NIR Sensors
In this video, Dennis Schrijver from John Deere explains what Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR) sensors are and how they work.
The HarvestLab 3000 can be used on a slurry tanker, on a self-propelled forage harvester or as a stationary laboratory for feed analysis. This makes it possible to use the John Deere NIR system year-round and results in quick amortization. Valuable knowledge is gained from the real-time sensor data and the location specific documentation of the Sensor. This makes it possible to make decisions based on facts to create accurate application maps for the next field work and to better control and even reduce operating costs, for example, when it comes to silage and feed. The data gained makes it possible to use organic fertilizers, such as mineral fertilizer, or to identify a suitable variety of plant. When harvesting silage, the Sensor helps to determine the optimum harvest time and the exact dry matter yield. Lengths of cut precisely matched to the dry matter of the harvested crop for optimum compaction and ensiling and precise knowledge of the ingredients form the reliable basis for high-quality silages. As a stationary laboratory on cattle farms, the NIR system provides information about the ingredients of each ration in order to adapt the feed to be economical and tailored to the respective animal.
The HarvestLab 3000 uses near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) to determine the various content substances of pig and cattle liquid manure, biogas digestate, fresh harvested crops or silage. The heart of the system is the highly sensitive sensor, which measures near-infrared light reflected off of the harvested crop and provides more than 4,000 measuring points per second. The system has already been officially certified by the German Agricultural Society (DLG) for its excellent accuracy in determining the dry matter content of corn silage and the content substances in pig and cattle liquid manure and in liquid digestate.
Figure 1: Functional Principle and System of the Sensor
Figure 2: Dry Mass Yield Map and Protein Yield Map
Figure 3: Images to illustrate applied amount of nitrogen; manure; and second nitrogen application with isobus implement
Revolutionising the Food Chain with Technology
Revolutionising the Food Chain with Technology
