Looking at 2011 in hindsight, Agriview’s chief analyst Alan Kirsten said total tractor sales across Australia totaled 10,239 units, amounting to a 9 per cent increase on 2010.

"2011 was the second highest on record, bettered only by the 2009 investment allowance year when 11,456 (tractors) were sold," he said.

Last year’s market was driven by a 16pc lift in the under 30kW (40hp) market and a 22pc lift in the 150kW (200hp) plus sector.

But while the 30kW to 75kW (40hp to 100hp) market rose 11pc, that’s where the good news stopped.

Mr Kirsten said the 75kW to 150kW (100hp to 200hp) market fell 11pc due to a massive 41pc sales dip in Queensland, with demand declining in all other States, bar NSW, where the market lifted by 28pc.

Overall, demand for new tractors in NSW saw a 12pc uptick with sales in Victoria rising by 15pc. More modest gains were noted in South Australia and the Northern Territory where the market was up 5pc, while in Tasmania demand was up 3pc. The Western Australia market stood still with sales up just over 1pc year-on-year.

"Looking forward to 2012, we expect the market to continue to be strong with demand increasing in both Queensland and WA," Mr Kirsten said.

Meanwhile, 2011 will go down as the fourth best result by the Australian combine harvester industry since 1989 when accurate records became available.

All States recorded gains with NSW topping the list with a 110pc increase year-on-year. Next cab off the rank was South Australia, with a 72pc lift in sales, followed by Victoria, up 44pc, Queensland (up 36pc) and WA (up 15pc).

Combines with engine capacities of more than 280kW (375hp) drove the market with demand up 82 percent on 2010, driven mainly by a massive re-equipping by NSW grain growers.

"We expect 2012 to be another strong year with good earlier orders already placed," Mr Kirsten said.