A system and method for preparing a sample area of a bale in order to more accurately evaluate the plant material incorporated into the bale. A baler receives, compresses, shapes, and secures material into the bale. A cutter mechanism cuts a portion of the material in the bale into similarly-sized particles. A mixer mechanism mixes the particles into a homogenous aggregate. A compression mechanism compresses the homogenous aggregate into the bale. An NIR testing system receives and analyzes near-infrared radiation reflected by the homogenous aggregate, and generates evaluation data reflecting properties of the material. The cutter may include knives mounted in a compression chamber of the baler. The mixer may be a relief feature on a center rail, the compressor may be a projecting feature on the center rail, and an NIR sensor may be mounted to the center rail so as to press against the surface of the bale.

A baler implement includes an upper compression panel and a first side compression panel both partially form a compression chamber. A compression frame is attached to a main frame. The compression frame is disposed adjacent to the upper compression panel. A first upper pivot link contacts the upper compression panel and is rotatably coupled to the compression frame for rotation about a first upper link axis. A first side pivot link contacts the first side compression panel and is rotatably coupled to the main frame for rotation about a first side link axis. A first actuator interconnects the first upper pivot link and the first side pivot link. Retraction of the first actuator simultaneously moves the upper compression panel in a first vertical direction along a first compression axis and the first side compression panel in a first horizontal direction along a second compression axis.

An agricultural baler includes first and second bale chambers, wherein each bale chamber is capable of holding an individual bale of crop material. A first tying apparatus is assigned to the first chamber for tying and knotting a bale formed within the first chamber. A second tying apparatus is assigned to the second chamber for tying and knotting a bale formed within the second chamber. The first and second tying apparatuses are configured to be operated independently so as to accomplish tying and knotting of the bales in the first and second bales chambers at different times.

An ejection chute for an agricultural baler has an ejection chute that includes a channel having a base wall and first and second side walls extending upwards from either side of the base wall, and in which a region of the base wall is provided with a first window. Various deposit mechanisms are provided for controlling movement of a formed bale through the first window.