Last Monday (18th May) saw the re opening of golf courses, all be at a very limited capacity. But it is a start to getting back to near normal times for them. Garden centres also reopened last Monday, which saw a big influx of customers who were keen to stock up their gardens with bedding plants and shrubs.

Many of the domestic garden service dealers also saw their doors re-open after almost 2 months of non trading. It has been a hard time for them and I do hope that they can pick themselves up and salvage some lost business. Thankfully, the summer months are upon us, which should allow for some demand in garden mowers and equipment.

With people being allowed to meet up (a maximum of four people staying 2 metres apart), public parks and gardens will be popular venues for gatherings, especially in the fine weather that we have been having. Maintenance of these parks was carried out at a limited and basic level during the lockdown. Machines were not put to use as often as they would have been. With the re-opening of golf courses in particular, standards of maintenance will need to be stepped up, which should see the demand for grass cutting equipment increase. This should be good news for dealers and those businesses carrying out machinery repairs.

Reading the latest statistics on agricultural machinery sales it is hard to see a big demand in new equipment. According to the association of European (agricultural) machinery manufacturers – CEMA, they see the European agricultural industry remaining deeply negative due to the impact of Covid-19 being keenly felt. CEMA’s most recent monthly ‘Business Barometer’ survey found that those businesses who participated saw production capacity around Europe at only three quarters of what it was before the coronavirus took its toll. However, on a brighter note, the survey found that order volumes are at a relatively good level, due to a higher order intake before the pandemic hit.

With regard to the Irish tractor scene, figures issued by the Farm Tractor and Machinery Association (FTMTA) found that tractor registrations (including other self-propelled machinery) was 43% less in April 2020 compared to April 2019.

The above figures make for grim reading and one would think will we ever get back to ‘normal’ times? The future will be a lot different to what we have been used to and a lot of adapting will be needed. This will include the changing of business strategies. Barry Drennan of Golfhire.ie is an example of one such business who has already adapted. He has an interesting article in this edition of Service Dealer Ireland on how he has gone from selling equipment to hiring it out instead.

One of the saddest things as a result of Covid-19 is the canceling of the agricultural and horticultural shows, particularly our National Ploughing Championships. This is one of the great events of the year and attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. The ploughing matches, however will be going ahead behind closed gates but the trade exhibitions will not be happening. These shows provided opportunities for dealers and distributors to showcase their machines and have proved to be an added attraction to the shows. It is hard to imagine a summer without these events taking place.

Had someone told me last summer that no shows would take place a year later I would have laughed at them. What a difference a year makes.

The Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA) has issued a message to its members on how to properly comply with the Government’s ‘Return to Work Safely’ Protocol.

“Even though our sector has remained operational as an essential service during the lockdown of recent weeks and therefore could not be said to have returned to work as such, we, and all businesses, will be required to implement this protocol,” the FTMTA stressed to its members.

The protocol, which was recently announced by Heather Humphreys, the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Development, “sets the standard set of measures required in every workplace”, the FTMTA said.

Among the key points of the protocol highlighted by the FTMTA to its members is the need to appoint at least one lead worker representative, who will work with the employer to ensure that Covid-19 measures are strictly adhered to in the workplace.

There must be Covid-19 induction training for all workers to make sure that they are up to speed on the public health advice and guidance.

Employers should issue a pre-return to work form for workers to complete at least three days in advance of the return to work. The FTMTA suggests that all employees, whether they have been at work or not, complete such a form so that they have “a clear starting position”.

The other main points the FTMTA drew attention to are:

• Employers are required to update their safety plans before reopening, in consultation with, and with the agreement of, workers;
• The plan should include measures relevant to Covid-19, including: social distancing; the provision of hand sanitisers, tissues and clinical waste bags; clear procedures around hand-washing and respiratory etiquette; and ensuring proper ventilation on site;
• Employers will keep a log of any group work in order to facilitate contact tracing. Teams working together should be kept as small as possible;
• Employers are required to put a response plan in place, outlining details of how they will deal with a suspected case of Covid-19 in the workplace, including having a designated manager in charge.

If a worker displays any symptoms of the virus during work hours, the designated manager must direct that person to a designated isolation area, along a designated route, all the time maintaining a 2m distance, the FTMTA stressed.

