Cornwall Farmers’ engineering apprentice James Marks has scooped a major national student award in his second year at agricultural college. James won the City & Guilds Gold Medal, presented to just one student each year from all of Britain’s agricultural colleges. He also claimed the outstanding achievement award for second year students at Brooksby College, Melton Mowbray, and the John Deere Year Two Student of the Year award.

“Last year I won the John Deere Year One AgTech Student of the Year award and this year I’ve managed to go even better, so I’m delighted and very grateful for the support that I’ve been given throughout my apprenticeship, especially by the management team here at Cornwall Farmers,” says James.

James comes from a farming background and enjoys nothing better in his spare time than learning the ropes on the selection of old tractors which his family has acquired over the years on their farm just outside Hayle.

Valtra has appointed two new dealers: Shire Agri-Hires and Cam Engineering in South West Scotland.

Taking over the area for Valtra between Newton Stewart and Dumfries is CAM Engineering. Established just five years ago by husband and wife partnership Clive and Jennifer Montgomery, the company sells and services a wide range of new and used agricultural and industrial equipment and plant. CAM Engineering moved to their current premises at Greenlaw Business Park, Castle Douglas in early 2007 and here sales and service are handled by Clive assisted by two engineers, while Jennifer controls the office and parts department.

Shire Agri-Hires, located at Bridgemill Business Park, Glen Luce, some 10 miles from Stranraer, is responsible for south west Galloway from Girvan in the north to Newton Stewart in the east.

JCB and Volvo Construction Equipment are to co-operate on the engineering and manufacturing of skid steer loader and compact tracked loader products for distribution under their own brands and through their respective global dealer networks.

It is envisaged that the first mono-boom Volvo branded machines will be in production at JCB’s Savannah, Georgia facility by year end 2010. Volvo Construction Equipment will then move skid steer loader models from its Pederneiras facility in Brazil to North America.

John Patterson, Deputy Chairman of JCB, comments: “This agreement will allow us to combine forces in this key product area enabling both brands to compete more effectively.”

Olof Persson, Volvo Construction Equipment President, comments: “Volvo customers will benefit from a wider range of models that maintain the high level of product safety and functionality that they expect.”

John Deere was the leading brand in the United Kingdom during 2008, according to figures from the Agricultural Engineers Association. The figures, which are published a year in arrears in accordance with the decision of the European Commission, show that the American manufacturer sold 5613 units, representing 30.2 per cent of the market.

Deere increased its market share by almost one per cent on the previous year, and has topped the chart for more than 10 consecutive years.

CNH took second place with 4638 units sold (25 per cent), of which New Holland made up the bulk at 3339 units, ahead of AGCO, where the biggest brand, Massey Ferguson, recorded 2911 units (15.7 per cent).

Case IH retained its position as the fourth most popular brand, selling 1299 units and increasing its market share to 7.0 per cent, from 5.6 per cent in 2007.

Claas took fifth, although in a year when most manufacturers, including Claas, shifted more tractors, market share dropped marginally to 5.1 per cent.

New Holland’s range of groundcare machinery will be available with the option to run on 20 per cent biodiesel (B20) from 1st May. The range includes compact tractors, lawn tractors and professional ride-on mowers.

“We strive to lead the industry in environmental practice and are proud to offer B20 across our groundcare range,” says Graham Gleed, New Holland’s Groundcare Sales Manager for the UK and Republic of Ireland.

“An increasing number of customers are looking at environmental factors as well as performance when they purchase groundcare machinery, and New Holland now offers a greener alternative to regular diesel – without affecting the proven performance and reliability our customers expect from New Holland.”

The key difference between a standard engine and one designed to run on B20 is the seals and filtration system, Mr Gleed explains.

“Most seals in an engine are made of a light rubber, and because biodiesel is essentially a live product, it can eat away at the seals in a relatively short time. By changing the type of seals, and modifying the filtration system, the engine can safely run on B20 without such adverse effects.”