The latest figures from the FTMTA (Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association) reportedly show that year-to-date sales of new tractors are still lower than those for the comparable period of 2016.
Data for the month of September (2017) reportedly shows that 89 new tractors were registered. This is down slightly on the 90 units registered during September 2016. 86 units were registered during September 2015.
Image source: Shane Casey
This means that a total of 1,624 units have been registered during the January-to-September (inclusive) period of 2017. According to the FTMTA, this figure is 8% lower than the same period of last year.
UK tractor sales
Meanwhile, in the UK, for the second month in a row agricultural tractor registrations (50hp+) in September were below the level for the same month of 2016.
A year-on-year drop in sales of almost 15% is evident from data released by the AEA (Agricultural Engineers Association). 947 new tractors were registered during September 2017 – 161 fewer than the same month of last year.
According to the AEA, many dealers ran end-of-series promotions a year ago; these boosted registrations during September and October of last year. Therefore, it reasons, a drop-off was likely during the same period of this year.
However, overall registrations of new agricultural tractors in the UK for the year-to-date are 8% higher than for the same January-to-September (inclusive) period of 2016. For 2017, the figure stands at 9,058 units.
Grass & Muck event
Back in Ireland, the FTMTA is turning its attention to next year’s Grass & Muck event; details of the event have been issued to prospective exhibitors. It will return to the Gurteen College site near Birr on Thursday, May 17, 2018.
Grass & Muck runs every second year and alternates with the FTMTA’s Farm Machinery Show – in Punchestown, close to Naas, Co. Kildare.
Last year, Grass & Muck reportedly attracted a very significant 11,000 visitors. While it has numerous static exhibits, the event’s real attraction is its plethora of working demonstrations – in which mowers, tedders, rakes, harvesters, wagons, balers and wrappers are put through their paces. Loading shovels tackle a burgeoning quantity of silage at the pit – all watched by visitors and prospective buyers.
