Surprising as it may sound but agricultural and horticultural equipment can actually help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality. Dealers can play their part by selling eco-friendly machinery.

There is a lot of pressure being put on the farming industry to lower its greenhouse gas emissions. The EU have set a target of a 25% reduction by 2030. This is a tall order to accomplish in just seven years. Agriculture contributes to over 30% of our national greenhouse gas emissions. One suggestion of achieving this target is to lower the heard number. However, this is very controversial as it will have a huge impact on farmers’ incomes. 

A recent Teagasc sustainability report showed that 30% of agricultural emissions comes from nitrogen fertilisers while the remaining 70% is from slurry management and animals. 

The use of Low Emissions Slurry Spreading (LESS) equipment is playing a significant role in helping to improve air quality by reducing ammonia emissions. The Teagasc sustainability report, which I just mentioned, says that 48% of all slurry applied on farms used LESS equipment. Interestingly, for dairy farms, the comparable figure was 74%. Using LESS equipment can reduce ammonia gas emissions by up to 60%, compared to the traditional slurry tanker using a splash-plate method. That is a significant reduction.

The use of GPS technology in precision farming is already established in farming life. We know that this method helps reduce fertiliser and spray applications, saving money for the farmer and also benefiting the environment as fertilisers and sprays are used more sparingly and only where needed.

Another example of agricultural machinery helping the environment is from tractors that use alternative fuels such as methane, electric power and hydrogen. The Auga Group (based in Lithuania) and New Holland, for example, have already produced tractors fuelled by biomethane. The New Holland T6 Methane Power tractor is already being used in Ireland. New Holland claim that the T6 Methane Power tractor produces 80% lower overall emissions than its diesel counterpart. JCB just recently unveiled their hydrogen combustion engine at the Conexpo 2023 show in Las Vegas. Prototype JCB hydrogen engines are already powering backhoe loader and Loadall telescopic handler machines.

Using electric tractors will probably be more practical on smaller farms, as the workload will be a lot less. The sportsturf and amenity sectors are already embracing this technology in parks, golf courses and pitches by using electric mowers, strimmers, chainsaws and utility vehicles. Electric tractors would be great for the environment if the electricity used to drive them is produced from sustainable sources. Some farmers have considered installing solar panels on their farm to produce the electricity needed to charge the tractor batteries.

The development of all this technology comes at a price. This is reflected in the high cost of producing environmentally friendly equipment and the research and development that is required. Even so, it will do no harm for sales reps to promote these machines, highlighting the benefits they have on the environment. The savings they will make on running costs should outweigh their initial investment cost. With that in mind, farmers and growers will be prepared to pay that bit extra to help protect the planet.

Toro U.K. Limited recently toured Ireland with Cyril Johnston, their Irish distributor for both the Hayter and Toro brands. 

 
The tour of both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland saw dealers hosted at three venues over a week. Showcasing the Consumer, Landscape Contractor, Siteworks and Construction products, dealers were updated on the product ranges and Toro’s plans for the future. They also had the opportunity to get hands on with the product range itself.
 
Craig Hoare, Toro sales & marketing manager said, “We are proud to have Cyril Johnston as our exclusive Toro distributor for both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and we are pleased to support them and their dealers, old and new with this tour. We look forward to growing the brands in the Irish market.”

 
Tom Black, managing director of Cyril Johnston, praised Toro U.K. Limited on their support adding, “I am really looking forward to building on this initial visit. The product range Toro offers us is vast and allows us to offer our dealers unrivalled opportunities to grow their dealerships.”

Irish Grass Machinery has been appointed as a new Etesia dealer in the Republic of Ireland.

Founded in 1998 by brothers Tony and Michael Smyth, Irish Grass Machinery distributes a wide range of ground care equipment. Over the years the company has gone from strength to strength and is renowned for providing its customers with leading machinery, quality parts and a first-class customer service. 

Irish Grass Machinery can now add the Etesia brand to its portfolio.

