increase font size
The new Lemken Saphir XMR.
The new Lemken Saphir XMR mechanical seed drill has been introduced as the successor to the proven Saphir 10m, with the manufacturer claiming new standards for precision, ease of use and area coverage.
The XMR’s metering system, developed from the ground up, is built for ease of use, allowing the metering wheels to be removed individually without tools, making it easy to switch between different seed types, alongside cleaning and maintaining the machine.
Different seed wheels ensure that both fine and larger seeds are sown precisely and evenly, while as standard equipment, the system includes a double-sided electric drive with half-width section switch, meaning reducing overlap at headlands or while operating in irregularly shaped fields, can help save seed and reduce costs.
In addition to its precise metering, the Saphir XMR is configured for ease of use, with depth control adjusted via a central lever, while coulter pressure and sowing depth can be adjusted separately. A patented tramline control system is also designed for flexibility, allowing operators to select different tramline patterns and working widths.
Meanwhile, the iQblue drill offers an ISOBUS-based operating concept with logical, clear access to all key machine functions.
To ensure reliable seed placement, the drill uses the tried-and-tested parallelogram-guided double disc coulter with pressure roller, to ensure consistent seeding depth and good soil contact even under varying soil conditions and at higher speeds.
In addition, coulter pressure can be easily adjusted to up to 45kg using the grid adjustment mechanism, with the drill available with 12.5- or 15-centimetre row spacings.
The Saphir XMR can be configured with 900, 1200, or 1500 litre tank capacities, featuring a large opening, rigid, waterproof plastic lid, making filling with big bags or a front loader easy. In addition, the MultiHub can be installed as an optional 200-litre auxiliary tank for micro-granules or catch crops.
The Saphir XMR can be mounted as a combination unit on the Zirkon EMR and Zirkon XMR power harrows, equipped for the first time with the optional 600-series roller, offering significantly reduced rolling resistance and improved reconsolidation, particularly on light soils.
During operation, the semi-mounted design sees hydraulic cylinders lift and swivel the seed drill forwards simultaneously, reducing the rear axle load and ensuring stable weight distribution – particularly important during road transport.
In other news, challenging market conditions in the agricultural machinery sector are behind Lemken’s decision to temporarily introduce short-time working between July and the end of the year at its Alpen site in Germany.
The site, which is also Lemken’s headquarters, employs around 1200 staff and produces about 15,000 ploughs, cultivators, compact disc harrows, power harrows and seedbed combinations annually.
www.lemken.com/nz
Twin rotor swathers have become the ‘go-to’ for forming swaths to feed hungry harvesters and balers, however, the design layout often means that crop located between the two rotors is not picked up, turned over or incorporated into the swath formed for subsequent harvesting.
Operating large tractors became more expensive back in March due to the ongoing Strait of Hormuz conflict, meaning contractors had to introduce fuel surcharges and farmers had to adjust their budget forecasts.
Close to the Abel Tasman and Kahurangi National Parks, Motueka is known for apples, pear and kiwifruit orchards, alongside specialised crops such as hops. Indeed, that specialisation, saw the area being the New Zealand centre of the tobacco growing, until the early 1980s.
Can-Am has introduced its 2027 range of side-by-side vehicles (SSV) and all-terrain vehicles (ATV), including the industry leading Defender, the Maverick R and the hugely capable Outlander ATV, incorporating a host of advancements designed to deliver an exceptional riding experience.
With battery tools becoming more widespread and more importantly, productive and reliable, it was only time before we saw augers or post-hole borers.
LIC shareholders have elected a new North Island representative to the co-operative's Board, along with five representatives to its Shareholder Reference Group (SRG), following the company's Annual Meeting held in Invercargill.
Farmers across parts of Southland and South Otago are continuing to deal with difficult conditions after a prolonged run of wet weather, with pressure building around feed supply, stock management, pasture damage, farm infrastructure and everyday workloads.
Federated Farmers says it welcomes Labour's commitment to reviewing the Sharemilking Agreements Act, calling on other major parties to do the same.
For Canterbury dairy farmers Sian Meijer and Rick Wobben, wearable technology has become one of their most valuable on-farm tools - helping manage 1850 cows across an expansive, high-performing dairy operation while improving efficiency, mating outcomes and day-to-day decision making.
Fonterra has unveiled its annual results for the 2026 financial year, posting $27 billion in revenue and close to $20 billion returned to New Zealand farmer owners and unit holders.
The first major update to the Dairy Cattle Code of Welfare in more than a decade has been released, marking what DairyNZ describes as an important step in ensuring animal welfare standards continue to evolve alongside scientific evidence and on-farm realities.
OPINION: It seems Canterbury processor Synlait is still in the doldrums.
OPINION: Get offside with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters at your own peril.
