Silage Management

All The Details: Inside John Deere’s New F8 and F9 Forage Harvesters

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 18:20:36 GMT

John Deere is rolling out two new forage harvesters for North American dairy producers and custom harvesting operations.

The brand new F8 and F9 Series feature three factory-installed operator cab options, a technology stack that will one day enable autonomous operation, and enhanced feed quality via an integrated inoculant dosing system.

How are F8 and F9 different?
The F8 Series (425PS to 645PS) is a narrow base model that takes the place of Deere’s 8000 Series forage harvester, while the F9 Series (700PS to 1020PS) replaces the 9000 Series. Within the F9 Series is the F9 1000, which is Deere’s largest forage harvest machine to date.

(Editor’s Note: “PS” stands for Pferdestärke, which is the German term for horsepower. PS to horsepower is not an apples-to-apples equal ratio. The F9 1000, for example, features 1020PS which equates to 1,006HP, according to the manufacturer.)

The F9 is available in two engine options:

John Deere 18X (no DEF required)
Liebherr V12 24L

It has five horsepower options, while the F8 comes with the JD14X engine and can be configured across six horsepower options.

The manufacturer last rolled out completely new forage harvesters in 2019.

How much will each new model cost?

The feed rolls on John Deere’s F8 and F9 forage harvesters have integrated metal detection to keep unwanted material out of your feed.

(Matthew J. Grassi)

John Deere is not sharing its pricing just yet, but the two new models are built at its Zweibrucken, Germany, factory. John Deere dealers will begin taking orders for the aggressively styled, technology-packed harvesters this fall, with final delivery in time for the 2026 forage harvesting season.

Deere representatives declined comment on what effect, if any, the still-developing U.S.and E.U. tariff situation could have on its launch plans.

Ahead of the launch, Farm Journal went to Madison, Wisc., to kick the tires and learn all about the new machines. The F8 and F9 harvesters we viewed and climbed into were the first finished production units off the factory line. Deere says several units will be field tested with U.S. customers ahead of the full fall launch.

“We’re really excited about the new cab and the technology we’ve added to these machines like central tire inflation, ground speed automation and the new kernel processing units,” says Bergen Nelson, go-to-market manager, combines and forage harvesters.

Here’s some of what we learned about the new forage harvesters:

(Matthew J. Grassi)

Cab Comforts: The same three operator cab options offered with Deere’s X and S Series combines — Select, Premium and Ultimate — are available on the F8 and F9 Series. A smoothly swiveling captain’s chair, as well as an all-new corner post display that shows real-time machine data, are among the additions. Operators who spend long hours in the cab will also appreciate integrated entertainment like SXM Radio and an optional mini fridge.

(Matthew J. Grassi )

Foundational Deere Tech Stack: Each new forage harvester in the series includes Deere’s baseline precision tech enablement stack — which consists of its G5 display, Starfire 7500 receiver and JDLink modem.

Central Tire Inflation System: A completely new feature (top left inset photo) within the G5 display allows the operator to adjust front tire PSI up or down from the cab.

John Deere Inoculant Dosing System 2.0

(Matthew J. Grassi)

Inoculant Dosing System 2.0: New on both the F8 and F9, a high-volume 85 gallon inoculant tank and integrated pump allow the user to accurately adjust silage inoculant dosage rates from the G5 display in the cab. The system is easy to pump and prime as well with the touch of a button located at the rear of the machine.

Ground Speed Automation: This cruise control-like option reads RPMs and throttles the harvester up or down based on crop conditions. For example, harvesting corn at higher moisture levels will increase power output, so the machine will automatically slow down to ensure it doesn’t plug up or do a sub-optimal job harvesting. This feature comes standard on all base models for both series and does not require a yearly subscription unlock or per-acre fee.

Pro Touch Harvest: Another new feature within the G5 display allows the operator to shift the machine from road transport mode to harvest mode in a single click. It can also be used to quickly engage AutoTrac and ground speed automation once the operator arrives at the edge of field.

This all-new XStream 305 Kernel Processing (KP) unit is built by Scherer in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

(Matthew J. Grassi)

New Kernal Processing (KP) Units: The new harvesters feature two completely redesigned KP units, the Ultimate 250 (also made in Germany) and the Scherer XStream 305, which is made in Sioux Falls, S.D. An integrated winch and internal rail mounting system makes switching the machine from corn forage to hay forage in the field quick and simple. The number signifies each KP unit’s roll diameter width in millimeters.

“Both KPs will go in both machines and have four different roll options depending on how aggressive the dairyman wants their end feed quality to be,” says Shane Campbell, product marketing manager, forage harvesters.

