This year the Irish Farmers Journal will be announcing a number of motoring awards at Ploughing 2016. Along with the Farmer’s 4x4 Award and the Farmer’s 4x4 Pick-up Award, we are adding a new Farmer’s Small Van Award for this year.

The aim of the awards is to recognise the farm vehicles that will be practical and economical for use on Irish farms. Each week as we test cars, vans and 4x4s, we get the opportunity to drive in typical rural conditions that are similar to those experienced by the bulk of our readers.

We put the vehicles through a rigorous testing programme and report our findings in print, online and on video so that you our readers can understand how seriously we consider one of your big investments on Irish farms.

Not alone are cars, vans and 4x4s expensive to buy, they can also be expensive to own and run. During our evaluation process we looked at all aspects of ownership so that we can guide you our readers in the right direction when it comes to making the best motoring choices.

And that choice is not always around a 4x4. Most Irish Farmers Journal readers will have at least one other car in the family, so car choice is very much a family decision. More and more farmers are looking at the option of a small van as a runabout, for its low running costs and flexibility. And that is why we have added another award for this year.

We hope that our choices of Farmer’s 4x4, Farmer’s 4x4 Pick-up and Farmer’s Small Van awards reflect the reality of you farming life. We aim to set a high standard of expectation to mirror just how our readers feel about the cars that they select and drive.

We give an independent appraisal of each and every choice in these three categories. This year we have put additional emphasis on smaller vans are we see more and more of them in use on Irish farms.

There are not many new entrants in the Farmer’s 4x4 award category other than an updated Toyota Land Cruiser with its new improved 2.8l engine. There are some new SUV’s on the market which have impressive performance but are not seen as true farming vehicles.

There has been more new product activity in the Farmer’s 4x4 Pick-up award category in the past 12 months with new versions from Ford, Nissan and Toyota.

The new Ford Ranger was announced within weeks of our awarding the previous model as our Farmer’s 4x4 Pick-up. Soon after Nissan launched the Navara for the New Year market with a new engine and impressive performance, economy and towing figures.

Earlier this summer, Toyota unveiled its new Hilux with a brand new engine and it too delivers improved economy figures as well as better towing ability coupled with new levels of comfort.

In the days leading up to the National Ploughing Championships, we will be fine tuning our score sheets so that we select the best vehicle in each of the three categories to suit your farming needs. The award winning vehicles in the three categories will be announced on Wednesday morning, September 21 at the Irish Farmers Journal stand on Row 12, Stand 291.