West Midlands Region

Farmer2000

Bulletin No.24

Working with farmers to assist the industry in tailoring
their products and services in line with farmers’ expectations

In 2007, the weather in many regions was rather extreme to say the least. With unusually warm, dry weather in April followed by the wettest early summer (May-July) on record, many farmers had to break from the normal routine. In fact, a recent poll with 2,025 farmers has revealed that over a third (36%) started their Spring activities, on average, two weeks earlier than normal.

The results for the West Midlands region were identical to the national average, with 36% stating that they started their Spring activities early. On average, they started 2.2 weeks earlier than normal.

John Deere the most popular make of equipment

A survey conducted by the National Farm Research Unit (NFRU) with 15,523 farmers has shown the largest tractor owned by arable farmers’ 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 under a third (30%) 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 37% of had a John Deere tractor. Massey-Ferguson was the next most popular make, with 16% of farmers. Generally, the medium sized and smaller farms opted for this make (under 130ha).

In the West Midlands region, the horsepower of the largest tractor on the farm was similar to the national results. The make of the largest tractor on the farm was also John Deere (28%) followed by Massey-Ferguson (17%).

Almost half (47%) of the arable farmers interviewed with spray booms stated theirs was 24 metres wide. A further quarter (25%) had spray booms between 18-20 metres. In the West Midlands region the results were very similar, with just under half (49%) owning a spray boom of 24 metres and a further 23% owning one between 18-20 metres.

The make of other farm equipment closely followed the results of the largest tractor; namely John Deere was most popular (22%), followed by Massey-Ferguson (15%). In the West Midlands region the most popular makes of other farm equipment were the same, but they were equally favoured, with 17% owning John Deere and 17% 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 (41%). There were a wide range of other investments mentioned, including:

	Combine (10%)
	Drill (7%)
	Cultivator (7%)
	Sprayer (7%)

In the West Midlands region, marginally fewer farmers were planning an investment (see chart). The most common investment was a tractor (36%) followed by Combine (17%).