A recent poll conducted by the National Farm Research Unit (NFRU) from April – June 2008 found that overall, the budgeted price for Oilseed Rape was gradually increasing; from an average of £297 per tonne in April to £309 in June. In contrast, the budgeted price for Wheat and Barley had remained similar, and if anything, was slightly decreasing.

In the West Midlands region the budgeted prices fluctuated over the three month period. Both Wheat and Barley decreased in June, but Oilseed Rape increased from an average of £286 in May to £321 in June.

John Deere the most popular make of equipment

A survey with arable farmers in Great Britain has shown that the largest tractor they owned was most likely to have a horsepower between 100-174. Unsurprisingly, the larger arable farms (over 130ha) tended to have the largest tractors.

John Deere was most popular, with just over a quarter (28%) of all farmers stating it was the make of the largest tractor on the farm. This was particularly the case with the larger farms (over 130ha), where 35% of had a John Deere tractor. Massey-Ferguson was the next most popular make, with 18% of farmers. Generally, the medium sized and smaller farms opted for this make (under 130ha).

In the West Midlands region, the horsepower and make of the largest tractor on the farm was almost identical to the national results.

Almost half (45%) of the arable farmers interviewed with spray booms stated theirs was 24 metres wide. A further quarter (24%) had spray booms between 18-20 metres. In the West Midlands region, 43% stated they had spray booms of 24 metres, while 26% had spray booms between 18-20 metres.

The make of other farm equipment closely followed the results of the largest tractor; namely John Deere was most popular (19%), followed by Massey-Ferguson (16%). In the West Midlands region, the popular makes of other farm equipment were similar to the national findings, with 17% owning John Deere and 15% owning Massey-Ferguson.

Majority not planning to invest in the next 12 months

Just over three quarters (78%) of arable farmers interviewed were not planning on investing in any new equipment in the next year. Of those that were, most were planning on buying a new tractor (46%). There were a wide range of other investments mentioned, including:

 Combine (10%)
 Sprayer (8%)
 Drill (6%)

In the West Midlands region, a marginally smaller proportion were planning on making an investment on new equipment (see chart). Again, the most common investment was a tractor (51%) and Combine (11%).