The invention relates to a harvesting accessory (10) with a covering device for processing stubble stems of plants standing on a field. The harvesting accessory (10) comprises a bearing frame (12) which can move in the forward direction to pass through a field, one or more harvesting units which are installed on the bearing frame (12) and used for harvesting straw-shaped plants, and a covering device (18) which is installed on the bearing frame (12) and used for smashing and/or fiber separation of plant stubble rods left in the field after harvesting. The covering device can move relative to the carrier (12) between a lowered working position (18) and a raised non-working position (18') by means of an actuator. A protective element (20) is mounted on the rear side of the covering device (18), extends at least over the width range of the covering device (20), is rigidly coupled to the carrier (12), and is arranged vertically lower than the covering device (18) in the raised non-workingposition (18').
