Yet again New Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays 2011 highlighted advances in technology which seem to affect everything from general farm equipment to computerised soil testing and everything in between.

Ensure you purchase the right tractor for your needs.

And while seemingly some things never change – the tractor, for example,  remains as much a part of farming as it was 40 years ago – every year sees engineering innovations that increase farming efficiency and productivity.

Career farmers stay pretty much abreast of new techniques, improvements and inventions.

However, lifestyle or small block farmers often rely on something like Fieldays to put them in touch with the vast numbers of options available to help them make their ‘farms’ economic.

What’s more, newcomers to small block farming generally have a lot to learn. And one thing they may need to learn about quickly is the tractor – do they need one, and if so, what do they buy?

Buying a tractor isn’t cheap and perhaps one of the first things to ask yourself is: do I really need a tractor? Then, how often will I use it – every day, weekly, monthly or only occasionally and then when I need to tow the boat down the ramp for a spot of fishing!

Of course, tractors come in all sizes and lifestyle farmers won’t be looking for the biggest and most powerful on the block. They will, in every likelihood require something smaller and capable of taking attachments for specific jobs such as harrowing.

So, on deciding to buy a tractor newbie farmers need to do some solid research. Think about the weather where you live – is it dry underfoot for much or the year or do paddocks become mud ponds in winter? 

Will you require a four-wheel drive and should you opt for a cab tractor in order to keep warm and dry when the weather turns foul.

If buying new, research the different brands and when you decided on one check whether the brand or the vendor offers after sales and service support.

If buying second hand consider first if you are able to maintain the tractor yourself or if you will you need professional help.

Also check that replacement parts are readily available for both the brand and the age of the tractor and ensure it is not only in good working order but is safe.

Brakes and roll over protection are just a couple of aspects to consider carefully.

Finally, ask yourself if you are buying a tractor to help produce income or because it will make your lifestyle choice easier and perhaps more time-efficient.

And if it is essential to your new farming role be honest about what you expect your tractor to do and buy accordingly.

Don’t ever think you can get by with something less than satisfactory for the job required but by the same token don’t buy something that is way beyond what you need.

There is plenty of choice and good advice available so don’t rush your decision.