By Jamie Martin
Bushel Plus Ltd. and John Deere have entered a new partnership that will make harvest optimization tools more accessible to farmers across North America. Under this agreement, the Bushel Plus SmartPan System will now be offered through John Deere’s dealer network, creating a simpler and more trusted way for farmers to access harvest measurement technology.
“John Deere and Bushel Plus share a commitment to innovation and farmer success,” said Ryan Krogh, Global Combine and FEE Business Manager at John Deere. “Our decision to partner was driven by aligned values – both companies prioritize solutions that empower growers to maximize efficiency and profitability. This partnership is an important step for us to give our customers access and training to use the SmartPan System in combination with the Harvest Settings Automation technology, giving producers the tools they need to reduce harvest losses and make data‑driven decisions with confidence.”
The SmartPan System is known for its ability to collect true bushels-per-acre grain loss. When used with John Deere’s Harvest Settings Automation, it helps farmers understand exactly how their combine is performing. By gathering real-world field data, the SmartPan System allows operators to set accurate loss limits and validate machine adjustments.
John Deere’s automation technology adjusts key combine functions such as rotor speed, fan speed, and sieve clearance. These adjustments help maintain operator-defined settings for grain loss, crop quality, and efficiency. Farmers can drop the SmartPan at any stage of harvest, compare results with the G5Plus display, and make decisions based on reliable measurement rather than guesswork.
This partnership ensures that the automation system receives ground-truth data, making each adjustment more precise. As crop and field conditions shift, the combine continues to adapt automatically while the SmartPan verifies that losses stay below the farmer’s selected limit. This approach not only saves grain but also strengthens overall harvest productivity.
“We are excited to partner with John Deere, marking a major milestone in our growth and global reach,” said Marcel Kringe, founder and CEO of Bushel Plus. “John Deere’s commitment to innovation, as the world's largest manufacturer of agricultural equipment, aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver market-leading harvest optimization solutions and technology. This milestone showcases our team’s global efforts and the trust farmers place in our technology. The positive feedback we receive—showing that our solutions deliver real value and profitability—is truly humbling. With OEM endorsement, the phrase ‘you can’t manage what you don’t measure’ reaches a whole new level.”
John Deere dealers will now provide sales support, service, and training for the SmartPan System. Beginning in 2026, both companies plan to offer joint training programs and field demonstrations to help farmers better understand how SmartPan enhances automated harvesting.
The SmartPan System works with a wide variety of crops, including corn, soybeans, wheat, canola, rice, barley, and milo. It is available in several pan sizes to match different combine models and field needs.
By connecting machine automation with accurate field data, this partnership helps farmers make stronger, data-based decisions. With better measurement and improved combine performance, growers can reduce grain loss, operate more efficiently, and increase profitability during each harvest.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-dszc
Categories: National