MARCH has delivered another stellar month for sales of agricultural tractors with a 64 per cent rise on the same month last year, according to the Tractor and Machinery Association’s (TMA) latest report.

The last 12 months have now seen in excess of 15,000 tractors sold in Australia which is 40pc ahead of the previous 12-month period.

A feature of this month’s sales was the fact that all reporting categories enjoyed huge rises.

The under 30kW (40hp) range was up 61pc for the month to be 68pc ahead of year-to-date (YTD).

The 30-75kW (40-100hp) range was again up strongly 70pc in the month (68pc YTD), the 75-150kW (100-200hp) category was up 58pc (53pc YTD).

The large 150kW (200hp plus range enjoyed another strong rise, up 72pc and is now 92pc ahead for the year.

Strong sales nationwide

Activity in the month was strong in all states with New South Wales again the standout up 98pc on the same time last year and now 105pc for the YTD.

Victoria reported another solid month up 47pc now sitting 45pc ahead for the year meanwhile Queensland was again up 64pc to be 63pc up YTD.

Western Australia sales picked up 70pc to be 72pc ahead for the year, sales in South Australia reported a 14pc increase for the month and Tasmania finished the month 65pc ahead.

Incentive scheme, buoyant season

TMA executive director, Gary Northover, said the combination of the Federal Governments Instant Asset Write Off Scheme along with the outstanding weather conditions had been driving demand.

“Offsetting these positives is the matter of supply. The effects of COVID 19 restrictions in source countries along with the lift in demand for machinery worldwide has put strain on local deliveries

“The big question being asked is, “How long can the good times last”?

“Whilst the recent rain events have caused havoc in some regions, the overall effect of all of this rain is expected to be positive so with the Instant Asset Write Off Scheme due to expire on June 30, 2021. We expect a continuation of the strong demand for machines to remain at least until then. Beyond this we are anticipating a “tapering off”, the depth and duration of which is still largely unknown suffice to say that the industry remains very healthy.”

The order intake season for combine harvesters is now well underway and dealers are reporting increased demand. The past 12-month period has seen sales go past the 650-unit mark which is up from 530 for the previous 12 months.

Baler sales dipped for the first time in some time but are still up 39pc on an annualised basis and sales of out–front mowers also slowed but remain 35pc ahead of the same time last year.

Source: TMA

The TMA’s Annual Conference will be held in Melbourne at the Hyatt Essendon Fields on Tuesday, July 20.