Murphy’s Motors host kids’ farm safety event

FTMTA member Murphy’s Motors, in conjunction with Embrace Farm, will host a fun and interactive kids’ farm safety event on Thursday 29 March from 2pm at its premises on the New Ross Road, Glenmore, Co Kilkenny, supported by Hooper Dolan Insurances and Zurich Insurance. The event follows on from a recent fundraiser with The South Eastern Ford Tractor Club in aid of Embrace Farm held at Murphy’s Motors, which raised some €1,200. Embrace Farm works by supporting Irish farming families affected by tragedy on Irish farms.

On 29 March, children are invited to attend a fun afternoon where they will have an opportunity to meet Alma Jordan from Agrikids who will engage the children in workshops, storytelling and computer games, all focused around farm safety.

Speaking about the event, Bernadette Murphy of Murphy’s Motors said: “We are very excited to host such an event here at our premises and believe that highlighting farm safety and the risks associated with farms can only be of benefit to all. It is a very serious issue, but we will make the afternoon as fun as possible with loads of giveaways and the Easter bunny might even pay a visit.”

Bernadette also expressed her gratitude to Hooper Dolan Insurances and Zurich Insurance in supporting the event, which promises to be a worthwhile afternoon for farming families in the region.

North American tractor and combine sales

It is interesting to consider trends in machinery sales in other markets, especially given that much of the demand in the sector is underpinned by global agricultural commodity pricing. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) is the North American representative body for agriculture and construction machinery suppliers and issues monthly figures in relation to agricultural tractors and combines sales in Canada and the US. AEM recently released figures in relation to the sale of tractors and combines in the North American markets during February.

The figures show that total February sales of combines in the US rose 34% on February of last year, while US sales of four-wheel-drive tractors increased by 9%. Sales of two-wheel-drive tractors still represent a significant share of the overall US market and declined by 10% in February, compared with the 2017 numbers.

The AEM senior vice-president for AG Services, Curt Blades, said: “We have been cautiously optimistic for some growth in 2018, following a somewhat bumpy 2017 and positive overall numbers in January. However, it’s too soon in the year to predict where we’re headed. A major issue is pending US steel tariffs and their implications on agriculture beyond the equipment sector. Past trade wars resulting from US tariffs have targeted commodities, so this is a real concern. AEM and our manufacturers will be carefully monitoring their impact on tractor and combine sales in the coming months.”

The AEM figures in relation to Canada highlight an 8% year-on-year increase in tractor sales during February with market growth of nearly 11% during the first two months of the year. Canadian sales of combines remained relatively steady in February compared with 2017 numbers.

FTMTA Grass & Muck

Tickets for FTMTA Grass & Muck are now available from www.ftmta.ie. FTMTA encourages all visitors to avail of the savings offered with the online tickets available at €15 each until the Friday prior to the event, 11 May, which is a saving of €5 on the price after that date and on the day. There will be a number of competitions for free admission on the FTMTA Facebook page in the run up to the event on 17 May.