While a crowd in excess of 80,000 were at one of Europe's biggest agricultural shows only a tiny fraction of that figure watched Nick Faldo's Britain and Ireland – a team with no Irish in it – lose the opening fourballs 3-2 to Continental Europe.

"The sooner they finish the better – they can come round and support us," said Montgomerie after he and fellow Scot Marc Warren lost the top game three and one to Swedish pair Robert Karlsson and Peter Hanson.

Montgomerie, aware of the impact that a bigger gallery could have, added: "I'm serious. The atmosphere is limited. I get that size of crowd in a practice round in the evening and it's a shame.

"It's good quality golf and a great golf course, but we need the farmers to bring their wellies and get over here. This event has all the potential provided everyone shows up."

The Scot, referring to the number of top players eligible but unavailable for one reason or another, said: "Eleven alternates is clearly far too many. Two or three you can get away with."

The conference, organised jointly by Teagasc and the Department of Agriculture and Food, will take place at two locations on consecutive days to accommodate the anticipated high level of attendance. The first conference will take place at Dunboyne Castle, Dunboyne Co. Meath on Tuesday, 6 March, while on the following day, Wednesday, 7 March it will be at the Clonmel Park Hotel, Clonmel, Co.Tipperary.

Speaking at Teagasc Crops Research Centre, Oak Park, Minister Mary Wallace said: "This conference is timely given the new bio-energy initiatives which are being introduced to stimulate the production of energy crops. These include the introduction of establishment grants for farmers for up to 50% of the cost of establishing miscanthus and willow. The scheme is being piloted in the first year and up to 1,400 hectares of willow and miscanthus will be grant aided in 2007."

A distinguished panel of leading national and international experts on bio-energy will address the conference on the key issues facing landowners and farmers who are embracing this emerging industry. Bernard Rice, senior researcher with Teagasc will outline the biofuel options for Ireland. A review of government policy on renewable energy will be presented by Martin Finucane, principal officer in charge of the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Division of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.

Ben Gill, chairman of the UK Biomass Task Force, will outline the situation in the UK and the potential for second generation biofuels. Raymond O Malley from County Louth will give both a farmer's and a processor's perspective of the opportunities that oilseed rape offers as a fuel crop.

Barry Caslin, renewable energy specialist with Teagasc, will explore the potential that energy crops offer Irish farmers, while Nuala Nί Fhlartharta, head of forestry in Teagasc will present a paper on woodchips from farm forests. Research on using willow for biofiltration will also be presented and Lucy Hodsman from the National Non Food Crop Centre in the UK will speak about the biofuel supply chain.

The National Bio-Energy Conference will be officially opened at Dunboyne Castle on 6 March by Mary Wallace TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food.

For further information/registration on the conference please contact Liz O'Sullivan/PJ Coady, Teagasc, Oak Park, Carlow or email pj.coady@teagasc.ie.

We are asking visitors which Government they want to see in power, their views on current Minister for Agriculture Mary Coughlan, IFA president Padraig Walshe and Teagasc as an organisation. Drop into our stand at Row U, Stand 392 and fill out our survey.

With over 65 acres of exhibition space and a 20 acre of demonstration arena, you can rest assured that the biggest agricultural event in Europe will be an entertaining, educational and fun four days out!

Under the terms of the agreement, MTD will manufacture and supply a wide range of Massey Ferguson equipment including walk-behind lawn mowers and tillers, petrol and diesel ride-on mowers, garden tractors and related grounds care equipment. The first public viewing of the new products will be at Saltex in the UK on the 5th-7th September 2006.

Initially the new Massey Ferguson grass and grounds care products will be sold through selected MF Dealers in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, France and Scandinavia. Other European markets will be added over the coming 12 months.

Speaking at the agreement signing ceremony in Paris, Gary Collar, AGCO's Senior Vice President General Manager for Europe Africa and Middle East said,

"This agreement will give our Dealers and our customers access to a great range of high quality equipment that delivers the high standards of durability, reliability and performance that they have come to expect from products bearing the Massey Ferguson name. This new agreement is good news both for Massey Ferguson customers and Dealers. It signals our intent to be a serious and long-term player in the residential and professional turf and grounds care industry throughout Europe."

Peter Janssen, Chief Executive Officer of MTD Product's European Operation headquartered in Saarbrucken, Germany said,

"The availability of a more comprehensive range of quality grass and grounds care products will place Massey Ferguson Dealers in a strong position in the marketplace. AGCO recognises the growing trend toward well managed green spaces and this partnership gives Massey Ferguson Dealers access to a new comprehensive range of products which are complementary to their existing businesses in every way".

