According to figures released by the AEA the number of agricultural tractors registered in the UK in April 2024 remained fairly close to the seasonal average, although it was lower than in the same month last year.

At 1,158 machines, the monthly count was 10% lower than in April 2023 but was only 3% below the seasonal average over the previous five years.

Agricultural economist at the Association, Stephen Howarth, said, "The comparisons are similar for the year to date, with the 4,049 tractors registered so far this year being 13% fewer than in the opening four months of 2023 but only 4% below the average for the time of year."

Stephen continued, "Taking a longer term perspective, the number of machines logged in the last 12 months was at a three-year low of 11,231 but that is not unusually low by historic standards."