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Warning over farm tool theft ‘epidemic’
Farmers are being warned to remain vigilant after research revealed how tool theft remains a major issue across the UK.
Thieves targeting tools up and down the country continues to blight not just tradespeople and the construction industry, but also rural communities and farmers who regularly use and stock the equipment.
Rural insurer NFU Mutual last year revealed that rural crime cost the UK economy an estimated £44.1million in 2024, crimes ranging from theft of livestock to thieves stealing essential agricultural equipment and tools.
Stolen kit
A separate study shows almost twothirds of tradespeople have fallen victim in the last 12 months, with theft from a site (36%), equipment stolen from vehicles (32%), taking of a vehicle (12%) and theft from a business premises (11%) most common.
NFU Mutual, head of commercial Zoe Knight said: “Tool theft is an epidemic that continues to cause major issues and distress to hard-working
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farmers and tradespeople up and down the country.
“Workers rely heavily on their tools and vehicles for their job, so it is vital they have protection and security in place. Tougher laws on tool theft would help deter thieves and tackle this growing issue.”
With rural communities impacted just as much as those in the trades industry, a warning has been shared to remind farmers to protect equipment and put measures in place in order to deter thieves in the first instance.
Significant issue
Andrew Huddleston, who leads the National Rural Crime Unit and National Construction agri-theft team, said: “Theft of tools in our rural areas is a significant issue and many farmers will have had or know of someone who has suffered this crime.
“Alongside burglaries it is also not uncommon when a quad bike or tractor is stolen for tools to be grabbed as well. The likes of chainsaws, drills, grinders or stone cutters are favourites.
“While a significant amount of machinery is recovered every year,
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tools very rarely are and a fundamental cause of this is the extremely poor identity marking by manufacturers on even high value tools.”
Marking tools
Over the last two years, the National Rural Crime Unit and the National Police Chiefs’ Council tool theft lead have asked manufacturers and the Government to help farmers and the police by improving marking on tools and bring in legislation.
“Tougher laws on tool theft would help
Mr Huddleston added: “Owners marking their tools can help but I would also insist that protecting our rural communities, farms, equipment and tools starts long before this. Basic security measures do help.”
These included locks, lights, CCTV and keeping a dog in the yard. “I advise people to buy machinery that is secure by design and doesn’t use a universal key, consider tracking technology and marking like the industries CESAR scheme.”
The most significant impact farmers could make was by being part of their local Rural Watch Scheme, said Mr Huddleston. “This has proven time and again to make the area you live in more hostile for criminals.”
Stolen tools are very rarely recovered
New dealer for direct drilling system in Lincolnshire
Claydon appoints Ireland’s Farm Machinery
Agricultural equipment manufacturer Claydon has appointed Ireland’s Farm Machinery to sell and support its range of crop establishment machinery in Lincolnshire.
Operating from Carrington and Sutterton, IFM buys, sells, hires, services and provides parts to support a range of machinery franchises and customers in mid- and south Lincolnshire. It now adds Claydon’s Opti-Till system to that range.
Claydon sales manager David Furber said: “We are delighted with this appointment, which provides existing and potential customers in these key farming areas with access to a strong, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and committed dealer.”
Specialists
Established in 1994, IFM remains a family-owned company. Agricultural sales manager Daryl Dunn said: “We have always prided ourselves on being specialists with the implements that we supply.
“We pride ourselves on having expansive knowledge on not only the whole good item and the farming systems but also being able to back it up with the technical knowledge of service and expansive range of genuine parts that we have on the shelf.”
Mr Dunn described the addition of the Claydon range as a significant development for IFM’s business and customers. It is the first time the company has had a true direct drill to complement the range of products it supplies.
“Claydon has a strong reputation and the machinery which they manufacture provides farmers with a very efficient, effective integrated crop establishment solution, rather than being a quick fix.”
Pressure
Farm output prices were under pressure and input costs were constantly rising, added Mr Dunn. The IFM trading area covers a range of soil types, from blow-away sand to clay and highly productive Grade 1 silt.
“We believe that the Claydon OptiTill System will be increasingly attractive to our customers, allowing them
to significantly reduce production costs without compromising yields.
The To highlight the suitability of the Opto-Till system to all soil types, IFM will be adding a 3m Claydon Evolution grain-only direct drill and a 7.5m Claydon Straw Harrow to its demonstration fleet.
Designed by farmers for farmers and manufactured in the UK, Claydon says the Opti-Till suits all farm situations, crops and soils – using just 10% of the fuel required for a traditional plough-based system, saving tractor hours and labour.
Timeliness
Additionally, it provides significant improvements in timeliness, soil health and structure while lowering carbon emissions, reducing soil erosion and generating many environmental benefits.
Claydon’s mounted Evolution and trailed Hybrid direct drills are at the heart of the Opti-Till system. Available from 3m to 8m widths, the drills include Claydon’s leading tine technology that makes them exceptionally versatile.
