FTMTA auction on 24 February

As the second FTMTA Farm Machinery Trade Auction draws closer, FTMTA member firms are entering a wide variety of lots in growing numbers. Details and photographs of lots including tractors, drills, rakes, balers, mowers, forage wagons, fertiliser spreaders, sprayers, power harrows and even two articulated lorry tractor units can now be viewed through the plant and machinery section on www.wilsonsauctions.com with many more to be added.

The FTMTA Farm Machinery Trade Auction will be held at Punchestown Event Centre on Saturday 24 February. Viewing will be open at Punchestown the day before the auction, Friday 23 February, from 10am to 4pm and from 9am on the morning of the auction with the sale commencing at 11am. Bidding will be possible, by registered bidders only, in person, online or through a pre-bid service.

While entries will be accepted during the week prior to the auction, the association is encouraging members to submit photos and details of all lots they are entering as far in advance as possible. This will allow lots to be marketed to their best possible advantage to the auctioneer’s extensive network of customers to maximise the potential interest and the selling price that can be achieved on the day.

In what is likely to prove an attractive addition to the auction, Finance Ireland Leasing is interested in working with potential purchasers to provide finance for qualifying machines which they may be considering purchasing at the auction. Finance Ireland Leasing will have personnel present on the preview and auction days to speak with interested parties in advance of the sale. For further information in relation to the Finance Ireland Leasing proposition, contact Sean O’Meara on 086-382 0762 or email seanomeara@financeireland.ie .

Further information on the FTMTA Farm Machinery Trade Auction is available from the FTMTA office on 045-409309 or by emailing info@ftmta.ie .

FTMTA president addresses PAC conference

FTMTA president Graham McHugh spoke at the recent Professional Agricultural Contractors of Ireland “Smart Farming – Contractors and Farmers Working Together” conference. In giving an overview of the Irish farm machinery industry, McHugh highlighted some of the market and structural changes faced by the industry and the related challenges.

The FTMTA president indicated the support of his association for recent calls that supports for machinery investment within various TAMS grant measures should also be open to professional agricultural contractors in light of the important role of the contracting sector in most mechanised agricultural activities.

Kverneland Future of Farming expo

FTMTA member, Kverneland Group Ireland will present its Future of Farming expo at The Hub, Cillin Hill, Kilkenny, on 15 February where the latest developments from the Kverneland, Vicon, Siloking and McConnel brands will be on show from 1pm to 8pm.

A wide range of tillage, grass, fertiliser spreader and sprayer machinery will be on display, along with the latest IM Farming precision farming technology. Technical personnel from the production facilities will be in attendance, as will the product managers from Kverneland Group Ireland; John Mulhall, Paraic McCarthy and Leonard Hovenden.

John Colgan, demonstrator with Kverneland, and Michael Meally from the service department will assist customers with technical advice on machine set up as well as aftersales service tips.

This event is a great opportunity for customers to view the wide range of Kverneland machinery under one roof. Admission is free and light refreshments will be available.