FARM VEHICLES &MACHINERY 26 The <strong>North</strong> <strong>Canterbury</strong> <strong>News</strong>, <strong>March</strong> <strong>18</strong>, <strong>2021</strong> Machinery demonstrations ... Covid19 has disrupted planning for this month’s South Island Agricultural Field Days, with machinery importers experiencing delays for new equipment arriving in the country. PHOTO: FILE Arthur BurkeLtd Trusted in <strong>North</strong><strong>Canterbury</strong> since1935 NO INTEREST NO BRAINER 1/3 1/3 1/3 Pandemic disrupts machinery imports By DAVID HILL Covid19 is causing delays with agriculturalmachinery imports. Tractorand Machinery Association (TAMA) president Kyle Baxter warned memberstoexpect delays in global manufacturing, as wellasshipping delays this year. TAMA memberswere reporting demand for tractors and equipment steadily building across the country,ascustomers began to secure their machinery for spring/summer <strong>2021</strong>. ‘‘However, the pandemic is continuing to disrupt theoverseas supplychain across Europe, America and Asia,’’ he said. ‘‘WhileNew ZealandTAMA members aredoingeverythingthey cantoensure machines arriveontime for the season ahead, there willbepotentialdelaysin globalmanufacturing and international shipping routes that could be felt during thefirsthalf of the year.’’ Mr Baxtersaid memberswho manufactured within New Zealand were reportingstrongorders for their equipment from customers for this year. ‘‘This is very good news and anothersign that our primary industry is still feeling buoyant among the global turmoil,’’ Mr Baxtersaid. Covid19has also had an impactonthis month’s SouthIslandAgricultural Field Days, as many of the large agricultural machinerycompanies have been unable to get new gear into the country in time to demonstrate themachines. ‘‘Thereseems to have been abit of a hold on the boats, so therewill be alot of machines on display whichfarmers have alreadybeen usingonfarms,’’field days committee memberAndrewStewart said. Meanwhile,the harvest season is in full swingand Federated Farmers is urging motorists and theoperators of agricultural machinery to show each othersome care and understanding. ‘‘Noteveryone has appreciated the recent sweltering temperatures, but for arable farmers in the middle of harvesting, the golden weather is both abonus and a race to get cropsinbefore Mother Nature switches moods,’’federation vicepresident and transport spokeswoman KarenWilliams said. New Zealand’s $2.1billion arable industry is asignificant exportearner and employer. During harvest, combine harvesters,largetractorstowing implements and other oversize agricultural vehicles oftenneed to use public roadstomove between different parts of the farm. ‘‘They’rebulky and of necessity —and by law —move at lower speedsthan other motorists,’’ Ms Williams said. ‘‘Farmers areaskingotherdrivers to show abit of patience and commonsense. ‘‘If atractor or harvesterdoes pull over to the edge of the road, take your opportunity to pass if you can do so safely. ‘‘Most of them will be moving no faster than 30kmh to 40kmh or so, so it’snot essential to have the same several hundred metres of clearroad ahead needed when overtaking muchfastermoving vehicles.’’ Refusing to passcouldresult in along lineup of vehicles and that was when some drivers’ patience frayedand they mightdosomethingrisky, she said. Federated Farmers also urges farm vehicle operatorstoremember traffic flows, as wellastheir responsibilities in termsofprotruding implements/ headers and, where required, to use beacons and hazard panels. Price excludes GST. Finance offer based on new Suzuki KingQuad ATVfrom 20 January-30 April <strong>2021</strong>, or while stocks last. The offer is based on 0% interest rate over 24 months and up-front payment of one third of the MRP,$300documentation fee and $10.35 PPSR; afurther payment of one third to be paid in 12 months; and afinal payment of one third in 24 months. Normal UDC lending and credit criteria apply. Offer not available in conjunction with any other promotion. Sales: John 03 3140132 |Service:Anton 03 3140134 MarkhamStreet, Amberley |Karaka Road, Waikari www.arthurburke.co.nz ARTHUR BURKE LTD Established 1935 2359914 Bringing in the barley ... Latesummer sunshine is aboon to those harvesting. PHOTO:FILE Amberley 03 314 9055 | Ashburton 03 307 8027 | Leeston 03 3243791 |Timaru 03 6882179 Afamily ownedand operated agricultural machinerybusiness, Cochraneshave been providing excellentcustomerservice and support to South Island farmers and contractorsfor over 65 years. We’relookingforward to seeing you at the SouthIsland Agricultural Field Days 2366065 24/7 Support Find us on
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