Moving the optimum amount of soil, but only where needed in the seeding and rooting zone, the leading tine creates tilth and drainage, aerates the soil and alleviates compaction to pro
We are delighted with this appointment
farm traffic, whilst conserving moisture. Designed primarily to drill direct into stubble, Claydon drills can also be used in plough or min-till scenarios.
Cost-effective
Claydon says virtually any crop that can be air-sown can be established with a Claydon drill, from spring and winter varieties of small seeds such as oil seed rape to medium sized cereal seeds and larger seeds such as peas and beans.
Instead of the 150-180 litres of fuel/ha required to establish crops using a plough-based system, Claydon says the Opti-Till system uses about 10-15 litres/ha on heavy soils, averaging 12l/ha, including stubble management and drilling.
At just £3-£4/ha the cost of wearing metal is extremely low and as soils become healthier the power required to work them and the cost of wearing metal continues to decline.
The Claydon range also includes straw harrows, available as 3m, 7.5m and 9m mounted versions or 12.5m and 15m trailed models. There is also a 6m TerraStar light rotary cultivator and a 3m to 8m TerraBlade interrow hoe.
Finally, the Claydon Mole Drainer is a single leg implement which com
Approval for world’s largest agricultural tyre
The largest agriculture tyre in the world has received the green light to be used on British and European soil.
Goodyear Farm Tyres, part of Titan International, has been granted ECE accreditation for the LSW1400/30R46, the largest commercially available agricultural tyre in the world.
Designed for the largest-scale vehicles in farming, the LSW1400/30R46 is available in the Custom Flo Grip tread pattern and particularly excels when utilised in wet and muddy conditions due to its maximum traction and flotation credentials.
The tyre boasts Titan’s Low Sidewall (LSW) Technology. Featuring a larger rim diameter and smaller sidewall than a conventional tyre, LSW flotation properties mean easier travel on wet soil as well as reduced power hop and greater stability.
Natalie Dukes, marketing manager for Goodyear Farm Tires Europe,
said: “The LSWs are a true flagship of the Goodyear Farm Tires offering and to have approval for the European market for the biggest tyre of them all is fantastic news.
“Those farmers who have the machinery to utilise the LSW1400/30R46 will see a long list of unrivalled benefits, with the size and scale of the tyre combining with the exceptional technology of the LSW.
“With our new development centre opening in France two years ago and another string being added to the bow for the European range, distributors and customers now have access to one of the most innovative products on the market.”
The tyre’s flotation properties mean lower soil compaction
The LSW assemblies have been a huge success for farmers across the world. Operating at up to 40% lower inflation pressures than standard tyres, they provide increased crop yield thanks to reduced soil compaction.
Combined with the deep R-2 tread,
the Custom Flo Grip tread and LSW design provide an ideal balance of flotation and traction by spreading machine weight across a wider footprint to help prevent sinking and soil damage.
Despite their wider footprint and lower operating pressures, LSW tyres offer strong, consistent traction, helping farmers balance soil health with the pulling power required for largescale agricultural operations.
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Grasshopper 725D
Manitou appoints George Browns as new dealer
Telescopic handler specialist Manitou has appointed George Browns to represent its agricultural line-up in Hertfordshire and the south Midlands.
The range includes telescopic handlers with a 4m to 10m reach, skid steer and track loaders, and industrial fork trucks up to 10 tonnes in capacity – all of which are designed specifically for the UK agricultural market.
Under the agreement, George Browns will serve customers across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire – as well as Hertfordshire – coordinated through established depots in Chesham and Daventry.
Expertise
Established in 1830, George Browns is a well-respected, family-run agricultural machinery business with a strong reputation built on a commitment to customer service, technical expertise, and long-term relationships with farmers.
The company says it places aftersales service at the heart of its operation – with highly trained service teams, extensive parts availability,
and customer-focused approach align closely with Manitou’s expectations for dealer excellence.
Managing director Steve Brown said: “Manitou has a strong reputa tion for producing reliable, practical loading solutions that are well suited to the demands of UK farming, and its product range sits naturally along side the brands we already represent.
“We place huge importance on af tersales support, parts availability, and building long-term relationships with our customers. This partnership enables us to offer a broader, more com plete solution to farmers and contrac tors.”
Manitou UK sales director Pe ter Smyth said: “Manitou UK is de lighted to welcome George Browns into the Manitou family. They have a long-standing history in agricultur al machinery sales, but more impor tantly, service is at the heart of their operation.
“With their culture of dedicated customer support and satisfaction, we look forward to building a lasting partnership. Managing Director, Ste phen Brown is a proactive leader who cultural market.”
Tyre partnership strengthens farm
Bridgestone has announced an enhanced route to market for its agricultural tyre range across the UK – following a new partnership with Kirkby Tyres. Kirkby Tyres, the award-winning wholesaler, will stock and supply the full Bridgestone and Firestone agricultural product line-ups, ensuring faster deliveries and greater availability all year round.
National delivery
Operating from an 8ha central site in Liverpool, with 500,000 sq ft of covered warehousing, Kirkby Tyres offers next-day, nationwide delivery with no minimum order requirement, with products available quickly and efficiently.