The employer will then arrange for that person to remain in isolation, before arranging for them to be transported home or to a medical facility, avoiding public transport. The employer must also carry out a full risk assessment of the incident to see what – if any – further action needs to be taken.

Breaks and rest periods should be organised so as to facilitate social distancing, and in settings where 2m separation is not possible, alternative protective measures such as installation of physical barriers or plastic sneeze guards should be put in place.

With the news of some recent golf course closures and cancelled new machinery orders, It’s hard not to feel like we are right back in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crash!

Barry Drennan (2nd from left) of Golfhire.ie with his staff

Barry Drennan – Director at Reel-tech describes to Service Dealer Ireland what it was like - “Back then we were a Toro golf equipment main dealer, and had been in the middle of delivering over €290,000 worth of machines to one customer alone when the crash happened. The customer had finance arranged but all of a sudden the bank pulled the finance! Getting paid became a nightmare, credit terms tightened up and to be honest I feel some golf clubs have been in recession mode ever since.”

The bright side of that period for Reel-tech was the increase of business they saw in their hire division www.golfhire.ie

“As golf clubs did not want, or could not get, finance for machines, they contacted us to see if they could hire machines for a few months or for the full season to see how they sat financially at the end of the year. This would help them maintain the course without having to take out a loan, it also gave them confidence in the ability to make repayments going forward. Since then we are constantly looking to add new innovations and responding to requests of our customers. Short term hire of the Toro Procore aerators and Vredo seeders are very common but increasingly we are getting requests for long term hire of reel & rough mowers and other golf course mowing machinery. As Covid -19 has had a financial impact on the income to golf clubs, machine hire is a logical option where a club doesn’t want to tie up all their capital in big ticket items.”

Major Equipment Intl Ltd have joined Farm Compare, the first-ever farm machinery and equipment aggregator website.

Wife and husband Karen and Oliver McDonald, founders of Farm Compare

The website searches, evaluates and provides personalised quotations across a variety of agricultural machinery giving farmers the ability to appraise equipment without leaving the site. Farm Compare was launched at the 2019 Balmoral Show and has enjoyed steady growth in its business since.

This cooperation is in line with MAJOR’s belief in giving farmers, owners and businesses the best tools to be productive in their operations. Farm Compare is such a tool: it offers a like-for-like comparison on machinery, simplifying the decision-making process for farmers so they can focus on being the best producer possible.

Eibhlin Murphy, marketing manager at Major Equipment Intl Ltd says: “We appreciate there are lots of steps and factors for farmers and owners to consider when investing in farm machinery, so being part of a platform like Farm Compare is one way we can help them make the best decisions for their needs.”

Oliver McDonald, founder of Farm Compare says: “Major Equipment is renowned for engineering excellence around the world, and their involvement in Farm Compare strengthens our mission to help farming families make wise investment decisions.”

An extensive range of Major Equipment’s slurry applications systems including contractor, alpine and tandem tankers and low emission slurry spreaders are available on the site, with a view to expand into grass-cutting machinery. Farm Compare also offers users the option to get a personalised quotation according to their selection.

The Grounds Management Association’s (GMA) Board of Directors announced last week they have taken the unanimous decision to move this year's SALTEX to early Spring 2021.

In a statement the association said the decision had been reached "in light of continued restrictions surrounding mass gatherings, combined with the unprecedented impact on all of us from Covid-19." They went on to say that this outcome has been guided by discussions with key industry bodies, as well as exhibitors.

The GMA say they have continued to follow Government guidance, and the science involved, to guide its business during this unprecedented time. Despite early optimism, a decision has been made to move the exhibition to March 2021 - taking into account the best interests of all parties involved.

The GMA believe that by acting now, it gives the sector an opportunity to re-group and recover ahead of the next trade show. SALTEX will be now held on 3 and 4 March 2021, and the GMA is also realigning the following year so that SALTEX runs in Spring 2022.

Speaking about the announcement David Carpenter, Independent Chair of the GMA stated, “We would like to reassure our community that personal wellbeing remains our top priority. It is a case of mixed concerns at the moment, but I am hugely optimistic because I believe that the rescheduling of SALTEX in November 2020 will result in a much stronger show in Spring 2021. The new date will enable even more people to visit and celebrate the innovation, technology and the passion that the grounds industry represents - including excellent networking opportunities, as well as focussing on new business needs.”

