Registrations of agricultural tractors (over 50hp) returned to year-on-year growth in September, for the first time since February and only the second time in 12 months.

The monthly total of 1,187 machines, was 18% up on the same month last year. Some of this may be due to manufacturers working through a backlog of orders which built up while factories were closed earlier in the year.

However, there have been signs that the machinery market has picked up over the summer, so much of the increase will be due to these improving conditions.

The total for the year to date is now up to 7,870, 22% behind the same point in 2019.