November2014tractor

Tractor Cover copy 6_Layout 1 14/11/2014 11:25 Page 1

IRISH

&

AGRI

NOVEMBER 2014

Vol. 2 No. 6

EURO 2.95 stg.£2.50

Vol. 2 N

Castle Eggs_Layout 1 13/11/2014 17:22 Page 1

HY-LINE IRELAND BORD BIA QUALITY ASSURED PULLET SUPPLIERS

The Mill, Ballyderown, Kilworth, Co. Cork.

T: 025-27299 •Dial Northern Ireland T: 353 25 27299 E: office@hyline.ie

www.hyline.ie

tractor contents designed_Layout 1 14/11/2014 11:01 Page 1

2 Agri News

Contents

Irish Tractor & Agri is published by DG Press, Kells Business Park, Kells, Co. Meath Telephone: (046) 9241923 Fax: (046) 9241926

8

14

18

22

Comber Potato Company One of Ireland’s premier growers of a variety of potatoes

Horan Pig Enterprises Ltd. A leading producers of pigs in the Munster region

Steel Fab Construction Agricultural shed fabricators

Beckett Agri Top quality service to a large customer base

29 Kevin Woods Machinery Ltd. Supplying grading, washing, weighing & packaging equipment 32 Donegal Farm Machinery Offering top quality products

34 Castlecar Potatoes Supplying a large customer base

38 Hi-Volt Group The only battery wholesaler in Ireland 40 Moloney Pig Farm Family run business

44 Wylie Bros Agri Ltd. 45 years experience in the agricultural sector

e mail: contact@lynngroupmedia.com

46

Mash Direct One of the UK & Ireland’s leading food manufacturers

50 Broughan Engineering Ltd. Manufacturers of a full range of high quality agricultural trailers 56 Leslie’s Farm Supplies Trading for 24 years

59 C McGee & Sons Ltd. Forefront of their field of expertise

62 Ned Murphy Tractors Ltd/Massey Salvage Recently launched its Massey Salvage division 66 Leo Dunne Ltd. Growing carrots for four generations

72 B&V Nurseries Ltd. Val Farrell, Chairman of The Irish Hardy Nursery Stock Association (IHNSA)

74 Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital Ireland’s No. 1 veterinary practise for the treatment of horses

Tractor News designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 12:43 Page 1

WANT TO SEE YOUR STORY FEATURED ON THESE PAGES? Then get in touch with us at contact@lynngroupmedia.com

HarvestLab wins innovation award

John Deere’s HarvestLab sensor system won the Highly Commended prize in the Award For Innovation category at the 2014 Farm Business Cream Awards, which recognise the best innovations, ideas and success stories in the dairy industry. The award was judged by an eight-strong panel headed by NFU President Meurig Raymond.

“The Cream Awards have really built on their position as the benchmark Dairy Industry Awards,” said organiser Caroline Whibley. “For this, the second year of the awards, the entries were once again fantastic and the winning line-up is hugely impressive.”

For this year’s grass and maize season, John Deere’s HarvestLab sensor system for the 7080 and new 8000 Series self-propelled forage harvester range is uniquely able to measure a full range of crop constituents for the first time, quickly and accurately while on the move. The constituent range includes sugars, starch, protein and crude fibre content, as well as dry matter.

John Deere is currently the only manufacturer with a proven, accurate, commercially available system for measuring both grass and maize constituents in real time. Mounted on the forager spout and taking crop readings 17 times per second, the versatile HarvestLab system can also be removed from the forager spout to allow it to be used for stationary feed analysis of different forage ingredients and for clamp silage analysis in the winter.

Farmers as well as contractors looking to generate extra income can therefore benefit from this latest advance in precision farming technology. The new ability to measure sugar as well as dry matter levels in real time also provides the opportunity to manage the silage additive process more efficiently, using a range of commercially available automatic variable rate application systems.

The latest version of HarvestLab is based on near infrared (NIR) sensor technology manufactured for John Deere by Zeiss Jena, and robust constituent sensing calibration curves developed specially for John Deere by various partner companies including DairyLab, depending on the crop. Using this additional crop data, the HarvestLab sensor can help livestock farmers to optimise their herd’s performance from silage, more accurately balanced against the correct amounts of extra bought-in feeds when required.

Similarly, operators of new bioenergy plants can more easily calculate the optimum amounts of biomass material to use for efficient energy production, particularly as starch content is the key to this process. John Deere’s i-specification self-propelled forage harvesters are ideally suited to harvesting maize and other energy crops for biomass, and can chop consistently to the necessary length for bioenergy plants, down to 4mm.

The forager’s integrated ‘intelligent’ technology package includes the HarvestLab sensor and AutoLOC. Using the machine’s infinitely variable length of cut (IVLOC) transmission, this provides automatic adjustment of the length of cut depending on the dry matter content of the crop being harvested. This is based on settings programmed in by the operator on the machine’s incab GreenStar touchscreen display prior to work, according to end user requirements.

Using HarvestLab, the operator can also adapt more easily to different weather conditions – when it’s wetter, for example, he might want to use a longer chop length, which can be adjusted very easily from the cab. This means output can be varied and monitored not just from farm to farm, but from field to field or even trailer to trailer, as required.

The HarvestLab system has been independently verified by DLG – the Germany Agricultural Society, which regularly conducts large-scale independent testing of agricultural machinery in the field as well as in laboratory conditions – to consistently deliver from +/-0.3 to 2 per cent accuracy, depending on the forage constituent being measured.

2

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

truck news designed_Layout 1 13/08/2014 12:44 Page 2

Tractor News designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 12:44 Page 3

John Deere launches new self-propelled sprayer

Aimed at arable farms, speciality crop growers and contractors, the new John Deere R4040i self-propelled sprayer replaces the current 5430i model for 2015, and is designed to provide improved performance, increased uptime and significantly reduced cost of operation.

The sprayer will make its public debut in the outdoor demonstration area at the 2014 CropTec event on November 19 and 20 at the East of England Showground, Peterborough.

The R4040i is powered by a 6.8-litre John Deere PowerTech PSS engine producing 235 rated hp (boosted to 255hp with intelligent power management/IPM). This new engine meets Stage IV/Final Tier 4 emissions regulations by incorporating selective catalytic reduction (SCR). The machine’s centrally located cab, which is now easier to access, provides a comfortable operating position and offers good visibility both on the road and in the field. It also has a restyled interior with a new cornerpost display.

The sprayer chassis features XtraFlex dual-strut independent wheel suspension for a smoother and faster ride, and hydraulic track width adjustment as standard. Hydrostatic final drives and planetary gears provide constant four wheel traction in both transport and spraying modes, at up to 40 and 20km/h respectively. The sprayer can be operated with two-

wheel, four-wheel or crab steering to suit different crop and field conditions, and has a 4.5m turning radius.

The R4040i is also equipped as standard with the John Deere GreenStar 3 2630 touchscreen display with full FieldDoc spray documentation and ISOBUS compatibility. The sprayer comes AutoTrac ready and with a free JDLink Ultimate subscription for one year, which enables a range of additional FarmSight precision farming solutions including new Remote Display Access and Wireless Data Transfer, as well as Service Advisor Remote.

For safe, intuitive and convenient operation, the sprayer features a Hydro Handle multi-functional control lever and Solution Command electronic sprayer control for automatic filling, mixing, spraying and rinsing as standard. Total spray pump capacity is a maximum of 560 litres/min with a flow of up to 380 litres/min to the steel spray booms, which are available in widths from 24 to 36m.

The rounded shape of the 4000-litre polyethylene spray tank features a smooth internal surface for efficient solution mixing and fast automatic cleaning. Simply operated by a switch on the Solution Command panel, the new 50-litre PowrFill inductor safely transfers crop protection chemicals into the main tank.

The pendulum boom suspension system includes polyurethane dampers for stability, while John Deere’s established BoomTrac automatic boom levelling system adds even more accuracy to the spraying operation. The new variable geometry BoomTrac Pro option further increases application accuracy and efficiency by automatically adjusting the height of the individual boom wings independently to match the terrain.

Instant coverage to the full working width of the sprayer is provided by the standard pressure circulation system, which keeps the liquid solution moving along the stainless steel spray lines and right up to the nozzles even when not spraying.

Once spraying starts, the system feeds the spray lines from both ends to maintain a constant pressure and application rate.

To reduce input costs by minimising overlaps or skips, John Deere’s automatic Section Control switches individual boom sections on and off when entering or leaving predefined areas, including headlands, while LED boom lights help to maintain high productivity at night.

4

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Tractor News designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 12:44 Page 4

Massey Ferguson celebrates 50th Anniversary of the world’s workhorse

In the year that Massey Ferguson has launched its new and revolutionary Global Tractor, it is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the remarkable MF 100 Series Known affectionately across the world as the ‘Red Giants’ the MF 100 Series tractors were the first and only truly global tractors. They were designed in Banner Lane in the UK, where they were also built as well as in many factories around the world and more than a million MF 100 Series models were produced in its unrivalled production run between 1964 to 1979.

“The MF 100 Series made a huge and unique contribution to helping mechanise world agriculture and develop farming across the globe. They quickly became the world’s workhorse and many of the original tractors are still hard at work today on nearly every continent,” says Campbell Scott, Director Sales Engineering & Brand Development.

“Today, half a century since the launch of the outstanding 100 Series, Massey Ferguson has again developed a new workhorse for the world. The MF 4700 is designed by Massey Ferguson’s team in Beauvais France and, like the 100 Series, will be also be built at various locations around the world.

“The Global Series is the modern equivalent of the 100 Series and is destined to become the new legendary tractor for a new generation of farmers across the globe.

“These state-of-the-art tractors are the result of a $350 million investment in a completely new, clean sheet design. They are developed specifically to provide utterly dependable operation in a wide range of applications to meet the needs of a diverse range of farmers world-wide.

“The Massey Ferguson Global Series has been designed and built in the 21st Century and is purpose-built for modern applications. While using the very latest, sophisticated engineering and manufacturing tools and techniques, they still retain our traditional straight forward operation, dependability and cost effective operation,” he says.

New Holland Agriculture smashes the current GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for most wheat harvested within eight hours with the CR10.90 combine

New Holland Agriculture has reclaimed the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title, harvesting an impressive 797.656 tonnes of wheat in eight hours with the world’s most powerful combine: the 653hp CR10.90.

“We are extremely proud to have recaptured the Guinness World Records™ title for harvesting almost 800 tonnes of wheat in eight hours, shattering the previous record by more than 120 tonnes,” stated Hedley Cooper, Head of Harvesting Product Management. “This record demonstrates the unsurpassed capacity and productivity of the CR10.90, especially as the current record of 675.84 tonnes was broken after just six hours and 36 minutes!”

The record was set on 15th August 2014 at HR Bourn and Sons Farm in Grange de Lings, near Wragby, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom. The field was sown with Santiago wheat in the autumn of 2013 before it was chosen in May 2014 for the record breaking attempt, which meant that it represented real world growing conditions.

The record breaking day’s harvesting, which started at 11:17am, was characterised by changing weather conditions, with the ambient temperature ranging from 18-21°C and light showers occurring from 17:30 onwards. The CR10.90’s average throughput was 99.7 tonnes/hour and peaked at 135 tonnes/hour in a crop yielding an average of 9.95 tonnes/ha and an average moisture content of 16.2%. The record was achieved using a mere 1.12 litres of fuel per tonne of grain harvested, with the straw chopper engaged throughout the day.

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

5

Tractor News designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 12:44 Page 5

Zetor gears up for Forterra 150 arrival Zetor distributor in Ireland, McHale Plant Sales of Birdhill, has announced that their larger Forterra 150hp model will be available in Ireland from January next.

Zetor’s biggest, widest, longest and most powerful tractor yet, the 4-cylinder all-wheel drive Forterra 150 puts the Czech manufacturer up there alongside the leading brands on the Irish market. In light of this, McHale Plant Sales director, John O’Brien confirms that a search is under way to appoint dealers in a number of vacant east coast counties where applications exist for tractors like the Forterra and in which Zetor has not been represented previously with a unit in this category.

