Favourite time of the year

Our front cover this month was taken on the farm of Paul O’Connell from Co. Laois – it is the New Holland CX 8.70.. I visited Paul on a sweltering day when we had optimal cutting conditions. We had an interesting conversation about all things tillage (a conversation that continues with his dad, Dan, when we meet for our regular Friday evening pint). In this month’s Field Report, you can catch up on how myself and Paul got on, and why Paul is such a fan of the New Holland and its capabilities. By the way, next month, I will be carrying a report on how former Tullow, Leinster, Ireland and Lions legend, Sean O’Brien, is getting on with his new Krone mower. Not to be missed!

Now, down to the business at hand – tractor sales update. Although June tractor sales are down year on year, for the first six months this year 1,326 units were registered compared to 1,290 for the same time period in 2024, according to figures from the FTMTA . While the new tractor market dropped 13 per cent in the month of June this year compared to June last year, overall the year-to-date figure is up by 3 per cent.

The price of green agricultural diesel is steadying up a bit at the moment. It had rocketed in recent weeks but as we went to press, prices were settling down to about €1 to €1.05 per litre. At this time of year, this is very welcome news.

The hedge-cutting season is almost upon us so pull out machines and make sure they are serviced and ready to go. Farmers will be eager to get cutting once land is dry.

Elsewhere, Claas has just launched a new Scorpion 848 telehandler – their biggest telehandler yet. In addition, engines and tanks have been updated on their ever-popular Claas Lexion range and Claas has further developed the Trion series and has added the new Trion 760 top model. I will have full reports on all these products in the September and October issues of the magazine.

In other news, Pottinger has added Campbell Agri Engineering of Hackballscross, Co. Louth to its dealer network. Headed up by Karl Campbell, the company will be a full line dealer for border counties and north Leinster and will offer repair and service to both existing and new customers in the region.

Leinster Farm Machines – well-known Claas and Lemken dealers – has been appointed agents for SAM Sprayers for Ireland, while Sky Agriculture, formerly Sulky, has made changes to its P30 double disc units – more on this later.

Well-known machinery dealers JH Fitzpatrick Ltd Agricultural Machinery, located on the Laois/Kildare borders recently celebrated 70 years in business, with Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Hayden, invited as guest speaker, and attended by their main suppliers, supporters and friends. I will have more on this in the September issue.

I have heard on the vine that Massey Ferguson is returning with a bang to this year’s ploughing championships in Tullamore, Co. Offaly! Stands are selling fast for this year’s event and interest in same has exceeded last year’s by all accounts. Should be a good one.

And finally, our good friends in the FTMTA are holding their biannual conference in the Heritage Hotel, Killenard, Co. Laois on October 8. This year’s conference is titled Navigating the Evolving Agricultural Machinery Landscape 2025. I am very much looking forward to this. 

Until next month, farm safely, farm wisely.