Machinery & Equipment

If machinery sales are a little slower at Nampo Harvest Day this year, some in the industry might jokingly point the finger at Wynand Visser, financial adviser at North Financial Services. Armed with a custom-built model designed to strip away marketing spin and expose the real cost of finance deals, Visser is making it harder for glossy promotions to do all the talking.

Tractor and combine harvester sales recorded year-on-year gains in April, but rising input costs and weaker commodity prices are beginning to weigh on farmer confidence, says Dr Jim Rankin, secretary of the South African Agricultural Machinery Association and CEO of AGFACTS.

Greater reliance on solar energy to power Hannes Schutte’s crop irrigation has meant a change in how he manages his scheduling and the system he employs. By switching to low-pressure sprinklers, this crop farmer has reduced his energy costs and boosted yields.

Proper lubrication is essential for keeping farm machinery in proper condition, reducing wear and preventing costly downtime. With planting and harvesting windows tight, experts advise that farmers looking to invest in machinery or tractors at Nampo should do thorough maintenance and product research to prevent breakdowns when the stakes are high.

Bush encroachment can reduce grazing capacity and water availability, making livestock management difficult. However, clearing invasive species can also become an expensive exercise if it is not done correctly.

As farmers prepare for Nampo Harvest Day, the lure of new machinery may be difficult to ignore. However, the wrong purchase can become a costly mistake. Dr Jim Rankin, secretary of the South African Agricultural Machinery Association, shares key factors to consider before buying.

At STIHL, you’ll find the right tools to take on any challenge in your field. The new agriculture power pack brings together three high-performance tools, built to the premium standards you expect from STIHL.

Farming in South Africa isn’t getting any easier. Implements are getting heavier, seasons are more unpredictable, and every hectare has to work harder to stay profitable. Farmers have been clear about what they need from the John Deere 5090E: more lift capacity to handle today’s equipment with confidence. We’ve listened and we’ve responded.

Over the years, farmers have become accustomed to solutions and innovations from Case IH machinery. They have been prominent over the decades, and remain a strong foundation for the future of harvesting.

Farm machinery is moving into a new era defined by connectivity, efficiency and smarter decision-making on the ground. Lindi Botha looks at how emerging technologies are shaping the next generation of equipment, and what visitors can expect at Nampo.

From higher capacity to precision control, New Holland’s latest machines are built to maximise output while minimising losses.

A Western Cape pilot project by Afriwild could help landowners tackle the removal of invasive plant biomass, with a trailer-mounted incinerator being tested to reduce fire risk, improve soils, and support restoration through carbon finance.

Bolt and Engineering Distributors Group (B.E.D.) is once again preparing for a strong presence at Nampo Harvest Day 2026, building on more than three decades of consistent participation in South Africa’s flagship agricultural exhibition.

Thorough cleaning, protective wax treatment, and proper winter storage can extend the service life of agricultural machinery, preserve resale value, and reduce the risk of breakdowns in the next season.

Carel van Niekerk Jr of Piket Implements spoke to Petri de Beer about the recent hemp trials in which the company participated, and the potential for the crop in South Africa.

In line with the advancement of technology, implements, and systems in the agriculture sector, New Holland is modifying their new-generation tractors to keep pace with farmers’ needs in the future, writes Jaco du Preez.

In 2025, South Africa recorded more than 24 000 confirmed cases of foot-and-mouth disease across multiple provinces, threatening the livestock industry, trade, and livelihoods. In such circumstances, maintaining biosecurity and animal health is critical, and farmers need reliable tools to act swiftly and efficiently.

Variable speed drives are transforming modern irrigation by shifting control from valves to pump speed. Instead of running motors at full capacity and throttling flow, the drives adjust motor speed to match real-time crop water demand, reducing energy use, electrical stress and water hammer.

Agrico’s G3 centre pivot irrigation system is designed to adapt to the challenges of modern farming and isn’t just another ordinary water application system.

Second hand farm machinery can deliver excellent value, if you know what to look for. Western Cape equipment broker Debbie Smit gave Lindi Botha practical advice to help farmers decide when to buy new, when pre-owned is the smarter choice, and how to avoid the costly pitfalls that often catch buyers off-guard.