As can be seen from the table hereunder (data courtesy of Irish Revenue Commissioners) Irish Tractor Registrations for September and year-to-date are well up which is very encouraging news for the farm machinery trade.

However used tractor registrations are down on the same period of the previous year and for year to date.

The significant increase in new tractor registrations is somewhat surprising given the reduced milk price and extra feed costs incurred by livestock farmers due to adverse weather conditions.

It was also a tough year for tillage farmers with yields well down for spring crops and much increased oil prices.

However prices for cereals & straw were much better than expected.

As usual the three counties with the highest levels of registrations continue to be Cork, Tipperary and Wexford