A forage harvester is defined as an agricultural implement used for the production of straw, silage, hay, or forage for animal feeding. A forage harvester is generally used in the early stages of farming – especially on dairy farms and ranches. It is also referred to as a feed trough, a barn rake, a gravity wader, a sheep wader, a windlass, or a horse stirrer. Forage harvesters are usually manually operated, with the exception of modern forage harvesters powered with electricity. A forage harvester is a large rotating machine used to collect vegetation from a field, clearing the area for sowing, shearing, harvesting.

The harvesting process is initiated by a forage harvester’s attachment to the underbrush, where it collects the vegetation. It is then lifted to a height above the ground, where it is manually processed into biodegradable feed. The feed is used to feed animals, foraging or forage foragers, who in turn distribute the harvested biomass to fields, pastures, or forests for further use. Once the plant material has been processed, it is typically decomposed and recycled into biodegradable fertilizer, such as hay or straw, which can be used to feed acres of land. The feed, in turn, acts as a major source of nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil, helping plants to grow better and faster and reducing pollution levels in the atmosphere.

Forage harvesters can be powered by electricity, hydraulics, pneumatic, diesel, or wind. Hydraulic powered models are available for harvest in shallow water or streams, where wind power may not be available. The majority of wind-powered models are small enough to be carried by the owner and are therefore very affordable, while the battery-powered models tend to be large and cumbersome.