provides real-time data gathering that can help with harvester setting decisions and subsequent feeding programmes to optimise dairy and beef production from forage crops.

HarvestLab 3000 can also be used on its own to analyse feed quality when formulating dairy and beef rations.

It uses Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) to evaluate constituent characteristics such as moisture, dry matter, protein, starch, neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF).

HarvestLab 3000

Harvester operators can view constituent measurements and make on-the-go adjustments to maximise feed quality, and length-of-cut adjustments can be made automatically according to moisture content ranges preset by the operator to ensure maximum silage bunker density.

The analyser can also optimise inoculant dosing based on sugar and dry-matter readings.

John Deere HarvestLab provides on-the-go data collection that enables self-propelled forage harvester operators to make or automate length-of-cut adjustments based on moisture content to optimise bunker density.

The HarvestLab 3000’s broader light spectrum measures up to 10 nutrient values 4,000 times per second, providing permanent data that can be wirelessly transmitted to the John Deere Operations Center for analysis, planning of crop and nutrient applications, and for archiving field and crop history.

Data memory has been increased from just 32 megabytes to 2 gigabytes, and saving historic data is now possible, while advanced diagnostics are said to make it easier for users to more quickly troubleshoot issues if they arise.

Latest-model HarvestLab constituent analyser for stand-alone use or installation on a John Deere 8000 Series self-propelled forage harvester measures up to 10 nutrient values 4,000 times per second.

Outside the harvesting season, the instrument’s stationary mode allows nutritionists to analyse feed rations for crude protein, fibre, and other characteristics so that rations can be adjusted for optimal performance and to reduce feed variability.

Measurements also provide precise tracking of silage stored in the bunker or silo and the quality changes that take place before the feed, is put into a dairy ration.