Tractor, harvester IT comes of age
Over the last halfdecade, digital technology has appeared to be the “must-have” for tractor and machinery companies, who believe that bringing IT to tractors and farming will offer its customers huge benefits.
As we crank in to 2022, NZ’s agricultural tractor and machinery industry seems to have mirrored the automobile sector with record breaking sales in 2021.
Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) president Kyle Baxter says that the industry is showing massive resilience, but notes many challenges have to be dealt with – almost on a daily basis.
“The number of new tractors sold in 2021 was just under 4,200 units, which could have been more but shipments arriving in late December just couldn’t be dispatched to customers before the holidays. However, it does mean that most distributors will get off to a good start for the New Year,” Baxter explains.
“Looking forward, as an association we believe that the numbers for 2022 are likely to go higher, but of course they might get restrained because of availability from the supplier factories. The fact is most of the factories have full order books, so it means there is very little wriggle room for placing new orders for production in this calendar year or beyond.”
He adds that with the rapid spread of the Omicron variant in Europe and its recent arrival in New Zealand, TAMA members are taking steps to ensure they have workforce continuity, taking lessons from their partners in Europe.
“They report that production is being adjusted on a day-by-day basis, with workers checking in sick and, in many cases, off work for many days,” Baxter says
In other industry matters, TAMA is finalising plans to make a ‘Critical Workforce Border Exemption Request’ to the Ministry for Primary Industries, to address the dire shortage of heavy machinery diesel technicians and the need to fast track more into the country.
On a lighter note, the TAMA 2021 Awards have seen Oliver Bertram, a technician at Tulloch Farm Machines in Masterton, presented with the Plasback Emerging Talent for Service Award, while James Mitchell of Norwood took out the Trade Me Emerging Talent in Sales Award.
TAMA also announced details of its Ron Gall Scholarship for industry leadership.
Sponsored by Tulloch Farm Machines in memory of the organisation’s late general manager, the award offers a one-off $2,000 prize – to inspire industry leaders, allowing them to attend a course, workshop or conference to further enhance their abilities.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand has no intention of backing down in a trade dispute with Canada over dairy products.
There have been leadership changes at the Hamilton-based Dairy Goat Co-operative, which has been struggling financially in recent years.