A really good autumn weather-wise in the southeast has allowed a vast amount of winter panting to be completed. Meanwhile, farmers in the west battle to finish up last year’s harvest. Sprayer testing seems to be on the minds of some people this week, after a news article in last week’s edition of the Irish Farmers Journal estimated that 95% of sprayers remain untested.

Reports to the Irish Farmers Journal by farmers suggest the fee for testing small sprayers is too high at €250 per test. This, along with the training requirements for the operators, has dampened the interest of many farmers to test their sprayers and continue using them.

In this week’s machinery section, we test the latest Landini 6-130C. Also, we print the first of our features on the FTMTA, an interview with president of the association Donal Fitzpatrick. We tackle the issue of sharpening a sheargrab and preview the latest Komatsu in our machinery plant section.

Clarification

An article in the Irish Farmers Journal covering the recent celebrations of 50 years of John Deere in Ireland stated that the shop was emptied of stock, and was overwhelmed by visitor numbers. John Deere has since confirmed that the shop was restocked continually with items for sale right up to the end of the event. The Irish Farmers Journal is happy to note this.