At the heart of the partnership is a shared focus on farmers, dealers, and contractors –with Kirkby’s expertise, logistics capability and customer-first approach helping to ensure tyres are delivered where and when they are needed.
With more than 60 years of experience in tyre and wheel distribution, Kirkby Tyres was voted No.1 Tyre Wholesaler in the UK in 2025 by the National Tyre Distributors Association.
Bridgestone commercial director David Almazan said: “This is about putting farmers, our dealer network and contractors first. By working closely with Kirkby Tyres, we can ensure a more efficient access to our products, backed by genuine expertise.
“Kirkby Tyres understands the realities of modern agriculture, and together we are perfectly positioned to support customers with premium tyre products that deliver performance, durability and confidence.”
Kirkby Tyres will stock Bridgestone’s critically acclaimed VT-Tractor and VXTractor range alongside the new-to-market VH-IND and VX-R Tractor ranges, together with Firestone agricultural tyres.
The VX- Tractor continues to stand out for its robust casing, extra-deep lugs and long wear life. Meanwhile the VX-R Tractor is gaining traction for its wide tread width, consistency across mixed terrain and operator comfort
Kirkby Tyres commercial director Michael Rosenthal said:“By combining Bridgestone’s high-performance Agriculture tyres with our distribution expertise, we can help farmers reduce downtime and keep machines working when it matters most.”
Thumbs up! Michael Rosenthal (left) of Kirby Tyres with Conor Curran of Bridgestone
Cheffins hosts landmark sale in N Ireland
Farm machinery auctioneer
Cheffins is hosting a major onsite sale of vintage and classic tractors in Northern Ireland.
The sale – with viewing available on Wednesday 18 March at Newtownards and Ballymena – marks only the third time in the firm’s 200-year history that it has brought one of its flagship auctions across the Irish Sea.
More than 60 vintage and classic tractors will be offered on behalf of three highly regarded private collectors. The auction will run as a timed online sale from 13-24 March, attracting bidders from across Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe.
Vintage machinery
Widely regarded as the market-lead ing auctioneer for vintage machinery, Cheffins’ tractor sales are renowned internationally and regularly draw thousands of collectors to the firm’s saleground near Cambridge.
Bringing this calibre of auction di rectly to Northern Ireland underlines the region’s growing importance in the vintage machinery market and its reputation for high-quality, well-pre served tractors.
The auction features a range of historically significant and well-pre served machines. Highlights include a 1970s County 1254, with an esti mate of £50,000-£60,000, a 1990s
Among the classics on offer are this Ford Commander (right) and, from the 1970s, this County 1254 (below).
Ford 7610 Series II (£14-£16k) and a 1990s New Holland 8670 (£20-£25k).
Cheffins director Joe Page said:
er by three vintage tractor collectors and long-standing clients of Cheffins, we will be looking forward to seeing many of our regulars on their home turf in Northern Ireland.
“As we continued to expand our programme of machinery auctions both on-farm and at our saleground near Cambridge, we will be looking to host further sales in Ireland as it continues to be one of the leading sources of historic machinery.”
Cheffins Vintage Sales grossed a total of £6.5m in 2025, and the firm continues to hold the record for the most expensive tractor sold in Europe when £310,000 was paid for a 1903 Ivel Agricultural motor in 2019.
For auction details and a catalogue, visit www.cheffins.co.uk
Diamond anniversary for ploughing championships
The 75th anniversary of the British National Ploughing Championships and Country Festival will be celebrated in style at Austrey, near Atherstone, Warwickshire.
Taking place on 10-11 October 2026, this landmark diamond anniversary event will be held on almost 120ha of land, generously provided by William Corbett Farms, who previously hosted the Championships in 2018.
As the championships continue its proud tradition of moving around Great Britain each year, 2026 offers the Midlands the opportunity to shine on the national stage, welcoming competitors and visitors from across the country.
More than 250 of ploughmen and women are expected to compete for top honours, showcasing precision, heritage and skill. Spectators can also look forward to vintage tractors and machinery – and working steam ploughing engines.
Trade stand bookings are now open. For full details, visit www. ploughmen.co.uk.
Surgical Robot Appeal
We are on a mission to bring additional surgical robots to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. Thanks to donors, fundraisers and gifts in wills, we are very excited to announce the purchase of two new robots, which are already in use and benefitting patients, and we are now on the final stretch of our £3.2 million campaign. With £400,000 still to go, we need YOUR HELP to cross the finish line, help ing us to buy one more robot.
This isn’t just equipment it’s a lifeline Every day, people like Alan, a 76-year- old cancer patient, are facing the unimaginable After a return of his cancer, Alan needed complex surgery to remove tissue from his bladder, prostate and rectum. Thanks to one of the existing surgical robots at NNUH, Professor Irshad Shaikh was able to complete the operation in less time, wi th greater precision and a better outcome. Alan was home just two weeks later rather than the typical three to five weeks beginning his recovery in the comfort of his own home, with reduced complications.
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