Abstract: A self-propelled harvester, in particular for green fodder, comprises a cutter bar, an auger, a conveyor belt, a first crop conditioning device, a transport belt, a buffer space, a dosing roller, a second crop conditioning device, and a depositing belt for depositing the harvested and conditioned fodder onto the ground in the form of a substantially endless mat. The first conditioning device serves to injure the outer cellulose layer of the crop stems and blades; the second conditioning device serves to press the crop into a mat of substantially uniform thickness and width.