Abstract A Discrete Element Method (DEM), a computerized testing rig and a soil bin were used to explain soil profile deformation caused by mouldboard plough. By using DEM, the motion of particles is given by collisions between particles. Soil-tillage tool interaction simulation was established by a 3D geometry of a mouldboard plough created using PTC Creo Parametric 3D Modelling software and soil bed modeled by discrete element particles using EDEM software. A bond element was introduced between particles and cohesion of soil was formed to create a simulation of the actual cohesive soil. The horizontal and vertical forces and soil disturbance in terms of bulk density at different speeds and depths were investigated. However, the simulation experiments followed the field experiments which were conducted using a computerized testing rig. Further, reaction forces on the plough and the resulting bulk densities were estimated from the simulated results and compared with the actual results from the field. Also, the accuracy of the developed model to predict soil displacement was measured and compared with the soil bin data with the average relative error of 1.317%. The simulated results of horizontal, vertical forces and bulk density matched well with the results obtained in the field experiment with the relative error of 4.435, 3.029 and 3.119% respectively. The vertical force provided the best regression results of 0.9948 R 2 with RMSE of 0.5964, followed by 0.9884 R 2 with RMSE of 0.4089 and 0.8391 R 2 with RMSE of 0.5441 for horizontal force and bulk density respectively. All regression results were obtained at p< 0.05. The ANOVA test showed that the p-values for the horizontal force, vertical force and bulk density were 0.753, 0.695 and 0.025 respectively. There was no significant difference between the simulation and experiment results for cutting forces while there was a significant difference for the bulk density at p< 0.05. This model can be applied as an accurate, consistent and fast method of effective prediction of the final soil condition and forces needed for tillage operation.