Bushel Plus, a harvest technology company based in Manitoba, has inked a partnership with John Deere that makes the Bushel Plus SmartPan System available with Deere’s advanced Harvest Settings Automation technology. Bushel Plus will now be more accessible in the U.S. and Canada through Deere’s dealer network.
The SmartPan System provides a comprehensive and accurate measure of grain loss, whether you’re in a field of corn, soybeans, or small grains such as wheat, oats, barley, canola, or rice. Using a magnetic drop pan in conjunction with the SmartDrop App and a digital field scale, the system collects a grain sample while the app conducts an industry-standard loss analysis, helping you put any loss issues you may be having into perspective while helping you calibrate you grain loss sensors — which is critical to ensure combine automation systems are working properly.
The data helps farmers minimize harvest loss, optimize combine performance, and increase profitability.
Deere’s Harvest Settings Automation automatically adjusts key combine parameters — including rotor speed, fan speed, concave clearance, and sieve and chaffer settings — in real time to maintain operator-defined limits for grain loss, broken grain, and foreign material.
By physically collecting and calculating true bushels-per-acre losses, the SmartPan System provides farmers with the real-world verification to calibrate and validate their automated settings. This ensures that the combine’s loss limits and adjustment strategies align with actual field results.
“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.”
Under this new agreement, John Deere dealers across the U.S. and Canada will be authorized to sell and support the SmartPan System, giving farmers streamlined access through the same trusted dealer network they rely on for combine sales, service, and technology integration.
“Seed-to-harvest precision is only as good as the data behind it,” said Marcel Kringe, founder and CEO of Bushel Plus. “By working hand-in-hand with John Deere, we’re delivering a streamlined flow of data between field measurements and machine analytics, enabling farmers to refine combine calibration and automation for more efficient harvesting, reduced grain loss, and ultimately higher profitability.”
John Deere’s dealer-led distribution ensures broad access, timely support, and seamless integration of the Bushel Plus SmartPan System with its existing combine technology. In 2026, Bushel Plus and John Deere will collaborate on joint training sessions, in-field demos, and educational events to help operators understand how the SmartPan System works alongside automation to improve harvest precision.