Amongst the Forterra 150’s many features are front axle suspension, cab suspension and an array of latest electronic controls. Though no firm price has yet been agreed, it is expected to launch on the Irish market at an ex-VAT price of circa €65,000.

New Orchard shredder makes light work of tree prunings

Kuhn Farm Machinery has announced the launch of a new shredder to the fruit growing market.

Designed specifically to operate between rows of fruit trees, the TRP 175 PRO is capable of shredding high volumes of leaf residue and thick, woody branches at high speed. It can also be used for light path clearing and verge shredding, making it a truly versatile piece of landscape maintenance equipment.

The TRP 175 PRO has a 175cm working width and features a large volume casing for maximum output. It is fitted with a hydraulically driven, adjustable speed pick-up rotor, and is fitted with two high strength Domex steel rear grids with 60mm outlet holes for very fine shredding: the upper grid is hingemounted for easy access to the rotor.

The new shredder is fitted with a 457mm diameter flail rotor, equipped with 1.65kg heavy hammer knives which are mounted onto toothed knife holders with robust 25mm pins. Capable of operating at up to 3,100 revolutions per minute, the knives and toothed holders, which are arranged in a helical pattern, hold debris within the body of the flail until all material has been broken down into fine fragments.

The TRP 175 PRO uses a central gearbox and a reversible head allowing the machine to be front or rear mounted. It can also be used with reverse drive-station tractors. As standard, the front hood is fixed, with a hydraulically adjustable roller available as an option – this enables the machine to be fine tuned according to the volume of debris to be shredded.

“The TRP 175 PRO is the ideal machine for fruit farmers looking to shred high volumes of branch and leaf residue,” explains Jean-Sebastien Vecten of Kuhn Farm Machinery. “It is capable of shredding large amounts of woody material into a very fine pulp and is robust enough to cope with the most challenging conditions. A strong frame, tough gearbox and thick chamber lining make the new machine capable of withstanding heavy stone impacts and give the TRP a long working life.”

WANT TO SEE YOUR STORY FEATURED ON THESE PAGES? Then get in touch with us at contact@lynngroupmedia.com 6

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Tractor News designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 12:44 Page 6

Advanced Coatings invests €50,000 in paint testing facilities for OEM market

Industrial paint specialist, Advanced Coatings is pleased to announce that it has invested €50,000 in research and development of its paint testing facilities for the Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) market.

Now the market leader for the supply of paint systems and technical support to the agricultural machinery manufacturers, supplying around 70% of the OEM market in Ireland, Advanced Coatings’ paint system is put onto high end machinery that is being exported to every corner of the world. Based in Carlow, Advanced Coatings currently works with Ireland’s largest machinery exporters, from Combilift in Monaghan, manufacturers of forklifts and supplying 75 countries worldwide; to Keenan Feeders, McHale Balers, and Abbey Machinery who all ship their products worldwide.

The investment ensures that Advanced Coatings is second to none when it comes to investigating various coating systems and analysing how they perform under various conditions. Advanced Coatings audits its large OEM clients on a monthly basis to ensure that the system is performing as it should and that the conditions are favourable. The company has invested in a Salt-Spray Cabinet, which is an accelerated weathering test that sees Advanced Coatings’ paint inspectors put painted steel panels in the Salt-Spray Cabinet which simulates a wet, foggy, salty coastal environment and speeds up the weathering process. They check how the panels are performing and how quickly they start to corrode/rust, and as a result can identify how each paint system is performing relative to other systems.

Small factors such as humidity and low temperatures can have a huge effect on the paint finish and it is essential that paint doesn’t end up peeling off a high end piece of equipment being shipped to the far side of the world. The highly qualified Advanced Coatings team independently tests each company’s paint system, and more critically, checks the conditions of the applicator regularly. Most of Advanced Coatings’ work is pre-empting problems, and putting checks in place to ensure that any issues that may arise are identified well before they become an issue for the client.

Commenting on the investment in the company, Managing Director of Advanced Coatings, Kate Gaynor said “As a team we are constantly upskilling, studying, travelling to various paint exhibitions and events to hone our skills. Any event relating to industrial coatings, we are interested in and we’re going to be there.”

She continued “Our business is based on trust and our focus for the remainder of 2014 and moving forward will be to continually improve in ways that will have a positive impact on our customers and help their business to succeed and prosper with products with added-value and a service that isn’t available elsewhere in the country.”

Advanced Coatings is now expanding into other areas through its wholesale network, supplying high-end paint systems to specialist paint shops nationwide. This has grown to 10% of the business over a two year period, and they intend to grow it to 20% in the coming 18 months.

For further information visit www.advancedcoatings.ie.

DEUTZ-FAHR AGROPLUS F Keyline the specialist par excellence

The DEUTZ-FAHR tractor specialist range is going to be more complete with AGROPLUS F Keyline. The Agroplus F Keyline combines simplicity and strength, in a compact, multi-function model with an hp from 50 to 75. Fully synchronised transmissions offer greater working comfort and shorter operating times, guaranteeing an unheard of productivity in this market segment.

The Agroplus F Keyline is perfect for specialist crops and day-to-day jobs. The reliable and tested 1000 Series SDF engine ensures a long life with low operating costs.

Like the entire DEUTZ-FAHR range the Agroplus F Keyline features latest-generation technology, ergonomic controls and a streamlined design.

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

7

beckett agri designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 11:12 Page 1

Beckett Agri is on the go 30 years

T

Making tracks

he adverse weather conditions in Ireland mean that cutting silage is not a procedure that can be achieved at the same time every year, but when we do get ‘dry spells’, it is essential for agricultural to move quickly.

To do this, they need a modern and efficient fleet of machinery that will stand

8

up to the demands of this hectic period.

However, this year’s weather has certainly favoured farmers and contractors alike.

For the last 30 years, Beckett Agri has provided a top quality service to a large customer base as the agricultural contractor built up a reputation for reliability and efficiency.

Beckett Agri not only concentrates on silage harvesting, but other services including slurry, baling, hedge cutting

CONTACT DETAILS Beckett Agri

Kilconnell, Ballinasloe, Co Galway.

086 782 9040 IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

beckett agri designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 11:12 Page 2

Martin Beckett has worked hard to develop the business

and plant work.

Based in Kilconnell, just outside Ballinasloe, Co Galway, Beckett Agri’s customer base covers parts from West Galway to South Roscommon, while the company revealed that to ensure customer satisfaction it was important to get a good job done as quickly as possible.

“The customers can choose between a self-propelled silage

harvester, a forage wagon system or get their grass baled and wrapped,” explained Beckett Agri.

“The main aim is to get in and get the job done as quickly as you can with no compromise on quality. With the weather being so unpredictable, there is only a small window of opportunity to make silage, so it is a case of working 24/7 during that period.

"Fortunately, this year has been great weather wise and it makes life so much

A Claas silage harvester IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

9

beckett agri designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 11:12 Page 3

Best Wishes To Beckett Agri, From

Best Wishes To Beckett Agri From CERTIFIED PREMIUM QUALITY LIME.

Donal Quinn Solicitors is a long established law firm in County Galway with over forty years of combined legal experience We specialise in all aspects of AGRICULTURAL LAW to include

• Remedies in the event of accident or injury* • Advising on all aspects of transferring Family Lands • Rights of Way • Will and Succession Planning for the passing on of the Family Farm • Tax efficiencies in property transfers and Will Planning • Road Traffic Offences • Advising on compliance with Statutory Regulations for Farm Vehicles • Planning to protect the Family Farm in the event of marital breakdown • Debt Recovery options • Farm Partnerships and Leases

Please contact Donal Quinn Solicitors at Cross Street, Athenry, Co.Galway on 091 844 008 or by email on donal@donalquinnsolicitors.ie

DALY WELDING Round Baler Rollers

* Please note that in contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion or any award or settlement.”

Best Wishes To Beckett Agri From

Made for all Types of Balers Welger, McHale, Class etc

Rollers Repaired For All Types Of Balers Also Log Splitters Made | Kindling Machines Made

Contact TJ Daly on 089-4281256

Masonbrook, Loughrea, Co. Galway Tel:091-842455 or 086-2506702

Also suppliers of Quarry Products, Readymix, Sand, Decorative & Land Drainage Chips.

Granular Fill S.R.21:2014 Annex E

Wishing Beckett Agri Continued Success From

Home Heating Oil | Commercial | Agricultural

Ballinasloe 090-9646022 Loughrea 091-841700 Galway 091-751311

Best Wishes To Beckett Agri, From

Knockcroghery, Co. Roscommon Tel:090-6661669 Fax:090-6661669 Mobile: 086-2748187 E:shaneegan@iol.ie

Best Wishes To Beckett Agri , From

Kevin Burke Tyres Best Wishes To Beckett Agri

Galway Depot Athenry Depot Ballydavid, Athenry Riverside Ind Estate, Tuam Road, Galway Tel: 091-845329 Tel: 091-769636

10

Labane Depot Ardrahan, Co. Galway Tel: 091-639752

www.kevinburketyres.ie

FOR ALL YOUR

AUTO, AGRI & COMMERCIAL PARTS Vicar St., Tuam, Co. Galway

Tel: 093- 28731

Fax: 093- 27874 E: a1_autoparts@hotmail.com IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

beckett agri designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 11:12 Page 4

easier when you have a bigger window to work through."

Having a top quality fleet and work force enables the company to get through large quantities of work at one time.

“We have a modern fleet of machinery which is very up to date and this avoids any unnecessary breakdowns that may occur. During the summer months, we have three silage outfits on the go and this allows us to get to a number of jobs at once. We have 18 tractors here, most of which are John Deere, while we also have a couple of Fendts and a Claas. The silage machinery includes five Strautmann wagons, one Claas harvester, numerous mowers, one Volvo and two Komatsu loaders,

along with two McHale Fusion 3 Plus net free balers.

A lot of farmers are showing a big interest in this new net free system. It means the bales are wrapped and there are no twines or net on them at all. This is time saving for the farmer both when feeding and afterwards for disposal. The bales produced are also of a higher quality.”

Drivers have adequate training on a machine before being sent to operate it. The aim is to match an operator's responsibility with his/her experience.

"All the workers have a lot of experience in operating machinery and we have to say that there is a great crew of seasonal workers here."

Of course, operating such

an extensive fleet means that the team use a lot of diesel. “The price of diesel is high, it is definitely one of the biggest overheads that we have.”

The majority of the maintenance work is carried out by themselves and Beckett Agri has the facilities to do this at their premises. They have two huge machinery sheds, so everything is housed for the winter and they do the most of the repairs and servicing work themselves.

William Beckett initially set up the business and is still involved to this day. His son Martin served his time as a mechanic before coming on board, while Martin’s mum Pauline looks after the administration side

of the business.

As mentioned, Beckett Agri provide a number of agricultural services and for this time of the year, spreading slurry, muck and lime and hedge cutting is their main focus.

“We would do a lot of slurry and muck spreading, but it makes no sense to have the cut off point from October 15th to January 15th because December often proves to be a dry month.”

Plant work is another area that the firm specialises in and they are ready to start working on the new Tuam to Gort motorway in the near future.

“We will have a few machines on the job. The construction of a 57-km

Beckett’s Agri provide a wide range of services IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

11

beckett agri designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 11:12 Page 5

Quigleys Garage Continued Best Wishes To Beckett Agri, From

Main Dealer Ahascragh, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway. Mobile: +353 87 935 35 52 Phone: 0909 68 85 88 Fax: 0909 68 85 85 Email: info@quigleysgarage.ie www.quigleysgarage.ie Best Wishes To Beckett Agri, From

Best Wishes To Beckett Agri From

NEW H2 RANGE

Grain & Silage Trailers

Ballinasloe 090-9642888 Roscommon 090-6627121 Athlone 090-6474711 Tel: 1890 908350 Email: sales@domachire.com www.domachire.com

LOUGHREA TYRE CENTRE Best Wishes To Beckett Agri, From All At

We stock all branded tyres and budget brands Laser Alignment | Tracking & Balancing Batteries | Alloy Wheel Sales | Alloys Straightened

DUBLIN ROAD, LOUGHREA, CO. GALWAY E: loughreatyres@gmail.com Fax: 091 -870599

Contact Us On 091- 841260

MODERN DESIGN ENGINEERED FOR STRENGTH SUPERIOR MANEUVERABILITY HIGH VISIBILITY FOR OPERATOR AIR BRAKES, STEERING AXLE CHOICE OF TYRES MODELS AVAILABLE 14 TON 18 ft x8ft 16 TON 20ft x8ft 18 TON 22ft x 8ft

HERRON ENGINEERING LTD 15 Herron’s Road, Leitrim, Co. Down BT31 9SR TEL: 028-4065 0204 MOBILE: 07850 301 073

Mortimer Limestone GROWLIME If you want to get the best quality Email: info@herronengineering.co.uk

Ground Limestone then choose Growline.

