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A device was developed for on‐field cutting energy measurement of cereal crops. Physical, engineering, and anatomical properties of prominent rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars of India were studied at different stem positions using a factorial CRD design. The effects of changes in different operational parameters, including blade bevel angle (15°, 20°, and 25°), cutting angle (25°, 30°, and 35°) and cutting velocity (2.9, 3.44, and 4.1 m s−1) on cutting force and cutting energy of rice stalk were also studied. Cutting angle indicated the angle of inclination of cutting edge to the horizontal at blade‐crop interface. The assessment of these properties and parameters in relation to crop cutting energy, led to the development of a smart device for energy measurement up to a size of three skills. This device consisted of a compression system, crop holding unit, cutting unit, and sensors to measure the force, speed, and cutting height. The device's measurement abilities were evaluated with wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) stalks at different cutting speeds (0.83, 1.16, and 1.5 m s−1 and stem heights (10, 20, and 30 cm from ground). Values for cutting force and energy ranged from 1.85 to 1.45 N and 10.81 to 8.48 N mm–1, respectively. At all stem heights, the cutting force and cutting energy ranged from 1.79 to 1.44 N and 11.92 to 6.74 N mm–1, respectively. The ultrasonic sensor provided real time cutting height data with an accuracy of 97.5%, while the gyroscope sensor had an accuracy of 94.29% for on‐field cutting angle measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]