Farm machinery show in Co Kildare draws attendance of nearly 15,000

DESPITE snow, ice and the credit crunch, nearly 15,000 people attended the three-day farm machinery show at Punchestown Event Centre in Co Kildare last week.

The figure of 14,832 was only just short of the attendance at the previous event in 2007.

Show committee chairman Simon Cross said the Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association, organisers of the event, was delighted so many farmers and contractors attended.

The association said exhibitors at the show expect to generate some €40 million in advance sales.

Indications were that Irish farmers and contractors have plans to maintain the quality and performance of farm machinery fleets in order to enhance and improve their efficiency and competitiveness for the future.

The farm machinery sector is valued at over €400m per annum. Tractor sales, used as a barometer for the health of the sector, saw unit sales last year top the 4,500 mark, the second highest level for 20 years.

Mr Cross thanked those farmers and contractors who came to the show, for their resilience and determination to see the latest in farm machinery designs in professional surroundings.

He paid tribute to the exhibitors for their patience in adverse weather conditions, the show team under the management of Michael Moroney and Edwin Sunderland and all others who helped make the event a success.

Farm safety, pertaining to the use of machinery and equipment, was one of the issues highlighted at the show.

Health and Safety Authority figures show that 21 people were killed in farming-related accidents in 2008. Twelve of those deaths were directly caused by machinery.

All users of farm machinery and equipment were urged to strictly adhere to the safety guidelines specified by machinery manufacturers.

They were also urged to ensure that regular maintenance is carried out so that the safety features of machines are not compromised as they become older.

Farmers were also reminded they are legally obliged to ensure that their farms are safe places to work, and should have an up-to-date safety statement or risk assessment document to comply with the health and safety regulations.