You may have already noticed, but there is now just one week left to put your dealership or your colleagues' names forward for this year’s Dealer of The Year Awards.

If you’ve been meaning to enter, now really is the time to do it! We know how busy everyone has been, but this is your chance to take a step back and give your business or your teammates deserved recognition. Every year we’re reminded just how much talent, innovation and customer dedication exists across our readership of independent dealers - and this year we have been hearing some amazing stories from those of you who have already entered. 

But we don't want any of our incredible dealer readers to miss out. Entering couldn’t be simpler, and you don’t have to be the biggest operation to win. The judges are looking for passion, progress, and commitment - those qualities that make your business stand out in your community and to your customers. Whether you’ve overcome challenges, introduced an innovative new idea, or simply built a loyal base through years of great service, that’s what we want to hear about.

Our Dealer of The Year Awards are dedicated to celebrating the professionalism and resilience that defines the network. Being shortlisted (or even winning) can bring a real boost to your team’s morale, raise your profile with customers and suppliers alike, and give you a story to truly shout about.

So please do not let the deadline slip by. Entries close in just seven days, and we’d love to see your name in the mix. I'm sure we'll remind you again next Friday, but by then there will just be few hours left to get your nominations in. Please do take a few minutes to enter today - you never know, it could be your dealership up there collecting a trophy.

Equip bound!

Speaking of next Friday, your favourite magazine and Weekly Update for the independent dealer network will be winging its way to you from further afield.

On Monday myself and a contingent from Service Dealer, representing our UK readers, will be flying out to Louisville to report from the huge Equip exhibition. The award-winning and 5th largest trade show for any industry in the U.S., saw a record-breaking 28,500 registered dealers, manufacturers and contractors attend last year. The event is truly on a scale unlike anything else for the outdoor power equipment sector you'd find anywhere in the world.

But why are we, a journal for UK-based dealers, travelling all the way to Kentucky, to cover the OPEI's show?

Put simply, as well as all the new product launches from many of the manufacturers that our readers represent - that are often seen first at Equip - I think an incredibly beneficial take-away from attendance is the gaining of perspective. 

While the UK market of course differs from the U.S. in terms of size and structure, the core challenges faced by independent dealers are remarkably similar: margins, staff recruitment, succession planning, and adapting to new business models. Talking directly with U.S. dealers and industry experts in Louisville, allows us to see how they’re tackling these same pressures - and what lessons might apply on this side of the Atlantic.

Our travelling contingent is already lined up to take part in some high-profile discussion events at the show next week - which we shall of course bring you plenty of coverage of. Our team will be representing the UK industry and shall be talking frankly about the challenges faced this season and where we see the industry heading in the coming years. It will be fascinating to hear where we crossover and where there are marked differences with our U.S counterparts.

If any of our readers are making the trip to Equip this year, please do let us know as it'd be great to say hi whilst we're out there. For those of you who can't make it, we'll be sharing highlights on our social channels all next week, I'll be reporting from the show for the mag and in this blog next Friday, whilst Duncan and David will be filming tons of content that will form an upcoming Digital Special Report.

We look forward to bringing you a flavour of all that the show can offer for UK visitors. 

Our Dealer Of The Year Awards nomination process is open for just a further seven days - closing at midnight on Friday 24th October.

Please make sure you have entered all the categories that your dealership and your valued staff members need to be in the running for by then.

Clicking the logo above will take you to the nominations page where you'll find all you need to put your dealership and staff forward for as many awards as you like. You know how hard you've worked this year, so why not shout about it?

Dealerships and individuals can also be nominated by any third party who feels they are deserving of recognition. These nominations can come from manufacturers, suppliers, customers, staff members etc.

Entries must be in by midnight on Friday 24th October 2025.

Get entering!

Kubota (UK) Ltd is adding to its agricultural dealer network with the appointment of G&J Peck from 01 December 2025, to strengthen its coverage throughout Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and south Lincolnshire. 

