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CLAAS forage quality experts are highlighting the technology at the company’s booth (P37-P39), at P St. and North Green Belt, in the main exhibit area at the World Ag Expo in Tulare.

“We’re pleased to introduce game-changing innovations and products across our full line of grain, hay and forage harvesting products at the World Ag Expo,” explained Eric Raby, CLAAS of America President and GM – Sales. “We’re particularly excited about SILAGE TECH, a combination of precision performance components that work together to deliver the best silage in the business.”

Precision package for perfect silage

The SILAGE TECH™ package for the JAGUAR 900 Series forage harvester is a combination of on-board components, all connected to the operator’s preferred system for GPS mapping and steering. It includes a QUANTIMETER yield sensor to generate yield maps and control inoculant used, automatic chop length to adjust the length of the silage based on moisture, and a highly accurate near-infrared (NIR) moisture sensor.

“SILAGE TECH takes precision forage harvesting to new heights,” Raby says. “The operator can measure yield and moisture levels on the go, and leverage that real-time data to adjust chop lengths and control inoculant dosing on the fly. The result is more efficient harvesting and silage that delivers better nutrition.”

Leader in kernel and stalk processing

CLAAS recognized that while kernel processing was certainly an important factor for quality silage, so too was stalk processing. Only CLAAS forage harvesters can be equipped with a patented SHREDLAGE® processor designed to work with longer-chopped silage (20–31 mm). The unique roll design rips and shreds the stalk while crushing the kernel to produce a corn silage with significantly improved bacterial fermenting during ensiling and greater digestion in the cow’s rumen. Because SHREDLAGE silage is easier to digest, both milk production and the health of the herd are improved.

University of Wisconsin trials showed that SHREDLAGE dramatically increased the physical effectiveness of corn silage, resulting in an increase of 2.4 pounds per cow in daily milk yield. A recent University of Nebraska–Lincoln study shows that beef cattle fed rations containing SHREDLAGE had greater final body weight, average daily gain, and feed-to-gain ratios than cattle fed conventionally chopped and processed corn silage.

CLAAS of America is featuring SILAGE TECH, SHREDLAGE and other product updates at the 2019 World Ag Expo. For more information on any of the above new products and/or updates, please visit the website at www.claas.com or ask your local dealer.

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In the study, cattle that were fed rations containing SHREDLAGE corn silage experienced a 2.9 percent greater average daily gain and a 4.4 percent greater feed-to-gain ratio when compared to the control groups fed conventionally chopped and processed silage.

“The results of the study suggested that feeding 9 percentage roughage in the diet and using a process such as SHREDLAGE that increases particle size actually increased performance in the cattle efficiency as well as final product,” said Karla Jenkins, a University of Nebraska (UNL) cow/calf systems and stocker management researcher.

SHREDLAGE is an innovative long-chopped corn silage that is produced exclusively by the CLAAS JAGUAR forage harvester. By chopping the plants to greater lengths, ranging from 21 to 30 millimeters, then shredding the chopped material with a special SHREDLAGE processor, the JAGUAR produces a silage with improved bacterial fermentation during ensiling which results in greater digestion in the cow’s rumen. Past studies have proven significant benefits of using SHREDLAGE in dairy cows — including improved milk production — but until now, no trials had been conducted using beef cattle.

UNL beef cow study

University researcher Karla Jenkins wanted to determine how adding SHREDLAGE as a roughage component to a steam-flaked corn diet would affect finishing beef cattle. Since roughage tends to be bulkier and more expensive than other parts of a finishing diet, the research tested different amounts and processing methods to determine the most efficient means of incorporating the needed roughage component into the finishing diet without causing a negative impact on feedlot performance.

“The hypothesis for this study was that if we could have a little larger particle size in the roughage, such as a silage-type roughage, that possibly we could reduce the amount fed, which would then reduce the amount in the truck and increase the efficiency of feeding and still maintain rumen function for the animal,” Jenkins said.

The 128-day study was conducted during the finishing period for beef cattle at the University of Nebraska Panhandle Research Feedlot in Western Nebraska. In the study, final finishing diets contained 9 or 14 percent of either SHREDLAGE cut at 26.5 mm or conventionally chopped and processed corn silage cut at 13 mm. The diets also contained 15 percent wet distillers grains and 5 percent mineral supplement on a dry matter basis. The remainder of the diet dry matter came from steam-flaked corn.

“All of the silage for the study came from the same irrigated field, harvested on the same day, and moisture and starch levels were the same. The SHREDLAGE was harvested by a JAGUAR 960 with an ORBIS 750 header, both corn silages rated in the excellent category with processing score average of 72.4 for conventional and 74.3 for the SHREDLAGE, so both were very close, meaning the difference in the outcome came from the processing of the stalk and length, ” said Matt Jaynes, product manager for CLAAS.

The most impressive results of the study showed that the feed containing 9 percent SHREDLAGE corn silage had a 7.4 percent greater feed-to-gain ratio and 5.4 percent better average daily gain than feed containing 14 percent conventionally chopped and processed corn silage.

“The big takeaway is that very little of the ration in the study was corn silage,” said Jaynes, “but it still made a huge impact because cattle can turn SHREDLAGE into valuable nutrients more easily. So producers can increase gains simply by providing a finishing diet that includes SHREDLAGE rather than conventionally chopped and processed silage.”