"We are here to state our determination to be the leader and the most profitable agricultural brand in Europe" said Marco Mazzù, President of the New Holland brand. "New Holland is today the most global player in our industry, a company of international reach with local expertise. In partnership with our dealers and with a passion for satisfied customers, we will set the standard for our industry by offering the widest and best product offering, complemented by the most excellent customer support."

Harold Boyanovsky, President and CEO of CNH (Case New Holland), concurred highlighting the solid foundation on which New Holland is ready to build on, with continued investments in product, quality and people. "Now is the right time for New Holland to grow even stronger. We are ready to take on this challenge and win."

The strong commitment of the New Holland management was reinforced by Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Fiat SpA and Chairman of CNH Case New Holland, who stated: "I have no doubt that CNH Case New Holland has a solid foundation for the future thanks to strong brands which have tremendous capabilities to define the future in each of our markets worldwide, including Europe, where we want to play a leading role. In point of fact, we want to enhance our role and to become the leader. We have the right strategy, and we are resolute about transforming our company into a best-in-class industry leader. We want to pursue it with rigour and determination."

The New Holland team presented its business strategy and action plan aiming at leading the New Holland brand and dealers to be the most successful and profitable in Europe. An innovative approach to the business, streamlined and effective company processes, an industry-leading product offering, a passion for quality and service excellence, an aggressive and targeted marketing approach – these are the key elements of New Holland's strategy for leadership and success, and all put the customer at the forefront of everything New Holland does.

The passion and energy shared by the 1,500 New Holland dealers and team members present in Turin reached across borders through live satellite links to company and dealer employees gathered in 9 New Holland sites in France (Coex and Le Plessis), Italy (Modena and Jesi), UK (Basildon), Germany (Heilbronn), Belgium (Zedelgem), Spain (Madrid), Poland (Plock). The complete European New Holland team was thus brought together in this event to take on the challenge and, together, go for gold.

Aug 7 Bonniconlon Show North Mayo
Aug 7 Tinahely Show Tinahely, Co. Wicklow
Aug 8 Clonmany Show North Donegal
Aug 5 Jamestown Show Carrick-on-Shannon
Aug 6 Kilgarvan Show Co. Kerry
Aug 6 Claremorris Show Co. Mayo
Aug 7 Meenacross Show dunglow, Co. Donegal
Aug 7 North Tipperary Show Nenagh
Aug 7 Castlerea Show Co. Roscommon
Aug 12 Drimoleague Show West Cork
Aug 6 Gort Show Co. Galway
Aug 6 Cashel Show Roundstone, Co.Galway
Aug 13 National Livestock Show Tullamore, Co. Offaly
Aug 9 Ballinamore Show Co. Leitrim
Aug 13 Mullagh Show Co. Clare
Aug 20 Ballyvourney & Coolea Show Co. Cork
Aug 21 Ballyshannon Show Co. Donegal
Aug 19 Roscommon Show Roscommon
Aug 21 Tullow Show Co. Carlow
July 30 West kerry Show Dingle, Co. Kerry
Aug 15 Arva Show Co. Cavan
Aug 16 Cappamore Show Co. Limerick
Aug 18 Connemara Pony Show Clifden, Co. Galway
Aug 20 Kildysart Show West Clare
Aug 19 Tydavnet Show Co. Monaghan
Aug 19 Swinford Show Co. Mayo
Aug 19 Roscommon Show Co. Roscommon
Aug 26-27 Limerick Show Patrickswell
Aug 20 Claregalway Show Co. Galway
Aug 6 Oldcastle Show Co. Meath
Aug 27 Ballingeary Show Macroom, Co. Cork
Aug 20 Mohill Show Mohill Co. Leitrim
Aug 23 Bansha Show Co. Tipperary
Aug 23 Virginia Show Co. Cavan
Aug 26 Enniscrone Show Co. Sligo
Aug 26 Moate Show Co. Westmeath
Aug 27 Gurteen Show Co. Sligo
Aug 26-27 Oughterard Show Co. Galway
Aug 27 Inniscara Show Co. Cork

Sept 7 Iverk Show Co. Kilkenny
Sept 2 Scariff Show Co. Clare
Sept 2 Elphin Show Co. Roscommon
Sept 3 Ballinrobe Show Co. Mayo
Sept 3 Mullaghmore Harvest Show Co.Sligo
Sept 3 Royal Meath Show Trim
Sept 3 Bantry Show West Cork
Sept 10 Taispeantas Chois Fharraige An Spideal, Co. Galway.
Sept 9 Mountbellew Show Co. Galway
Sept 9-10 Strokestown Show Co. Roscommon
Sept 24 National Irish Draught Horse Show Thurles race Course

