Registrations recovered as 2017 progressed

The latest registration figures prepared by the FTMTA show that registrations of new tractors in Ireland during 2017 improved considerably as the year went on. The year started weakly, with a 17% drop in tractor registrations during the first quarter compared with the same period of 2016 but the market improved gradually from that point onwards, so that the overall outcome for the year was a shortfall of only 4% on 2016.

A total of 1,796 new tractors were registered in 2017 compared with 1,876 in 2016, with 31 units registered in December which is a substantial amount for the end of the year. In fact, the last quarter of 2017 saw 172 tractors registered which is the highest level during that period in many years.

The five counties with the highest levels of new registrations during 2017 were Cork with 206 units, Tipperary with 151 units, Wexford with 115 units, Galway with 110 units and Kilkenny with 90 units. During the year, slightly greater than 84% of all tractors registered had more than 100hp and just over 50% had more than 120hp.

Due to EU competition regulations, the FTMTA is not permitted to release market share information for a given year until a full 12 months has elapsed, so the association can now publish a breakdown of the market share in relation to 2016. The brands with the highest percentages of new tractor registrations in Ireland during 2016, when the total level of registrations was 1,876 units, were New Holland with 21%, Massey Ferguson with 20%, John Deere with 19%, Case IH with 10% and Claas with 7%.

Registrations of telehandlers, wheeled loaders and backhoe loaders all fared well during 2017. There was just one less telehandler sold during 2017 than in 2016 with 303 units compared with 304 in the previous year. A total of 85 wheeled loaders were registered in 2017, which was a substantial increase on the 72 units registered in 2016. Registrations of backhoe loaders closed the year at 52, up from 40 units in 2016.

FTMTA Grass & Muck 2018

All the space available for working grass machinery demonstrations at this year’s FTMA Grass & Muck event is now fully booked. FTMTA chief executive Gary Ryan said: “The fact that all the working grass machinery demo plots for FTMTA Grass & Muck 2018 have been booked out over two weeks prior to the closing date is an indication of the popularity of this event with exhibitors.

‘‘The association is pleased that the addition of a further substantial grass demonstration area this year means that we have been able to facilitate previous exhibitors with extra plots and will also be able to welcome some new exhibitors to the demonstration area in 2018.”

There are some static display stand opportunities remaining in the trade village area in advance of the official closing date for receipt of completed applications on Friday 26 January, but there has also been considerable demand for such space in recent weeks. The FTMTA is encouraging all those interested in exhibiting at the event to submit their completed application forms as soon as possible.

FTMTA Grass & Muck 2018 takes place at Gurteen College near Birr on Thursday 17 May.

Exhibitor pack

The exhibitor application pack for non-members of the FTMTA can be downloaded from the FTMTA website at www.ftmta.ie.

Application packs for FTMTA member firms and further details can be obtained by contacting the FTMTA office on 045-409309 or admin@ftmta.ie.