National machinery event to focus on grass harvesting and care

AN outdoor grass machinery event is to be organised for this year by the Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association. It will focus on machinery demonstration across all aspects of grass harvesting and grass care.

FTMTA’s incoming president Normal Nicholl said there is an undoubted requirement for such an event at a national level.

He said it will be organised to the same high standards that have made the biennial Farm Machinery Show highly successful and will be driven by the same ethos – organised by the trade for the farmer and the contractor.

Mr Nicholl, chairman and joint managing director at NC Engineering, in Hamiltownsbawn, Co Armagh, said the farm machinery industry has come through an extremely difficult period in 2009.

It faces 2010 knowing that it will continue to operate in a very challenging market.

The difficulties faced by the agricultural sector in 2009 when combined with the wider economic situation resulted in very trying times for most, if not all, firms in the industry.

“It is clear that our industry is positioning itself to survive the present difficult conditions and to remain in a strong position to serve the requirements of our customers into the future.

Mr Nicholl said there seems to be cause for optimism about somewhat of a recovery in milk prices in 2010.

This would have a beneficial impact throughout the agricultural sector.

Noting there is an increasing number of health and safety regulations, he said these are often an intrusion into the business without due reason.

“We need to discuss these issues with the relevant authorities to ensure clarity of interpretation and enforcement so that the industry is treated fairly,” he said.