■ Mortimer Limestone has a TNV (Total Neutralising Value)

of 98% and is classified as a high purity limestone deposit.

■ Mortimer Limestone also produce all their ground

limestone to an extra fine grind (exceeding requirements) meaning faster and more efficient results for the farmer.

■ Mortimer Limestone are Licensed by the Department of Agriculture to produce and sell Ground Limestone.

Phone:093-55757 www.mortimerquarries.ie Best wishes To Beckett Agri

WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR COMPANY FEATURED IN Irish Tractor & Agri Magazine

Call Barry now on 00353 (0) 46 9241923 12

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

beckett agri designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 11:12 Page 6

motorway - part of the socalled Atlantic Corridor on the west coast - will take thousands of vehicles out of Clarinbridge, Claregalway and Tuam each day. It will be constructed as a Public Private Partnership project and will greatly aid an

Strautmann trailers are used by Beckett’s

improved traffic flow and journey times in the west.”

In our industry, a cautious approach must be taken when obtaining new business.

“We have no plans to expand for the time being at least. You have to take a

cautious approach when taking on extra work outside the farming sector, the farmers that we are working for now, are the ones that we’ve been dealing with since the company first started and they are our main priority.”

Beckett Agri’s great strength of being financially sensible and adopting the latest machinery to provide a quality, efficient and reliable service will ensure they remain a viable contracting business for years to come.

An impressive view of the fleet IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

13

Comber Potatoes designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 12:53 Page 1

Farming in the McKee family can be traced back to the early 1700s

I

Passionate about potatoes

van McKee of Comber Potato Company has been described as a man who “eats, sleeps and thinks potatoes”. When we met up with him, we quickly learned that this is a fitting description.

Robert McKee & Son / Comber Potato Company is one of Ireland’s premier growers of a variety of potatoes as well as parsnips, carrots and beetroots. The genesis of the company goes back some 300 years, with the inception of the existing business taking place over 50 years ago.

Since then, successive generations of

14

the McKee family have fostered the enterprise from strength to strength, with a strong focus on producing only the finest potatoes and choice vegetables.

Their extensive range includes such familiar varieties as Maris Piper, Maris Peer, Queens and Rooster as well as some less familiar ones like Ballydoonans, Homeguard and Charlotte. Having held full accreditation to the Assured Produce Scheme since 1998, the farm continues its stringent adherence to the control and nurturing of its crops through to harvesting and storage under refrigerated conditions. All procedures and methodologies used are

CONTACT DETAILS

Comber Potato Company, Robin and Ivan McKee, Ballyrickard House, 3 Moat Road, Comber, Newtownards, County.Down, BT23 4XA.

Telephone: 028 91872371 Email: info@comberpotato.co.uk IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Comber Potatoes designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 12:53 Page 2

Employment is provided to a team of twelve

The McKees operate a modern fleet of tractors and agri-machinery

geared towards ensuring a premier product.

Ivan McKee, who runs the farm today alongside his father Robin, reveals: “Comber is synonymous with new potatoes. It is the first place in the North where you can get new season potatoes. We have a frostfree micro-climate and the ground heats early in spring, so that enables us to produce the first new season potatoes in Ireland. Depending on the winter and the spring, we could have them as early as IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

mid-May.” Indeed, the McKees and Comber Potato Company are renowned island-wide for the early arrival of their new season potatoes. “We hailed originally from the Ards peninsula, from a dairy farm but my grandfather (Robert)or (BoB) as we all new him was always into growing potatoes,” notes Ivan. “But we could never get them ready as early as the guys in Comber, so he bought a farm here and we came here in 1962. I’m third-

generation, coming after Robert and my father Robin.”

And one day Ivan’s son Jonathan may take over the reins of the family business…

Farming in the McKee family can be traced back as far as the early 1700s. The nucleus of today’s business was sown on a 24 hectare plot surrounding the current operation on the fertile soil of the lower southern slopes of Scrabo Hill. At the core of the business is the Comber Potato - the cream of Ulster Spuds.

The sandy soils of the area have also allowed for an increase in the growth of high-quality carrots, parsnips and brassicas, which have been supplied to local restaurants through dedicated wholesalers.

Referring to the annual cycle of activity at Comber Potato Company, Ivan reveals: “We start the season with the new season Comber potato and then move on to baby potatoes. We grow 150 acres of baby salad potatoes, which are sold under the Comber Potato Company brand. These are all washed and some are distributed to supermarkets and shops in 800gram packs, while we also sell 10kilo bags to restaurants north and south as well as wholesale customers. To service the Republic of Ireland marker, we are now selling through ReadyChef in Dublin.

“We then move on to Maris Pipers and parsnips, which are sold through Gilfresh into ASDA and Lidl, and carrots, which go to Tesco, Dublin, again through Gilfresh. We are also doing beetroot – ordinary, golden and combistripe – as well as coloured carrots – purple (which is the original colour of carrots), yellow and white.”

Having started out as a 60acre operation, the Comber Potato Company farm now comprises a total of around 500 acres. This breaks down into 150 acres for baby potatoes; 100 acres for new season Comber potatoes and Pipers; 80 acres for parsnips; 40 acres of carrots; and five acres of beetroot and coloured carrot. “We also grow 150 acres of wheat and barley as a break crop to rest the land and keep rotation right,” adds Ivan.

Gainful employment is currently provided to a team of twelve.

“My father Robin and his brothers James and Mark worked together for a while under the RJM Farms banner but then in 2008 they changed the name again and

15

Comber Potatoes designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 12:53 Page 3

Three generations of Comber Potato Company: Ivan McKee, his father Robin and son Jonathan

went back to Robert McKee and Son. All of the Comber Potato Company’s produce is sold on the island of Ireland, with the Republic emerging as an increasingly-important export market. “We started to get into that market in a serious way at the beginning of 2013 and we can see great opportunities there. They are looking for fresh vegetables in Southern Ireland all the time and we have the capacity to satisfy that demand with excellent produce.”

These are distributed through ReadyChef. How did that partnership come about? “I met William Tallon at a food show and from there I brought some samples to his base in North Dublin and we started trading the following week. We have programmes going forward for all lines and those are very steady.

“We are currently producing what we can manage comfortably on our farm but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t room for expansion. In fact, we are seeking further openings.”

Comber Potato Company produces, packs, sells and distributes its own produce, all of which is branded, fresh and local. “Consumer shopping is moving back towards the local stores again and lots of local stores are crying out for the supply of fresh local veg and potatoes,” Ivan McKee concludes. “We are focussing on this market and also on restaurants, as people like to eat out as well.

“We are selling on average about 2,000 10kilo boxes of baby potatoes per week. We don’t sell these through the multiples anymore or through trading partners.

There is no margin when you deal with the main-chain supermarkets.”

Ivan McKee is very much the driving force and inspiration behind Comber Potato Company going forward and his energy and enthusiasm are boundless.

“Potatoes is the tradition in our family and I am very passionate about it. I would attend a lot of shows and fairs across Europe and I visit a lot of shops regularly just to see what’s happening on the ground.

“I was my grandfather’s shadow when I was growing up and he taught me a lot. One of the things he said to me was ‘the week you don’t sell anything is the week you don’t get any money’. I’ll always remember that.

We’re now producing potatoes non-stop, twelve months of the year, and we will keep moving forward.”

All produce is sold on the island of Ireland

The Comber Potato Company farm comprises some 500 acres

16

An extensive range of potatoes, parsnips, carrots and beetroot is grown IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Comber Potatoes designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 12:53 Page 4

Email: sales@dps-ni.com Tel: 028 9181 8347 Fax: 028 9181 3837

www.dps-ni.com

THE LOCAL BASE FOR FLUID ENGINEERING

NORTHERN IRELAND’S PREMIER SUPPLIER OF AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL WATER PUMPS, IRRIGATION PUMPING AND CLEANSING SYSTEMS

CONTINUED SUCCESS TO ALL AT COMBER POTATO COMPANY

Wishing Continued Success To Comber Potato Company, From

We provide a premium chilled and frozen distribution and cold storage warehouse service throughout Ireland, the UK and Europe.

We offer the following services; Chilled Distribution | Distribution of frozen goods Temperature controlled deliveries | Groupage Freight Forwarding | Chilled Warehousing Storage of frozen pallets Short and long term cold storage facilities Order picking

Silverwood Coldstore, 66 Silverwood Road, Lurgan, Co. Armagh BT66 6LN

Tel Office +44 28 3832 6923 Fax: Traffic +44 28 8778 9525 Email: info@sawyers.cc

Patterson

www.sawyerstransport.com

Best Wishes To Comber Potato Company From

Potato Boxes Ltd 70 Raffrey Road, Crossgar, Downpatrick, Co.Down

Tel:07814-929479

Email: ballymartinherefords@hotmail.co.uk Wishing Continued Success To Comber Potato Company, From

James Townley Agricultural Contractors

Donaghadee Co. Down.

T: (0044) 07889358650

E:j.townley75@gmail.com

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

CASPAC PACKAGING THAT DELIVERS Proud to be part of your supply chain wish Comber Potato Company continued success and growth for the future.

24 Lagan Road, Keady, County Armagh BT60 3EP

T: +44 (0)28 3753 8317 F: +44 (0)28 3753 9555 info@caspac.co.uk www.caspac.co.uk REFRIGERATION AND AIR CONDITIONING INDUSTRIAL - COMMERCIAL - SALES & SERVICE DESIGN - INSTALLATION - MAINTENANCE

Keeping Industry Cool

Continued Success & Best Wishes To All At COMBER POTATO COMPANY

WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR COMPANY FEATURED IN Irish Tractor & Agri Magazine

Call Barry now on 00353 (0) 46 9241923 17

Horan Pig designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 13:00 Page 1

The Horans oversee one of the most modern piggeries in Ireland

Limerick’s premier pig producer P

roducing over 28,000 pigs per year, Horan Pig Enterprises in Glin, County Limerick is one of the leading producers of pigs in the Munster region and beyond. We met up with director John Horan to get an insight into the history, day-to-day activities and continued success of this outstanding family business, which is the only commercial pig farm in west Limerick.

The genesis of Horan Pig Enterprises can be traced back to 1972, when local pig farmer Tom Horan set up as a sole

CONTACT DETAILS

Horan Pig Enterprises Ltd.

Horan Pig Enterprises produces pigs for the breeding and processing markets

18

Ballyculhane, Glin, County Limerick.

Telephone: 068 36185

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Horan Pig designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 13:00 Page 2

trader in Ballyculhane, Glin, County Limerick.

Tom oversaw a successful operation for some 35 years before his sons John, Thomas and Paul (directors) took over the business and established Horan Pig Enterprises Ltd. as a going concern in 2007.

The business has since been completely reinvented and transformed, including the recent construction of a new state-of-the-art piggery to replace the old building, and Horan Pig Enterprises is now recognised as one of the leading producers of pigs not just in County Limerick but further afield.

John is pleased to report that the farm is performing well at present. “It’s going very well, although margins are tight.” This is a scenario that is all too familiar right across the agricultural sector these days: “The production end of the business is going really well, but the money end of it is proving to be a real challenge.”

Horan Pig Enterprises has a total of 1,100 sows at their disposal and each sow produces 26 pigs per year, which are sold into the breeding and pig processing markets. Production levels remain steady all year around IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

The state-of-the-art piggery in Glin, County Limerick

and the state-of-the-art plant is operated to the very highest Health & Safety and Quality Control standards.

