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OPINION: A mate of the Hound’s reckons the recent number of tractor sales, or more correctly, a lack of them, is a warning sign of a coming rural recession.
Even economists consider sales of tractors and other machinery an economic bellwether, so a big fall is a worrying indicator.
Latest figures show sales of tractors and farm machinery have fallen significantly, albeit from very high levels in 2022, according to the Tractor and Machinery Association. Since the start of 2023, the number of tractors sold was down by a quarter.
Craigs Investment Partners investment director Mark Lister says the decline wasn’t surprising, considering agricultural headwinds.
“It all filters through. There are plenty of parts of the country, towns like Ashburton, where a large part of the local economy might be servicing the agricultural sector. If that sector is feeling a little less upbeat and spending falls, it flows through the whole local economy.”
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.
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OPINION: There's an infamous term coined by a US general during the Vietnam war, specifically in reference to the battle of Ben Tre: "We had to burn the village to save it."
North Canterbury farmer Adam Williamson has been appointed DairyNZ's associate director for 2026-27.
Fonterra farmers are set for a multi-billion-dollar payout this week.
The 2026 Holstein Friesian NZ Young Breeders Development Programme is off to a strong start, with this year's intake coming together for their first event on March 18 and 19.
State farmer Pāmu (Landcorp) has announced it will pay a $10 million special dividend to the Crown off the back of a strong outlook for the business and a capital repayment of $9.5 million following Fonterra's consumer business sale.
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