National Ploughing Championships

Machinery and Livestock Exhibition

SUN SHINES AS RECORDS BROKEN AT PLOUGHING CHAMPIONSHIPS

The sun certainly shone on the 88th National Ploughing Championships which attracted a record breaking 297,000 visitors over the three days, with exhibitors and visitors alike thoroughly enjoying themselves, making this the most successful event to date.

President Michael D. Higgins officially launched the championships, paying tribute to NPA Managing Director Ms Anna May McHugh, the Gardaí, Carlow County Council and the hundreds of volunteers and staff that are required to stage the event. He also visited the ploughing plots to examine the conditions and meet with the Under 28 conventional competitors and Horse Ploughing competitions. Having witnessed the competitive conditions and chatted with the county representatives, he then attended and visited several exhibitors to experience and witness all that the Championships had to offer. Also there were several Irish Government Ministers, Party Leaders and elected representatives who were manning their tents and pouring customary cups of tea. Some of the nationally recognisable political representatives included an Taoiseach Leo Varadkar who visited many stands and even took the opportunity to plough a plot. Other senior politicians included Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed who took the opportunity to hold a media conference in the NPA HQ. Also among those attending were the two Michéals, Minister Michéal Ring and the Fianna Fáil leader Michéal Martin. Speaking at the close of business, Anna May McHugh said: “We are delighted with the overall attendance figure this year. The three days ran extremely smoothly and everywhere I looked there were cheery smiling faces with all members of the family thoroughly enjoying themselves.”

Silver Winning Champions

Meanwhile, congratulations and well wishes are pouring in from all corners of Ireland after the results of the World Ploughing Contest in Baudette, Minnesota, USA, where Ireland’s representatives on the world stage, Eamonn Tracey and John Whelan both won silver place. Carlow man Eamonn Tracey produced an outstanding performance in the Conventional Class, while neighbouring county Wexford man, John Whelan also secured silver place victory in the Reversible Class. Managing Director of the National Ploughing Association Ms Anna May McHugh said: “This is a fantastic win for both men and Irish Ploughing as a whole. Since winning the nationals last year, the men have been working hard on preparing for the worlds in the USA and all their effort have paid off. They have done their Country extremely proud. Congratulations and a very well done to both. “Ireland has always been highly respected internationally in terms of producing ploughmen to compete on the world stage. However, Eamonn and John in particular are held in extremely high esteem not only in Ireland but across the international ploughing community. Another great result such as this for both men further adds to their global reputation as masters in their field.” The Republic of Ireland was coached this year by Donegal man Matthew Simms. Also travelling with the contingent to America was DJ McHugh from Laois acting as judge; proud sponsors of the Irish Team and delegation again this year was Kverneland.

Sustainability Key Theme

With a shared vision to support and champion sustainable manufacturing across Ireland, Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company (HBC) Ireland and the National Ploughing Championships have revealed that all soft drink and water bottles sold at the 2019 Championships contained at least 50% recycled plastic. Market-leading soft drink producer Coca-Cola HBC has been the exclusive

BALLINTRANE, FENAGH, CO. CARLOW 17th, 18th & 19th SEPTEMBER

beverage partner to the Ploughing Championships for more than 25 years. As part of its journey to create a world without waste, Coca-Cola HBC recently announced that it now bottles its Deep RiverRock water range using 100% recycled PET (plastic) and integrates 50% recycled plastic into all its 500ml soft drink bottles, which include Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke, Fanta and Sprite. The National Ploughing Championships was the first national event to see the roll-out of these new packs made from recycled PET. The partnership saw more than 3.5 tonnes of virgin PET eliminated from circulation at the event. Cathal Garvey, National Events Manager, Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland, explains, “As all bottles produced by CocaCola HBC are already 100% recyclable, our recent investment in recycled PET plastic truly supports our commitment to protecting the environment by keeping resources in use for as long as possible. Recycled PET bottles are also one of the lowest carbondense packaging types to produce within the beverage sector.”

