A lot of field work has now drawn to a close for 2017, but thoughts are already turning to next year for contractors around the country looking at changing their forage harvesters.

They’re big-ticket machines with an abundance of technology to make them as efficient and as comfortable as possible for the long hours drivers spend in them come harvest time.

We speak to one contractor running a relatively new John Deere 8600i self-propelled forage harvester to get his impression of it after 800 hours of use in both grass and maize.

Case IH is a well-recognised and popular brand in Ireland for its tractors. We get behind the wheel of a Puma 150 to get a feel for this tractor in the field and on the road.

Alistair Chambers tests it in front of a Tulip disc and tine cultivator and drawing out beet with an 18ft Dooley trailer in challenging conditions. It’s a tractor that has all the technology a driver may need with the choice to not use it if so desired.

In our motoring section, we look at Volkswagen Arteon R-line. This is a car aimed at those who want a Volkswagen with class, poise and comfort with all the technology that comes with it.

The German sports saloon has all the bells and whistles a driver could ever want but could do with a few more horsepower under the bonnet to really stand out from the crowd.

Alistair Chambers gives his opinion.