L-R: G&J Peck senior management includes Claire Armstrong, head of finance; Rob Jenkinson, service director; James Grimwood, aftersales director; and Jon Wareing, managing director

“We are delighted to welcome G&J Peck into the Kubota dealer network as we seek to build on past success,” said Henry Bredin, general manager of Kubota (UK)’s agricultural and ground care machinery business.

“The appointment of Pecks as a Kubota tractor dealer will provide on-going support to existing customers operating in these areas, in addition to delivering sales, service and aftercare for Kubota’s agricultural product portfolio.”

Formerly New Holland and Case IH dealers, G&J Peck has been through a period of consolidation, and has recently relocated its headquarters to new premises in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, investing heavily in larger, fully equipped workshops, with extensive parts and service capability. In addition to Chatteris, the business also operates with depots at Dereham in Norfolk, and Rendlesham in Suffolk.

“The addition of Kubota’s tractor range to our business totally complements our existing tractor brand, adding value to what we can already provide for our customers,” said G&J Peck managing director, Jon Wareing.

“It is our goal to further support the area we operate in, with dedicated sales, service and support with a range of Kubota tractors from the 25hp EK1-261 up to the 175hp M7-174 KVT Premium, complementing the higher-powered tractor brand we currently sell."

Jon continued, “We’re already looking forward to working with new and existing customers, building on the reputation that Pecks has created over the last 179 years with trusted brands, and providing dedicated after-sales service and support.

"As an employee-owned business, every Pecks team member has a vested interest in the continued success and future of the company.”

Last week, we reported that the AEA had said that UK agricultural tractor registrations returned to year-on-year growth in September.

As a result, registrations in the third quarter of 2025 were only 5% lower than in the same period last year, a smaller annual decline than in the first half of the year. Now, the Association has released data on how trends varied across the power range and in different parts of the country.

Across the year to date, the decline in registrations has been most substantial for the largest machines, those over 240hp, with more than 30% fewer logged than in January to September 2024. Below this level, the year-on-year decline was only 11%, with registrations in the 121-160hp range down only 5%.

Agricultural economist at the AEA, Stephen Howarth, explained, "The pattern was similar in the latest three months, with the top of the power range still seeing sizeable year-on-year declines (-15% for machines over 240hp). In contrast, the middle section of the power range, from 101-150hp saw registrations 11% above those in the third quarter of 2024. There was also some annual growth in the 201-240hp range. These trends probably reflect the very different financial situations facing the arable and livestock sectors this year. Registrations are still relatively low by historic standards across the power range, though, indicating an ongoing lack of confidence throughout agriculture."

In terms of an analysis of patterns seen around the country, Stephen said, "The differing fortunes of arable and livestock farmers are also apparent in data for registrations by region. Across the year to date, the fall in registrations was concentrated in the Midlands and East of England, with much smaller declines in the South of England and Northern Ireland. Indeed, registrations in the South West were slightly higher than in January to September 2024.

"In the latest quarter, that region was joined by the South East, South Wales, Southern Scotland and Northern Ireland in the growth column. Elsewhere, there were still sizeable year-on-year declines in North Wales, Northern Scotland and Yorkshire, perhaps indicating that upland farmers are particularly lacking in confidence."

The Guardian reported on Monday this week (October 13th 2025) that Krone - one of Europe’s largest agricultural machinery manufacturers - has suspended exports of large equipment to the United States over newly introduced steel-derivative tariffs.

According to the newspaper's report, the US has created a list of 407 “derivative” goods - from hairdryers to combine harvesters - which are now subject to heightened certification and customs scrutiny. 

Krone claims the requirements demand that exporters certify the origin, weight, and value of every steel component down to nuts and bolts. 

These rules, apparently separate from a broader EU-US trade deal struck in July, have been described by industry groups as “bureaucratic hurdles” so onerous that manufacturers are reluctant to ship to the US until clarity emerges. 

For Krone, the US had been its second-largest market, accounting for some $130 million in annual sales, says The Guardian.

According to the article, Krone intends to test the waters by shipping a “test container” of smaller machinery (mowers, rakes, tedders) in the coming weeks, to see whether its paperwork meets US customs’ standards. 