Keeping You Safe

‘The Ploughing and FBD: Keeping You Safe’ child safety wristband initiative was an important feature again at this year’s National Ploughing Championships following its tremendous success in previous years. Over 40,000 white wristbands were handed out at all of the event entrances, which allowed for a contact phone number to be written on the band in case the wearer wandered off amidst the large gathering. “These wristbands give reassurance and great peace-of-mind to all attending the event and add immensely to visitor experience”, said NPA MD Anna May McHugh. FBD CEO Fiona Muldoon added: “This popular initiative has been incredibly helpful to help protect our children at the largest event in the farming calendar should they stray or become separated from their parents or loved ones.”

Largest Ever Display of Doosan and Bobcat Machines

Adare Machinery, the Limerick-based Doosan and Bobcat dealer, had the company’s largest ever stand at this year’s National Ploughing Championships, featuring the most impressive array of new Doosan and Bobcat products to be shown by Adare.

William Cuddy, Sales Manager at Adare Machinery, said: “We were very proud to have our biggest stand to date at the Ploughing Show and to be representatives for the Doosan and Bobcat brands at this important event.” The highlight of the stand display from Doosan, which also included the 14 tonne DX140LCR-5 crawler excavator, was the first showing at the Ploughing show of the new DL280-5 wheel loader, designed specifically for agricultural applications. Adare was also showing the Bobcat TL38.70HF Agri and TL34.65HF Agri telescopic loaders for the first time at the event. Part of a strong display of new Bobcat equipment was the E35z, also being shown for the first time at the exhibition, part of the R-Series range of mini-excavators launched by Bobcat in 2018. The DL280-5 is the latest development in the high performance Doosan wheel loader range, which comprises 13 models – covering operating weights from 12 to 36 tonne. The DL280-5 offers high performance and high productivity with unbeatable breakout force, tipping load and enhanced output for all types of work around the farm, including feed management and work on silage and manure clamps. The DL280-5 can be equipped with a variety of attachments such as foldable silage forks and grabs, making it a very versatile and hard working machine for multiple jobs in agriculture. The TL38.70HF Agri and TL34.65HF Agri models are part of an expanded choice of seven telescopic loader models for the farming market from Bobcat, covering maximum lifting capacities between 2.6 and 4.3 tonne with lifting heights from 6 to 8 m. High Flow technology is a key feature of the TL38.70HF and TL34.65HF models, offering outstanding hydraulic capabilities and performance with a class-leading 190 l/min load sensing pump and flow sharing distributor to combine all movements together. To complete the picture, Bobcat now offers the entire range of telescopic loaders in three levels of finishing in the form of Agri equipment packages to best meet farmers’ needs in terms of productivity and comfort.

Machinery and Livestock Exhibition

McHale Plant Sales Showcase 'Crossover' Machines for New Fields of Business

The crossover relationship that has developed between certain items of farm machinery and those used in construction, waste processing and materials handling is something that McHale Plant Sales was showcasing.

For contractors fixed on expansion into other revenue earning fields of activity beyond the traditional income that tillage and harvesting brings, McHale Plant Sales exhibited a number of machines for which multiple uses exist across the farming and agricultural contracting sector. Specifically, these include machines equipped to handle applications whereby contractors could make profitable use of time during what might otherwise be valley periods. Prominent amongst them was the Komatsu WA320-8 heavy-duty wheel loader and its new smaller brother, the WA100-8. Fullyspecified and fitted for agricultural use, they come with interchangeable front bucket and fork attachments ideal for silage harvesting, pit building and grain harvesting. On show too was a number of models from the versatile Merlo Turbofarmer range – models that are fast becoming the telehandler of choice on many Irish farms. Straddling the divide between tractor and load-lifter, this highly adaptable machine has a tractor-like rear with towing hooks type-approved for agricultural use, an on-road speed of 40 km/h with the option of being registered as an on-road tractor. Speed and cruise control and an inching function are amongst its other features. Also at the show was the Terex Ecotec range of shredders, screeners and material handlers for which McHale Plant Sales are also the go-to people. At home in waste management and recycling applications, these versatile machines attracted plenty of attention from visitors who could also see other uses for them.

news Dalradian Moves to Address Fears Over Cyanide Use at Gold Mine

Dalradian has ruled out the use of cyanide as part of its plans to develop a major gold and silver mine in County Tyrone following protests from campaign groups.

