“We’re hopeful 2022 will mean a return to ‘business as usual’ for Case IH in terms of resuming more face-to-face contact with our dealers and customers, particularly through the likes of field days that have certainly suffered as a result of COVID-19 restrictions,” Case IH ANZ general manager Pete McCann said.
“We’ve got a lot of exciting news to share and new products to showcase, that we know will help our customers maximise their productivity and efficiency and, in turn, their bottom line.
“Mother Nature continued to challenge the nation’s ag sector through 2021 and while we can’t do anything about the weather, we can continue to offer the most up-to-date and tech-advanced machinery available when farmers are finally able to return to ‘business as usual’ in their own operations.”
During 2021 Case IH introduced the new AFS Connect Steiger and AFS Connect Optum to the market, hot on the heels of the AFS Connect Magnum in 2020.
The AFS Connect portal is the key, giving the customer a view of the field operations, fleet information and agronomic data from their preferred device, wherever they are, and also allowing for the sharing of this information with trusted third parties.
“The AFS Connect technology represents the future direction for the entire Case IH tractor line-up, from the design upgrades and enhancements, to the suite of new technology driving new levels of efficiency and productivity and the connectivity that enables producers to control the operations from virtually anywhere,” product manager Jason Wood said.
After opening customer orders for the new Optum in October, customers will soon start to take delivery of the tractors.
The first of the new Case IH Austoft 9000 Series will also reach Australian shores in early 2022.
Also boasting the AFS Connect technology of the high-horsepower tractor ranges, the 9000 Series has created enormous interest, with initial orders already filled.
Case IH ANZ is also preparing for the introduction of a new sprayer and several new additions to its hay and harvest range, and has just announced local customers will have the opportunity to benefit from a new partnership with MacDon involving co-branded draper headers designed for Case IH’s Axial-Flow combines.
This follows the recent completion of the acquisition by Case IH parent company CNH Industrial of Raven Industries, a leader in precision agriculture technology, and CNH Industrial also announced in September that it was expanding its presence in the New Zealand market, taking back the distribution from CB Norwood Distributors of its Case IH and New Holland brands to its dealerships across the country.
Mr McCann said the staffing challenges highlighted in a CNH Industrial survey earlier in 2021 would also be a priority for the brand this year.
The survey was completed by about 90 per cent of the CNHI dealer network, with 97 per cent of respondents saying they had advertised for staff in the period from July 20, 2020, to June 21, 2021, seeking to fill almost 800 positions, but as at July 1, 2021, half of the positions remained vacant.
“This issue has been a long-term one that we’re committed to working with our dealerships on,” Mr McCann said.
“Ensuring adequate staffing levels is critical to the efficient and effective running of dealer businesses, and ensures customers receive the level of assistance and service they deserve.
“Through CNH Industrial we already have a number of initiatives in place and will build on these through 2022.”
He said the global demand for machinery would remain high into 2022 and this demand, combined with ongoing supply chain challenges, would continue to impact on the delivery times for parts and machinery.
COVID-19, port and shipping challenges and shortages of materials for parts produced by second- and third-party suppliers were all contributing factors.
“Case IH continues to work closely with our dealers and manufacturing facilities to maintain the supply of parts and machinery into Australia, but there are a whole raft of issues beyond our control at the moment that are challenging all OEMs,” he said.
“My advice to customers is that if you're considering new machinery for 2022, contact your local dealer as soon as possible and get your orders in.”
Case IH dealer O’Connors’ group sales development manager Tom Sheridan agreed, saying the team wasn’t playing the waiting game, with representatives out and about talking to growers about their new year needs, and ensuring customers understood the current market.
“With what looks like most of our regions coming off a very strong grain year, there will be some tax planning to take place, and we want to start having those conversations now,” Mr Sheridan said.
“And we are starting to see our organised clients having conversations regarding June 30 now because of stock shortage.
“Make sure you are talking to your O’Connors sales team about future requirements as soon as possible to get the best supply chain and delivery time information.”