For many South Australian farmers, the 2024 season was severely impacted by drought and frost. The latest agronomic knowledge and technology has helped some farmers to make the most of what they could, but when conditions were too challenging to achieve reasonable crop outcomes, CNH Capital has been able to help ease the strain.
To mitigate the impact of last year’s challenging weather conditions, South Australian farmers have relied on improved agronomic practices, and in some cases the assistance of finance providers.
The northern parts of South Australia saw one of the hardest seasons to date, with some grain crops not even reaching maturity due to severe drought conditions.
In the mid-north and York Peninsula region, such as the Clare Valley and around Freeling, the situation was relatively better, though still challenging. Crops like wheat, lentils, and canola were able to perform reasonably well in these central areas, despite the lack of rainfall.
Vater Machinery is a long-term New Holland dealer and, with its Dealer Principal, Roger Vater, has been supporting the South Australian farming community since 1960.
According to Roger, improved seeding, nutrition, weed control, and crop adaptability enabled farmers to better withstand challenging conditions and still achieve reasonable crop outcomes. But when conditions were tough, having the support of finance providers like CNH Capital has been able to reduce risk and ease financial strain.
"Agronomy over the last several years has improved so much that the timing of seeding, the nutrition, weed control, all those things have culminated to give those farmers the best chance of getting a good crop and a good return,” he said.
"Remarkably, lentils yielded reasonably well in most areas. They held on well in the dry and in some cases, had multiple flowerings. Wherever we got a late rain, the crops certainly made use of it.
"Another crop that did well was canola. I think it because it was dry from the start onwards that the roots were able to follow the moisture down deeper into the soil.
“The hardest season in my memory was 1982, and if we were farming like we were in 1982 today, this would have been an absolute catastrophe.
“Because our farming practices and agronomy have changed for the better, I think for the most part, farmers are better able to withstand the challenging conditions and still achieve reasonable crop outcomes,” he said.
Vater Machinery was one dealer in Australia that demonstrated New Holland’s next gen CR11 combine, ahead of its retail availability for the 2025 harvest.
“In some areas that we harvested in, wheat was yielding up to five tonnes per hectare, which was a good result considering seasonal conditions,” Roger said.
New Holland’s next generation CR combines have been heralded as game changers, designed to provide higher productivity with close-to-zero grain loss, improved residue management, and maximum uptime—which is vital in challenging years when every grain counts towards farmers’ profitability.
Some farmers might reconsider investing in productivity-enhancing technology such as a new combine or tractor during less-than-ideal seasons, however financiers like CNH Capital work closely with farmers to tailor financial packages to their unique business needs and circumstances.
Vater Machinery, in partnership with CNH Capital, has continued to customise financing solutions for their customers, aimed at maintaining their long-term viability in the wake of the tough 2024 harvest season.
“One of the most positive things for us and our customers is knowing that we’re supported by businesses like CNH Capital,” Roger said.
“CNH have talked with our customers where necessary about bespoke finance packages to make sure that their purchase won’t burden them when the season is tough.
“That might mean farmers only pay interest for 12 months, or come to some other arrangement, we’re happy to support our New Holland customers through CNH Capital to do so.
“CNH Capital is one of the few ‘big guys’ I’ve come across who are actually concerned for the customer.
“They go above and beyond to make sure that they are able to continue their operations, season after season, with the equipment we give them,” Roger said.
Farmers looking to upgrade their machinery to set them up for a positive 2025 season can visit agriculture.newholland.com or contact their local New Holland dealer.