‘More buzz than a hive of bees’

What a year it was. In weather terms, we had it all: wind, rain, storms, floods, a burning ploughing champs where factor 50 and ice-cream replaced umbrellas and raincoats. It was a scorcher of a few days, and I am delighted that Mother Nature gave everyone involved in the National Ploughing Championships a bit of a break this year.
A sold-out Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA) Farm Machinery Show followed in November, with record crowds attending Punchestown over the three days. Travelling conditions to the show were perfect and the well-heated marquees made it a joy to walk around – there was more buzz at the stands than you’d find in a hive of bees in June.
In relation to farm incomes this year, milk was stable, beef prices were up, and straw left a margin on tillage farms, while prices of grain held ok too.
We definitely struggled at times this year with challenging economic structures and weather conditions – no surprises there as every year brings its challenges but as the years run from one in to another it feels like it is getting harder to get the books to balance in favour of the farmer. You are up in one sector and down in another. We might be waiting a while to see a time when all sectors experience a lift. But being the eternal optimist, I say roll on 2025.
As I pen this column, the election campaign is heading for the finish line with voting just around the corner. There is a real bang of Groundhog Day off it as politicians, once again, make more promises, pledge more good intentions, and stuff the letter box full of leaflets – enough to keep the fire going for the night!
I am going to reserve comment until the newly elected government has been in office for 100 days. That is the test. I have my own agenda, though, and I would vote for the party that gives three things: more backing to farmers, more backing to rural communities, and addresses the need for affordable houses for young people struggling to get on the property ladder.
The burning question as we settle into the Christmas break – and do the farm accounts, review the finances of the past year, break bread with family and friends, and take stock of the year that was – is what will 2025 bring?
I was left with a good feeling as I left the Farm Machinery Show on the last day. Machinery companies were upbeat, finance companies had money to lend, and punters were more relaxed and positive. We have to eat three times a day, and we all must thank the farmer for that! But the glue that sticks all aspects of farm production is machinery.
The cow and the crop pay for everything, so let’s hope that we see some sort of decent commodity pricing next year. Sense and sensibility must reign so we can remain viable as an industry. Input costs support for sectors and keeping rural Ireland viable will need to be one of the key objectives of the next government with particular emphasis on appointing a strong minister for agriculture.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy Christmas and new year. We will be hitting the ground running in 2025 with our tractor buyer’s guide in the January issue, closely followed by the Irish Farm Machinery and Equipment Yearbook. It has been a very busy year, and I am looking forward to a break! But I would like to thank all my customers and supporters for everything in 2024! So, until next year, my friends, farm safely and farm wisely.