Hermitage Genetics in Kilkenny look after the marketing and sales of the breeding stock (including exports all over Europe), which accounts for up to 30% of total output, while the remaining 70% or so go into the pork processing chain nationwide, including Stauntons Foods and Rosderra Irish Meats Group.

Horan’s piggery in Ballyculhane is one of the

most modern facilities of its kind in Ireland. The pig farm has been completely revamped and the end result is that the business is on very firm footing moving forward: “We completely demolished the old farm and put up a new one in its place,” John reveals. “Everything has been revamped and updated and we now have one of the most modern pig farms in the country. I’d say at least 75% of the existing farm was rebuilt from scratch and it’s all state-of-the-art.”

This means that more

efficiencies can be achieved in the running of the business, which results in a higher-quality product and service and in turn added benefits to the customer.

That’s not to say it is all plain sailing, however. Far from it, in fact. This is a tough business and it can be extremely difficult to squeeze out a profit, not matter how good your end product is.

“The cost of feed is very high and our margins are tight,” John states. “At the moment, our margin over feed is only 45 cent per kilo on average

Horan Pig Enterprises has 1,100 sows at their disposal

19

Horan Pig designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 13:00 Page 3

McCurdy

Best Wishes & Continued Success To Horan Pig Enterprises From

Livestock Transport Wilson McCurdy (Jnr)

229 Carnlough Road, Broughshane, Ballymena County Antrim BT42 4LX M: +44 (0) 77 1103 1032 T: +44 (0) 28 2568 4249 F: +44 (0) 28 2568 4599 E: wmccurdy@dsl.pipex.com | www.mccurdylivestocktransport.co.uk

Best Wishes To Horan Pig Enterprises From

Macro Stainless Ltd. Best Wishes To Horan Pig Enterprises, From

Corcanree Ind Est., Dock Road, Limerick

SHEET, PLATE, COILS, CHEQUER PLATE, TUBE, PIPE, BOX SECTION, FLATS, ROUND, ANGLE DAIRY FITTINGS & VALVES, B.S.P. & N.B FITTINGS, FASTENINGS, NICKEL ALLOYS, TITANIUM, FLAT BAR, TUBE & SHEET POLISHING

www.macrostainless.ie Tel:061-414555 Fax:061-414411 Contact Tommy Rowan, Tony McNamara

Agricultural, Environmental, Engineering & Planning Consultants.

Mooresfort, Lattin, Co. Tipperary Tel: 062-55385 | Fax: 062-55483 www.nrge.ie

Best Wishes To Horan Pig Enterprises

SPECIALISTS IN TOP QUALITY POWER WASHERS AND CLEANING EQUIPMENT TO THE COMMERCIAL, FORECOURT AND AGRICULTURE SECTORS Dromard, Rathkeale, Co. Limerick Tel: 069 64941 Mobile: 087 2684976 email: info@powerwasherslimerick.com

www.powerwasherslimerick.com

Continued success to Horan Pig Enterprises 20

WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR COMPANY FEATURED IN Irish Tractor & Agri Magazine

Call Barry now on 00353 (0) 46 9241923 IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Horan Pig designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 13:00 Page 4

and we could do with 55 – 60 cent.”

A staggering 150 tonnes of feed is purchased per week, mostly from Kiernan Milling and Southern Milling.

Currently, Horan Pig Enterprises have all the feed delivered by the mills but John is considering investing in his own fleet in the near future to carry out his own transportation. The present fleet comprises just one vehicle: “We have only the one truck for the pigs plus a livestock trailer, and we would do three loads per week.”

During the 42 years since Tom Horan set out in the pig farming world, great strides have been made by the family business, which continues to go from strength to strength today. “There has been a lot of expansion over the years,” John agrees. “We’ve invested a lot of money in the new farm and we are lucky to have well-trained staff here, who all know what they are doing.

“The way things have gone, everything in the pig farm is automated now and there is very little manual labour involved, apart from moving, washing and loading the pigs. It’s all much easier to manage compared to the older farm.”

Employment is provided to a team of eight, comprising of four full time employees and two part time employees. Johns sister Mairead also helps out with book-keeping and banking.

Looking to the future, John sees the breeding market as a more attractive proposition than the pork processing one at present and hopes to increase the percentage of his pigs sold into breeding.

“We are in survival mode with the price of pigs and we hope to expand the breeding sales side of the operation, which gives us a better margin,” he concludes. “We were supplying a lot of pigs into breeding in Russia and we would be hoping that particular market opens up again soon, because we’ve taken a hit there. We’re also hoping to expand into other export markets. We’ve just sent small loads to Romania, Greece and the Ukraine but it wasn’t of the sort of volume that we’d ideally like.

“The quality of our stock is of the very highest standard and we are confident that we have a very, very high-quality product. The highest Quality Control standards are in place across the entire stock and we are audited by An Bord Bia and Red Tractor in the UK, so there is no doubting the quality of our operation.”

With over four decades of experience and one of the country’s finest pig farms, Horan Pig Enterprises Ltd. are in a league of their own right now.

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Horan Pig Enterprises is one of the leading pig producers in Munster

Over 28,000 pigs per year are produced

The Horan family have over four decades of experience of pigs

21

boland plant designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 10:20 Page 1

At his disposal, Michael has a machine for every job

O

Some units from the imp

Agri, plant and pitches ...

ver the past three decades, Michael Boland has developed an excellent reputation in the areas of agricultural contracting and plant hire. We met up with the County Clare man to recount the history of his self-made business and also to take a closer look at his impressive fleet and the range of services provided, which now also includes developing and maintaining GAA pitches.

In West Clare, the name Michael Boland is synonymous with quality. The loop head peninsula man has been overseeing his own eponymous business for 30 years and during this time has forged a stellar reputation for himself not just in the local community but right across the Banner County and beyond.

Michael, who hails from an agricultural background, decided to go into business under his own name in the early 1980s and has never looked back. He has invested in quality equipment down through the years and has maintained this in pristine condition at all times.

This modern, extensive fleet – coupled with honest endeavour, great experience and a steely determination to deliver a solution that customers can depend on – has seen Michael’s reputation for excellence spread far and wide through

22

The West Clare company now has a presence nationwide

positive word of mouth, culminating in the loyalty of countless repeat customers plus a steady flow of new business.

In recent times, the development and upkeep of GAA pitches has been added to the range of services provided and these are proving extremely popular nationwide.

“I started off with the agricultural contracting about 30 years ago and then expanded into the plant hire end of it,” the Clare man reflects. “I still provide both services as well as the GAA pitches, which I started doing in 2005.

The GAA pitches seemed like an

obvious area to get involved in and that part of the business has been going really well. We do everything from

CONTACT DETAILS

Michael Boland Tullig Cross Kilrush Co. Clare

Tel: 065 9058162 IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

boland plant designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 10:20 Page 2

me units from the impressive fleet

Michael Boland started out in agri-contracting three decades ago

bulldozer; and two preparing and sowing the Volvo A25c dump pitch through to drainage, trucks. sanding and general pitch Michael constantly maintenance.” reinvests to ensure that Marrying his plant hire the fleet remains as and agricultural fresh as possible. To backgrounds, Michael this end, he purchased Boland has developed two 142-reg tractors tremendous expertise in this year as well as a pitches and – in addition to 141-reg rubber duck his own work in this area – and 235 digger. “The he also carries out civil 210s are two- and work on all-weather pitches three-years-old, while nationwide on behalf of the Komatsu is ’08 and SportsLawn Ireland in the 250 and 140 are Kilkee.

‘07s, as well as the In keeping with the ‘dozer,” he adds. “You national reach of the GAA, have to keep investing Michael has worked all Michael Boland specialises in agri contracting plant hire and GAA pitches and keep the over the country, including machinery updated as the current homes of both Holland and a Deutz 95 agrotron. best you can. the Liam MacCarthy and Sam Maguire “We have our own mechanic to look Elsewhere in the fleet, he runs a New Cups. “I’ve worked on pitches in after the equipment. He’s self-employed Kilkenny, Kerry, Galway, Cork, Limerick Holland self-propelled harvester; but he’d be with us up to seven months etc.,” he confirms. “And we’ve been all Komatsu loading shovel; a selection of of the year.

He makes sure that most of over the country with the all-weather diggers and mini excavators including the stuff is kept in top working order, pitches, including six in Westmeath 57-4, 140-7, 145-9, 210-7, 210-9 and while the diggers would be bought from recently and some in Laois.”

250-7 models; a Komatsu PX61 and looked after by At the heart of every Whelans.” successful agri contracting / Regarding his plant hire operation is a catchment area, good fleet and Michael Michael continues: Boland certainly oversees “The agricultural one of the finest collections contracting is of machinery, plant and concentrated in the equipment in the Banner West Clare area. We County. Tractor-wise, he are in the peninsula operates a stunning fleet of and we’d work for a predominantly Massey small base of Fergusons and New customers here. I’ve Hollands, including 7624, been working more or 7618, 6485, 6480, and 5450 less for the same Masseys (the latter of which people since I started is for the GAA fields) as well out. To be honest, you as a compact New Holland, wouldn’t be expanding 6030 New Holland, T7200 The hard-working fleet is kept in superb condition too far out of the area New Holland, TM190 New IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

23

boland plant designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 10:20 Page 3

because it’s too far to travel.

But we’re kept busy enough with the contracting and the few pitches on top of that.

We’re kept ticking over anyway.

“We’re doing a lot of slurry spreading and silage and then a bit of digger work along with that. We’ve enough to keep us going and we also do our own plant hire on top of that. We used to work for Whelan’s Quarry

Michael owns a stunning range of tractors

until it closed down and we will be working with Ward & Burke for the next two years, which is a good contract to have. We also do some work with Clare County Council and Lagan Asphalt, so we can’t complain.”

Michael Boland employs up to ten full time employees and the same again on top of that during busy periods.

Looking to the future, he says his objective is to continue in

the direction he is currently heading: “I just want to keep it going,” he states. “Things are picking up again and we’ve had a busy couple of years after a very quiet 2009/2010. But good help will be scarce because there aren’t too many young lads interested in getting into the agri contracting or plant hire sectors. A lot of young lads have emigrated or gone

travelling and, of those who are left, not too many of them are interested in driving tractors for twelve or 14 hours a day.

“It’s hard to get lads in West Clare and I’m sure it’s the same all along the west of Ireland. This generation just doesn’t seem to be orientated towards tractors and that’s going to present us with a challenge in the not-too-distant future.

Where will be get good, motivated workers from?

“In 2008, we had 16 lads working on a job for Clare County Board – eight of those lads are in Australia now. You can’t blame lads for heading abroad the way things went here at home, but it will mean that good workers will be thin on the ground in the coming years.”

Whatever happens, one suspects that Michael Boland will find a way to continue to provide the stellar service for which he is renowned!

Reinvestment in plant and machinery is ongoing

Two 142-reg tractors joined the fleet this year

24

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

boland plant designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 10:20 Page 4

CONTINUED SUCCESS & BEST WISHES TO MICHAEL BOLAND Best Wishes & Continued Success To Michael Boland From

www.eamonlong.com Tel:021-4217777

MP Crowley Cork Ltd

Best Wishes To Michael Boland From

Car Tyres

Van Tyres

Jeep Tyres

Best Wishes To Michael Boland, From Hobbs Yard, Curraheen, Cork

Tel:021-4876733/021-4876787 Fax:021-4876815 Kevin:086-1631806 Brendan:086-8564344 Sales - Service - Parts NEW & SECONDHAND MACHINES SERVICING TO NEW & OLD MACHINES SERVING YOU FROM PAST TO PRESENT IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Commercial Tyres

Industrial Tyres

Agricultural Tyres

WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR COMPANY FEATURED IN

Irish Tractor & Agri Magazine

Call Barry now on 00353 (0) 46 9241923

25

Steelfab designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 16:51 Page 1

There’s no shed like a Steel Fab shed!

Steel Fab specialise in all types of agricultural sheds

Absolutely fab C

The McCullaghs operate their own fleet of vehicles

ounty Fermanagh based Steel Fab Construction is one of Ireland’s premier agricultural shed fabricators. We dropped into their Brookeborough HQ to gain an insight into the outstanding family business – and the products and services provided – from co-founder / director Robert McCullagh.

