Soaring costs of production in all sectors of the industry are resulting in a rise in demand for second hand machinery, while sales of new models straight out of the factory are on the wane.

Latest figures from the Agricultural Engineers Association show that the number of new agricultural tractors registered in the UK in the first six months of 2024 was 13% lower than in June 2023.

All parts of the UK saw fewer tractors being registered, with the biggest declines in the South of England, particularly in the South West (-29%) and the Home Counties – Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Kent and Surrey (-43%).

In contrast, there were only small falls (-2%) recorded in Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as in the North East of England. Wales and the Midlands were between those two extremes, with declines slightly slower than across the UK whole.

In contrast, Euro Auctions recent sale of new and used machinery and vehicles at their base in Leeds met a huge demand with £43.6m changing hands. The sale included entries from 650 vendors in 31 countries with 4500 bidders registered to buy from 85 countries.

While the sale was live, 80% of all transactions were made online from a international audience, according to George Goodwin, agricultural sales manager at Euro Auctions.

He said he event saw approved loyal and returning customers represent 83% of all bidders, with the remaining 17% of customers bidding with Euro Auctions for the first time.

Notably, the sale attracted a global audience with the top buying countries by hammer total being the UK, Republic of Ireland, Poland, Spain, The Netherlands, Belgium, and Romania.

“The sale presented a good strong line up of tractors and featured a hat-trick of new balers, joined by further seasonal grassland kit,” said Mr Goodwin who added that a mix of fresh Case tractors kicked the sale off to a good start with a 2023 ex demo Case Puma 220, with front links and pto selling at £91,000. This was followed by a Puma 175, 2022 in the year, which made £72,000 and an unused Case Farmall 110C with only 12 hours on the clock made £45,000 while a ‘68 plate, Case Maxxum 150 realised £45,000.

Classic tractors were also sold with a Fiat 82-94 making £8000 to a collector to Ireland.

OTHER LEADING prices

Tractors – £45,000, 2024 Case Farmall 110C 110C 4wd, 3 spool valves, a/c (unused); £91,000, 2023 Case Puma 220 4wd, front linkage, pto and suspension; £72,000, 2022 Case Puma 175 4wd, front linkage, pto and suspension a/c; £25,000, 2020 Kubota M5091 4wd , 2 spool valves, rear wheel weights, a/c; £49,000, 2019 Valtra T174 Verso 4wd, 57kph, front linkage and pto, a/c; £45,000, 2018 Case Maxxum 150 4wd, front linkage, cab suspension, a/c; £35,500, 2017 JCB Fastrac 4220 field pro, 4wd, front linkage, a/c; £25,000, 2017 Case Farmall 105C 4wd, front weights, 2 spool valves, a/c; £19,500, 2015 Case Maxxum 110 4wd, 2 spool valves, a/c; £13,000, 2013 Kubota M8540 4wd tractor, LA1354 front loader, 3 spool valves, a/c; £22,000, 2013 Case Puma 185 4wd, front linkage, 4 spool valves, a/c; £24,500, 2011 New Holland T6030 4wd, front weights, cab suspension; £17,500, 2009 Case Puma 210, front linkage and pto, front suspension a/c; £18,500, John Deere 5415 4wd, Trima front loader, 2 spool valves; £15,000, New Holland 100A 4wd, front and cab suspension, spool valve, a/c; £12,000, Kubota M9540 4wd, 2 spool valves, a/c; £11,500, McCormick CX75 4wd, MX U8 loader, 2 spool valves; £8000, Fiat 82-94 4wd, spool valve; £8750, New Holland 7740 2wd, 3 spool valves; £9000, Ford 7610 2wd tractor, 4 spool valves; £10,500, Massey Ferguson 3065 4wd Quicke 540 loader, 2 spool valves, a/c.

Telehandlers – £30,000, 2020 JCB 540-140 Hi Viz turbo powershift, fork positioner; £29,500, 2018 JCB 540-140 Hi Viz turbo powershift, sway, fork positioner; £45,500, 2019 Manitou MLT741-140 V+ turbo, joystick controls; £27,000, 2017 JCB 540-140 Hi Viz turbo powershift, WLI, reverse camera; £22,500, 2017 JCB 533-105 turbo powershift, reverse camera, WLI, forks; £38,500, 2016 JCB 540-170 turbo powershift, sway, reverse camera; £21,500, JCB 533-105 turbo powershift, WLI, forks; £18,000, 2015 JCB 535-70 turbo powershift, fork positioner; £37,000, JCB 540-170 turbo powershift, jystick controls, sway; £24,000, 2014 JCB 535-95 turbo powershift, joystick controls, WLI, a/c; £36,500, 2013 JCB 540-170 turbo powershift, sway, WLI, side shift, forks.