Farm machinery is an increasingly important component of farming. The average Irish farmer has about 30 per cent of his or her fixed capital tied up in farm machinery.

Michael Moroney, chief executive of the Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA), says there are good careers in farm machinery despite falling numbers of farmers. FTMTA represents more than 250 firms - 20 manufacturers, 60 importers and distributors, 150 retail dealers and a small number of milking and dairy equipment specialists.

"We believe that there will be an increase in the number of viable part-time farmers. These farmers will demand efficiencies that can only be brought about by the use of modern farm machinery. Farming has not paid its employees well in the past and neither has the supply and service sector, but we will have to move on and in an era of labour shortage, all sectors of the industry must recognise this," says Moroney.