increase font size
Case IH's New Zealand operation is working as an essential business through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Farm machinery merchandiser Case IH says it has kept the wheels rolling on farms – despite formidable logistical challenges during the lockdown.
CKNZ general manager, Tim Fanning, said its Case IH operation in New Zealand had good stock levels to cover short-medium term requirements, despite significant supply chain disruption globally.
The company was working on the basis that it was collectively an essential business due to meeting the requirements under the Primary Industry category. The Tractor and Machinery Association of New Zealand (TAMA) had also taken this position.
Fanning said the Case IH dealer network was operating at reduced capacity, but had approval from the Ministry for Primary Industries to provide essential services, strictly for “the purposes of keeping a farmer’s or grower’s machinery running for food production or animal welfare, or to protect a farmer’s ability to perform any other task deemed to be essential by the NZ Government”.
The company’s focus had shifted to supporting existing equipment working in the field and on critical parts supply to minimise any machine downtime, Fanning said.
Case IH had the largest holding of spare parts in the country with its Palmerston-based national depot (shared with sister brand New Holland). However, air freight on urgent parts from overseas was obvious issue across the industry.
Fanning said depreciation of the Kiwi dollar would have an impact on the cost of importing tractors and equipment. However, his company had secured strong forward cover contracts. These would effectively insulate against price increase for the balance of year, he said.
While it took some time for Wakanui farmer Eric Watson to get the tracks dirty on his new Case IH AF10 combine, he says it was worth the wait, with the challenging conditions really putting the new machine through its paces.
While equipment sales teams bask in the glory when they sell a product, they often forget the designers and engineers who bring that product from an idea to production.
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.
The Case IH Farmall C, well known across New Zealand, has just seen an upgrade including a new look, increased weight and hydraulic power, and a cab overhaul.
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).
Forestry Minister Todd McClay has today congratulated the winners of the 2026 Growing Native Forests Champions Awards at Fieldays.
The Government has announced $60,000 to provide one-off grants of $1,000 to each of the 60 New Zealand Young Farmers (NZYF) clubs across the country.
New Zealand’s rural sector has once again demonstrated its generosity, with the second Rural Industry Leaders Dinner, Debate and Auction raising an impressive $400,000 for the Rural Support Trust.
There has been another twist to the Federated Farmers annual election fiasco.
Analysis of decades of research has revealed the implementation of good farming practices plays a critical role in reducing nutrient losses to improve freshwater outcomes.
Yesterday the Government used the opening of Fieldays to announce a major investment, as part of its Land Use Flexibility package, to support a more productive and sustainable future across six sectors including dairy.
OPINION: While we're on the topic of lumberjacks, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard has no doubt used a chainsaw hundreds of…
OPINION: To a chorus of crying greenies, and not a minute too soon, the Government has moved to put the…
