Changing of the guard at TAMA
Deere NZ territory manager Jaiden Drought was elected new president of the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) at its August annual meeting.
The New Zealand tractor market remains affected by the depressed dairy economy: overall sales are down about 14% on the same period last year.
Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) president Mark Hamilton-Manns says "certainly dairy payouts have impacted traditional sales. However, many customers are now choosing tractors with less-expensive options to ensure plant replacement continues".
Dairy-dominated markets have seen fewer tractors sold: Waikato was down 19%, Taranaki 36% and Southland 31%.
Says Hamilton-Manns, "Although we expect tractor sales will lag behind last year, we are confident the buoyancy in viticulture, beef and sheep and contractors will ensure we finish the year strongly with around 3200 unit sales.
"Marlborough's booming viticulture sector alone has created industry growth of 7% and we expect this will mean demand for tractors."
He says despite the reduction in overall numbers TAMA member companies keep introducing new products and investing in parts support and technician training.
Angus Barr and Tara Dwyer of The Wandle, Lone Star Farms in Strath Taieri have been named the Regional Supreme Winners at the Otago Ballance Farm Environment Awards in Dunedin.
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Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
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