A draper belt (8) having a carry layer (14), a pulley cover layer (13), and a reinforcing layer (12) which is situated between the carry layer (14) and the pulley cover layer (13). The draper belt (8) has a first edge (30) and a second edge (31). The carry layer (14) includes a plurality of cleats (7) which run from the first edge (30) to the second edge (31) of the draper belt. The cleats (7) are reinforced with reinforcing rods which are comprised of a cured rubbery polymer which includes at least 3 phr of reinforcing fibers.