How far in advance do we need to plan? PAC report by Ellen Garland

For all Farm Inputs, reoccurring products, and New Equipment, check out the PAC (Prime Ag Centre) page here or call Ellen on 0418 137 224.

By Ellen Garland

Over the past 18 months in the role of Sales Manager for the PAC, one of the biggest things that I have seen continually change is how far in advance we need to plan.

As an online Ag retail store, we try and anticipate (aka have a stab in the dark) what Machinery and Equipment our customers will require, and we order consignment stock to help reduce the lead times. 12 months ago, a customer could call up and order a Munro post driver, and it would be ready within 4-6 weeks. We are now looking at 4-6 months.

There are many factors contributing to lead times being extended, but how do we manage this?

Fertiliser is another example of having to think ahead. This can be a difficult task with suppliers only allowing contracts out no more than 3 months and the fluctuation and uncertainty around price. If we have learnt anything from the recent Urea shortage, is that access is critical. Although the price is important, and no one wants to be paying overs, but if we hold off too long, we miss out all together or end up paying more than the market price just to access the product when we need it.

So, I have compiled a list of items with lead times and also how far out we can lock in fertiliser.

Machinery & Equipment – Lead times

Grain Bag Inloader's (Mainero and Akron) – Available now but limited numbers available
Munro Post Drivers – November, 2022
Commander Ag-Quip Augers and Feed Out bins – December, 2022
Formica Engineering Slashers and Grain Bag Rollers – 8 to 12 weeks
Nev Hamilton Engineering Trailers and Sheep Ramps – 8 to 12 weeks

Fertiliser (can change at anytime)

MAP – January 2023 delivery – All Ports
DAP – January 2023 delivery – All Ports
Granulock Z – January 2023 delivery – All Ports
Single Super – we should be able to start locking this in for March/April 2023 delivery at the end of November 2022.