Tractor sales had a strong month in June, boosted by customer desire to capitalise on government incentives before the end of financial year, according to the Tractor & Machinery Association
Sales of agricultural tractors in June were up by 18 per cent on the same month last year and year to date sales are now in line with this point last year.
This strong result is largely due to the end of year rush as buyers sought to maximise use of the federal government’s Temporary Full Expensing Program.
As we have been reporting for some months now, the industry’s ability to deliver tractors in such large quantities is due to the regular forward ordering that has been occurring for two years now in anticipation of supply challenges.
The fact remains that if a farmer wants a specific ‘bespoke’ tractor ordered from the factory then delivery times will be at least 12 months.
Most dealers now are resisting taking forward orders because of the uncertainty surrounding supply combined with the price movements that are beginning to occur across the board.
Looking at sales across the nation, results were strong across the board with New South Wales sales up 23 per cent to be now 2 per cent behind last year.
Queensland was up 19 per cent to be now 7 per cent ahead year to date, and Victoria was 10 per cent up on last June due mainly to supply of small horsepower units and is now up 2 per cent on last year.
Sales in Western Australia recorded another huge lift with the further arrival of large horsepower machines, up 55 per cent for the month but still 6 per cent off YTD.
South Australia was even for the month.
Tasmania was down by 5 per cent whilst sales into the Northern Territory were up 56 per cent.
Taking a look at the performance reporting categories, the small under 40hp (30kw) category was strongly up 37 per cent to be 8 per cent ahead YTD.
The 40 to 100hp (30-75kw) range was up 3 per cent in the month to remain 4 per cent ahead YTD and the 100 to 200hp (75-150 kw) category was up again, 6 per cent ahead in June to be 4 per cent behind YTD.
The large 200hp (150kw) plus range was the standout again this month, 54 per cent ahead of the same month last year but still 12 per cent off YTD.
Combine harvester sales have now started to occur and there is every expectation of the year’s sales again exceeding 1,000 for this product as the renewal of fleets depleted by the drought continues.
Baler sales enjoyed a turnaround in June and are now down 3 per cent compared with last year, while sales of out-front mowers finished down again by 39 per cent.
The annual state of the industry report is now available for download from the TMA website. This report provides detailed analysis of the industry sales for the 2021 year and has been a staple for the industry for many years.
At this time, we can also report the sale of the Agriview business.
Agriview has been the provider of tractor sales data to the industry for over 40 years, most recently under the ownership of Alan Kirsten.
Alan has now decided to take a step back and this business will now be operated by Kynetec which is a global leader in market research for animal health and agriculture.