(Matthew J. Grassi)

Integrated Harvest Lab 3000: This on-demand constituent sensing module pulls over 4,000 samples per second with +/- 2% accuracy, and John Deere says it can save dairy operations time and money versus collecting and sending samples to a lab. The sensor tech (available as an add-on option) enables accurate measurement and documentation of dry matter, starch, protein, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber for both harvested forage and manure. The data can be stored, organized and shared via Deere’s Operations Center. Within Operations Center, users can take geo-referenced data and build out spatial starch content — as well as moisture and protein — maps for hybrid selection and fertility management. Because if you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.

Active Fill Control 3.0: Using sensors and cameras on the grain spout, this tech feature automatically detects the trailer or grain cart next to the forage harvester and begins filling it with a preselected fill strategy. This reduces the number of times an operator has to adjust the spout manually and also lessens fatigue and neck strain, according to Deere.

(Matthew J. Grassi)

New Operating Modes: Several of the models within the F9 Series offer what Deere is calling its “Engine Power Plus” feature — which gives a sizeable horsepower boost when the machines senses it needs a little extra chopping power to the harvesting head. There is also an ECO mode that can be toggled on when the machines don’t need the extra torque.

Ease-Of-Access: Both models have side and rear panels that easily open to grant full access to the inner workings of the machines, making the new forage harvesters much easier to service and maintain without a lift or other heavy specialized equipment. The machine is setup so techs and mechanically-minded farmers will not have to climb underneath it to perform daily maintenance.

“At the end of the day, we know it’s all about the cow, and these machines will put out quality feed,” Nelson says. “We’ll have these out at the farm shows this summer, including Farm Progress Show, World Ag Expo, World Dairy Expo and the U.S. Custom Harvesters Convention.”

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Corn Planting is Now Already Underway in 7 States

Tue, 09 Apr 2024 17:02:05 GMT

The second Crop Progress Report of the year from USDA shows farmers are already ahead in planting the 2024 crop. As of Sunday, USDA indicates planting the 2024 crop has started in seven states, and six of the seven states are already beating the five-year average.

Highlights of the weekly progress report include:

59% of Texas’ corn is in the ground, two percentage points ahead of the five-year average but one point behind a year ago.
7% of the corn crop in Tennessee is planted, two points above average and three points ahead of last year.
7 % of Missouri’s corn is planted, four points ahead of average and two points quicker than last year’s record pace.
5% is planted in Kentucky, two points ahead of the five-year average but one point behind last year.
4% of the corn in Kansas is planted, one point ahead of average and one point behind last year.
2% of Illinois’ corn crop is in the ground, one point quicker than average and last year.

Related News: Spring Planting Progress Off To A Good Start

The only state trailing the average pace is North Carolina where 8% of the crop is in the ground, one point behind average and last year.

A year ago, hints were starting to roll in about just how early the planting season could be for farmers in parts of the Corn Belt. After April and early March were dominated by cold temperatures, as well as rain and snow in 2023, drier conditions took hold, and forecasts for milder temperatures and dry weather opened a large window for planting.

As of April 9, 2023, USDA’s second planting progress report of the season showed 3% of the nation’s corn crop was planted, up one percentage point from the previous week, previous year and the five-year average.

Highlights of the state-by-state breakdown a year ago showed:

61% of Texas’ corn is in the ground, three percentage points ahead of the five-year average.
12% of North Carolina’s corn crop is planted, two points behind average.
7% of the corn crop is Missouri is planted, four points ahead of the five-year average.
6% of the crop in Kansas is in the ground, up two points from average.

Back to present day, and the weather looks prime for planting to continue this week. Growers across Illinois, Iowa and Missouri are talking about starting to plant this week if the forecast holds.

Photos of Planting Progress So Far

In Texas, farmers were planting under the solar eclipse. Ale Frick says they survived the eclipse, and soybean planting continues on their farm.

Well, we‘ve officially survived #eclipse24 #soybean #plant24 continues pic.twitter.com/cnn3BphUpC
— Ale Frick (@Engineer_Farmer) April 8, 2024

In northwest Iowa, at least one farmer took the opportunity to plant over the weekend.

Well, ok then. #plant24 #nwiowa pic.twitter.com/nVMWcaO9wH
— Punkin Lady 🎃🍿💥 (@AmySolsma) April 5, 2024

Also in Iowa, more reports of planters starting to roll this week, according to Dusty Rich.

Planters will roll this week in our area! Wishing everyone a safe and successful #plant24
— Dusty Rich 🇺🇸 (@drich82) April 8, 2024

We want to see how planting is progressing in your area. Make sure to keep AgWeb updated with Crop Comments throughout the season.

Farmers Share Weird Field Finds During Silage Harvest

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 20:58:45 GMT

Farmers have learned to live by one of life’s biggest lessons – always expect the unexpected. But sometimes even the unexpected can still cause us to pause and scratch our heads. That’s the feeling these farmers faced as they recalled the strange finds they’ve stumbled across in their fields during silage harvest.

