UTVs (Utility Vehicles) have increased in popularity at the expense of the ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) during the past 6-7 years. Possibly fuelled by the UTVs more comfortable nature, passenger seat and higher payload, in 2013 the number of units of both types recorded by the AEA were similar. However, the ATV regained the upper hand last year with AEA figures confirming a nearly 20% increase on 2013 levels to an estimated 6,300 units (excludes leisure or sports), while UTV numbers appear to have stabilised at around 4,500 units. It is difficult to explain the sudden increase in ATV popularity, which could be due in part to the delayed 2013 prosperity in the livestock sector. Confidence levels fell during the second half of 2014, but dairy, beef and sheep farmers were in confident mood to replace older machines during the first three months of the year (when the majority were sold). “I suspect it may be a bit of horses for courses and UTVs could become more interesting in the future on farms that don’t have rough land,” says economist Chris Evans of the AEA. When added together, the number of ATVs and UTVs recorded by the AEA increased by slightly over 10% last year to 10,763 units.