SP market looks up

Industry sources say that the market for self-propelled silage harvesters is up in 2008 compared with last year, as contractors equip themselves for the silage harvesting season. The industry indicators including the latest FTMTA Statistic Service data suggest that in excess of 35 new self-propelled silage harvesters will be sold this year in the 26 counties, with a further 10 in NI. The interest in self-propelled harvesters has come about on the back of increased incomes for dairy farms, a wider use range with the expanding maize silage area and increased scope for their use in bio-fuel crops. The early indications are that Claas is the market leader once again this year. New Holland has made a significant market comeback with the new FR9000 machines. John Deere has also made a bigger impression on the market this year. Sales of the Krone Big M are also included with the self-propelled figures and this year the number of machines delivered in slightly lower than in the past.

Seamus Byrne wins FTMT Golf Outing

Seamus Byrne of JR Perry Ltd, Kilkenny was the overall winner in the ACC Bank sponsored spring 2008 FTMT Golfing Society outing at Thurles. The outing has been sponsored by ACC Bank for more than 30 years and is one of the longest sports sponsorships in the country.

Derick Murphy of the Irish Farmers Journal took second place in the overall awards, followed by Stephen Perry of JR Perry Ltd, Athy. More than 30 members from FTMTA farm machinery firms took part in the event.