Tractor runs and charity

Wars are accelerating – the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues; there are crises in Africa, especially in Sudan where there is a sustained civil war; and there is carnage and chaos still in Gaza as the Israeli bombardment continues. Parts of the world are deep in war, its impact on access to food – or lack of access – is absolutely devastating. Food producers are no longer able to do what they do best, farmers are unable to farm, fresh meat and produce are distant memories, and worse than any shell falling is the inability of a country to feed itself, to produce food, to buy food, to access food – prevented from doing all these things. But the deliberate withholding of food aid from vulnerable, starving people is the most brutal weapon of all.

Elsewhere in the world, we have had the death of a controversial pope, we have had Trump’s tariffs and seen their impacts, the UK seems to be U-turning, somewhat, on Brexit, and as far as our own our own political system goes, well, it isn’t much better with a still-unfinished children’s hospital, a lack of housing, and a dearth in essential services for families that need them.

It has been an interesting 2025, so far, that’s for sure! We continue to hope and pray that wars will end, and tides will turn for people who are in precarious places right now.

Back home, and back to one thing that makes me feel a bit better – machinery, and tractor runs, specifically. The tractor-run season is in full swing, and over the summer weekends the roads of towns and villages across the country will be displaying arrays of tractors, trucks, cars and much more besides – new and old. There will be spit polishing, welding, tuning, jump starting, pushing, pulling and hill starting – and a few choice words thrown in for good measure. But the craic will be mighty. What one has to clearly understand is that these events all over the country are totally voluntary and all proceeds go to both local and national charities that have relevance to the organisers of the event. For example, our local tractor run here in Laois, the Fisherstown Tractor and Truck Run, will be held this year once, again in Ballybrittas on July 6. It has raised over €275,000 for cancer services in the county over the past 10 years! What an incredible achievement. Some events can raise significant amounts with one in the south of the country, I believe, raising up to €100,000.

So, if anyone has an issue with tractor runs, well they should be reminded of the utmost good that they do, and the help they give to families and their loved ones. 
It’s quiet on the launch front in machinery as all the big players are waiting for Agritechnica in Germany in November. But silage season is in full swing here, sprayers are up and down the road, combines are being pulled out for pre-season inspections, and parts counters in dealers are busy keeping kit moving. On the show front, the National Ploughing Championships are taking stand bookings and reports are that the level of interest is up on last year’s event. The Tullamore Show & FBD National Livestock Show – August 10 – is now taking entries for this year’s national invention and innovation awards across seven categories including renewable energy, labour-saving devices, and ag tech, robotics and automation. Next month, Tactor of the Year 2026 judges will meet in Rome where we will be awaiting our own white smoke as all tractor manufacturers will present their entrants. I will have more information on the runners and riders in our July issue. 
Until next month, farm wisely and farm safely.