THERE COULD be a shortage of agricultural machinery later this year, a leading Irish machinery expert has warned.
Gerry Dagg was speaking at the official opening of the 2011 Farm Tractor and Machinery Association event at Punchestown racecourse where more than° €20 million worth of machinery is on display until tomorrow evening.
Mr Dagg, who recently retired after 45 years in the business, said the trade in machines had slumped in Europe in the past two years because of recession, with manufacturers cutting production by as much as 30 per cent.
"Now, with the recovery in the agri-sector, demand has grown dramatically in Europe, and we could well face a shortage of machines this year."
Gary Daly, the president of the Farm Tractor and Machinery Association, said the sale of tractors - a recognised barometer of the health of agriculture - had been extremely poor over the past two years.
"Sales of tractors fell by as much as 70 per cent last year, and that came on top of another decline in the previous year.
"Farmers' incomes have improved after two very bad years, and I am confident the renewed liquidity will mean an accelerated flow of funding to productive farming this year."
Farmers and agricultural contractors at whom the show is targeted believe this can only happen if the banks give them credit to purchase what they need.
Cork-based farmer/contractor Mick Cronin said he had come to the show to look for a replacement machine for silage harvesting.
"I have not been able to renew my machinery for four years now, and if I want to stay in business I will have to buy this year. But that will only happen if I can get the credit I need."
A sign of confidence in the trade is that this machinery show is the biggest yet staged in the Republic and only new machinery is allowed on display.
More than 120 companies have their wares on show, and for the first time the event is being held on a Saturday to facilitate those who may have off-farm employment or other business to attend to during the week.
Drawing a lot of attention yesterday was Ireland's largest tricycle, a giant slurry spreader which has a 380 horsepower engine, draws a 3,300 gallon slurry tank and is manufactured by the Vervaet company in the Netherlands.
It could be yours for €36,000.