The Association of Farm & Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) held its first joint conference and exhibition (Confex 2018) last week. It was a new-style event for contractors that combined a busy seminar programme with a machinery exhibition. It was tailored to meet the needs of Irish contractors, with a substantial number of machinery companies and other service providers to the contracting industry present on the day to talk face to face with the gathered crowd.

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The event attracted an attendance of more than 700 contractors from all corners of Ireland, who used the opportunity provided by the event to get information to help improve their businesses as well as look at some new technology options.

“At FCI we set out to provide a professional event that was run along similar lines to the DeLuTa contractor event held every two years in Germany by our CEETTAR counterparts at BLU,” said FCI national chair Richard White.

“We targeted our database of 1,200 contractors across Ireland with the aim of providing them with a combination of a conference and exhibition where they could get information and network with one another,” he added.

“We are very happy with the support that we received from FCI members and their overall positive reports on what is, for them, their own biennial event, organised by contractors for contractors. We were also very pleased with the level of support that we received from the farm machinery industry for the exhibition part of the event and we thank all of speakers who provided valuable presentations on the day.”

“The FCI Confex was made possible with the valuable financial support from FBD Insurance, said Richard White. “At FCI we continue to work with FBD Insurance to help our members to get the best possible insurance cover, which is an essential part of any contracting business. We know just how important it is for our members’ customers to know that their contractors have adequate public and employer liability insurance cover when they come to their farms.”

In addressing the FCI Confex via video message, EU Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan said that land-based contractors provide a crucially important service for Irish farming and forestry. “I want to recognise that service, and commend you for the commitment you show to continuously improving technology. The services you provide are essential for the success of the rural economy,” he told the contractors present.

Commissioner Hogan said that the agri-food sector is rightly celebrated as a jewel in Ireland’s crown, but it is perhaps forgotten how strongly our farmers and foresters rely on the services provided by our contractors.

“The reality is that most farmers do not have the resources to invest in this technology themselves, so when it comes to cutting silage, spreading slurry or making bales, they leave it to the experts,” said Commissioner Hogan.

“FCI membership are the people who can address challenges like ammonia emissions, which have huge implications for agricultural sustainability, and the overall ambitious targets set out by the EU under the Cop21 agreement and the SDGs,” added Commissioner Hogan.

He told contractors that through their European representative organisation, CEETAR, Irish contractors have made a contribution to the stakeholder consultation on the communication. “Your voice needs to be at the table when it comes to designing the future CAP, because you understand better than anyone the importance of technology and upskilling, and the challenges to rolling this out across Europe,” he added.