ABSTRACT QUASI-STATIC shear tests on grasses were used to evaluate their shear strengths, resistances to penetration and shear energies. The dependence of these mechanical properties on crop properties (maturity, size and dry matter) and on shearing conditions (velocity and blade level) were elucidated. A comparison with literature data suggested that future studies should ex-press shear or cutting energies on a per unit dry cross-sectioned area basis so that the influence of internal pore space, moisture content and stem diameter may be diminished.