increase font size
TAMA president Kyle Baxter says strengthened commodity prices are giving farmers and rural contractors more confidence to invest in new equipment.
Demand for agricultural machinery and equipment has kicked 2021 off to a fantastic start, following the momentum that built during spring and summer of 2020.
The Tractor and Machinery Association of New Zealand (TAMA) is reporting that tractor sales increased by more than 19% across all horespower sectors for the first quarter - compared to 2020. There was a notable 30% increase in the sub-40hp sector and a near 60% increase in the 150hp-plus sector.
In the 40hp-150hp sector, which covers horticulture and dairy, growth was a more modest 8%. However, this could increase quickly as new equipment arrives in the country.
TAMA president, Kyle Baxter says he's seeing first-hand how strengthened commodity prices are giving farmers and rural contractors more confidence to invest in new equipment. However, border control issues are a continuing challenge, affecting both the supply of staff and equipment.
"Current border restrictions have left many TAMA members short-staffed," Baxter says.
"We're looking forward to the second half of 2021, with vaccinations and digital travel passports becoming more prevalent, hopefully allowing a relaxation of border controls to assist with the flow of skilled staff to our members."
He adds that continuing supply chain 'challenges' are also impacting members.
"Global manufacturing constraints are still a reality, as plants continue to work through local Covid restrictions, but the flow of equipment into New Zealand is increasing steadily," Baxter says.
"TAMA members who manufacture in New Zealand are reporting growth in customer confidence and a strong demand for their equipment. But, on the flip-side, they are experiencing issues with fulfilling orders for export due to global shipping constraints."
From a finance point of view, Baxter says the combination of strengthened confidence and commodity prices is resulting in the lending institutions looking favourably at the agricultural industry.
"This appetite to lend to agriculture will certainly help continue to stimulate the sector further as we go into the 2021 season."
As we move into the second half of 2026, the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) reports that Year-to-Date figures ending June 30 saw new tractor deliveries hitting 1,386 units or 10.7% ahead of the same period in 2025.
For the first three months of 2026, new tractor deliveries saw an increase over the previous two months, resulting in year-to-date deliveries climbing to 649 units - around 5% ahead of the same period in 2025.
Coming in at a year-end total at 3088 units, a rise of around 10% over the 2806 total for 2024, the signs are that the New Zealand farm machinery industry is turning the corner after a difficult couple of years.
New tractor deliveries for 2025 jumped 10% compared to the previous year, a reflection of the positive primary sector outlook, according to the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA).
As we move into the 2025/26 growing season, the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) reports that the third quarter results for the year to date is showing that the stagnated tractor market of the last 18 months is showing signs of recovery.
Applications are set to open for the 2027 Zanda McDonald Award, a trans-Tasman award recognised for identifying and fast-tracking talented young leaders in agriculture and agribusiness.
The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (the College) and Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network are calling for investment in a proposed new training pathway for rural GPs, warning that many rural practices are struggling to recruit while a large share of the existing workforce nears retirement.
Federated Farmers has called on Central Otago District Council (CODC) to drop or vote down a plan to truck sludge from Alexandra and Cromwell to farmland near Lauder, warning it would compound an "outrageous" situation created by a separate council's decision weeks earlier.
Synlait has swung to second-half profit as operations stabilise, but the dairy processor still posted a $75.4m annual loss.
LIC shareholders have elected a new North Island representative to the co-operative's Board, along with five representatives to its Shareholder Reference Group (SRG), following the company's Annual Meeting held in Invercargill.
Farmers across parts of Southland and South Otago are continuing to deal with difficult conditions after a prolonged run of wet weather, with pressure building around feed supply, stock management, pasture damage, farm infrastructure and everyday workloads.
OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities…
OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in…
