Farming smarter with technology
The National Fieldays is an annual fixture in the farming calendar: it draws in thousands of farmers, contractors, and industry professionals from across the country.
However, supply chain disruptions are causing havoc with delivery lead times, with distributors looking at three-month averages to smooth out peaks and troughs.
This was key findings of the recent Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) online 2021 AGM, after its in-person annual meeting was cancelled because of Covid restrictions.
The industry body also reported it is monitoring the 'Right to Repair' momentum that is playing out in Australia, regarding the direction of legislation permitting customers the right to repair. This is likely to affect the New Zealand market in the coming years. TAMA is encouraging distributors and dealers to ensure their customers continue to receive the exceptionally high level of service they have become familiar with.
Looking to the future, the organisation is working on a Code of Practice for autonomous vehicles, to ensure the sector is ready for the next generation of semi and fully autonomous vehicles that will start to be available in NZ in the coming months.
Responding to a survey of its members, TAMA is undertaking a recruitment campaign to attract heavy machinery/diesel technician from overseas to address a desperate labour shortage in the industry. This is on top of a local campaign that sets out to attract more NZ youngsters and apprentices into the sector.
TAMA says it is also committed to presenting its Emerging Talent 2021 Awards to the three recipients in sales, parts and service - who missed out in August because of the AGM cancellation - by the end of the year.
It also announced the Ron Gall Scholarship for Industry Leadership, in memory of the industry stalwart and his considerable contribution to TAMA and the industry. The one-off scholarship of $2,000 sponsored by Tulloch Farm Machines will be awarded to an inspiring industry leader so they can contribute to a course, conference or workshop to enhance his or her leadership capability.