Steel Fab Construction was established by brothers Robert and Timothy McCullagh in 1990 and operates out of a purpose-built facility on Brookeborough’s Lisnaskea Road in County Fermanagh.

Thirty years earlier, their father, Andrew McCullagh, established his business as a mechanic and land drainage contractor on the same site.

Boasting almost 50 years’ experience between them in fabricating steel for construction jobs – agricultural sheds, steel, cladding galvanising, commercial and industrial buildings and domestic garages – the McCullaghs have forged

26

an unrivalled reputation island-wide for the construction of high-quality buildings, with recent projects completed including factories, shops, retail units, churches, horse arenas and agricultural farm buildings.

Farm sheds are available with clear spans up to 40 metres. All sheds are tailor-made to suit individual requirements, with all types of cladding available.

“Our father was an agricultural contractor and he also did land drainage and cleaned rivers for the Department of Agriculture,” Robert notes. “He had a garage here, where he did mechanical repairs from 1960 onwards, so we followed on on the same site. We took down the garage and built a new workshop for steel fabrication.

“We started off by doing smaller-type farm sheds and agriculture has always been our main line of work. Steel Fab started out as a small and local operation but we then developed into doing larger

commercial buildings and all manner of commercial steel.”

Today, Robert and Timothy are joined in the family business by their sister, Linda Benson (accounts), while Linda’s husband Paul is employed as a foreman.

Current projects include structural steel fabrication for a number of piggeries. “We do piggeries from here to County Clare,” Robert notes. “At the moment, we’re doing the structural steel for a large piggery for Jetwash Ltd. in Carrigallen and we’re also doing a piggery for Malcolm Keys in Clogher. As well as the structural steel, we also supply the cladding, gutters, timber etc. and anything else that goes with the

CONTACT DETAILS

Steel Fab Construction,

Lisnaskea Road, Brookeborough, County Fermanagh, BT94 4EX. Tel: 028 89531254 Fax: 028 89531117 Email: info@steelfabconstruction.com IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Steel Fab

Steelfab designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 16:51 Page 2

Steel Fab is expanding of present, selling up to 300 sheds per year

shed.”

Flat-pack kits have become extremely popular.

“We specialise in flat-pack kits,” Robert continues. “We supply and deliver the kit and the farmer can build the shed himself, or get somebody to build it, or we can provide that service for him. We’d have contacts for a number of lads around the country who specialise in fitting and we’d also have our own team working on fitting sheds fulltime ourselves. The flat-packs are being delivered anywhere and everywhere – all over Ireland, down as far as Cork, and into Scotland and England.”

With their own fleet of trucks (an artic with a low loader and 45ft flat trailer plus a rigid with a 24ft body), teleporters and access platforms, Steel Fab Construction is very much a one-stop shop for all structural steel fabrication services. “We can make the sheds to order or in standard sizes – 60x30 and 80x 40 would be the most popular sizes,” Robert McCullagh states. “You have to have a fast turnaround and be able to provide a frame within weeks.

We do all the manufacturing here on site, including roller shutter doors, sheeting, timber, spouting – anything the farmer is going to need in his finished shed.

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

“We’d have a lot of repeat business. The likes of Sean McMahon Storage & Distribution in County Meath, we’d have done around ten sheds for him to date and there’d be a lot of farmers like that who come back for another shed. Thankfully, we have a very good portfolio of excellent customers.

“The agricultural shed is definitely our main line at present. We still do the commercial and industrial buildings but that’s not as busy as it was during the boom times, although there are signs that end of the market is starting to pick up again. Farm buildings are still our bread and butter.”

The business is currently

Steel Fab has forged a strong presence nationwide

experiencing expansion and the McCullagh brothers were recently able to increase their staff size to nine full-time employees. In terms of the volume of sheds turned over, Robert reveals: “There is no typical week, so it all depends. We could sell five average-sized sheds in a week or three larger ones. I’d say we sell between 250 and 300 sheds in a year. We could have up to 40 sheds on order at any given time and those orders would all be at different stages of development.”

How difficult is it to strike the right balance between quality and price? “The price is important to farmers but they would be looking for quality first and foremost and the steel would have to be right.

We would shot blast it and put several coats of paint on as standard. There would be 80 microns of paint on the steel before it leaves our yard and we use zinc phosphate, which is the best at preventing rust.

It’s long-lasting and it stays clean.

“On all of our steel, we try to put in the best stuff and to do it at the right price. To be fair, our prices would be as keen as anyone out there. We can accommodate farmers within their price bracket and our steel is also finished to a very high spec. Our customers get the best of both worlds: a better product at a competitive price.”

The fact that Steel Fab Construction has been providing customers with

Providing quality building to Irish farms since 1990 ....

27

Steelfab designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 16:51 Page 3

high-quality solutions for 24 years speaks for itself. “It hasn’t all been plain sailing,” Robert concedes. “There were a few quiet years when it was a struggle to keep things moving but we kept at it. The agricultural sector has been very busy again this year and we would have a lot of work in front of us. For example, we’re going to be doing a big job for Wayne Acheson at Omagh Meats and we’ll also do the groundworks on that as it’s a local job.”

All sheds are tailormade to suit individual requirements

A stunning member of the Steel Fab fleet

Best Wishes To Steel Fab Construction, from

Looking to the future, Robert is targeting further expansion: “As the agricultural market opens up again and orders for sheds increase, we are trying to gear ourselves up for that. We are hoping to grow again next year and to take on more men. We are also ready for further industrial work as it starts to pick up again.

“If the orders come in, we are in a position to turn over a large volume of buildings. When a customer contacts us, we will give them a date and we will stick to that date. We don’t mess anyone around.

“We can also supply galvanised structural steel if they want that – it’s particularly popular with customers in coastal areas.

Basically, anything the customer wants, we can supply it. The wide clear span buildings of up to 40 metres are a very unique area and one we specialise in.”

Best Wishes To Steel Fab Construction, From

Reliable, Professional, Efficient Warehousing & Distribution Experts Feagh, Mullagh, Kells, Co. Meath.

Tel: 046 -9242027/9242095 Fax: 046- 9242214

E: enquiries @smacmahonstorage.ie

www.smacmahonstorage.ie 28

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Kevin Woods designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 16:39 Page 1

Fifteen years of quality and excellence

S

ince 1999, Kevin Woods Machinery Ltd has been supplying the fresh produce sector with grading, washing, weighing and packaging equipment. As well as being an agent for Tong Peal Engineering, Manter BV, Upmatic and Audion Elektro, the company stocks a huge line of quality used machinery.

Celebrating 15 years in business, Kevin Woods Machinery is a familyrun concern based in the potato and vegetable growing heartland of north Co. Dublin. Its premises at ‘The Inch’, Balbriggan is just two minutes off the M1 Motorway at Exit 6.

Prior to setting up the company in which he is joined by his sons Kevin Jnr and Jake, Kevin Woods had acquired a wealth of knowledge and experience from working for Ennis Machinery (now Armstrong Machinery) in Naul, Leinster Farm Machinery in Duleek, Co. Meath and Derek Plant Machinery in Lusk.

Since then, Kevin Woods Machinery has become an important link in the Irish potato and vegetable growing chain. The company has supplied new and used machinery to hundreds of satisfied growers up and down the country, earning a reputation for quality, excellence, reliability and value-formoney in the process.

“I got to know the business during my time with Ennis Machinery, Leinster Farm Machinery – who I worked with for seven years – and Derek Plant Machinery, and that has stood me in good stead,” says Kevin.

“We supply only the best equipment to potato and vegetable growers. We work very closely with them and fully understand their needs. It is a small field in which everyone knows everyone, so having a good name is very important.”

Kevin Woods provides machinery from IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

An Easy-Grade machine in operation

The company supplies only the best equipment to potato and vegetable growers

grading, washing and weighing all types of potatoes and vegetables to packaging equipment. He is proud to be an agent for Tong Peal Engineering, Manter BV, Upmatic and Audion Elektro – four of the biggest names in the industry.

Tong Peal Engineering is a leading UK manufacturer of custom-built machinery for washing, grading and handling potatoes and vegetables.

The Lincolnshire-based company – which has been in business for over 80 years – manufactures a wide range of products, including the VISAR Sortop, which can sort any batch of carrots consistently and efficiently, completely removing the need for manual sorting.

Manter BV is a world leader in the manufacture of all types of weighing equipment for potatoes, fruits and

vegetables. A Dutch company, its equipment is capable of weighing produce from 500grams to 25kgs.

Manter can offer solutions for your specific weighing and / or packaging problem. Its machines are developed

CONTACT DETAILS

Kevin Woods Machinery Ltd

The Inch, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin.

Phone: +353 1 841 3880 Fax: +353 1 841 3885 Email: info@kevinwoodsmachinery.ie Web: www.kevinwoodsmachinery.ie

29

Kevin Woods designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 16:39 Page 2

Best Wishes & Continued Success To Kevin Woods Machinery From

Scanlans

SERVICE STATION Dublin Street, Balbriggan Co. Dublin Tel:01-8412802

Martin Flynn Automations Ltd

Best Wishes & Continued Success To Kevin Woods Machinery From

Station Road, Duleek, Co. Meath Tel:086-8099 008 Email: martinflynnautomations@gmail.com Continued Best Wishes To

Kevin Woods Machinery From

Boycestown, Carrigaline, Co. Cork Telephone: 087-2542747 Best Wishes To Kevin Woods Machinery From

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS & REGISTERED AUDITORS SERVICES AVAILABLE

Financial Statements & Audit | Farm Accounts | Taxation Insolvency & Debt Resolution | Company Secretarial Payroll & Employment Advice |Mediation

Balbriggan Business Campus, Balbriggan, County Dublin.

Phone:+353 1 6913500 Fax:+353 1 6913555 www.fjw.ie

30

Best Wishes & Continued Success To KEVIN WOODS MACHINERY From

WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR COMPANY FEATURED IN Irish Tractor & Agri Magazine

Call Barry now on 00353 (0) 46 9241923 IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Kevin Woods designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 16:39 Page 3

and assembled at one location, resulting in a complete, qualitative line of machinery that connects perfectly and functions efficiently as one. Quality for Manter means exact, reliable and durable machines, keeping maintenance costs low.

The German brand Upmatic is renowned for its bagging and packing equipment. Upmatic equipment is fully automatic and computer-controlled. The market-leading 2112 Upmatic bagger is equipped with a printer and connected to a touch screen and has a capacity of 24 tonnes per hour in packs of 25kg. A collecting belt feeds the batch to the appropriate filling and sealing machines, with two vibrating plates ensuring that the product is uniformly spread.

Audion Elektro manufactures highquality packaging, sealing and vacuuming machines. Another Dutch company, Audion’s range of packaging machines include manual sealers,

vacuum sealers, tray packaging, shrink, medical and fully automatic. Audion offers growers a large choice of packaging machines that meet their production requirements.

Kevin Woods Machinery stocks a comprehensive range of used equipment, which accounts for about 50 per cent of overall sales. “Our second-

Kevin Woods Machinery specialises in grading equipment IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

hand stock is top quality. Given the harsh economic climate of the past few years, it’s no surprise that our second-hand sales have shot up and are now on a par with new sales,” the affable managing director explains.

Repair and maintenance is another key part of the business, which is headed up

by Kevin Jnr. The company offers extensive repair services, including preventive and predictive maintenance, diagnostics and evaluations. His technicians can carry out repairs on-site and are equipped with portable machinery and fully outfitted, travelready took boxes aimed at specific repairs. A quick response to essential repairs is always guaranteed.

Kevin Woods Machinery encompasses KWM Landscaping, which is run by Jake who is fully qualified to carry out landscaping work in the domestic and commercial sectors.

The company also offers warehousing space beside its Balbriggan premises.

Whether you need a standalone warehouse or cross-dock or if you are a customer in one of the company’s shared facilities, you will receive the benefit of an experienced operations team and customised solutions.

Kevin believes more needs to be done to market potatoes in the face of growing competition from other staple foods such as pasta and rice.

“I’d like to see potatoes promoted better. It is as easy to cook a potato as rice or pasta. Potato is a healthy food and can satisfy hunger for longer. But these facts aren’t being promoted enough to the public and potato consumption is falling as a result.

