John Deere and Bushel Plus Expand Harvest Efficiency

New partnership brings SmartPan access and automation support for farmers

John Deere and Bushel Plus have announced a major partnership that will support farmers across the United States and Canada with new harvest optimization tools. Through this agreement, the Bushel Plus SmartPan System will now be available through John Deere’s North American dealer network, expanding access to accurate loss-measurement technology for growers. 

“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 collaboration connects Bushel Plus’s trusted drop-pan measurement system with John Deere’s advanced Harvest Settings Automation. When combined, these tools help farmers reduce grain loss, improve combine performance, and make better decisions during harvest. John Deere leaders say the partnership reflects both companies’ shared goal of helping producers improve efficiency and profitability through reliable technology. 

The SmartPan System plays an important role by providing ground-truth measurements. During harvest, farmers can drop the pan, collect actual grain loss, and compare the results with the data shown on the John Deere G5Plus display. This helps operators confirm and calibrate the loss target used in Harvest Settings Automation. With accurate measurements, the combine can adjust rotor speed, fan speed, sieves, and other key settings to maintain the operator’s chosen limits for grain loss and crop quality. 

John Deere’s automation continues to adjust settings as crop conditions change, while the SmartPan System gives farmers the real-world validation needed to trust those automated adjustments. This reduces waste, saves time, and helps farmers manage their fields with confidence. 

Under the new agreement, John Deere dealers will sell and support the SmartPan System, giving farmers easy access to equipment, service, and training. The companies also plan to offer joint training programs, field demonstrations, and educational sessions starting in 2026 to help farmers understand how SmartPan and automation work together. 

“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.” 

The SmartPan System supports a wide range of crops such as corn, soybeans, wheat, barley, canola, rice, and milo. It is available in multiple pan sizes to suit different combine models and field conditions. 

This partnership strengthens harvest precision by connecting field measurements with machine analytics. With more accurate data and improved automation, farmers can reduce grain loss and increase profitability during every harvest season. 

Photo Credit: Bushel Plus-logo