This was the key message from Farmer’s Weekly’s ‘Powering Profit: Smarter Mechanisation and Technology’ discussion at Nampo Harvest Day 2026, held in Bothaville, Free State, this week.
Balfour grain farmer Danie Bester said producers need to carefully evaluate whether a machine will genuinely add value to their business before committing to a purchase.
“It’s a big investment. Any piece of equipment has to pay for itself and have a definite return on investment. Machinery decisions should be based on cost per hectare over several seasons rather than emotional connection to a brand or how impressive the machine looks,” he explained.
Bester advised farmers viewing equipment at Nampo to ask themselves whether the equipment solves a specific problem, improves efficiency, or increases profit margins.
Discussing common mistakes farmers make when buying equipment, Stephan Nel, managing director of CNH Industrial’s Case IH division, said overcapitalisation is common, with equipment often purchased that exceeds the scale of the operation.
“The adage of ‘bigger is better’ is one of the common mistakes we see. Machinery should be evaluated as a fixed cost spread across the hectares it services. Purchasing oversized equipment that is underutilised can significantly increase production costs,” he cautioned.
Bester agreed, adding that farmers often get caught up in the hype around new technology or larger machinery without fully assessing whether it fits into a structured mechanisation plan.
“If you’re doing 10 days’ work in five days, then you’ve definitely overcapitalised,” he added.
The discussion also highlighted the growing importance of precision agri-tech in improving efficiency and reducing wastage. Both speakers identified guidance systems and data collection as non-negotiable technologies for modern farming operations.
“Guidance systems reduce operator fatigue and improve efficiency. You save fuel and improve productivity. Data collection has become essential for identifying inefficiencies and guiding future decisions, as it points you in the direction you need to move,” Bester said.
Nel noted that farmers do not necessarily need to replace machinery immediately to access new technology, as many upgrades can be retrofitted to existing fleets. However, he warned that older machinery will eventually become more expensive to maintain than replacing it with newer, more efficient equipment.
“There’s no wrong or right answer in terms of when it is the right time to replace equipment. Every farmer’s calculation looks different, but maintenance costs are a good place to start the calculation,” he added.
Ultimately, Nel and Bester stressed that mechanisation decisions should be driven by sustainability, affordability, and long-term profitability rather than short-term excitement.
“Speaking to machinery sales representatives, farmers need to get honest answers on how [a machine or piece of equipment] will affect their farming journey, sustainability, and profitability before taking out their cheque book,” Bester said.