GreenTec A/S, manufacturer of groundcare and agricultural equipment, has announced a new dealer agreement with Ireland's Farm Machinery Ltd.

The manufacturer says the partnership marks an important step in their continued expansion across the UK, ensuring farmers and contractors in Lincolnshire and the surrounding counties have direct access to their professional vegetation management equipment. All supported by a trusted, well-established local dealer.

Josh Allen, UK sales manager at GreenTec said, “When selecting a new partner, we look for more than sales capability. We look for a team that knows their customers, understands their needs, and provides exceptional after-sales support. Ireland's Farm Machinery has built exactly that reputation, and we’re confident they are the right partner to help us strengthen our presence in the UK”.

Founded in 1994, Ireland's Farm Machinery is a family-owned business with depots in Carrington and Sutterton. The company serves a wide area across Lincolnshire, Rutland, Nottinghamshire and Cambridgeshire.

“We’re excited to bring the GreenTec range to our customers,” said Daryl Dunn, group sales manager at Ireland's Farm Machinery. “Their products fit perfectly with the demands of modern farming and contracting in our region. We look forward to offering our customers more choice and backing that up with the service and support we’ve become known for.”

On Saturday 11th October, a determined team of eight from Toro U.K. Limited laced up their walking boots and took on a 13.4-mile coastal walk around Mersea Island in Essex - all in support of St Clare Hospice, the company’s chosen charity of the year.

Team Toro at Mersea

Internally dubbed 'Team Toro - Miles around Mersea', the challenge saw the group navigate the island’s scenic but demanding shoreline route.

This was no ordinary weekend walk. With an 8-mile stretch offering no facilities and the tide steadily advancing, the team had to carefully plan their timing to avoid being caught out by the sea. It was a true test of endurance, teamwork, and timing - and Toro say their team rose to the challenge.

Despite sandy socks and aching legs, spirits remained high throughout. Among the light-hearted moments shared along the way were calls of “Are we nearly there yet?” and “Remind me to stop Strava before I collapse!”

Thanks to the generous support of colleagues, friends, and family, the team has raised £940 towards their £1,000 fundraising goal. Every donation helps St Clare Hospice continue its incredible work supporting patients and families in the local community.

The organisers of SALTEX, the Grounds Management Association (GMA), have announced they have partnered with the Football Foundation to provide free car parking for all attendees this year - an initiative jointly funded by both organisations.

They say this initiative directly responds to feedback from visitor research that highlighted affordability as a key priority. 

The GMA have also said that November's staging has seen a 10% year-on-year increase in visitor registrations

Chris Smith, head of programmes at the Football Foundation said, “It’s great that attendance this year has grown once again and that together we've been able to provide more people with the opportunity to attend SALTEX with the addition of free car parking for all attendees.

Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA, added, "We are delighted to see such strong growth in visitor registrations this year. It demonstrates that SALTEX continues to be the place where the industry comes together to share knowledge, discover innovation, and celebrate progress. The introduction of free car parking in partnership with the Football Foundation is another way we’re adding value to the visitor experience."

Previously known as Froment, Avtron PTO dynamometers are the trusted choice for testing agricultural machinery up to 680ps. Used by leading tractor manufacturers and dealer service teams, these air-cooled, self-contained units deliver reliable performance with minimal maintenance.

Both the 515 and 680 models are available in trailer-mounted or static models, each unit runs on a standard single-phase mains supply and includes all necessary drive shafts. Choose between handheld controls or our advanced DynaTest PC software for automated testing and detailed reporting.

With three speed ranges and five standard test modes—including Auto, Constant Speed, and Direct Load—Avtron dynamometers offer unmatched flexibility. Low start-up torque of just 10hp allows all tractor sizes to be tested up to 680hp, while built-in protection ensures safe, repeatable results without prior engine knowledge.

Whether you're developing new products, servicing customers machinery, or training, Avtron’s Froment range of dynamometers delivers precision, durability, and ease of use.

Elevate your tractor testing capabilities with Avtron.

Contact us today to book a demo or request a quote.

Email: rob.dunk@avtronpower.com

Phone: +44 (0) 7483 384 875

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