Australia Weather News

Heavy rains across New South Wales have farmers reassessing possible machinery purchases despite their still expressing interest in new equipment.

Machinery dealers have noted that when the rain first came, around May, there were increased enquiries from farmers with crops in the ground.

"The current climatic conditions have slowed a lot of things down," Tim Slater, from machinery manufacturer Case, said.

"Everyone has gone into a really conservative phase [and there is] a real wait-and-see what is going to happen in the next month as harvest looms with the current moisture.

"There are real concerns about [whether] that water will get away and whether they will be in a strong position in another month."

Weather and uncertainty influencing planning

That wait-and-see attitude is echoed by Peter Holding, who has farms near Harden and west of Cootamundra, in southern New South Wales.

He runs sheep and grows wheat, canola and a little barley.

While Mr Holding may not be looking at machinery at the moment, the weather is certainly influencing his planning.

"Just getting onto the country is impossible [and] we've had to do a lot of work with planes, which is expensive," he said.

"It's putting all sorts of pressure on us. I am just trying to work out exactly what to do over the next 12 months."

That uncertainty is not being helped by the present global wheat glut.

"Costs are incredible and of course, the wheat price is shot to bits," Mr Holding said.

"Sheep do look very good; I am pleased with the wool result and lambing has been quite good."

Hay and harvest equipment 'very popular'

If farmers are looking to open their wallets and purchase machinery, the conditions are playing on their minds on what to buy.

"There have been some genuine inquiries, especially around our high spec machines, with the water around," Matt Obst from New Holland said.

"It is not just track machines. There is a lot of grass around so hay and harvest equipment has been very popular, as has round balers."

While the wet weather may have those involved in cropping wary, the demand for cattle and sheep meat is providing a fillip to livestock producers.

"Those guys are cashed up at the moment because of the good prices," Mr Obst said.

"They have a bit of money to spend, so we have a lot of focus on feed-out tractors and those types of things.

"Feed production is a real big thing at the moment."

The seasons good start and then heavy, continuous rain also has New South Wales Farmers Association president Derek Schoen viewing the coming months with mixed feelings.

He farms at Corowa, near the Victorian border, which so far has not been as badly hit as the northern part of the state.

"Overall, the season has been pretty good and it would be nice to see a lift in the wheat price," Mr Schoen lamented.