On the Dairy Herd Management Facebook page, we asked our audience what weird things they’ve found in their fields. Here’s what they had to say:

“One spring my mom cleaned out the root cellar, threw pumpkins and squash into the manure spreader. That fall Dad found several pumpkins and squash when chopping corn.”

“Found a boat anchor once while combining corn. Went right in the tire!”

“Turns out someone decided to plant their own field within ours…they planted marijuana, not corn!”

“A few years ago, our corn got flooded and a porta potty got washed into it!”

“I found my phone that I had lost the year prior in the freestall barn. We figured it must have ended up in the lagoon then spread on the field at some point.”

“One of our lost SCR (activity monitor) collars … was out all winter and was still working!”

“Found a surgical scissors with the metal alert while chopping haylage, unfortunately, half of it ended up in the wagon. A medical helicopter had landed in the field a couple of weeks earlier.”

“We found an entire license plate in the TMR bunk, not the field. It was cut diagonally in one-inch slices. We were able to assemble the entire thing!”

“Our neighbors thought they were funny and placed a giant metal cutout of bigfoot in the field. Gave us a good scare when we were chopping late into the night!”

“We always see critters scurrying out of the fields, but I about wrecked the tractor when a bear came barreling out of the corn!”

“We found a dented-up mini fridge that must have fallen out of the back of someone’s truck and rolled into the field. Took it back to the farm, plugged it in and the thing still worked!”

For more stories on rural life, read:

Introducing Farm Journal Field Days: Hay and Forage Edition

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 18:44:12 GMT

Join us online for a free day of education on June 8 to gain insights on reducing weeds in forages, mowing and drying hay and haylage and much more.

Join us at Farm Journal Field Days June 8-9! Register here (it’s free!)

Here’s a sneak peek of the information-packed agenda:

Ration Development Around Forages
Jeff Lehmkuhler, Associate Extension Professor with Department of Animal & Food Sciences at the University of Kentucky will discuss the principles of forage testing, including how the laboratory values can be used in developing strategic supplementation programs for beef cattle.
Speaker: Jeff Lehmkuhler, Associate Extension Professor with Department of Animal & Food Sciences at the University of Kentucky

Silage Fiber and Starch Digestibility – A Lactating Cow Perspective
This presentation will discuss indicators of fiber and starch digestibility commonly used or under implementation by the dairy industry; connect these indicators with dairy cow nutritional physiology, feeding behavior and performance; and discuss practical strategies to improve these indicators in corn and sorghum silage.
Speaker: Luiz Ferraretto, Assistant Professor and Ruminant Nutrition Extension Specialist in the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences at University of Wisconsin-Madison

Top 10 Steps to Minimize the Impact of Weeds in Forages
Learn about the impact of weeds on alfalfa establishment, and on alfalfa production during establishment year as well as the impact of weeds on pasture production and forage uptake and palatability.
Speaker: Mark Renz, Professor and Extension Weed Specialist with the University of Wisconsin-Madison

The Keys to Chopping, Packing, and Feeding Excellent Silage
Discover the key decisions that producers make at silage harvest that influence the quality and stability of their most important feed crop. Dr. Dennis Hancock will identify the key management decisions made when chopping, packing, and feeding silage and during the feedout stage.
Speaker: Dennis Hancock, Center Director for the U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center

Mowing and Drying Hay and Haylage
Dan Undersander, Forage Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin, will discuss cutting management on alfalfa and grass as it affects yield, quality and stand persistence. You’ll also learn conditioning and windrow management for optimum drying.
Speaker: Dan Undersander, Forage Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin

Top Considerations for Baling and Storage of Dry Hay or Baled Silage
During this session, Wayne K. Coblentz, Research Leader for U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center, will talk about the effects of rain damage on wilting forage crops, spontaneous heating in hays and use of preservatives for dry hay. He will also cover baled silage as an alternative to dry hay and weathering and outdoor storage of dry hay.
Speaker: Wayne K. Coblentz, Research Leader, U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center

Root Rots in alfalfa: Past, Present, and Future
In this session you’ll learn the environmental conditions that increase risk of root rot diseases and how to reduce these risks before and during plant establishment. You’ll also learn the most common organisms causing root rots and the disease symptoms we well as details on several diseases that are emerging as new threats to alfalfa production and the current management methods to reduce damage.
Speaker: Deborah Samac, Supervisory Research Geneticist with USDA-ARS

Machinery Pete Gives Update On Livestock Equipment Trends
Join Machinery Pete, the most trusted name in farm equipment, for top takeaways on hay & forage, skid steers, tractors and more. Founder Greg Peterson gives his insights and shares what every farmer needs to know about today’s machinery market.
Speaker: Greg Peterson, AKA Machinery Pete