September brings an end to the summer season - not that we had a summer. To give an idea of how bad the summer was, the wheat that is growing in the field behind where I live is still waiting to be harvested. I don’t ever remember seeing the harvest go into the month of September. If and when the harvest does come, farmers and contractors will be relying on dealers to supply spare parts and deal with breakdowns. It’s important that dealers are well stocked with the necessary parts to cater for the customer demands. It will be a race against time for them as they will have a narrow window to get the harvest into the stores.

When the rush of harvest is over, the following few months will see some big events to look forward to. The first is the National Ploughing Championships, which takes place in Ratheniska, County Laois from 17th - 19th September. This is Ireland’s largest agricultural event and takes up over 700 acres of land, 100 of which is allocated to cater for the 1700 trade stands and exhibition space. The history of the National Ploughing Championships dates back to 1931. It came about with a difference of opinion between two friends from County Wexford and County Kildare. They argued that their respective counties had the best ploughmen. This resulted in a challenge which took place in February 1931 in a field in Athy. Ninety three years later it has become one of Europe’s largest agricultural events, attracting an average of 300,000 visitors over the three day period.

In November the Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA) will hold its annual Farm Machinery Show at the Punchestown Event Centre in Naas, County Kildare. Previously held in February, it will now take place from the 12th - 14th November. According to FTMTA Executive Director Michael Farrelly, the 35th edition of the show has moved to its new winter date in reaction to industry demands.

This show is a valuable service for the farm machinery industry that ensures only exhibitors with a genuine agricultural focus are present. 

Last, but by no means least, the Service Dealer Conference and Awards takes place on Thursday the 28th of November at the Crowne Plaza, Stratford-Upon-Avon in England. The theme of this year’s conference is ‘Driving Success’ and the keynote speaker is Ellis Watson. Ellis’s previous roles include marketing director at The Sun, CEO of Celador International, and MD of Mirror Group Newspapers. This conference is a great way to wrap up the year where you can listen to many speakers on a wide range of topics. You can also get involved in the various break-out sessions. It would be great to see more Irish dealers attend this event.

The post conference dinner takes place later that evening with plenty of entertainment. During this time the Service Dealer Awards will be announced. There will be many award winning categories culminating with the much sought after Overall Dealer of the Year Award. 

The Service Dealer Conference and Awards is always a popular event. More details will follow in the coming weeks so be sure to save the date in your diary.

Organisers of November's Service Dealer Conference are thrilled to announce a stellar line up for the customer insights segment of this year’s conference.

Joining us on stage to share their experience and provide valuable insights for our dealer delegates will be:

Jim Buttar, head groundsman at the RFU (Twickenham)

Jim holds over 25 years of experience of hands-on management in sportsturf. From an apprentice in a private school, to leading up the team at Twickenham, he has successfully delivered surfaces for many professioanl leagues and competitions globally. Through his passionate approach leading by example and with his management, Jim knows what it takes to produce world-class surfaces and what he requires from suppliers to achieve this.

Andrew Ward MBE, farmer

Receiving an MBE in 2014 for his services to agriculture, Andrew Ward is a prominent face in UK agriculture. Managing 650ha of arable land in Lincolnshire, Andrew grows a diverse range of crops including the UK’s only commercial crop of capulet beans for baked beans. A strong advocate for sustainable farming, Andrew specialises in soil management and crop care. He is well versed in the elements needed to ensure business growth - both in the ground and the support network.

Karl McDermott, head groundsman, Lord’s

An award-winning groundsman with exceptional knowledge, Karl has worked his way up from club level to be the manager of the leading cricket ground in the country. Beginning his career in 1991 at Clontarf Cricket club, within 6 years he became head groundsman. Having experience of grounds overseas, Karl has an in-depth knowledge of turf management and the techniques and resources necessary to achieve perfection on the pitch.

The theme for this year's Service Dealer Conference is Driving Success and it will take place, along with the Dealer Of The Year Awards, once again at the Crowne Plaza, Stratford-Upon-Avon on Thursday 28th November 2024.

For more information on how you can be a part of the event and to stay updated on conference news visit our website or follow us on social media @servicedealer

Organisers say this year’s Farm Tractor & Machinery Trade Association’s (FTMTA) Farm Machinery Show, which runs at the Punchestown Event Centre from Tuesday, November 12th to Thursday, November 14th, has attracted considerable national and international exhibitor support. 

Delighted with the level of bookings already secured, FTMTA executive director Michael Farrelly is confident of securing further interest from across the agri-machinery and manufacturing sectors over the coming weeks. 

