Registrations of new tractors in Ireland improved considerably as 2017 went on.

That was the trend which was evident from the latest tractor registration figures compiled by the Farm Tractor & Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA).

The organisation says that 2017 started badly with a 17% drop in tractor registrations during the first quarter, when compared to the same period of 2016.

However, the market improved gradually from that point onwards – to such an extent that the overall outcome for the year was a shortfall of only 4% (compared with 2016).

31 units were registered in December; that, says the FTMTA, is a “substantial amount” for the end of the year here in Ireland.

In fact, the last quarter of 2017 saw 172 tractors registered. That is the highest level (for that time of year) for many years.

Who bought the most new tractors?

What about horsepower ratings? Is any trend evident in the size of new tractors now being sold here in this country?

What brands topped the sales league?

Due to EU competition regulations, the FTMTA is not permitted to release market share information for a given year, until a full 12 months have elapsed.

That means the association can now publish a breakdown of market shares for 2016.

The brands with the highest percentages of new tractor registrations in Ireland during 2016 – a year when the total level of (new tractor) registrations was 1,876 units – is detailed in the table below.