Sept30 Ballinasloe Show East Galway

Bob Bramley, a retired primary school headteacher who now rears sheep and pigs on a five-acre smallholding, was nonplussed but excited when it arrived. He had seen a fully built flatpack tractor at the Royal Agricultural Show the week before, and his wife, Paula, had told him to buy one because she feared that the brakes on their old grey Massey Ferguson were not good enough.
Both agreed the 20hp Chinese tractor was unbelievably cheap – about a third of the price of a similar European or American model. So Bob paid with a credit card and lots of little bits of the Chinese economic miracle were now in the Staffordshire hills, all the way from the Jiangsu Yueda Yancheng Tractor Manufacturing Company at Yang Cheng, just outside Shanghai.

Job 1. Lay 150-odd loose parts out on the grass behind the stable. Identify weight bars, battery box, air filter, roll bars, wheels, electrics, fuel tank, mudguards, bonnet, hosepipes, exhaust pipe, toolbox, air filter, battery leads and lots of other bits and bobs. Scratch head and make tea.

Job 2. Read the instruction manuals. These include a 105-page parts list, a 25-page maintenance manual, a 68-page operators' manual, a 36-page engine parts catalogue and a 70-page volume on how to put it all together. In English.

Job 3. Attach wheels and roll chassis off trailer. Hold breath.

Job 4. Make more tea.

Screwdrivers

"I'm normally a bit of a plodder, a bit pedantic," said Mr Bramley, reaching for the screwdrivers in the tractor's toolbox. "But I've always been practical. I do basic servicing of engines. I see this is as a process of familiarisation. Normally I would go very slowly, have a lot of breaks, put grease on all the nuts, take my time and enjoy it. When you put your own tractor together you are really seeing how it all fits together, so if you get a problem you know how it works."

That's the theory. Happily for Mr Bramley, Jeff Howard of Siromer tractors, the man who wrote the flatpack's manuals and who negotiated 50 changes with the Chinese factory to make it suitable for Britain, had come along with Jonathan Yates, a mechanic.

In less than an hour, the two professionals had put on its wheels and moved on to the exhaust. Bob was left weighing up long and short bolts for the mudguards. "Does this one go there, or that one?" he asked. As the professionals pressed on with the skid unit and bonnet, Mr Bramley moved on to the electrics. The manual was disconcerting: "The Chinese sometimes make changes to the wiring which can take a while to filter through to this manual … they also occasionally change wire colours."

"A mechanic can build one of these in about a day. It's a no-nonsense, traditional design. We had someone put one together in two hours. Others take two weeks. Realistically, people put them together in a weekend," said Mr Howard. "We've never had anyone who could not put one together.

"We had a 70-year-old woman buy one. I thought she'd need help but she didn't. People have tractor parties. Someone buys one, their mates come round and they put it together."

Cheap

The flatpacks have been selling almost as fast as Mr Howard can import them, and there are now more than 1,000 in Britain. They are so cheap that they are knocking the bottom out of the secondhand tractor market. Old British tractors are being sent to China to be broken up and recycled and returned as new tractors. "They're very popular with smallholders, but everyone wants them – schools, lifeboatmen, glider clubs, seaweed collectors, helicopter companies … we've exported them to Zimbabwe, everywhere. There's someone in the Hebrides who launches a whale-watching boat with one. There's a window cleaner who goes round with one in Liverpool and a farm college buys them for the students to practise building them."

Back on the lawn after three hours, Mr Bramley was grappling with the roll bar and was not put off by a knob which said "Die" on it.

"It's like one of these Ikea kits or Meccano, isn't it? It's quite logical really. It's just a big bolt-on job. Realistically, this is a two-day job for anyone who can change plugs," he said confidently.

The last job was the seat, which was wrapped in plastic and came in its own puddle of water. "You can always tell the weather in China when they pack them up," said Mr Howard.

Near 5pm, after seven hours and several lengthy breaks, Mr Bramley filled his little red tractor with diesel and water and switched it on.

There was a puff of white smoke and off they went like a rocket round the paddock, proud as can be. "Now I can bake my own bread, rear my own pigs and build my own tractor," he said. "Not bad for a primary schoolteacher."

For more information Contact info@irishfarming.ie