The number of agricultural tractor units (over 50 horsepower) registered in the UK in 2007 was 15,540, an increase of 14.6% on 2006.

This is the highest level recorded since 1996.

The average size of units sold rose 4.4% to 134hp so that the total horsepower sold increased 19.6% in the year.

Sales of tractors are naturally closely associated with the financial position of farming, and especially that of the arable sector, and so with farm incomes and cash flows having improved, farmers have been able to consider further investment with tractors clearly close to the top of their shopping list.

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Many observers believe that the modest rise in farm incomes in 2007 will be followed by further improvements this year. In particular, cereal farmers are expected to continue to enjoy high product prices in the 2007/08 season whilst milk prices have been improving sharply through the autumn.

Accordingly, demand for tractors, and other farm equipment, is likely to remain strong in 2008.

(JM)