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The German cultivation and seeding specialist Lemken has bought the Dutch company Skeketee – part of its plan to promote mechanical weeding, given the pressure growing on the use of weedkillers.
Lemken managing director Anthony van der Ley comments, “the acceptance of chemical crop care agents is decreasing among farmers and the broader society”.
“There are also issues with resistance to currently available chemicals… besides the growing problem of ever-tightening regulation of product use.”
Skeketee, founded in 1936, is best known for its mechanical weed control gear, camera-assisted machine control, and its Rumpstad cultivation division that produces front-mounted, swing-over furrow presses and ploughs.
The proprietary camera technology allows operators to precisely remove weeds from between rows and plants, providing a good alternative to chemical spraying.
Lemken employs about 50 staff at its Stad aan’t Haringvliet base.
It will retain existing staff and expanding existing production facilities.
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 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.
Complementing its existing range of tillage implements, German manufacturer Lemken has introduced the new Onyx subsoiler said to offer working depths of up to 60cm, available in two rigid versions offering three and four metre working widths, the MR/300 and MR/400.
Scheduled for release later in the year at Germany’s Agritechnica Event, Lemken’s new Solitair PT is a power harrow/drill combination designed for farmers and contractors who want to work in a wide range of soil conditions, achieving a good seedbed combined with precise drilling in one pass.
Available as part of the Lemken portfolio, a leading name in advanced seeding technology, Equalizer, sees its CII 8/762N Planter arrive in the New Zealand marketplace via Lemken dealers.
Waikato milk processor Tatua has again declared a record milk payout to farmer shareholders, leaving other processors in the dust.
A Labour-led Government won’t be bringing back the controversial freshwater rules of 2020.
National’s much-touted free trade deal with India featured in the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek, Hamilton on Wednesday night.
New Zealand's 2026-27 freshwater fishing season has opened, with anglers encouraged to head to rivers and lakes over the coming days as conditions look favourable across much of the country.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
Pāmu has released its FY26 Integrated Annual Report, reporting a Net Operating Profit of $113 million, more than double the $49 million recorded in FY25.