“We want to work with the best brands and that is how we came to be an Etesia dealer,” said Michael Smyth. 

The manufacturer's range includes the all-new ET Lander electric utility vehicle - something that Michael says he is particularly excited about. 

“I first became acquainted with the ET Lander when I went over to Etesia UK’s headquarters. I had a good look and a drive of it, and it certainly is the benchmark for electric utility vehicles. We will be the exclusive dealer of the ET Lander in the Republic of Ireland, so it is a great opportunity."

Michael continued, “In Ireland I believe that a lot of people would have heard about the Etesia brand but maybe they haven’t had a chance to see them in action. We’re hoping to put that right and convert a lot of our customers over to Etesia."

Bobcat is now offering the line of Ryan turf care equipment in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

Lawnaire Aerator

Part of the company’s new ground maintenance equipment (GME) range now available from their network of authorised dealers, the expanded portfolio of machinery includes aerators, power rakes and dethatchers, an overseeder and sod cutters.

The Ryan brand has been on the market for over 75 years and is well known amongst turf professionals in Europe and North America. 

Daniele Paciotti, attachments & GME product line director for Bobcat, said, “By entering the turf equipment segment, we now offer a very competitive product range for work on grass in all the sports pitch, municipal and cultural institutions, as well as the rental and landscape industries. The products are also relevant for private home owners who have to manage sizeable estates and are serious about taking their lawns to the next level.

“As well as Ryan Turf Equipment," Daniele continued, "the GME range in EMEA includes compact tractors and mowers, in addition to Bobcat’s existing ranges of mini track and small articulated loaders.

"Following on from our success in the North American market, Bobcat has set ambitious goals of being ranked within the top three GME players in Europe and to double growth in the global GME market by 2027."

The Ryan turf equipment line comprises:

• Lawnaire Aerators
• REN-O-THIN Power Rakes 
• Mataway Dethatcher
• Mataway Overseeder
• Jr. Sod Cutters 

Väderstad has announced its increasing its factory size in Sweden by another 12,600m2. The expansion provides additional surfaces for assembly and painting, with the aim of a production capacity of 10,000 machines annually by 2028.

Artist's impression of expanded factory

The manufacturer says it has been experiencing a strong increase in demand for its products in the last few years, with turnover increasing from 237 MEUR in financial year 2017 to 550 MEUR in 2022. In 2021 they announced the building of a new factory center, an investment of SEK 125 million, which will be ready for use later this year. 

“The continued expansion of our factory in Väderstad is in line with our growth targets, and will benefit both our customers, our dealers and help create more job opportunities, as well as create a more efficient flow in our production,” says Henrik Gilstring, CEO of Väderstad Group.

The production in Väderstad currently produce machines for all global sales regions, except from North America, where production is located at its factories in Langbank, Canada, and Wahpeton, USA.

The two housing blocks being added and connected to the existing factory in Sweden are each of 6300m2, creating a total production area of approx. 70,000m2. 

The decision to expand was taken at a board meeting in the end of January. Construction will start on April 1st 2023 and the new buildings are planned to be in full use by autumn 2024.

Husqvarna has announced it has become main partner for the Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed 2023 golf tournament.

The company says this partnership marks an important step for themselves as they further expand the Husqvarna brand into the golf industry. The agreement makes the manufacturer main sponsor through 2025.

This year the tournament takes place at Ullna Golf & Country Club in Stockholm, from 8-11 of June. As main partner, Husqvarna say they will have a significant presence throughout the tournament, providing an opportunity to showcase its autonomous solutions to a global audience of golfers, greenkeepers, and industry leaders.

Glen Instone, president Husqvarna Forest & Garden Division said, "This is an incredible opportunity to showcase our innovative technology to a wider audience and demonstrate how our products can bring benefits not only to homeowners but also golf courses with exceptional expectations on turf management."

Henrik Hilford Brander, COO, Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed said of Husqvarna, "Their innovative technology and commitment to sustainability aligns perfectly with our values and we look forward to working together to provide an exceptional experience for our golfers and spectators."

