Machinery Market Report.

The second-hand machinery industry in most sectors has seen prices for late-model well maintained equipment remain firm.
In spite of the exceptional dry in many areas of Australia buyers have remained confident when purchasing fair to good quality farming, earthmoving, and transport equipment.

It is difficult to ascertain the reason behind what would normally be described as a difficult period in time why equipment values are still buoyant. This is true of both used equipment sold in the clearing sale environment or through machinery yards.

To recap on the previous 12 months there has been genuine hardship for many people on the land across a broad area of rural and regional Australia.Often overlooked in these areas are the business houses who also suffer in rural communities the difficulties for themselves and their families can be just as harsh as any thing experienced by farmers and it would be nice to see our government do more in this area.

Farming methods are continually changing as new technologies evolve one of the biggest challenges to farmers these days is at what point to you update your equipment or do you make do with what you've got for another season . Things to consider before making a decision to update should include: what is the market value of the machine you're considering updating now, what will the same machine be worth in 12 months time, what is the costs of the new item of plant and the potential increased yield if any

With coarse grain prices buoyant and some experts predicting they will maintain reasonable levels for some time the focus will be on growing something. The old adage the difference between a good farmer a bad farmer is rain has been challenged over last few years and technological enhancements have been assisting modern farmers achieve better results in below average moisture conditions.

One of the best challenges I have experienced this year has been launching of our online auction program. Who would have thought that we would be able to offer major items of equipment by public auction to our national market.

The results we have obtained so far are encouraging we have reached buyers of equipment in every State of Australia and they have been quite prepared to bid on items based on the description ,a series of photos , and comfort in the fact that they have a seven-day cooling off period.

While I am sure our online auction program will never completely taken place of the clearing sale environment it will most certainly fill the need for sellers to reach a very broad audience cost effectively and freeing up the time for buyers as you can place your bid any time of the day or night when it suits you and check your results when it suits you.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a wet Christmas period so we can all look toward a prosperous new year with optimism.

December 2002 edition.
By Graham Eccles.
Principal.
QLD Machinery Auction Services.