Omaha, Neb. — January 19, 2026 -- CLAAS of America has been recognized by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) with two prestigious AE50 Awards, honoring the company’s continued leadership in agricultural engineering and innovation. The awards recognize the recently introduced CLAAS JAGUAR 1000 series self-propelled forage harvester and their new ORBIS 10500 corn harvesting head, designed to work with the new, larger JAGUAR 1000 series forage harvesters.

The AE50 Awards are presented annually by ASABE to the top 50 new products that demonstrate the highest level of innovation, significant engineering advancement and impact on agriculture, food and biological systems. CLAAS was one of only a select number of manufacturers to receive multiple awards in 2026.

“These two AE50 Awards reinforce what our customers already know — CLAAS continues to set the standard for performance, efficiency and intelligent machine design in forage harvesting,” said Dennis Ogle, Head of Sales for Self-Propelled Harvesters at CLAAS of America. “Both the JAGUAR 1000 series and ORBIS 10500 were developed with direct input from farmers and contractors, focusing on real-world productivity gains and operational simplicity.”

JAGUAR 1000 Series: Breaking New Ground in Forage Harvesting

The JAGUAR 1000 series represents a new generation of forage harvesters, combining extreme horsepower with intelligent automation and efficiency-focused design. With engine outputs reaching up to 1,110 horsepower, the machine is engineered to deliver maximum throughput while maintaining consistent chop quality and fuel efficiency.

Advanced features such as intelligent engine management, optimized crop flow and operator-assist technologies help reduce operator workload while maximizing daily harvest output. The AE50 Award recognizes the JAGUAR 1000 series for pushing the boundaries of forage harvester performance while maintaining reliability and serviceability.

ORBIS 10500: High-Capacity Corn Harvesting Head

Also recognized with an AE50 Award, the ORBIS 10500 corn harvesting head was designed to match the capacity demands of the new high-horsepower JAGUAR 1000 Series forage harvesters. Featuring a working width of up to 35 feet, the ORBIS 10500 enables efficient harvesting of large acreages while maintaining excellent crop intake and minimal losses.

The head’s innovative folding design improves transport safety and ease of maneuverability, while its optimized crop guidance system via AUTO CONTOUR ensures smooth, consistent feeding into the forage harvester. ASABE judges highlighted the ORBIS 10500 for its engineering sophistication and its contribution to overall harvesting efficiency.

Industry-Recognized Innovation

The AE50 Awards are selected by a panel of engineering experts and represent one of the most respected recognitions in agricultural equipment development. The company's dual recognition underscores the company’s long-term commitment to engineering excellence and customer-driven innovation.

Both award-winning products will be showcased during the upcoming ASABE Agricultural Equipment Technology Conference, where AE50 honorees are formally recognized.

For more information about the JAGUAR 1000 series forage harvester and ORBIS harvesting heads, visit www.claasofamerica.com. Find photos here: CLAAS JAGUAR 1000 DIGITAL MEDIA KIT | Powered by Box

About CLAAS of America Inc.:

CLAAS of America Inc. offers a wide variety of technologically innovative tractors, combines, forage harvesters, balers and hay tools to provide growers with optimum performance in the field. These premium equipment lines are designed by a dedicated engineering staff located at numerous factories worldwide and focused on research and production. The design, performance and reliability of this equipment have made CLAAS an international market leader. For more information, visit www.claas.com.

CLAAS Recognized with Two AE50 Awards for Forage Harvesting Innovation