When I wrote my last blog of the year in 2019, little did I, or anyone else, foresee what would lie ahead in 2020.

A week after that blog, on the 30th December, the world learned of a new deadly virus that would, and has changed the course of everyone’s lives. The saying ‘having 2020 vision’ was very appropriate at the time, given the year that would lie ahead.

Yet, despite all the setbacks, both socially and economically, most people are quite positive about the future. From our own industry point of view, the spring of 2020 was tough for dealers. In March, non essential businesses closed for almost three months, reducing sales of tractors and machinery. But recent surveys have shown that sales have rebounded and figures show that tractor sales, in particular, have almost matched with what was sold in 2019.

From an industry point of view, one of the things that stood out for me in 2020 was the increase in demand for robotic and battery operated mowers, mainly for the domestic market. However, big strides have been made with these machines for the commercial sector, especially sports pitches, with some companies boasting that their robotic mowers can mow up to 12 acres. I’m sure we will hear a lot more on these developments in 2021.

So what lies ahead for 2021? I hope that by the early summer of 2021, with all the vaccines that are being approved of to fight off Covid-19, we can start getting back to a more normal life, whatever that will mean. I hope that this new normal life will mean people can gather once more outside to attend demonstration days and trade fairs (even attend live concerts), and that trading in our sector will have no more restrictions. Maybe the traditional hand shaking over a deal will be back with us once again and, dare I say, the spitting into the hand before that handshake – though I think that might be a step too far in these virus ridden circumstances. I also hope that people will be allowed to attend outdoor sport events such as GAA matches, golf, football and rugby. These are sporting activities that our turfcare dealers depend on so much.  

As I write this blog, the Brexit deal has yet to be sorted. This could have far wider implications than Covid-19 ever had. Diseases will come and go but Brexit will be here to stay and its impact will have far wider consequences for Ireland, particularly the agricultural sector, which our industry relies upon so much. It doesn’t help our industry if farmers go out of business and those that remain cut back on purchasing new equipment. Will spare parts coming from the UK be more expensive? What implications will it have on companies that export machines? These are just some of the questions that currently remain unanswered.

To finish off, I would like to wish you and your family a very happy Christmas and I hope that 2021 will bring a much improved year for you.