Despite wet conditions complicating setup in the days leading up to Nampo 2026, exhibitors say visitors can expect a wide range of machinery and technology designed to improve efficiency, productivity, and on-farm decision-making.
Case IH
André Olwagen, strategic marketing manager and product portfolio manager at Case IH, said persistent rain ahead of Nampo has once again made setup challenging for exhibitors.
“The rain softened the ground, making it difficult to download and move equipment onto stands,” he said.
Several trucks got stuck in the mud, with Case IH assisting in recovering at least four vehicles. The company also experienced some damage, including the loss of vehicle number plates while travelling on the flooded dirt roads, as well as possible damage to subsurface irrigation infrastructure while moving heavy machinery.
Despite the difficult conditions, Olwagen said the weather outlook for next week is more favourable, and visitors can expect a strong line-up of equipment from Case IH.
Among the highlights is the Axial-Flow 9 combine harvester, which will make its Nampo debut after being demonstrated in the Western Cape and parts of the country. Equipped with a 634hp (472kW) engine, a larger cleaning area, and an upgraded fan, it is designed to handle a wide range of crops under demanding conditions.
The Patriot 50 Series sprayers, imported from the US, will also be on display. The 3250 model is now available with 2,6m track spacing, a configuration preferred by many producers in areas like Bothaville and Viljoenskroon in the Free State.
Upgrades to the Magnum tractor range include increased engine power across several models, as well as the availability of a 21×5 PowerDrive transmission on selected units, aimed at improving ease of operation and fuel efficiency.
Olwagen said that producers can apply online or at the stand to test a Magnum 355 tractor on their own farms for up to 40 hours.
“This gives farmers the opportunity to experience the tractor under their production conditions,” he added.
Also on show will be the Axial-Flow 260 combine fitted with Low Sidewall Technology tyres. These tyres, which feature a larger rim and smaller sidewall, are designed to improve stability and reduce fuel consumption in wet conditions. Claims that they result in less soil compaction than tracks will be tested after Nampo.
Olwagen estimated that Case IH will have machinery worth more than R80 million on display at this year’s show.
New Holland
Jaco du Preez, marketing manager for New Holland in Southern Africa, said the company’s slogan for Nampo 2026 is ‘Think big. Think New Holland’.
A key highlight at New Holland’s exhibition will be the new CR10 Twin Rotor combine harvester, designed for large-scale operations. It features a 635hp (474kW) engine and a 16 000ℓ grain tank and incorporates Twin Rotor technology to improve grain quality, reduce losses, and enhance residue management.
Also on display will be upgraded high-horsepower tractors, including the T9.470 and T8.415, aimed at boosting productivity under demanding field conditions.
In the specialist segment, New Holland will showcase its new orchard tractors, the T4.90F S and T4.80F S.
“These tractors might be compact, but they are among the most technologically advanced orchard tractors currently available in South Africa,” Du Preez said.
He estimated the total value of machinery on display at around R95 million.
AGCO
AGCO will showcase a wide range of new tractors at Nampo 2026, including award-winning models across the high-, mid-, and lower-horsepower segments, according to Ryan Clark, product marketing manager for tractors at AGCO.
In the high-power category, 340hp to 425hp (254kW to 317kW), visitors can expect to see the Massey Ferguson (MF) 9S range. As the flagship of MF’s New Era line-up, the 9S is designed for demanding applications and features integrated smart farming and connectivity capabilities.
For the mid-range segment, AGCO will exhibit the Massey Ferguson 5M series. The range includes five models suited to mixed farming operations, including loader work, light tillage, haymaking, and transport. They are powered by a 4,4ℓ four-cylinder AGCO Power engine delivering between 105hp and 145hp (78kW to 108kW).
In the lower-horsepower category, 74hp to 80hp (55kW to 60kW), the Massey Ferguson 3700 series from the CORE line-up will be on display. Clark noted that the range is still pending homologation for the South African market, adding that its presence at Nampo is intended to give farmers “a taste of what’s to come”.
John Deere
John Deere will showcase a range of new and upgraded machinery at this year’s Nampo, with a focus on productivity, operator comfort, and precision technology, according to Lucas Groenewald, John Deere Africa Middle East’s marketing and division one sales manager.
Highlights include the new 3E and 3EN series tractors, designed for efficiency in compact and demanding environments, and the upgraded 5090E, which now offers increased lift capacity, loader configuration options, and JDLink readiness for improved connectivity and fleet management.
The new F8 self-propelled forage harvester will also be on display, featuring a JD14X 13,6ℓ PowerTech engine and HarvestMotion technology for improved efficiency, silage quality, and operator comfort.
For planting, John Deere will debut its 24-row DB44 planter at Nampo. It can be equipped with MaxEmerge 5E or ExactEmerge row units, as well as individual hydraulic row downforce. Its SeedStar 5 monitoring and JDLink integration allow farmers to track planting performance in real time via a mobile device or tablet.
Performance Upgrade Kits will also be available, allowing older planters (six to 16 rows) to be upgraded with newer planting technologies.
Visitors can also explore virtual displays of the 8R and 8RX high-horsepower tractors, which deliver up to 634hp and feature an electric variable transmission, as well as the new 400R self-propelled sprayer.
Groenewald added that visitors can attend sessions at the stand, where product specialists and factory representatives will share insights into precision technology and the latest developments in John Deere’s equipment range.
Wuhlf
Grant Moodley, machine sales executive at Wuhlf, said the company is particularly excited about showcasing its 960-2 mulcher at Nampo this year.
“We developed the 960-2 a few years ago, but this will be the first time it is on display at Nampo,” he added.
Moodley explained that Wuhlf previously exhibited the smaller 930 mulcher at the show, but this year the focus is on demonstrating more powerful technology. The 960-2 features a 370hp (276kW) engine, a 2,5m mulching width, and the capacity to clear between 8ha and 15ha of alien vegetation per day, depending on conditions.
Another highlight is a remote-controlled mulcher prototype developed in collaboration with Tshwane University of Technology.
“The prototype, which has an 85kW [114hp] engine and a 1,2m cutting width, has been specifically designed to operate on dangerous, sloping terrain. Its low-profile design improves stability and reduces the risk of tipping, while the operator can control the machine from a distance of up to 100m,” Moodley said.
He added that mulching machines are becoming increasingly valuable tools for improving the sustainability of South African farming operations. By removing invasive alien vegetation, these machines help to restore natural veld, improve grazing capacity, and enhance biodiversity.
They also play a critical role in water conservation, as alien plants often consume significantly more water than indigenous species, placing additional pressure on already scarce water resources.
Wuhlf will have machinery valued at more than R10 million on display at its stand at Nampo and will offer producers an opportunity to see the latest developments in land-clearing and vegetation management technology first-hand.
