Back in the game

Well, my friends, I am down off the plane and back in the game! I spent a few very enjoyable days in North Italy a few weeks ago with Argo Tractors. Argo Tractors is a family-owned business that manufactures Landini, McCormick, and Valpadana tractors over five factories all based in the province of Reggio Emilia. On this visit I was at the Fabbrico-located factory, which is home to the Landini brand. Our main focus was Landini’s entry into Best Utility category in the 2027 Tractor of the Year competition. This year, it has entered the new Landini 6-145 RS model. Once again, we weren’t disappointed; it is a nice tractor that will gain particular interest from mixed farm enterprises here in Ireland. It is officially launched at EIMA International in (early) November; I don’t think we will see it on this side of Europe until LAMMA 2027. But you never know where it might pop up – will we see it at the Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA) Farm Machinery Show? Well, we will have to wait and see!
Now, speaking of the FTMTA show, everyone I meet and talk to, both in and out of the farming community, is like a kid on Christmas Eve with excitement! They can’t wait to see what this long-sold-out show has to offer. It comes at a positive time for Irish tractor sales, which are up year on year, while machinery sales (generally) are up in some cases and on par with last year. Overall, the Irish machinery market is doing well against a backdrop of high fuel prices and uncertainty in commodity prices. Visitors to this year’s show will, for the most part, be positive in relation to the outlook of Irish farming – and there is nothing like a show such as this to bolster that. The purchase of farm machinery is an investment in long-term growth and in the future of their business practices, and a domestic machinery show is an incredible thing to have on our doorstep when making big decisions at big cost. Farmers are changing what they are sowing, and as different crop options are being considered, contractors, too, must change and tool up the job at hand.
There is so much to see, do, and view at the 2026 FTMTA Farm Machinery Show from new sprayers, to tractors, to slurry kits, to mowers, balers, tedders and rakes! In this issue, we feature a very special FTMTA Farm Machinery Show supplement to give you a flavour of the feast that awaits you. We hope you enjoy it – and you can pick up a copy of it at the show, also! This is a show not to be missed so book your tickets today, and come say hello to us at our stand! Looking forward to many chats over the three days!
Until next month, farm safely, farm wisely.