“Demands within the industry led us to move the show to its new Winter date and that move has been completely vindicated given the reaction that we’ve already received from exhibitors,” he said. 

“We’re delighted with the support that’s been afforded us from the industry’s leading national and international brands and we’re looking forward to securing further bookings on all scales over the course of the summer.” 

November’s show will also showcase the continued commitment to innovation by global and Irish manufacturers and provide several new FTMTA members, including Pro Dig and KME, with an opportunity to display their products to a very discerning audience.

Long-standing FTMTA members, including Hi Spec, Mastek, SlurryQuip, Malone Farm Machinery and McHale, will also exhibit the best and latest from their respective ranges. Coupling their presence alongside some of the world’s leading tractor manufacturer and  farm machinery brands will make FTMTA 2024 one of the highlights of the Winter for farmers, contractors and the visiting public alike.  

Michael Farrelly confirmed: “There’s no duplication of brands at the Farm Machinery Show. Each exhibitor is either a manufacturer, importer and distributor of the machinery which they will have on display, which remains one of our show’s distinctive and enduring selling points.” 

Since 1989, the FTMTA Farm Machinery Show has attracted Irish and international farm machinery specialists, displaying tractors, harvesters and tillage equipment in addition to autonomous farm technology, livestock handling systems and aftermarket products. Tickets for general sale will be made available for purchase during August. 

Husqvarna Group has announced it has signed an agreement to acquire the Brazilian company InCeres, a digital platform in the professional light agriculture segment.

InCeres is described as an expert in soil analysis that helps decision-making and improves productivity for farmers. Husqvarna say its precise agriculture digital platform will act as the cornerstone for establishing their 'total farm management' offering in the light agriculture business unit within the Husqvarna Forest & Garden Division.

With climate change, farmland reduction, healthier food demand and an increasing population, Husqvarna Group say they anticipate that more food needs to be produced from less land, requiring new technologies and ways of working. By digitising all activities and measurements on the farm and then generating AI-assisted agronomic advice, the manufacturer believes farmers can reduce this uncertainty and be empowered to make the right decisions for their specific issues.
 
Mauro Favero, light agriculture president, Husqvarna Forest & Garden Division, said, "Our envisioned total farm management solution can combine digital intelligence on the one hand and our mechanical solutions on the other hand. Such an offering will be truly disruptive, and Husqvarna Group aspires to be the first company to develop such a complete offering for light agriculture applications."
 
InCeres, founded in 2014, has 35 employees and total sales in 2023 amounted to SEK 9.3m, growing 50% since 2022. 
 
Leonardo Menegatti, founder and CEO of InCeres, added, "After having established and proven our solution, we are ready to expand the customer base and grow our business together with Husqvarna Group. We feel confident that our combined knowledge and experience can create a total farm management offering that improves productivity for farmers around the world."
 
InCeres will be integrated in the light agriculture business unit in the Husqvarna Forest & Garden Division. The purchase price has not been disclosed and completion of the transaction is subject to certain conditions precedent, including antitrust approval by the local authority.

The Grounds Management Association (GMA) has announced the expansion of the Community Sport Zone at SALTEX 2024. 

Described as being dedicated to the unsung heroes of community and volunteer sports grounds, the Association says this year’s zone promises to be the place to be for all things turf maintenance for grassroots and community sports clubs. 

Following its debut in 2023, this years’ experience featuress more space, more machinery, and its own Learning LIVE stage - including ten sessions on topics such as Facility Funding, Essential Planning for Pitch Improvement Projects, Quality Surfaces on a Shoestring Budget, Understanding Your PitchPower Report and How to Attract and Manage Club Volunteers. 

Meanwhile, the GMA say the machinery brands set to display will be suited to the needs of community and grassroots sports clubs, with exhibitors like ISEKI, Dennis and SISIS, Campey Turf Care Systems, and Trimax Mowing Systems showcasing their products. In a statement the GMA said, "It’s not just about top-tier recommendations, but about providing practical solutions that work on the ground for clubs with limited resources."

Jason Booth, chief operating officer at the GMA, explained, “The Community Sport Zone is now a vital part of SALTEX, particularly for the grassroots volunteers who play such a crucial role in maintaining community sports facilities. We’ve designed this space to provide information, advice and guidance, from funding through to grass pitch maintenance, tailored learning opportunities, and hands-on access to equipment that directly benefit those who give their time and energy to support their local clubs.

"This year's expansion reflects our commitment to helping these volunteers succeed and ensuring that community sports continue to thrive.”