Registrations of new tractors rose by 17% compared with the same month last year, but the overall year-to-date trend is still down by 2%, according the latest data from the Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA). In August, 123 new tractors were registered, up from 105 in August 2014. There were 133 imported used tractors registered.

So far this year, 1,635 new tractors and 1,274 used tractors were logged in Ireland. Almost 60% of these are in the 100-150hp band and 20% are in the 150-200hp band as tractor sizes increase.