NECO’s innovative drying technology offers a more effective, consistent, and efficient way to dry grain. (Image credit: ABC Africa Group)

When it comes to drying grain, maintaining the right kernel temperature is crucial to ensuring the final product meets high-quality standards.

Overheating the grain during the drying process can lead to irreversible damage, affecting the overall quality. Studies have shown that even kernel temperatures as low as 60°C (140°F) can significantly harm the grain’s quality. This is why many buyers of grain, especially those dealing with specialty crops, insist that their suppliers use lower drying temperatures to prevent heat damage.

Traditional dryers often struggle to maintain uniform drying conditions. In these systems, while some grains are exposed to temperatures that do not exceed the critical threshold, many others are subjected to temperatures far beyond what is ideal. This inconsistency can result in significant quality issues, including heat damage, stress cracks, and a decrease in test weight. Unfortunately, lowering the drying temperature to avoid this damage comes at a cost: it negatively impacts the dryer’s efficiency and capacity.

However, NECO dryers address these challenges by offering a solution that delivers consistent and even drying throughout the grain batch. With their innovative design, NECO dryers ensure that each kernel receives the same level of exposure to the heated air, preventing overheating and preserving the grain’s integrity. This process results in higher-quality grain with fewer stress cracks, no heat damage, and better test weight, all while maintaining optimal drying efficiency.

The Science Behind Grain Drying

Grain is typically dried by passing heated air through it, allowing the air to flow around each kernel. Because the air starts with low humidity, it has a strong capacity to absorb moisture. As the air flows through the grain, it absorbs moisture from within the kernels, and the evaporative cooling effect reduces the temperature of the wetter kernels. This process helps ensure that the grain doesn't heat up too quickly, preventing potential damage.

However, as the grain becomes drier, less moisture evaporates, and the temperature of the kernels rises closer to the temperature of the heated air. In traditional dryers, especially crossflow dryers (often called screen dryers), this process leads to uneven drying. Grain in the centre of the drying column is exposed to heated air for an extended period, resulting in over-drying and overheating. Meanwhile, the grain on the outer edges of the column remains under-dried due to inadequate exposure to the hottest air. This inconsistency not only compromises grain quality but also reduces the efficiency and capacity of the drying system.

How NECO Mixed-Flow Dryers Offer a Better Solution

NECO's mixed-flow dryers tackle these issues head-on by constantly moving the grain past a series of unique hot air ducts. This ensures that every kernel is exposed to the hottest air at different points throughout the drying process, promoting even drying across the entire batch. The continuous movement of the grain, combined with the gentle mixing, helps prevent overheating and ensures that no kernels are exposed to excessive heat for too long.

Additionally, the design of the NECO dryer improves airflow through the grain, enhancing both drying efficiency and capacity. The even exposure to hot air ensures that all grain is dried uniformly, with none of it being over-dried or under-dried. As a result, kernel temperatures remain consistently low, preserving grain quality, reducing stress cracks, and eliminating heat damage. The outcome is a higher-quality product with improved test weight, making NECO dryers an ideal choice for farmers and grain processors who value both efficiency and superior grain quality.

NECO’s innovative drying technology offers a more effective, consistent, and efficient way to dry grain. With uniform exposure to heat, these dryers eliminate the risks associated with traditional systems, ensuring that every batch of grain meets the highest quality standards.

Angonabeiro continues to support national farmers while promoting innovation, quality, and sustainability in the country’s coffee sector.

Twelve Robusta coffee (Coffea canephora) producers from Amboim, in Angola’s Cuanza-Sul Province, recently received a payment of US$23mn thanks to sales of their coffee and a partnership with Portuguese coffee company Angonabeiro

The ceremonial handover, held in Luanda, was attended by the Portuguese Ambassador Francisco Duarte, Angonabeiro executives João and Rui Nabeiro, and Lucinda Mário de Castro Cunha, coordinator of the Amboim Women Farmers' Association.

Of the total amount, US$15mn were delivered immediately, with the remainder set to follow in a phased support process until December. The funds are earmarked for purchasing equipment to enhance coffee production, boosting productivity, sustainability, and autonomy among local women farmers. This partnership is designed to strengthen the coffee supply chain in Amboim while promoting innovation and long-term growth.

Rui Nabeiro highlighted Angola’s growing role in the company’s international revenue, now accounting for 15% of total earnings, with projections showing a 12% increase this year. Delta, part of the Nabeiro Group, is Angola’s largest buyer, processor, and exporter of green coffee, handling 1,200 tons last year and estimating around 1,000 tons this year. This trade directly supports 20,000 to 40,000 producing families per harvest, reflecting the sector’s vital socio-economic impact.

The initiative also aims to revitalize Angola’s green coffee supply chain by providing technical training, improving farming conditions, and mitigating logistical challenges, ensuring farmers continue producing high-quality coffee and maintain ownership of their land.

