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Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) president Kyle Baxter says stronger commodity prices are giving farmers and rural contractors the confidence to invest in new equipment.
It looks like 2022 will be a repeat of the previous year, with Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) president Kyle Baxter seeing first-hand how stronger commodity prices are giving farmers and rural contractors the confidence to invest in new equipment.
With many machines already on order, customers are also gearing up for the next spring and summer campaign, driving high demand for the latest technology. Thankfully, the flow of equipment into New Zealand has increased dramatically - welcome relief for those needing new equipment, which is being put straight to work on arrival.
TAMA reports that overall tractor sales are up more than 25% for the year to date, compared to 2021, which was already a 19% increase on 2020, with the trend looking to continue on the back of strong confidence in the agri-sector.
Reporting consistent increases across all horsepower sectors, standouts include a 20% increase in the sub-40hp sector, a 27% rise in 40-100hp tractors and a 30%+ increase in the 100-150hp group, predominntly used in the dairy segment.
Regionally, performance in dairy areas such as Northland, Waikato, Taranaki, and Southland, have experienced significant growth, while areas focused on horticulture such as the Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay and Nelson are experiencing strong commodity prices, said to be driving buyer confidence.
While increased commodity prices are welcomed by many producers, it also comes with a sting in the tail. Continued agri-commodity growth has seen a corresponding increase in costs and availability in most areas of the manufacturing and supply chain. Raw materials, labour, fuel and ocean shipping cost have all increased dramatically, resulting in a flow-on affect that increases the cost of goods being delivered to New Zealand.
Already many TAMA member companies are turning their thoughts to business beyond 2022, as they confirm production slots for equipment expected to arrive in early-mid 2023, ensuring that supply continues to meet demand.
Continued inbound and outbound challenges are also impacting the TAMA members who are importers, exporters, and retailers, while global manufacturing constraints are a reality, as plants continue to work through local Covid restrictions and constraints in component supply. These all contribute to major disruption of the smooth flow of equipment into New Zealand.
Ongoing border restrictions have also left many TAMA members short-staffed, putting increased pressure on individual members, staff, and their customers as they grapple with the strong demand for, and growing deliveries of, equipment.
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With the biannual Italian EIMA machinery Expo less than a month away, Case IH has taken out a Technical Evolution award for the Advanced Vehicle Suspension system available on its Optum 360–440 series tractors.
The Advanced Vehicle Suspension system, available on Optum 360, 390, and 440 models, responds to changing conditions, automatically adjusting how the suspension reacts to absorbs shocks and controlling vehicle movement.
In operation, sensors monitor the vibrations transmitted from the tractor chassis to the operator cabin, allowing the system to adjust suspension damping in real time. The control system incorporates key priorities, such as comfort at lower speeds and stability as speed increases, while also reacting to factors such as lower tyre pressures, where the tyres absorb more of the initial shock.
Case IH said as suspension requirements change throughout the working day, as tractors move between the paddock and road transport, the system manages suspension response in the background as tasks, speeds and conditions change, leaving the operator without the need to make manual adjustments.
Richard Hollins, Optum series tractors global product manager, said: “Pioneering technology must earn its place in the working day. Farmers and contractors will judge an investment by what it delivers, including manageable ownership costs, dependable up-time and the versatility to tackle different jobs. With AVS, we are putting intelligent control to work for comfort and stability, without giving the operator another setting to manage.”
Organised by FederUnacoma, the Italian Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers Federation, the contest has been part of EIMA since 1986, with the Technical Evolution distinction awarded to products that introduce original improvements to solutions already manufactured or patented.
www.caseih.com
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