The company has moved to dampen fears that it would use cyanide as part of the extraction process at the site in the Sperrin Mountains. Instead, it says a simplified process will be employed that will yield a partially refined product that will then receive further treatment overseas. The information is contained in a package of Further Environmental Information (FEI) which has been submitted to the Department for Infrastructure (DfI). Earlier this year, the Public Health Agency wrote to planners about the use of cyanide at the site. The PHA’s Gerry Waldron explained that the solid form of cyanide proposed for use would have risked the release of hydrogen cyanide gas, a highly toxic chemical that can be rapidly fatal. Dalradian says the project will be carbon-neutral – meaning it will not contribute to climate change - through measures such as using renewable power, electric vehicles, covered conveyor belts and biodiesel. The fuel usage has been reduced by 25% or approximately 1 million litres per year. This commitment to a zero carbon footprint will be for life of mine and is a first in the European mining sector. It will employ the use of the latest modern sorting technology underground to recover the maximum amount of mineral while removing the minimum amount of rock, ensuring that the impact on the local environment is minimal, and it adds that water demand will be reduced by nearly 30%; all water for operations will be sourced on-site and recycled within the site. The only requirement for off-site water is for drinking, showers and toilets, which will be supplied by a new mains connection. Commenting on the progress of the application, Patrick F.N. Anderson, President and CEO said:“The mine will be immensely beneficial for Co. Tyrone and the wider region, creating 1,000 jobs and spending of £750 million locally over 20-25 years. We will be investing in training and working with local colleges to make sure that it is the local people who benefit most from the long-term jobs and opportunity that this project will create. “Given the scale of the project, it has met with a very high level of interest and comment. We have listened carefully to the feedback we’ve received from those who have actively engaged with us. We recognize that while the economic opportunities are exciting, protecting the landscape and safeguarding the environment are equally, if not more, important. That is why we have made these further enhancements to ensure that Tyrone has a modern, environmentally responsible mine operating to the highest standard.” Dalradian is celebrating its 10th anniversary of working in Tyrone. Since beginning work on its gold project in 2009, the company has invested £115 million to complete numerous environmental, geological and engineering studies. As a result, there has been a 10-fold growth in the known resource to 6.1 million ounces of high-grade gold.

Keating appoints new Chief Operating Officer

Keating, the county Clare-based marine, civil engineering and building company, has appointed Marcus Carne as its new Chief Operating Officer; he will have responsibility for overseeing the implementation of the business’ operations and projects across Ireland and the UK.

His early priorities will be to focus on ensuring the Keating team is supported in delivering its current portfolio of contracts and enabled to achieve the strategic growth ambitions of the company. Keating’s COO Marcus Carne said: “Supporting our talented people in how they go to work, so that we can deliver the most innovative engineered solutions, whilst ensuring the safety of all our people and the quality of our services, is my main priority. I look forward to engaging with all our stakeholders as we embark on this next exciting chapter of the Keating journey.” Keating’s CEO Gordon O’ Regan added: “We are very pleased to have Marcus join us on the Leadership team. His experience built over 20 years is diverse and across a broad range of Engineering and Construction projects. His insights will contribute immensely to our overall strategic direction, growth and operational success. He is a crucial member of the Keating executive leadership team based in Dublin and operating nationwide and further afield.” Marcus Carne has been a leading figure commercially for some of Ireland’s, the UK’s and Australia’s largest building and engineering firms, delivering complex contracts globally, including Laing O’Rourke and John Sisk & Son. He has received accreditation and training from

Marcus Carne, Chief Operating Officer, Keating

University of Queensland, Imperial College London and Cambridge University. His familiarity with contract and commercial execution in Ireland, the UK and Overseas will be an integral component of Keating’s future plans and visions for the company. As well as having its HQ in Kilmihil, Co Clare, Keating also has offices in Dublin and the UK.