Company Announcement - From super smart tractors and combines that can phone you, to customised ways to pay for it, all formed part of the opportunity that John Deere and Senwes Village Mechanisation recently created to confirm why this manufacturer is recognised as a technology market leader in agricultural equipment.
New products and information on precision farming and markets were presented to more than 500 producers on 8 and 9 October at NAMPO Park. According to Ferdie Pieterse (Manager: Senwes Village Mechanisation), John Deere FarmSight offers a wide range of products and services – primarily with the purpose of improving communication with the producer. “FarmSight starts with the producer’s equipment, tractor, combine and sprayer. Existing precision farming technology, such as navigation products, can be installed in this equipment via a phone connection to notify the producer or workshop when problems arise. The equipment is aimed at generating reports and making farming businesses more productive and effective,” Pieterse said.
John Deere celebrates 177 years in the mechanisation industry this year and has been involved in South Africa for the past 52 years. According to Alwyn Small, representative of the company, John Deere was the first company in the country to offer financing solutions through one of its divisions. In 2005, John Deere Credit (which transformed to John Deere Financial in 2011), became part of the John Deere family and a formal alliance agreement with Absa was reached. “Our sole purpose was to finance our products and thereby show that we support those products,” Small said. The 3 333 active accounts currently on the book, enjoy various options regarding transactions, frequency of payment and the handling of VAT.
Pieter Esterhuysen (General Manager: Senwes Grainlink), a guest speaker at the launch, said that there are large forces at work in the food and agriculture value chain. “Mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures are becoming increasingly necessary in the corporate world. Larger balance sheets create more opportunities to make decisions, manage costs and utilise economies of scale.” He also mentioned that agriculture has suddenly transformed into a preferred investment alternative.
An introduction of and presentation on new models in the John Deere series was done by Philip du Plessis, whereafter the models could be seen in action during a practical demonstration. These models included the 7R, 8R and 8RT as well as several R sprayers. Following a lucky draw, Marnus Groenewald from Hertzogville returned home as the proud owner of a John Deere lawnmower.