One of the saddest things about the coronavirus lockdown is the amount of agricultural and horticultural shows that have been cancelled.

The summer months were times when I would look forward to visiting the various exhibits and competitions on display around the country.

On the 5th of May the Irish government will re-assess the lockdown situation. There are possibilities that a gradual easing will take place but this will be very difficult to manage. All it takes is for another rise in coronavirus outbreaks and we will be back to complete lockdown mode again. Not a pleasant thought.

Golf clubs still remain closed until the 5th May (at least) but essential greenkeeping maintenance is permitted. Many clubs are down to basic staff levels with some splitting their workforce to work on alternative days. Greens mowing is restricted to three times a week and machinery and equipment maintenance is only carried out as required to ensure that essential equipment is kept safe and operational. This has had an adverse effect on dealer workshops who service and repair golf course equipment. Machines are only being used when needed.

For example, bunkers don’t have to be raked, making bunker raking machines redundant; rough mowers are not out as often as they used to be; utility vehicles don’t have to travel the golf course to change cups or move tee markers. One dealer told me recently “Now that golf clubs are closed for play, greenkeepers aren’t bothered how well the golf course looks, they are just maintaining their course to keep it ticking over. That has adversely affected the turf equipment sector of our business”.

Meanwhile, farming life continues as normal with machines out on the land at full throttle.

Some dealers who closed during this crisis have re-opened but are only taking orders over the phone or will deal with emergency situations over the counter.

From a business point of view there is not a lot more one can do, given all the restrictions that are in place. It is a difficult time for many. Personally, I am grateful that the weather has remained relatively dry and mild. This has allowed me to go for short walks from where I live and enjoy nature, which is at its best at this time of year. It is wonderful to catch a glimpse of birds with straw and twigs in their beaks as they busily go about building their nests. And the good news is the swallows have returned! One pair are back again in my shed ready to start a new family in the rafters.

In a peculiar way COVID-19 has allowed us to slow down and take things a bit easier. It has given us the time to think, reflect and appreciate the simple things in life. It’s no harm to be free from the hustle and bustle of business life and, in a way, this lockdown could be good for our long term health, so that when we return to normality we will be fully recharged. So take this opportunity to slow down and enjoy nature.

Gary Ryan CEO of the Farm Tractor & Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA) recently gave a statement to dealers, distributors and manufacturers of farm equipment relating to the coronavirus crisis.

The various strands of the Irish farm machinery industry remain operational in support of their farming customers in line with Government guidelines on essential services. The statement reads as follows:

Manufacturing

Based on the updated “List of essential service providers under new public health guidelines” issued by the Government agricultural machinery manufacturing can continue. The list of manufacturing activities that can continue includes the following wording:

• The manufacture of products necessary for the supply chain of essential services; computer, electronic and optical products including semi-conductors; electrical equipment, machinery and other equipment (including agricultural and forestry machinery); medical devices; and medical and dental equipment and supplies.

Agricultural machinery manufacturing can continue due to its role in the supply chain for agriculture. Obviously all operations must be conducted in line with recommended physical distancing and public health guidelines.

Dealerships and distributors

The updated “List of essential service providers under new public health guidelines” released by Government to add detail to the announcement made by the Taoiseach on Friday evening does allow dealer and distribution businesses within our trade to maintain a level of operation in relation to supply of parts, service / repair operations and delivery of machinery.

The following section which relates to parts, service and installation / delivery of machines is included in the updated list:

Repair and installation of Machinery and Equipment

• the supply, repair and installation of machinery and equipment and industrial machinery and equipment for essential services.

The agriculture sector (our customers) are categorised as an essential service in an earlier part of the same list so the supply of parts and service by us to them is now also an essential service.

This is not carte blanche to open the whole business as normal – that is definitely not the case. The restrictions on us as a retail business remain in place and for that reason all businesses in the trade to be careful how we deal with any increased flexibility.

The wording in the updated list allows us some scope in relation to service, parts and delivery of machines but still in a behind closed doors fashion:

The business must remain closed to the public and the gates should be kept closed with a notice placed on them advising that while the supply of parts and service is possible it is subject to restrictions and giving a contact number to make arrangements – effectively a by appointment situation.

The supply of parts will still have to happen in a restricted fashion. Parts orders to be taken by phone or online where possible. In the situation where the customer is not sure what exact part is required that can be dealt at the counter by arrangement and within the social distancing and hygiene framework.

Delivery of parts should still be possible by courier but it will take longer than normal probably.

The farmer customer is less restricted than most sectors and are allowed to go about their farming business and that would include travelling to your premises for collections. Handle that in accordance with social distancing – give the customer a time to call and leave the parts out.

