According to figures released by the AEA, the upturn in agricultural tractor registrations (over 50hp) seen in recent months continued into March, normally the peak month for registrations each year.

The monthly total of 2,085 machines was 15% higher than in March 2020.

Stephen Howarth, agricultural economist at the AEA said, "Indeed, it was the highest monthly total for any month since March 2012 (and the first time over 2,000 machines have been registered in a single month in that time).

"That brings the total for the year to date to 3,259 registrations, 13% more than in the opening quarter of 2020."