Tractor sales on increase in Galway

THE combination of good weather, a couple of lively years for the dairy sector and a general return in spending confidence, have been put forward as the main reasons for ‘a very good Spring’ in tractor and machinery sales, according to one of the region’s leading dealers.

According to Whelan’s of Loughrea – who have the Massey Ferguson dealership for the South and East Galway region – a general pick-up in sales through 2013 has continued on in the early part of this year.

The ‘mid-size’ tractors in the 100hp to 120hp range continue to be the big seller for farmers wanting an all purpose capable of carrying out a range of work on the farm, according to Padraig Murray, Stores Manager of Joe Whelan, Loughrea.

“After a very bad winter and spring weather-wise last year, the improvement in the second half of the year was also reflected in our sales growth.

“Good weather and good grass does improve the outlook of farmers and this year we’ve also had a pretty decent Spring – and that’s been a help too,” said Padraig Murray.

He said that dairy farmers after a couple of good years were also deciding to spend a bit of money in upgrading their tractors as they prepared for the more open market with the abolition of milk quotas from next year.

“There are concerns among beef prices over the prices being paid by the factories and a good cattle trade will always be good news for people involved in the tractor and machinery business.

“We’ve had a big increase in machinery sales such as mowers for silage while chainsaws and lawnmowers have sold very well.

“There is one thing about farmers. If they are doing okay and there’s a bit of money coming in, they will spend on upgrading their plant and machinery,” said Padraig Murray.

The local trend in tractor sales is also mirrored in the national figures for the first three months of this year. In the first quarter of 2014, 688 new tractors were registered as compared to 535 for the same period last year.

For example, new tractor sales in the Republic totalled 219 for the month of March this year as compared to 156 in March 2013 and 187 in March 2012.