Service / repair on farm is not an issue and can continue. Some jobs will need to go to workshops – so be it but please do not allow the customer into the workshop. If it has not already been done, I suggest splitting the workshop into teams either in different and separated ends of the workshop or on opposite shifts. Take receipt of the machine in the yard and sanitise all surfaces that will be worked on. Return of the machine should be done in the same way. All service operation whether inhouse or at the customer location must be carried out within physical distancing parameters.

Never have two customers collecting at the same time – that is not social distancing. Customers should not leave their vehicle until instructed to do so and parts for collection can be left out.

It is a busy time of the year and there are machines in yards that are sold and due to go out. Delivery is allowed and the above scenario of the customer calling to collect under strict guidelines would also apply.

Most Irish parts suppliers and many Irish manufacturers will be continuing to ship, as will many international suppliers, and although deliveries may take a little longer the supply chain will continue to operate. Deliveries coming into the business either from domestic suppliers or from overseas can continue to be received within the best practise social distancing recommendations – interaction with driver should be at a distance and kept to a minimum, ideally they do not need to leave the cab.

In summary, the business is closed to the public and that needs to be obvious. The customer will give you little thanks for bending the rules for him if a future infection is later traced back to that interaction. We are in this together and people have to follow the restrictions, This is not a drill – this is a real emergency, the greatest that we will ever face hopefully!

FTMTA have issued a template of a letter for member staff to show to Gardai if stopped on the way to or from work This letter identifies that the staff member is working within an essential service as outlined in the Government list of such activities. This letter should be completed for all staff required to attend for work and given it to them as soon as possible.

Please keep yourselves, your families, your staff and your customers safe.

Jimmy Butler has resigned from his position as president of the Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA). He served in the role since January 2019.

The announcement was made in a statement to the association’s membership on Friday, April 10. In the statement, the association thanked Jimmy Butler – who has also served for a considerable period as a council member – for his work.

The statement went on to say: “Following the resignation of Jimmy Butler as president of the association, it will be necessary for the FTMTA Executive Council to elect a new president from among its number, as provided for in the Articles of Association.

“In the event of a vacancy occurring in any of the officerships, the Executive Council shall – as soon as practicable and not later than the second meeting of the Executive Council following the vacancy – appoint one of its number to fill the office.”

However, the FTMTA says that – in reality – the Executive Council of the association is unlikely to be in a position to hold a meeting before June or even July – due to current social distancing restrictions (accruing from the Covid-19 pandemic).

This means that the election of a new president “cannot happen as soon as might otherwise be desirable”.

The statement added: “In the meantime, please rest assured that [the FTMTA] will be in ongoing contact…with members of the management sub-committee of the Executive Council [vice-president Diarmuid Claridge; immediate past president Graham McHugh; Rosarie Crowley; and Karol Duigenan] and also with other council members.”

Towards its conclusion, the statement noted that “the management of the affairs of the association continues as normal, in what is obviously a very challenging wider environment”.

Source: Agriland

Dragon Equipment recently announced that Leinster Turf Equipment Ltd (LTE) as the Irish dealer for their compact CR300 Concrete Crusher.

Jeff Haines, owner and designer at Dragon Equipment said, “We’re thrilled to be working with the LTE team. With their expertise and knowledge onboard, we are excited to introduce the CR300 Crusher to customers all over Ireland”

At 700mm wide and weighing under 750kg, the CR300 Crusher produces crushed concrete in 3 different sizes.

Co-owner of LTE, Derek Inglis, commented, “We are equally excited about getting out and about with the CR300 Crusher and demonstrating it with our customers in Ireland. It’s a great bit of kit and we know our customers will like it as much as we do.”

The demo machine will soon be winging its way to LTE, ready for Derek and his team to show off to Ireland.

The Toro Company (parent company of Hayter Limited) announced last week that it is giving $500,000 to assist families and communities worldwide that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Grant funding from the Toro Foundation will span all regions where The Toro Company operates, and will focus on providing food, health and humanitarian assistance to helping people adversely impacted.

“Supporting our customers and communities is an important part of our culture and core to who we are as a company,” said Rick Olson, chairman and chief executive officer of The Toro Company. “Now more than ever, it is critical that we come together to respond to the unprecedented challenges posed by COVID-19 and to support those most vulnerable in our communities.”

The contributions include commitments to several global nonprofits that are assisting in the relief efforts. This includes the American Red Cross and the International Committee of the Red Cross, Feeding America, the World Food Program, the United Way Worldwide, and United Way organisations in communities where The Toro Company’s employees live and work.

An additional element of the global giving effort includes a special program for its employees who wish to personally give to designated COVID-19 relief organisations. Under the program, The Toro Company will match employee contributions to a nonprofit organisation of their choice in support of relief efforts.

