UK tractor regs up but down in NI

UK tractor registrations for the first three months of 2007 are running at 15.2% above last years levels, according to the latest report from the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA). The total number of new tractors registered stood at 3362 units at the end of March. AEA is predicting that the full year market will top 14,000 units, an increase of 6.9% over the 2006 figures.

Northern Ireland is one region where tractor sales declined. The total number of new tractors registered in NI for the first quarter of 2007 stood at 225, a 4.7% drop over the same period in 2006.

The regional analysis of registrations for the first quarter gives some support to the observed fact that arable farmers are beginning to gain confidence and invest. The region showing the biggest increase was Yorks & Lancs with a 59% rise. This was followed by Scotland with a 38% improvement. The West Midlands also improved 31%.

Same Deutz-Fahr sales top €1bn mark

The board of the Italian based Same Deutz-Fahr (SDF) Group has approved its 2006 financial statements, which closed with sales of over €1bn, up by 10% compared to 2005. The net profits of €40.2 million show an increase of 27% over the previous year and equal 4% of consolidated sales.

The SDF result for the 2006 financial year is according to the company mainly due to increased in sales in Europe, with more tractors in the greater than 100hp category sold and the success of the renewed platform of tractors in the 90-120hp category. This means that the SDF Group has increased its share to 16.4% in a competitive market.

The SDF Group manufactures and sells farm machinery and tractors with the brand names Same, Lamborghini, Deutz-Fahr and Hurlimann. The SDF Group now holds a 40.1% shareholding in Deutz Ag, the German based engine company.

Fendt sells 7% more tractors in '06

Fendt has reported five consecutive years of tractor production growth. The German based company which is a division on AGCO, sold 12,157 tractors in 2006. Since 2001, AGCO Fendt has seen a period of consistent growth.

For Fendt 2006 was special, exactly 12,157 tractors were sold, which is an impressive 767 units more than in 2005. That is the equivalent of an almost 7% increase and is the largest increase in unit sales since 2002. Also of note: more AGCO Fendt tractors were sold in the past year than in any of the past 16 years of the company's history.

AGCO Fendt was particularly successful in the high horsepower segment: 1802 units of the top models of the 900 Vario range were sold. That is an increase of 19% over the prior year. Customers are increasingly choosing Vario models, the Vario share of sales climbed from 68% in 2005 to 71% in 2006.

Farmhand appointment

Farmhand Ltd, the Dublin based farm machinery importer and distributor of farm machinery has appointed Jack Harding as southern area sales manager. Jack will be taking over the job that Billy Wiseman held for the last three years. Billy has joined John McCarthy Agri Sales in Carrigtwohill, Cork.

A native of Rathcabban, North Tipperary, Jack is very well known throughout the trade. He has worked as senior demonstrator with Farmhand for the last 5 years.

"I am delighted that Jack Harding is taking over this important job. He knows the products and the customers extremely well and we have already had a hugely positive response from our dealers to the appointment,'' according to Farmhand sales director, David Borland.