The intensive processing of SHREDLAGE has been previously proven in dairy cows. A 2012 trial conducted by the University of Wisconsin showed that SHREDLAGE dramatically increases the physical effectiveness of corn silage in the rumen while improving availability of the starch contained in all parts of the plant. The result of the Wisconsin study was an increase of 2.4 pounds per cow in daily milk yield.

For more information about the University of Nebraska–Lincoln beef study, click here. For more information about the University of Wisconsin dairy study, click here. For more information about CLAAS, visit the company’s website at claas.com.

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In his new role, Aaron will report to the President and General Manager – Sales, Eric Raby.

“The Distribution Development Team is a vital part of our business and plays a critical role in ensuring excellence in our dealer support,” said Eric Raby. “We are thrilled to have Aaron in this position and look forward to building on the success of the already accomplished team.”

Aaron joined CLAAS of America in May of 1998 as a product specialist. In May 2002, Aaron signed on with the CLAAS North America Canada Sales Division as a territory manager. Aaron has a strong farming background as well, working many years for his family’s harvesting company.

Aaron holds an agriculture business degree in Agricultural Entrepreneurship and Rural Small Business from Olds College in Alberta, Canada.

Additionally, CLAAS has realigned the Distribution Development Team in North America along the regional structure that was introduced in 2017.

Brian Abrahams will take the lead in the North and East Regions while Randy Pauletto will oversee the West and South Regions. David Friedersdorf will focus on the new Make Hay initiative to grow the CLAAS baler and hay tool footprint in eastern North America, and Brian Meier has joined the team in a cross-functional data analysis role.

For more information about CLAAS, visit the company’s website at www.claas.com.

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• Sales revenue rises by 3.4% to a new high of 3.88 billion euros
  
• Profit before taxes clearly improved at 226 million euros
  
• Record level of investment in research and development
  
• Outlook for 2019: Slight growth in revenue and stable earnings
  

“We have continued our growth in a volatile market environment and once again significantly improved our profitability. A strong impetus originated from Germany and Western Europe in particular,” said Hermann Lohbeck, speaker of the CLAAS Executive Board.

The global market for professional agricultural technology saw continued development this year, in line with associated expectations. Against this background, CLAAS improved revenue in core countries including Germany, France and the United Kingdom. In Eastern Europe, a slight project-related decline in sales was observed. A mixed picture emerged in the countries outside of Europe: while sales in North America increased in the local currency, China recorded a decline as a result of market uncertainty.

Spending on research and development at a record level

The investments made in research and development reached a new record with 233 million euros (previous year: 217 million euros) and have doubled over the past ten years.

With the European launch of the JAGUAR 960 TERRA TRAC, CLAAS was the first manufacturer to bring a forage harvester with an integrated crawler track solution to the market. The new, award-winning concept offers the best soil protection in all conditions. The JAGUAR will be complimented by a new ORBIS corn header designed to provide an optimal crop flow. The TUCANO combine harvester range, not available in North America, has entered the next generation with an expanded range of models.

Major innovations also occurred in forage harvesting. In addition to the newly developed ROLLANT 540 round baler, the DISCO MOVE front mower was also launched which features optimal ground contour adaptation.

Investments in fixed assets are increasing significantly

CLAAS not only invested in new products but also in an innovative working environment. Investments in fixed assets are rising noticeably. The course remains set for growth in the tractor business with the modernization of the main assembly line started in Le Mans, France. The customer-oriented service and replacement parts business is also being expanded.

Moreover, a new high-bay warehouse is being built in Hamm, Germany, which will double capacity to 58,000 pallet bays. The new test center for machine components was completed at the main production facility in Harsewinkel, Germany. In addition, larger investments were made on new distribution centers in the United Kingdom and France.

Number of employees worldwide grows slightly

The number of employees around the world grew slightly to 11,132 on September 30, 2018 (previous year: 10,961). A similar trend was seen in Germany, where 5,295 employees were employed by the end of the business year (previous year: 5,100). The number of trainee positions increased in 2018 to 714 (previous year: 677).

CLAAS Group in Numbers

Outlook

CLAAS expects stable development in the global agricultural engineering markets for the 2019 fiscal year, despite regional uncertainties. Increasing demand for professional agricultural technology continues to be a driving force. General risks lie particularly in global trade disputes that also affect agricultural goods. In view of this market assessment, CLAAS expects sales revenue slightly above the level of the previous year for the current business year and a stable result before taxes.

Pictures:

https://dam.claas.com/pinaccess/showpin.do?pinCode=T4JMpXtS1bcA

359649: Members of the CLAAS Executive Board (from the left) Bernd Ludewig, Hans Lampert, Hermann Lohbeck

359650: Hermann Lohbeck

About CLAAS

CLAAS (www.claas-group.com) is a family business founded in 1913 and one of the world’s leading manufacturers of agricultural machinery. The company, with corporate headquarters in Harsewinkel, Germany, is the European market leader in combine harvesters. CLAAS is also the world leader in self-propelled forage harvesters. CLAAS is also a top performer in agricultural technology worldwide, with its tractors, agricultural balers and green harvesting machinery. The CLAAS product portfolio also includes state-of-the-art agricultural information technology. CLAAS employs around 11,000 workers worldwide and reported a turnover of 3.8 billion euros in the 2018 financial year.

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