David Withers, managing director of Iseki UK & Ireland has produced the first in a series of virtual demonstrations showcasing the company's machinery.

Davis says he was looking for a way in which he could keep in contact with his customer base, ensuring that when the UK finally comes out of lockdown, grounds care professionals up-and-down the country are fully prepared.

“Demos are an important aspects of our sales process,” explained David, “so given the current restrictions concerning COVID-19, I thought that if customers can’t come to us, we’ll try to come to them, albeit even if it’s only in a virtual sense.”

The video, which was filmed by a member of David's immediate family, was shot using an iPhone in a nearby paddock close to their family home in Suffolk, and as he explains, helps demonstrate an Iseki SXG323+ mower.

“Over the past few weeks, I’ve received a number of calls from prospective customers as well as our dealer network, saying that they’ve had several demos that have needed to be postponed due to the lockdown, so I thought that it made sense to try and answer as many questions about the SXG323+ as possible.

“I’m not sure we will win any awards for the narrative or the production quality of the video, but I felt that it was important to try to connect with as many of our community as possible in a light-hearted and informative manner.

“We wanted to try and pretend that you were here with us in person rather than watching virtually and hopefully we’ve been able to achieve that aim. These are challenging times for everyone working within the turf care sector, and I genuinely look forward to the time - hopefully, next month - when I’ll be able to demonstrate our range personally, rather than virtually."

Argo Tractors say they are getting ready to restart activities, as soon as the critical phase of the coronavirus emergency has passed.

As such, the company has recently completed a sanitisation process of the production lines and offices in all the group's plants.

"In these days we have adopted the protocol measures for contrasting and reducing the spread of the virus in our workplaces and we have sanitized the spaces of our companies," said Antonio Salvaterra, Argo Tractors marketing director. "We want to guarantee to all employees and suppliers the peace of mind to work in a safe environment. It is our main commitment to put health first.

"We still have no indication of when it will be possible to start again 100%. It will probably be a step by step process, when all conditions will allow. Waiting for that moment, Argo Tractors is taking all the necessary measures to guarantee safety and to protect health".

Balmoral Show

The Balmoral Show, in partnership with Ulster Bank, which was due to place from Wednesday 13th - Saturday 16th May will be postponed until Wednesday 19th to Saturday 22nd August 2020.

The Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS) said in a recent statement:

"We are currently in uncertain times following the recent outbreak of COVID-19 and the health of our stakeholders and visitors remains our key priority. We will continue to monitor the situation closely.

"We would like to thank all our partners who have assisted us in rescheduling this year’s Show and we would appreciate your patience as we work through our revised planning and logistics.

"In the upcoming weeks, an updated schedule of livestock and equine classes will be available and entries will re-open in due course.

"Tickets that have already been purchased for the Show will remain valid for the new dates."

Bloom 2020

It is with deep regret that Bord Bia announces the cancellation of Bloom 2020 scheduled to take place from Thursday 28th of May to Monday 1st of June in the Phoenix Park, Dublin. They recently issued the following statement.

"Following consultation with the relevant authorities, Bord Bia has made this decision in light of the unprecedented threat to public health presented by COVID-19. The health and safety of our visitors, exhibitors and staff is our number one priority. An event of Bloom’s scale requires many months of preparation involving a range of multi-disciplinary teamwork. This decision will be disappointing news for many and Bord Bia would like to pay tribute to the growers, designers, contractors, exhibitors and sponsors who have worked so hard on this year’s event.

"We know that gardening can be of benefit to people’s mental and physical well-being during this difficult time. Bord Bia will be here as a resource with tips on planting and gardening at home for everyone, from the complete novice to the many loyal Bloom attendees who feed their passion for gardening at the festival each year.

"All tickets purchased for Bloom 2020 will be refunded in full- if you purchased your ticket online, this refund will be processed automatically and you do not need to do anything."

The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) is giving one lucky reader plus their guest, the chance to visit GIE+EXPO, the international landscape, outdoor living, and equipment show in Louisville, USA, in October 2020.

The winner of this amazing free to enter competition, who must currently work at a dealership, will win two tickets to the show as well as travel to the US, transfers and accommodation.

SUPPORTED BY

Between the 21st-23rd October, GIE+EXPO will showcase the hottest products and technological innovations in the global outdoor power equipment industry - and you could be immersed in the latest developments plus be able to network with peers from across the world.

Throughout the three days you will be able to visit over 1000 exhibitors across the showfloor. There is even 20 acres of outdoor space for demonstrations and test-driving, so you can put the equipment through its paces.

You’ll also be able to attend a raft of insightful seminars aimed at boosting your efficiency and bottom line.

This really is an incredible opportunity to get away from the business for a few days and to come back with a wealth of new ideas from across the globe.

To enter the competition and for full terms and conditions click here.