“My own theory is that there are too many potatoes being grown, leading to an oversupply in the market. If the potato farmer isn’t making money, we’re not making money so it’s vital from our perspective that we have a buoyant industry,” he concludes.

31

donegal farm designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 16:54 Page 1

After-sales takes priority at Donegal Farm Machinery S

uppliers of new and used tractors and machinery, Donegal Farm Machinery was established in 1986 by the late Irwin Stewart and since then has developed a reputation for offering top quality products at the lowest prices possible.

Today Irwin's son Austin runs the Bonagee, Letterkenny-based operation and, along with a friendly staff of six fulltime employees and one part-time employee, he is always keen to help his customers find the right tractor or

32

machine to suit their requirements.

“We specialise in new and used tractors, second-hand machinery and garden petrol products (lawnmowers, chainsaws etc.),” Austin highlighted to Irish Tractor & Agri magazine.

“We hold three main dealerships – Landini, McCormick and Kuhn. We also sell Massey Ferguson products having been a Massey Ferguson dealer up to six years ago.

“In our experience farmers prefer mechanical tractors and that is a key selling feature of the Landini and McCormick brands.

“The small to medium farmers we deal

with are browned off with too much

electrics that are fixed with a laptop.

They are looking for a standard

CONTACT DETAILS

Donegal Farm Machinery Bonagee Letterkenny Co Donegal 074 9124221

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

donegal farm designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 16:54 Page 2

mechanical tractor and that helps the resale value for the second-hand market.

“The Kuhn name and products are also well known for reliability and high quality.”

Austin and all at Donegal Farm Machinery pride themselves on the level of after sales care they offer to all their loyal customers, as well as a comprehensive parts store, and look forward to providing the same level of care to all new ones.

“We have very loyal customers that has been built up over the last 50 years,” he added.

“After-sales and parts are the key to our success. We've an extensive store, stock, and that to me is as important as sales.

“In terms of repeat business, we rely heavily on word of mouth. We don't spend a lot of money on media advertising but our customers are happy with what we do and they generally spread the word.

“It's a very competitive market out there but we're long established, our reputation stands us in good-stead and aftersales is the focus of our business. We're also fortunate to have an experienced staff with us for a number of years.”

The personal touch is a key ingredient in Donegal Farm Machinery's successful formula.

“It's enjoyable dealing with our customers and you do get a lot of satisfaction from the appreciation they show when you do something extra for them. We really focus on the small-tomedium farmers that a lot of our competitors ignore.”

It therefore doesn't come as a surprise to learn that Donegal IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Farm Machinery has enjoyed an upturn in fortunes in recent times.

“Business has been okay. Farming in general has come off a couple of reasonable years. There have been challenges, beef is a problem at the moment, but most sectors have performed reasonable.

“The ordinary small to medium-sized farmer that we work with was not as badly affected.

“Overall the last three or four years have been turbulent and consolidation is the name of the name of the game. Were trying to grow the business back up to where it was and concentrate on our existing customer base.”

Best Wishes & Continued Success To Donegal Farm Machinery From

AMA DISTRIBUTION IRELAND Century Business Park, Dublin Road, Cavan

Tel: 049-4372173 Fax: 049-4375007 Email: sales@amaireland.ie www.amaireland.ie

33

castlecor designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 10:30 Page 1

T

Castlecor are top of the class

here are many out there that feel growing potatoes is a relatively easy procedure, but to grow a particular breed of Ireland’s national food takes something special.

The potato is an important part of our history dating back beyond the time of the famine and to this day, it is still an important part of our diet.

Ireland is renowned for growing some of the best potatoes in the world given the soil element here, and there are many potato ‘hobbyists’ up and down the country, while there are also many who practice potato growing for a living.

One such family run business is Cork based Castlecor Potatoes who have been supplying a large customer base with a wide variety of potatoes for 40 years now.

Castlecor Potatoes owner Ned English speaks to this month’s edition of Irish Tractor & Agri about the origins of the business and he gives us an insight of what it takes to stay alive in this competitive business.

Ned studied agricultural science in U.C.D before he started teaching at Agri College, little realising what lay ahead for the future.

“My uncle was running the family farm when he passed away and he left it to me. I was teaching in the Agricultural College at the time and initially I taught and farmed for a while, before deciding to leave my teaching post on concentrate solely on the farm,” said Ned. “At the time, we were growing potatoes and onions, but soon after, we just focused on the potatoes. At the time, there was a great price for potatoes per tonne, but there was a price collapse in the seventies, which hit us hard, although fortunately we could sustain it.

We were farming a small acreage at the time and the following year, the price did increase and we then rented more land in order to produce more potatoes as we couldn’t rotate it on our own land every

34

A selection of the potatoes grown by Castlecor

Potatoes play an important part in our history

A field planted with potatoes

year.”

Castlecor Potatoes now harvest up to 400 acres of potatoes and supply a wide range of customers from LIDL’s main distribution centre in Cork and Newbridge, Co Kildare to a number of local shops around the county and further afield.

There are two main types of potato grown by the family run business as Kerrs Pink and Rooster are the most popular potato amongst Irish folk.

“Our customer base has grown considerably over the years. We put a lot of time, effort and money into the business to ensure that the customer

gets what they want.

“The land and the procurement of suitable land is the most difficult decision

CONTACT DETAILS Castlecor Potatoes

Castlecor, Mallow, Co. Cork, Ireland Tel: +353 22 48228 Mob: +353 (0)86 0212190 IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

35_Layout 1 14/11/2014 11:21 Page 1

castlecor designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 10:30 Page 3

to make, but fortunately, we have natural soil down here.

There are many challenges to be faced on a daily basis and it is an industry that is certainly not for the faint hearted. You have to enjoy a challenge.

Edward and Ned English survey their crop

“The process of growing potatoes has been continually refined over the last 40 years and there are constantly changing needs in response to the specific needs of our customers.

“At one stage, flavour and floweriness

was all that the customer looked for, in addition these days are appearance and condition, which are vital components now also.

Ned admits that there has been a huge fall in consumption levels in recent years

BEST WISHES TO CASTLECOR POTATOES

Best Wishes To Castlecor Potatoes, From

Carrigrohane Road, Cork.

Family Pharmacy Agriculture Veterinary

Tel: 021-4544188 Fax:021-4544704 Email: cork@grassland.ie

Bandon | Cork | Mitchelstown Tel:023-8841115 Tel:025-24926 www.mclaughlins.ie

HENLEY FORKLIFT GROUP LIMITED

Best Wishes To Castlecor Potatoes

FOR YOUR FARMING REQUIREMENTS

Quality, Advice, Service and Price Available from all Branches and our Sales team.

WISHING CONTINUED SUCCESS TO ALL AT CASTLECOR POTATOES

McDONNELL BROS - KEEPING COMPETITION ALIVE

Coolagown: 025-31166 Glanworth: 025-38198 Saleen: 021-4652646

36

SALES - SERVICE - HIRE SPARE PARTS -DRIVING TRAINING

Dublin Tel: 01 6209200 Cork Tel: 021 497 8700 www.henley.ie Galway Tel: 091 704 580 Limerick Tel: 061 322 222 Waterford Tel: 051 372 111 Kerry Tel: 066 718 0155 Monaghan Tel: 042 969 2155 Lisburn Tel: 048 9266 6446 IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

castlecor designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 10:30 Page 4

and he feels that the situation needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.

“Consumption levels have dropped considerably over the last number of years and there is a genuine concern within the industry. This country produces a natural product that is amongst the best in the world and I do believe that there is room for us to export more potatoes to foreign markets.

It’s something that we have done in the past and it is something that we are looking at doing again.

The packaging plant in operation

“At Government level, there is good support for potato growers, but possibly it does needed to be promoted more in the shape of an advertising campaign. In fairness, we have received some grants over the years, so on that front there is not much more that they can do.”

Ten years ago, Castlecor Potatoes only employed two people. However, these days, there are 16 employed by the firm as they continue to grow on an annual basis.

“My wife Mary and son Edward are involved in the

Potatoes being harvested IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

business and we employ a number of local people here as well. Not only do we pick our own potatoes, but we wash and pack them as well in our packing facility at the yard here. We like to employ local people as it is a rural area and jobs are not that plentiful around here.”

Castlecor pride themselves on doing their bit for the environment also. “We grow all of our potatoes in the rich and fertile lands of Munster and we wash and pack our products at our modern packing facility at Castlecor,

Mallow.

We take our responsibility to the land and the environment very seriously, re-cycling and reusing where we can and setting high targets for energy conservation.”

Not only do Castlecor harvest potatoes, but they also harvest in the region of 600-700 acres of grain every year too, which means that they are busy all year round.

So it is surprising to learn that Ned has other interests and many GAA followers will know the Cork native as the man who lead Limerick side Dromcollogher-Broadford to become their county’s only ever Munster senior football champions in 2008, while he has worked with a number of clubs and indeed Waterford footballers in the past.

“The GAA would be a massive part of my life and regardless of how busy we are here; I would always make time if there was training on. I am currently with Cork side Clyda Rovers and many aspects of business can be implemented into coaching a team.”

37

Hi Volt designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 16:34 Page 1

A ‘cradle to grave’ service for your business T

he Hi-Volt Group is a successful Co. Tipperary-based company specialising in batteries and recycling. It has the distinction of being the only battery wholesaler in Ireland that has a fully licensed and permitted recycling company – Hi-Volt Recycling Ltd – within the group.

Supplying premium automotive batteries since 1998, Hi-Volt was established in Thurles by Richard Gleeson and John Fahey, who had known each other since their days in the local Vocational School. The two continue to head up the company’s growth and expansion with over 20 staff being employed at its Thurles headquarters as well as in retail outlets in Dublin, Belfast and Limerick.

Passionate about quality and committed to providing a reliable service, the Hi-Volt Group offers a unique approach to both battery sales and recycling. The company has designated experts in each area who are available to offer customers advice when they need it.

As battery specialists, Hi-Volt only sells battery-related products and has thus built up expertise and

38

knowledge that is unsurpassed and unrivalled within the industry.

Hi-Volt Recycling is one of the largest lead acid battery recycling companies in the country. It also recycles cooper and other automotive waste such as catalytic converters and tyres. Hi-Volt are fully WEEE compliant and are proud to be the only distributor who can offer an in-house recycling service.

As an ISO 9001-certified company, quality is always assured.

“We are the only company in Ireland that offers a ‘cradle to grave’ service for batteries,” Richard Gleeson points out.

“We sell batteries and take them back when they’ve reached the end of their lives. We got into battery recycling eight years ago and it proven to be a very successful move for us. The batteries are recycled using the best available technology at our EPApermitted facility. We also recycle nonferrous metals, including copper, lead, brass and aluminium, and catalytic

CONTACT DETAILS Hi-Volt Group Ballyduff, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Telephone: 0504 45510 IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Hi Volt designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 16:34 Page 2

replacement and tractor spares markets. It was the first company to introduce 667 high-cranking batteries to Ireland four years ago and is an agent for Probox and Ampac batteries.

If you want more from your battery, including longer lifespan, greater efficiency, OE specifications and extra power and performance, then the Probox range is ideal. HiVolt maintains an ethos of protecting the environment by sourcing batteries manufactured according to ISO environmental standards. The Probox range is sourced globally to meet the specific needs of the Irish market.

Hi-Volt’s high level of commitment to the customer, both pre- and post-sale, as well as the environment and technology, is reflected in its product range of batteries. This range was developed using Calcium Calcium technology, ensuring OE specifications are met and the Environment is protected.

If you want power, reliability, performance and durability from your vehicle’s battery, whatever its make or model, then the Ampac range of batteries from Hi-Volt is for you. The Ampac range utilises the latest technology and, like Probox, is manufactured to the highest standard under strict environmental control to offer a superb product that won’t let you down.

This premium range is sourced globally from OE suppliers and is made using Calcium Calcium technology, which meets and exceeds OE specifications. Customers who buy from the Ampac high quality range can be sure of a high-performing battery made to OE Specification, and that the manufacturing process at all times protects the environment.

CRONINS FARM MACHINERY Best Wishes To Hi-Volt Group, From

converters, offering the best prices for them.”

