RAS President Tim Nixon (far left) and RAS Commerce and Industry Committee Chairman Mike Frickel (far right) present the Agriquip Floating Trophy to Maroné Lötter and Brian Bennet of AFGRI Equipment at the 2026 Royal Agricultural Show.
AFGRI Equipment's award-winning display at the 2026 Royal Agricultural Show, featuring John Deere machinery against the evening sky at Tweedie.
An 80-year-old John Deere tractor stood alongside powerful modern agricultural and construction machinery at the 2026 Royal Agricultural Show, providing a striking illustration of how far farming technology has advanced.
For AFGRI Equipment, the combination of agricultural heritage, modern machinery and emerging digital technology proved a winning formula. Its exhibit earned the Pietermaritzburg Chamber of Commerce Agriquip Floating Trophy for the Best Display of Heavy-Duty Agricultural Equipment, together with a Gold Medallion Award for the quality of its stand.
The award-winning display embraced the Royal Agricultural Society's 175th anniversary theme, Innovation in Agriculture — Past. Present. Future., giving visitors an opportunity to explore the machinery, technology and expertise supporting contemporary agriculture.
A 1946 John Deere Model A tractor belonging to Rosetta farmer Henk Groenewald provided a fascinating connection with agricultural history at AFGRI Equipment's 2026 Royal Show exhibit.
A John Deere connection across generations
Among the modern machines on display was a beautifully preserved 1946 John Deere Model A tractor, belonging to Henk Groenewald, a farmer from Rosetta in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.
The historic machine provided a fascinating contrast with the powerful tractors surrounding it, illustrating eight decades of development in agricultural engineering.
Manufactured during an era when mechanisation was transforming farming practices, the John Deere Model A represents a generation of machines built around comparatively straightforward mechanical systems. Modern tractors, by comparison, incorporate sophisticated electronics, advanced hydraulics and integrated digital technologies.
Groenewald's tractor was a wonderful addition to the Royal Show's anniversary celebrations, offering visitors a tangible connection with the machinery of earlier generations while demonstrating the remarkable progress that continues to shape the industry.
A selection of John Deere tractors at the AFGRI Equipment stand illustrated the scale and diversity of contemporary agricultural machinery on display.
An impressive showcase of agricultural and construction machinery
John Deere was the dominant brand throughout AFGRI Equipment's extensive exhibit, with a substantial lineup of tractors, implements and specialist machinery illustrating the variety of equipment available to modern farming operations.
Among the larger machines was a John Deere 8R 250 tractor, whose imposing proportions and advanced engineering provided a dramatic counterpoint to the 1946 Model A.
The powerful John Deere 8R 250 tractor was among the modern machines exhibited by AFGRI Equipment, providing a striking contrast with the historic 1946 John Deere Model A.
The exhibition also highlighted the important role of construction and earthmoving equipment in farming, infrastructure development and maintenance.
A John Deere 770P motor grader and 325G compact track loader were among the construction machines on display, alongside equipment from Wacker Neuson and HAMM.
A John Deere 770P motor grader formed part of AFGRI Equipment's construction machinery display at the 2026 Royal Show.
The John Deere 325G compact track loader highlighted the versatility of modern tracked equipment for material handling, earthmoving and site preparation.
The Wacker Neuson EZ17 compact excavator featured in a specially arranged construction-themed area, complete with warning barriers and miniature worksite details. A HAMM HD 35 roller added to the selection, demonstrating the breadth of equipment represented at the stand.
A Wacker Neuson EZ17 compact excavator was presented in a creatively arranged construction-themed area, complete with warning barriers and landscaping.
The HAMM HD 35 roller added to the variety of construction and infrastructure equipment showcased at AFGRI Equipment's award-winning stand.
Together, these machines illustrated applications ranging from earthmoving and material handling to road maintenance, site preparation and general agricultural operations.
The presentation itself was an important part of the exhibition's appeal. Rows of AFGRI-branded flags, carefully arranged machinery, landscaped display areas and welcoming visitor spaces gave the stand a distinctive presence.
Looking towards the future of farming
Beyond the machinery, AFGRI Equipment used the Royal Show to highlight the growing importance of digital technology in agriculture.
Its Agricultural Management Solutions (AMS) trailer provided a dedicated space for discussions about precision agriculture, connected machinery and the use of information to support farm management.
Solutions such as the John Deere Operations Center™ bring machine and field information together, giving farmers greater visibility into their operations and helping them make more informed decisions.
These technologies offer opportunities to improve planning, monitor machinery performance and use resources more effectively, reflecting a shift towards increasingly connected, data-driven farming.
The contrast with the historic tractor was especially meaningful. While the 1946 John Deere Model A represented an earlier era of agricultural mechanisation, the AMS display offered a glimpse of a future in which machinery, information and farm management are becoming increasingly interconnected.
AFGRI Equipment incorporated welcoming meeting areas into its extensive machinery exhibit, giving customers and visitors opportunities to engage with the team during the Show.
More than a machinery exhibition
AFGRI Equipment's contribution to the Royal Show extended beyond the equipment itself.
The John Deere shop attracted considerable interest, while miniature pedal tractors proved particularly popular with younger visitors, offering children an enjoyable introduction to the familiar green-and-yellow brand.
The stand also provided a welcoming meeting place for farmers, customers and industry representatives to engage with the AFGRI team, discuss equipment and explore technologies relevant to their businesses.
These personal interactions remain an important part of the Royal Show's agricultural character, bringing suppliers and farming communities together to exchange knowledge and experience.
Reflecting on AFGRI Equipment's participation, Maroné Lötter, Brand Lead: Agricultural Equipment at AFGRI Equipment, said:
"It was a privilege for AFGRI Equipment to be part of the 2026 Royal Show. This award reflects our commitment to supporting agriculture and we are proud to have shared in the Royal Agricultural Society's 175-year legacy at its new home in Tweedie."
Personal interactions remain an important part of the Royal Show's agricultural character, bringing suppliers and farming communities together to exchange knowledge and experience.
Celebrating excellence at the Royal Show
The Royal Agricultural Society congratulates AFGRI Equipment, including KwaZulu-Natal Midlands Branch Manager Brian Bennett and the wider team, on its achievements at the 2026 Royal Show.
The Society also extends its appreciation to Henk Groenewald for contributing his historic John Deere tractor, which helped bring an important element of the Show's anniversary theme to life.
By bringing together machinery from earlier generations, equipment supporting today's farmers and digital technologies influencing tomorrow's agricultural operations, AFGRI Equipment's award-winning exhibit captured the spirit of the 2026 Royal Show and made a fitting contribution to the Society's 175th anniversary celebrations.
This article forms part of the Royal Show's 2026 Exhibitor Hall of Fame, celebrating outstanding exhibitors recognised for excellence at the Royal Agricultural Society's 175th anniversary Show.
Further reading: AFGRI Equipment's own account of its 2026 Royal Show participation.
