NZ kiwifruit holding ground in global markets
The fight for global customers by fruit producers and marketers is on.
Tractor sales in New Zealand last year hit a ten-year high and Waikato played its part.
With last year’s record dairy payout underpinning rural confidence, it’s no surprise 2014 was a record for new tractor deliveries nationwide.
With around 4000 units sold, dealers and importers were smiling and lots of farmers got rid of their old clunkers.
The mighty Waikato, dairy dependent, held top position with at least 600 registrations of over-40hp units delivered to farmers and contractors.
Case IH New Zealand recently celebrated near Hamilton its achievement of being the leading tractor brand in Waikato – at least 150 units sold by dealers in Cambridge, Otorohanga, Paeroa and Huntly.
Awards were presented to the dealer principals, and sales, parts and service teams were recognised for their tremendous efforts.
Case IH operations manager for NZ, Tim Fanning, says it’s a great feeling to get first position in a market where the competition is fierce.
“We know we have great products, but without the help of great people at our dealerships, and the best backup, you can’t be
a market leader,” he told Rural News.
Fanning also thanked the farmers and contractors who supported the brand and its dealerships, “for their support in helping us reach this milestone”.
Asked how 2015 was shaping up, he noted, “this looks like it will be another solid year for tractor sales, as the long term outlook keeps confidence high”.
Tel. 0800 CASEIH
Among the regular exhibitors at last month’s South Island Agricultural Field Days, the one that arguably takes the most intensive preparation every time is the PGG Wrightson Seeds site.
Two high producing Canterbury dairy farmers are moving to blended stockfeed supplements fed in-shed for a number of reasons, not the least of which is to boost protein levels, which they can’t achieve through pasture under the region’s nitrogen limit of 190kg/ha.
Buoyed by strong forecasts for milk prices and a renewed demand for dairy assets, the South Island rural real estate market has begun the year with positive momentum, according to Colliers.
The six young cattle breeders participating in the inaugural Holstein Friesian NZ young breeder development programme have completed their first event of the year.
New Zealand feed producers are being encouraged to boost staff training to maintain efficiency and product quality.
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