Portuguese Ambassador Francisco Duarte praised the strong Angola-Portugal economic relations, noting that over 5,000 Portuguese companies export to Angola, with Portugal being the country’s second-largest supplier after China. Many of these companies employ local staff, contribute taxes, and build human capital, creating thousands of jobs.

Lucinda Cunha of the Amboim Women Farmers’ Association emphasized the significance of the Angonabeiro partnership. Despite challenges such as vandalism and illegal purchasing of coffee, farmers managed to harvest up to 800,000 kilos, and the financial support will help maintain and expand coffee production, from cleaning plantations to preparing new planting sites.

Operating in Angola for almost 27 years, Angonabeiro continues to support national farmers while promoting innovation, quality, and sustainability in the country’s coffee sector.

LEMKEN’s precision seeding portfolio and extend its presence in key agricultural markets worldwide. (Image credit: LEMKEN)

In a move that underlines its commitment to innovation in agricultural technology, LEMKEN, a global leader in professional crop production equipment, has announced the acquisition of South African seeding technology manufacturer Equalizer

The partnership is set to boost LEMKEN’s precision seeding portfolio and extend its presence in key agricultural markets worldwide.

Founded in 2000 and based in Cape Town, Equalizerhas built a strong reputation for designing and producing high-capacity seed drills and precision planters tailored for large-scale and conservation farming systems. The company’s solutions ranging from planters with up to 36 rows to seed drills with working widths of up to 24 metres are engineered for no-till and minimal soil disturbance systems, reflecting the growing global demand for sustainable farming technologies.

By bringing Equalizer into its fold, LEMKEN aims to bridge technological and market gaps within its existing product lineup. While LEMKEN has gained recognition for its DeltaRow precision seeding system, Equalizer’s single-row planting technology complements and expands LEMKEN’s capabilities, offering farmers more options to improve planting accuracy, soil health, and operational efficiency.

According to Anthony van der Ley, CEO of LEMKEN, the acquisition “perfectly complements our seeding technology range and helps us serve markets we couldn’t reach before.” He added that the move reflects LEMKEN’s broader strategy to promote sustainable and efficient farming through advanced machinery and data-driven innovation.

LEMKEN has confirmed plans to invest in Equalizer’s operations in South Africa, with an immediate focus on enhancing spare parts logistics and maintaining local expertise. The Equalizer brand and management team will continue to operate independently, ensuring continuity for existing customers while gaining access to LEMKEN’s research, production, and global distribution network.

Equalizer’s founder and managing director, Gideon Schreuder, expressed optimism about the collaboration, noting that combining the two companies’ expertise will accelerate product development and deliver greater value to farmers worldwide.

The acquisition marks another step in LEMKEN’s mission to lead the digital transformation of agriculture. By integrating complementary technologies and expanding into emerging markets, the company reinforces its position as a pioneer in precision agriculture, no-till seeding, and sustainable crop production systems.

Healthy soil is the starting point of every harvest. (Image credit: Husqvarna)

Brad Barthorpe, Sales Manager Distributors Africa for Husqvarna South Africa,says that it is not just about clearing ground, it’s about understanding your terrain,choosing the right tools, and setting up conditions that give crops the best possible start.“If you treat your soil well, it will pay you back with healthy plants and stronger yields.”

Healthy soil is the heart of successful farming. Whether you’re growing vegetables on a small plot or managing a larger field, the way you prepare your soil will determine how well your crops perform. Good preparation helps roots spread freely, improves water movement, and boosts nutrient availability, while poor timing or overworking the land can undo months of hard effort.

Soil has its own natural structure made up of different layers that support life beneath the surface. Digging too deep or tilling too aggressively can break these layers and damage the balance that healthy plants depend on. In most cases, loosening just the top 5 to 8 centimetres of soil is enough to create what’s known as a “fine tilth” — a loose, crumbly texture that allows roots, air, water, and nutrients to move freely. For small plots or gardens, lightweight tillers and cultivators are perfect tools to reduce compaction while keeping the sub-soil intact.

Timing is equally important. Working the soil when it’s too wet can cause clods and structural damage, while working it dry leaves only dust. The best test is simple: squeeze a handful of soil — it should hold its shape lightly and then crumble apart. Early spring, when the ground is warm but not saturated, usually offers the ideal conditions for soil preparation.

Sometimes, deeper tilling becomes necessary, especially when poor drainage, restricted root growth, or compacted layers known as “hardpan” are present. In such cases, a sturdy rear-tine tiller can help. Start with a shallow pass to break the surface crust, then go deeper to loosen the lower layers. Always work in straight, consistent lines and let the machine’s own weight do the job. On sloped land, till across the slope to prevent erosion and water run-off.

For soils already in good health, minimal or no-dig methods work beautifully. Simply layer compost, manure, or mulch on top, allowing worms and microbes to mix it naturally. Always clear stones and debris before working, wear proper safety gear, and keep bystanders safe. 

“Healthy soil is the starting point of every harvest,” notes Barthorpe.“With seasonal timing, sound technique, and the right tools, like those from Husqvarna, land preparation shifts from chore to investment,” he concludes.