Secondhand machinery is reaching new value levels as replacement costs climb, drawing strong buyer demand to farm clearing sales, says George Wilson, livestock representative at Carrfields Livestock.

A clearing sale marks the wind-down of a farming operation, often built over generations.

“It’s when a farmer liquidates all their assets, so that includes the livestock, the plant, and machinery,” he says.

The trigger is usually a farm sale or a change of system, such as arable land converting to dairy.

This time of year is busy, with dairy handover in early June lining up with farm settlements.

“It’s also a good time of year to have a clearing sale just because farmers are not dealing with harvest, calving or lambing.”

He says strong commodity prices mean farm sales are buoyant and more farmers are taking the opportunity. The cost of new machinery is lifting what buyers will pay for used gear.

“We’re finding a new level of what secondhand machinery is worth.”

He says capital stock is also running hot. Ewes are back over $300 for some lines, and cows are into the $2,000 range.

“The farmers are making the most of the good livestock prices.”

He says that preparation is what will make the difference on the day. Carrfields works backwards from the sale date, organising catalogues, professional photos and marketing, and getting machinery serviced and livestock shorn.

“If we can market those machines and livestock across New Zealand, we can then have a better experience and a more successful auction come sale day.”

At the company’s May sale, 11 of 60 lots sold online, and a South Canterbury sale drew a registered bidder from as far away as Morrinsville, showing that online bidding has gained momentum. Carrfields draws on their 130 agents across New Zealand alongside its machinery team to make this happen. Every sale is a significant event, usually coming from a farming family moving on.

“They could have been there 150 years in some cases, so we’re trying to just take what we can off their shoulders.”

Alternatively, farmers do not have to sell up entirely to take advantage of the market. For example, a partial sale can clear surplus machinery or stock. His advice for anyone considering a sale is to act early.

“Strike while the iron’s hot.”

This is brought to you in partnership with Carrfields Livestock. To learn more about buying, selling or managing livestock, or to connect with a local livestock specialist, visit carrfieldslivestock.co.nz

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