New Holland and Bennamann’s “Energy Independent Net Zero Farming Circular Solution” has won the Net Zero Circular Solution Award in the 2023 AD and Biogas Industry Awards at the World Biogas Expo in Birmingham, UK. 

The awards, organized by ADBA (Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association) and WBA (World Biogas Association), were created to celebrate and honour the contribution to excellence and innovation in the biogas industry and is hosted alongside the World Biogas Summit and Expo 2023, on the first night of the event. 

The core technology suite receiving the award has been developed by Bennamann and enables farms to fully capture, process and use the fugitive emissions from their livestock manure slurry, turning an agricultural waste into biomethane as well as a range of off-take by-products, including biofertiliser and bio-CO2. By using these technologies on a farm, the resulting outputs can significantly reduce the site’s carbon footprint and, additionally, be distributed locally to help establish net zero outcomes more broadly. 

New Holland’s contribution comes with the T6.180 Methane Power Tractor, running on 100% Methane Electro Command Transmission – which is still the only methane fuelled tractor in the market. 

The manufacturer says the tractor's behaviour and performance are at same level as diesel, with overall emission levels of 80% less than a diesel tractor when running on fossil gas. 

Thanks to the Bennamann and New Holland solution the “energy independent farm” is a reality: utilising waste and biomass to produce fuel not only for electrical power generation and heat provision, but also fuelling vehicles, is now the basis of a future in which farmers can maximise productivity while reducing their carbon footprint and establishing energy independence. 

Fugitive methane is very damaging as a greenhouse gas and contributes significantly to climate change. In fact, it is far more damaging than carbon dioxide (CO2), having over 80 times the impact in the first 20 years of its lifetime in the atmosphere. 

With the help of a Bennamann’s system, farmers can turn their agricultural waste into fuel and a possible additional revenue stream, by selling it to customers off-site or supplying surplus electrical power to the grid. 

In addition, by using biomethane to fuel the tractor, farmers are able to achieve a negative carbon footprint, which is one of the biggest challenges for farms today.

2023 is a special year for Deighan’s Caravan Park, as the family-run business celebrate 30 years since the doors first opened on the 5-star resort close to Benone, Northern Ireland.

Their first mower - installed by local dealers D.A. Forgie - was a Kubota and three decades on, it remains Kubota at the heart of site maintenance, with a fleet of F-Series mowers ensuring a picture-postcard start to every holiday. 

Open every year from April to October, Deighan’s consists of static and touring caravan facilities managed and maintained by Thomas Deighan Jnr alongside a team of four. “From March, I will have two people on full-time grass cutting and strimming duties and when I say full-time, they’ll start at one end of the park at 9am on a Monday and will only just get to the other end of the site come 5pm on a Friday… then it’s time to start again!” explains Thomas. “We take massive pride in our grass areas. Keeping this well maintained gives the great first impression we’re looking for.” 

Thomas currently has four mowers, including an F3890 and F391 from Kubota’s F-Series. Thomas explained, “We can cut between the caravans and around the bollards at the back of the caravans with ease, leaving a finish that we can’t fault. Kubota is the only brand that has ever cut our grass and we would never use anything else.” 

Together with an RTV-X1110 used to transport the team around the site, the latest delivery was a M4063 tractor, fitted with turf tyres, installed in December 2021. “We decided to purchase a second tractor to complement our multi-use M5112 and already the M4063 has proven to be a great addition. With caravans getting longer, we were having to use rubber matting to protect our turfed areas when we moved them around. With the turf tyres, we were able to use the M4063 to move a 41ft caravan a few weeks ago without the need for any protective matting – saving a significant amount of labour and time.” 

He concluded, “Our relationship with the Kubota brand is longstanding, delivering reliable, well-built machinery backed up with brilliant service and support every time from D.A. Forgie. We look forward to continuing this partnership through our celebratory year and long into the future.”