With the grass silage harvest poised to begin and signalled by the staging of the 2016 FTMTA Grass & Muck event, the present indications are that the market for new large self-propelled silage harvesters has dropped by about 14%. The latest figures compiled by the Irish Farmers Journal indicate that 30 new self-propelled machines will be sold in the Republic of Ireland this year, a marginal drop from 35 machines sold in 2015.

The market for the island of Ireland looks set to reach 45 machines, which is an overall investment worth more than €13m in high-output silage harvesting machines. The relatively strong market is being driven by attractive finance deals at a time when many agricultural contractors are dealing with cashflow issues.

Industry sources are pointing to Claas retaining the top place in the market, with reports that 20 machines have been ordered in the Republic with a further eight in Northern Ireland (NI).

The relatively new Krone Big X range, imported into Ireland by Farmhand Ltd, is reported to have sold six machines, three in NI and three in the Republic.

John Deere is in second place with reports of up to three machines in the Republic and a further three in NI. New Holland, the longest player in the business is reporting that just one of the new Forage Cruiser machines have been sold south of the border with a further two sold in NI. There are no reports of the Fendt’s new Katana harvester being sold in Ireland for 2016.