A large selection of machinery took centre stage at the Ploughing this year – from the 500hp flagship model from Fendt, to the smallest vineyard tractor. Reports from the machinery trade at the Ploughing suggest that the enquiries are still coming, with farmers cautious in their approach. Buyers are looking at machines that are functional, with a high work rate, according to many exhibitors. In this week’s machinery section we have selected a sample of the latest machines on display at the Ploughing. The outlook across all the farming sectors will undoubtedly influence how the industry performs from now and into the new year. The Innovation Arena this year also had a very novel overall winner from Eurotec Designs, the first dedicated round bale chase trailer. This week also sees a report on a refurbished Massey Ferguson 240 that was won in an Irish Farmers Journal competition way back in 1984. In motoring, the final conclusion is reached on what small van is best suited to farming in Ireland.