CROWDS UNDETERRED BY CEREALS EVENT CONDITIONS

Martin Rickatson, Service Dealer's agricultural machinery editor, writes . . .

This week’s Cereals, the annual arable agriculture event and summer showcase for those involved in cropping equipment, saw strong visitor numbers cope with some rather challenging terrain underfoot on host Jeremy Clarkson’s Cotswold brash, as the heavy recent rains that had made set-up difficult continued through the show itself - although the first day, as forecast, saw only a couple of further downpours, compared with the second and final day’s persistent rain. With intermittent bright spells, though - on day one at least - the weather provided an accurate reflection of the mood among visitors and exhibitors.

Issues with traffic, set-up procedures and power were among the grumbles from the latter, but on the flipside many were pleased with visitor numbers and the levels of genuine enquiries to fill follow-up notebooks for the coming days back in the office. And while there are continued concerns regarding the effects of global happenings and domestic policy on farmers’ enthusiasm to invest, the recent rise in tractor registrations - typically matched by further expenditure in other equipment areas - was welcomed with enthusiasm along the exhibitor aisles.

Arable farmers themselves remain cautious, and the number of farm machinery auctions of late as some contract out their operations, or even sell land and farms, reflects the industry’s uncertainty, while also putting pressure on dealers seeking to make new and used equipment sales. But the often talked-about ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ remains in sight - predicting when it will be reached remains the hard part.

There will be a full report on the show in an upcoming issue of Service Dealer magazine.