In addition, Hi-Volt is the only battery distributor in Ireland which offers an in-house battery testing facility, having recently invested in the region of €100,000 in testing equipment. It is also company policy to ensure that all batteries are fully charged before they are sold to the customer.

Hi-Volt’s three main customers are the motor factors, tyre

Servicing All Types of Farm Machinery & Large Stock of Parts Available

Milltown, Co.Kerry T:066-9767550 M: 086-8530253 E: croninsfarmmachinery@eircom.net

Hyland Transport Best Wishes & Continued Success To Hi-Volt Group, From All At

Specialists In 32 County Logistic Management General Haulage | Express Cargo | Grain Services | Waste Haulage

Birchwood, Rosenallis, Co. Laois T: 00353 (0)5786 28541 F: 00353 (0)5786 28796 Mobile: 00353 (0)86 2572439 Email: info@hylandtransport.com

www.hylandtransport.com

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

39

moloney pig designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 12:37 Page 1

A family aair

A

fter milk and beef, pig production is the biggest sector of the agricultural industry with the value of pig meat exports reaching over â‚Ź500 million last year.

Employment in the pig sector accounts for at least 1,500 labour units on farms, with the total number employed in associated sectors such as pig meat processing, feed manufacture, haulage and services being estimated at 8,000.

There is an estimated 290 commercial sow herds in Ireland and the June 2013 CSO Livestock Survey reported that there are 1.55 million pigs in Ireland, 147,500 breeding sows and 1,404,600 finishing stock. This gives and average herd size of 508. The UK is the main Irish pigmeat market receiving over 45% of our total pigmeat exports, 23% was exported to Continental EU and the remaining 32% went to international markets.

For disease control purposes, only persons registered with the Department of Agriculture and issued with a valid pig herd number are allowed to own or trade in pigs. Cork, Tipperary, Cavan and Monaghan are the most significant counties in terms of commercial pig farm

40

Three loads of grain head foro Barryroe Co-Op

Pig slurry is spread before ploughing for spring barley

numbers.

Having survived the peaks and troughs of the pig price cycle without any subsidy or protection from market forces, those that remain in pigs in Ireland tend to be highly efficient and technically excellent.

The best producers achieve output of 28-30 pigs per sow per year, a figure that compares very well internationally.

Output has grown by 9% in recent years, due to higher numbers but mainly better genetics and feeding.

However, the reality is that pig farming has moved from being a common feature of thousands of farmyards to a highly specialised intensive operation.

CONTACT DETAILS

Moloney Pig Farm Ballinspittle, Co Cork.

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

moloney pig designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 12:37 Page 2

Piglets being looked after by Killain in the farrowing house

For this month’s edition of Irish Tractor & Agri, we profile the Cork based Moloney Pig Farm and speak to owner Raymond Moloney about what it takes to run a piggery on a daily basis.

Consumption of pork in Ireland goes back generations as potatoes, bacon and cabbage remain today the 'national dish of Ireland and, while no longer ubiquitous, forms the standard fare of many Irish dinner tables and foodservice outlets.

A traditional Irish breakfast consists of sausages, black and white pudding, bacon and fried eggs.

Moloney Pig Farm run a 400 sow integrated pig unit from their premises in Ballinspittle, Co Cork, this family run business also harvest around 300 acres of grain annually.

“We would be kept busy to

say the least,” admitted Raymond.

“When I was growing up, we had a small bit of ground and we had a few pigs on it. When I would come home from national school, I would go out and tend

PORTLAOISE T: 057 8621224 F: 057 8620723 Sales: Pat Regan 087-2558190 Email: info@ids.ie www.ids.ie

First stage weeners

to the pigs.

“By 1975, I had 40 sows and it was then that I decided to concentrate solely on pig farming and we’ve built the business up from there. We now have over 400 sows here.”

Raymond admitted that pig farming can be a very fickle industry given the unstable price of pig meat. “The price is very much up and down and although we continue to place a huge investment in the business, it is very hard to know what is around the corner in this game.

“We sell all our pigs to Staunton Food Ltd who supply quality pork and bacon products to both the domestic and export markets with 200 pigs leaving the premises every week.”

Raymond admits that there has been massive changes to the pig farming industry over the years, all of which costs great investment.

“Animal welfare is a massive part of the business now and to be compliant with all the relevant legislation, there is a need to invest heavily. With the support of an Animal Welfare Grant, we made a huge investment in 2013 to ensure our facilities were up to the required standards.”

Moloney Pig Farm is a family run business as Raymond along with two of his three sons Killian and Gavin both working on the farm on a daily basis, while the third son, Gary, helps out during busy times.

“There are two parts to the farm and that’s the pigs and the grain.

Gavin

Supplier of

Pig Equipment, Poultry Equipment and Dairy Feeding Equipment Specialists in stainless steel fabrication for the food processing industry.

Explore our new Hydromoll Dairy Feed System Agents for: Big Dutchman, Skov, Steinen & many more. Irelands leading supplier of pig, poultry and dairy equipment for over 30 years.

Best Wishes & Continued Success To The Moloney Family IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

41

moloney pig designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 12:37 Page 3

www.farmpower.ie

Best Wishes & Continued Success To Moloney Pig Farm From

FDC Accountants & Tax Consultants

Management Accounts, Interim Accounts, Personal Taxation, V.A.T., P.A.Y.E., Book-keeping, Bureau, Consultancy, Budgeting, Loan Negotiation/Restructuring, Grants, Business I.T. Solutions, Agri-Consultancy.

NEW & USED EQUIPMENT & PARTS

Farm Power Ltd -Carhoo, Mallow Rd., Cork T: 021-4395840 Farm Power- Glenarouske, Castlelyons,Co.Cork T: 025-36720

Continued Best Wishes To Moloney Pig Farm

FDC Financial Services

Investment Management, Stock Broking, Pension Negotiation (Personal & Corporate), Tax Efficient, Investment Planning, Retirement Planning, Savings Plans, Life Assurance.

4 Patricks Quay, Bandon, Co.Cork Tel:023-8841744 www.fdc.ie FDC Financial Services Ltd is regulated by The Central Bank of Ireland

Continued Success To Raymond Moloney From All At

Best Wishes & Continued Success To Moloney Pig Farm

Slats & Cubicle Beds

Septic Tanks

Continued Best Wishes To Raymond & Moloney Pig Farm From CO-OPERATIVE LIMITED

Barryroe Branch Lislevane, Bandon, Co.Cork Tel:023-8840000 | Fax: 023-8840148 Email: barryroe@barryroeco-op.ie www.barryroeco-op.ie Branches At

Ballinspittle | Inchybridge | Kilbrittain | Darrara |Timoleague

42

• Cattle & Pig Slats • Precast Cubicle Beds • Effluent & Water Tanks • Precast Insulated Walls • Septic Tanks • BioKast sewage treatment systems • Rainwater Harvesting Systems • Oil Interceptors • Pump Chambers & Grease Traps

Congratulations & Continued Success To Moloney Pig Farm From

For competitive farm and commercial insurance quotations

Contact Anton Roche on 022-54365

TO ARRANGE AN APPOINTMENT

FOR A BETTER DEAL

Contact Farm First Insurance today your local insurance broker.

wwwfarmfirst.ie

Farmfirst Insurance is a trading name of Brosnan Boylan Golden Ltd and is regulated by the central bank of Ireland IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

moloney pig designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 12:37 Page 4

looks after the grain, while Killian and a full time pigman, Des Murray look after the pig breeding unit, while I look after the pig finishing unit as well as helping out Gavin at the grain.

“We grow and harvest predominantly spring and winter barley as well as a small bit of spring wheat.

Our two enterprises work well together with the grain being an outlet for the pig slurry, while the slurry has removed the need to apply any P’s or K’s to the tillage ground and it also greatly reduces the nitrogen requirements for the grain which is a big saving on costs. Depending on the time of year we can be very busy, but we are always kept going doing something” Despite this, Raymond revealed that the family is steeped in the GAA as his wife Imelda and himself have always ‘downed tools’ and brought the lads to games as they line out for the Courcey Rovers club.

As well as Raymond’s three sons lining out for Courcey Rovers Senior hurlers, the three girls in the family have

An uncommon sight these days - a square baler in action

all played senior camogie for Courcey Rovers.

While one of the daughters, Rachel will be well known in camogie circles as she won five All-Ireland senior camogie titles with the Rebels while also being honoured with All-Stars on three occasions as well.

“Imelda and I said years ago that we would always put the GAA first with regards to the kids playing. Life is too short to be working 24/7, so we do our best to work around that and we’ve no regrets in doing that.”

Getting ready for the winter season. Raymond and Gavin oil and grease the machinery

Spring barley being cut near the Old Head of Kinsale

New loose sow housing IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Square bales are loaded and ready for departure to West Cork

43

Wylie designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 12:47 Page 1

S

Wylie Bros - serving farmers in Donegal

pare time is at a premium when running a successful agricultural contracting business but brothers Trevor and Alan Wylie still manage to squeeze in an annual fundraiser for a worthwhile cause.

One of the biggest annual fundraisers in Letterkenny is the Wylie Tractor run which generally takes place on the last Saturday in September.

A great family day out, a convoy From small seeds ... the tractor and harvester that Alan Wylie senior started the business off with 40 years ago of tractors, of all shapes and sizes, parade through the Donegal town and, in the four years since its inception, the tractor run has raised a whopping €47,000 for a cancer bus service from Donegal to Galway.

This year’s event raised €17,000 during a wet August, with €5,000 of that going to Cancer West.

The fundraising effort is the brainchild of Alan Wylie.

Their passion for vintage tractors sowed the seeds for the From left: Willy McKinney, Sidney Stevenson, Alan Wylie, Torey Wylie, idea and it's a bonus that they Trevor Wylie, TJ Wylie and Johnny McKinney can use that to generate badly needed funds for a worthwhile cause while, at the same, providing an entertaining spectacle for the local community.

“We have a collection of vintage tractors,” explained Trevor,” so we decided to organise a tractor run through Letterkenny on the last Saturday in September.

“We've been organising it for four years

now and it's usually have a good turnout and it's an enjoyable day. We had 120 tractors last year and it's great to be able to raise money for a good cause, to help bring cancer patients from Donegal to Galway.”

The day job for Trevor revolves around Wylie Bros Agri Ltd which is a family farming and agricultural contracting business located in Drumany, Letterkenny, Co Donegal.

Using an up-to-date fleet of tractors (Case IH is the make of choice) and machinery, they offer a general agricultural service and operate within a 30 mile radius of Letterkenny.

With more than 45 years experience in the agricultural sector, their customers receive personal attention on a daily business by the brother and their father who also plays an integral role in the business.

Father Alan started the

CONTACT DETAILS

Wylie Brothers Agri Ltd Drumany Letterkenny Co. Donegal

44

Alan Wylie senior and T.J Wylie IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Wylie designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 12:47 Page 2

ball rolling and sons Trevor and Alan have inherited his passion for agriculture.

“The company, Wylie Bros Agri Ltd, was only established in May 2011 but the family has been contracting for 45 years,” Trevor remarked.

“My father started the business on top of running the family farm and it has grown from there. The services we specialise in are silage, round baling and slurry.”

Wylie Bros Agri Ltd boast a loyal customer base which is testimony to the quality of their work. Renowned for their diligence and reliability, no job is too big or small.

“We provide a quality and reliable service. We have customers who have been with us for years and they're happy with the work we do.

“Experience is also vital, our father started off in 1968, so we know what we're at.”

And, as you would expect, an appetite for rolling up the sleeves and getting the hands dirty is a pre-requisite in their line of work: “If didn't enjoy it and weren't happy, you wouldn't be at it!”

TJ and Torey Wylie with lime spreading machinery

Wylie Bros' work schedule is full up at the moment but the north-west weather hasn't been on their side of late.

“We'd be very busy if the weather would pick up! A lot of work on but raining at the minute but the weather affects everything. Silage is the big end at this time of year.”

The unpredictable climate is just one of the challenges facing the brothers in the day-to-day running of their business. The price of fuel, for instance, is a bone of contention that is widespread across the agricultural sector.

“The price of fuel is not helping. Wages was the big thing but fuel is the big bill now. Baling and wrapping is another big

expense.”