Geoff Webb, CEO at the GMA said, “This has been a difficult decision to make, and I hope all our exhibitors join forces with us to mark a return to more ordinary working conditions in the not too distant future. Professional and personal lives have been placed on hold, and that in turn will have a knock-on effect. We want to help ease that load at the moment.

“We’ve seen the grounds community come together and adapt during this challenging period, and we hope that exhibitors help us host something beyond a trade show - a celebration of what our industry can overcome when working together.”

The GMA also believes that holding the 75th SALTEX on 3 and 4 March 2021 will help all companies get the respite required to readjust to changing professional and personal circumstances. The organisation understands the impact of Covid-19 for many businesses and individuals within the grounds management industry.

Geoff Webb continued, “Next year, the event will provide a huge opportunity for our sector to regroup, reunite and celebrate. After this difficult period, the show will help to rekindle the economic activity of the industry. Until then, all our thoughts and support are with those facing the challenges posed by the spread of Coronavirus.”

GMA say they will honour all existing bookings and has also secured the same halls at the NEC to minimise disruption for exhibitors. It is also in the process of contacting exhibitors with new payment terms, with later dates, and it is also working with companies that may require further assistance during this challenging period.

MKM Agriculture Ltd, the Bedford-based dealers, have announced they have taken on the Ireland and UK distribution for the range of Finnish-built Rammy front mounted ATV products.

Managing director, Anthony Deacon, told Service Dealer this week, "We will actively be supplying their front mounted flail mower and rotary brushcutter / mower and will also be able to supply the snow blowers.

"We believe the front mounted machines offer many benefits to trailed machines. The rotary brushcutter / mower for example is unique as it can cut through trees up to 4” in diameter - making it a very useful all round machine for the forestry, agricultural and hunting sectors."

MKM say they are looking to set up a specialist dealer network across Ireland and the UK. Interested dealers can contact Anthony on 01234 768889 or info@mkmagri.com.

SDF and Fondazione SAME have announced they have donated 800,000 euros to two research projects run by IRCCS - Ospedale San Raffaele di Milano.

SDF and SAME are donating to research at IRCCS - Ospedale San Raffaele di Milano

The first project guided by Professor Giancarlo Comi, director of the Institute of Experimental Neurology, will study the use of hydroxychloroquine for preventive purposes. Hydroxychloroquine is an anti-malarial drug that is also used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

The PRECOV study, which will cover 800 doctors and nurses actively working to fight the pandemic at Ospedale San Raffaele, aims to determine whether taking hydroxychloroquine preventively can reduce the risk of infection and affect the progression of the disease.

“SDF and Fondazione SAME have built a consolidated relationship with Professor Comi and are pleased to have continuously contributed to his work towards the treatment of multiple sclerosis,” states Francesco Carozza, chairman of Fondazione SAME. “It is therefore a source of great satisfaction to be able to support the PRECOV study he is directing.”

The second project's objective is to create a high-level biosafety laboratory (level P3) capable of studying animal models with cutting-edge technology such as intravital microscopy, which allows researchers to view the dynamic interactions between the virus and host cells in real time, and single cell sequencing, which shows how individual cells from the host change when they encounter the virus and after the encounter.

This technology is usually used to study other, equally dangerous, viruses like the virus that causes hepatitis B and the viruses behind some haemorrhagic fevers.

“When the scientific director at San Raffaele, professor Gianvito Martino, informed us of the project we immediately met with professor Luca Guidotti, to learn more about it and quickly realised that this was a research project we wanted to support,” says Lodovico Bussolati, SDF's Chief Executive Officer.

The financing will allow the biosafety laboratory to be reconfigured and will support the purchase of the necessary technology and an increase in dedicated staff.

“Studying infectious diseases in animal models is very complex and dangerous. The risk of infection is higher for researchers, which is why a great deal of resources and experience are needed,” explains professor Guidotti. “Our objective is to participate in the international fight against the coronavirus by providing the only laboratory and technology of this kind in the world.”

These tools will allow scientists to observe the battle between the cells of the immune system and the virus, which reproduces itself in the host's tissues, in real time and at very high resolution. Observing this extraordinarily complex scenario, which varies from one infectious disease to another, often uncovers secrets that are useful for developing new treatments and vaccines.

In supporting these two projects SDF and Fondazione SAME achieve two objectives: Firstly to bring the current crisis to an end as soon as possible, and secondly to be better prepared for future health emergencies.