A work machine for harvesting a cane crop having a lower crop material gathering device. The work machine has a direction of travel and the work machine has a chassis and an upper crop material gathering device coupled to the chassis. The upper crop material gathering device includes at least one moving device and a stalk cutting device. The at least one moving device is configured to substantially surround a stalk of a cane crop plant as the at least one moving device moves. The at least one moving device is further configured to bend the head of the cane crop plant in a direction substantially opposite to the direction of travel. The stalk cutting device is positioned proximate to the at least one moving device. The stalk engaging device being configured to cut the peduncle of the cane crop plant.