Those are complaints that are out of the Wylie's hands and, for now, they will concentrate on consolidating the business moving forward confident in their ability as quality agricultural contractor underpinned by decades of experience.

“We hope keep going as we are in the future,” Trevor concluded.

By utilising Wylie Bros Agri's services, farmers free up more time to concentrate on others areas of their farm and eliminate the need to invest large sums of money in equipment that they may only need a few times in a year.

Temple Trailers Ireland, Suppliers of Anymake of Builders Trailers, Cattle & Sheep Trailers, Horse Boxes and Quad Trailers, New & Used Livestock trailers | Plant trailers | Tippers | Flatbed trailers General purpose | Beavertail | Box trailers | Horseboxes.

Contact Stephen Temple Town Parks, Raphoe, County Donegal E:templetrailers@gmail.com www.templetrailers.com T:00353 (0) 74 9145567 / 074 9145479Mobile: 087 2507382 Fax:00353 (0) 74 9145567 Best Wishes To Wylie Brothers Agri In The Future

HUGO SWEENEY Best Wishes To Wylie Brothers Agri, From

Wylie Bros’ New Holland FR9060

Best Wishes To Wylie Brothers Agri, From

FUEL & AGRICULTURAL SUPPLIES CASH & CARRY

INDEPENDENT JOHN DEERE SPECIALISTS

Coal & Coal Bunkers | Logs | Kindling | Turf | Briquettes | Potatoes Animal Feeds Agents For Stewarts & Kernan’s Feed Decorative Garden Stones, Sand Draining Pipes | Cement | Dog Foods | Agricultural Lime & Fertilizers MAIN AGENT FOR DAWN MEATS BALLYHAUNIS & KEPAK IN ATHLEAGUE OUR PRICE CAN’T BE BEATEN! Trentaboy, Drumkeen, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal Tel:086-2504369 Landline:074-9134001

Letterkenny, Co.Donegal T: 074- 91 29317 F: 074- 91 20363 M: 087- 2423739 E: etagrisales@gmail.com www.eamonntinney.com

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

45

mash direct designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 13:32 Page 1

The Hamilton family. From l/r: Tracy, Jack, Lance and Martin

10 years being Direct I

n this modern world, where a couple are both working during the day, there has been a huge increase in the demand for convenient foods.

Jack, Martin, Lance and Tracy display some of their products

46

Very few want to be standing over the cooker for an hour or so when they return home from a hard day’s work and readymade meals have proven to be a popular choice for many.

However, there is a genuine feeling that ready-made meals equal a bland taste as more emphasis is placed on the marketing of the product that the quality of the food.

That cannot be said about one of the UK and Ireland’s leading food manufacturers Mash Direct who supply products whose ingredients are grown locally and cooked fresh.

For this month’s edition of Irish Tractor & Agri, we profile

this Co Down family run business and speak to Jack Hamilton about their success over the past 10 years.

The Hamilton family has been farming close to the shores of Strangford Lough, Co Down for six generations, but it was a chat between Martin Hamilton and a friend that the genesis of the company was formed as Jack

CONTACT DETAILS

Mash Direct 81 Ballyrainey Road, Comber, Co. Down, BT23 5JU

Tel: +44 (0) 28 9187 8316 Fax: +44 (0) 28 9187 0628 Web: www.mashdirect.com IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

mash direct designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 13:32 Page 2

explains.

“It was an innovative idea that came about from a chat about convenient foods between my father and a friend of his over a drink and that was the catalyst for Mash Direct,” said Jack.

“Our first product was Champ which is a famous dish of mash and onion in Ireland, but first we had to look into what it would take to get set up. Food manufacturers all have a great knowledge of the marketing and business end of the scale, but we were coming from a different angle as our knowledge was in the growing of potatoes and vegetables.

The Hamilton family discuss business

“We wanted to produce a product that maintained its taste and flavour and move away from the reputation that ready-made meals already had. So we decided to develop our own bespoke machinery.

That was ten years ago in 2004 when Mash Direct first hit the shelves as Managing Directors Martin and his wife Tracy along with their sons Jack (Director of Marketing and Exporting) and Lance (Director of Sales begun an adventure that has stretched beyond their wildest dreams.

“We are the market leader in quality, convenient vegetable and potato

The beautiful countryside on the shores of Strangford Lough IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

dishes ranging from traditional accompaniments of mashed potato and champ to complete ready-meals. Our innovative range is steam cooked to perfection for the delicious taste and texture of homemade food. These are suitable for microwave and oven heating, free from artificial flavourings, preservatives and colourings and low in salt.

“Once we found that we could keep the

Land being ploughed before sowing

47

mash direct designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 13:32 Page 3

Best Wishes & Continued Success To The Hamilton Family From

TBF Thompson Mallusk: 028- 9034 2001 Garvagh: 028- 2955 8353 Portadown: 028- 3839 3300

DAF DISTRIBUTORS- Northern Ireland Best Wishes To The Hamilton Family

Drumhill Tractors Ltd Best Wishes & Continued Success To The Hamilton Family 56 Tullyard Road, Lisburn BT27 5JN

Tel: (028) 90826613 E-mail:brentdorman@drumhilltractors.co.uk www.drumhilltractors.co.uk

Best wishes to the Hamilton Family, from

TYRES & BATTERIES CAROpen: - COMMERCIAL - PLANT Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat 8am-noon

KNOWLEDGEABLE & HONEST SERVICE & ADVICE Family run Business with Over 30 Years Experience

59 Lisbarnett Road, Comber. Tel: 9754 1637

Best Wishes To The Hamilton Family, From

Robert Elliott

PLANT & COMMERCIAL REPAIR Comber, Newtownards, Co., Down Tel:07720398902 Best Wishes To The Hamilton Family

48

AT ANDREWS CAR ELECTRICS WE OFFER A VAST RANGE OF AUTO ELECTRICAL SERVICES ...

CAR - COMMERCIAL & AGRICULTURAL

71-73 Court street, Newtownards BT23 7NX Tel:028-91812509 | E:andrewscarelectrics@yahoo.com www.andrewscarelectrics.com IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

mash direct designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 13:32 Page 4

texture, we always placed great emphasis on taste and I think that is one of the main reasons for the success we have had over the years.”

From humble beginnings, Mash Direct’s growth has been staggering to say the least and this family run business now supplies its wide range of products to all the major retailers both north and south of the border as well as mainland U.K, while Mash Direct can also be found on the shelves of faraway places such as the Middle East.

To meet with the demand, the company now employs a staggering 140 people.

Seventy per cent of the potatoes and vegetables are grown by themselves, while the other 30% is bought from local growers.

“We support the local community and to be fair they supported us when we first started the business. To meet the demand, we needed to buy in some of the produce as we just couldn’t keep up with the demand farming our own land.

“The produce we buy in is from local farmers and they have helped us build a brand that we are proud of and that they can be proud of also.”

Mash Direct products include Everyday Mash, IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

The family run business is celebrating 10 years in business

Mash Direct and the Hamilton family support the local community

Family Favourites, BBQ Favourites, Make it a Meal, Easy Lunch (Mash Pots), Seasonal, Croquettes and Vegetable Burgers. Each category has a wide range of dishes within them and so the range is vast.

“We have continuously added products to our range and it is essential that we keep growing and expanding the business in the coming years.”

Of course, being involved in

the food industry means that they are certain standards to be met and Mash Direct have received the highest standard possible for their line of work.

"We are perfectionists when it comes to the sourcing of ingredients and traceability of our products. Our emphasis on food quality and standards is reflected in our achievement of retaining their sixth A+ grade in a row from BRC Global Standard for Food Safety following four

consecutive years of unannounced audits. Mash Direct is the only ready meal company in Ireland to have achieved this and only one of three ready meal companies in the UK as a whole to receive this accolade.

“Having the A+ means that we can be audited at any time without notice, so it is essential that we keep our standards up, but it is something that we strive to do anyway.”

49

broughan designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 15:45 Page 1

A range of trailers manufactured by Broughan Engineering Ltd.

Trailblazers Engineering Limited was established 14 years ago, building upon an engineering legacy started by their father Paddy Broughan some 40 years ago.

Broughan Engineering Limited manufactures a wide range of highquality trailers, which includes grain/silage, cattle, bale, lowloaders and dumpers.

Today’s consumer requirements vary greatly, often requiring a bespoke design approach to suit each buyer, which is a highly valued attribute of the business. The company motto “where quality comes first” shines through the superior workmanship in every aspect of the finished product.

Sales currently comprise of 45% in

B

CONTACT DETAILS Two 20 x 8 grain silage trailers destined for the UK

roughan Engineering Ltd. designs, engineers and manufactures a full range of high-quality, bespoke agricultural trailers. We dropped into the pioneering company’s County Carlow base to get an insight into the history and current well-being of this

50

progressive family business – as well as the vast range of products offered – from founding directors Paul and Patrick Broughan.

Located just outside Tullow in County Carlow and owned by brothers Paul and Patrick Broughan, Broughan

Broughan Engineering Ltd.,

Coppenagh, Tullow, County Carlow.

Phone: 059 9163697 Fax: 059 9163861 Email: broughanengineering@eircom.net www.broughanengineeringltd.com IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

broughan designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 15:45 Page 2

Ireland and 55% to the UK (through their agent GRT Machinery), while nascent export markets are also currently being explored in Sweden and New Zealand.

Grain/silage trailers manufactured range from 16ft with twin axles to 24ft tri axle. These include hydraulic door, hydraulic brakes and grain sides from 4ft – 6ft high. Each trailer is manufactured to specific customer requirements and can include optional extras such as air brakes, roll over/easy cover, grain chute, beacons and extra lights if required.

Trailers come with a standard tyre, which can be upgraded. Tyres range from 400/65/22.5 to a 710/60/26.5 BKT flotation road max. All trailers are built on

ten-stud commercial axles and commercial spring suspension.

The business is going extremely well at present and Paul Broughan predicts a period of concerted expansion: “Due to the demand for Broughan Trailers, we are planning to expand the size of the premises and increase the workforce over the next two years. We currently employ 13 full-time staff. A finishing shed has been added to the factory and a new lifting gantry has also recently been installed.”

Patrick Broughan adds: “Approximately 120 trailers have been manufactured and delivered in the first six months of 2014. The business has grown

significantly during the past 12 months, with production forecast to double in 2015”.

At the forefront of this progressive family operation are Patrick and Paul Broughan alongside their sister Carole, all of whom are following in the footsteps of their father, Paddy. “It’s very much a proud family business and it has taken a lot of hard work to get to where we are today,” confirms Patrick.

“Our father would have done general engineering – farm gates, sheep equipment, cattle feeders etc. Myself and Paul worked at Hi Spec Engineering Ltd. in Bagenalstown for a number of years and we then got a chance to do

This pair of 22ft grain silage trailers was sold to a customer in County Cork IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

51

broughan designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 15:45 Page 3

We are proud to supply Broughan Engineering with a high quality two pack paint finish on each of their trailers, and congraulate them on 40 successful years in business.

Advanced Coatings 5 Enterprise Business Park, O’Brien Road, Carlow 059-9723807 www.advancedcoatings.ie Best Wishes To Broughan Engineering , From

Best Wishes To Broughan Engineering , From

Our Services

Audit & Accounting | Tax Advisory Specialist Advisory Services Personal Financial Planning | Accounts Online Carlow Office 44 Tullow Street, Carlow Tel: +353 (0)59 9137040 Fax: +353 (0)59 9137067 Email: info@laloroshea.ie www.laloroshea.ie

Best Wishes To Broughan Engineering From

Dublin Office Alexandra House, The Sweepstakes, Ballsbridge,Dublin 4 Tel: +353 ( 0) 1 664 1462 Fax: +353 (0) 1 631 9001 Email: info@laloroshea.ie

Best Wishes To Broughan Engineering From

Alan Douglas Machinery Ltd. 30 Years in Business

Johnstownbridge, Enfield, Co. Kildare.

Tel:046-9541402 Alan 087-2554226 | Ken:085-1550531 Email: sales@alandouglasmachinery.ie

www.alandouglasmachinery.com

52

Branches In

Dublin | Carlow | Tullow | Blessington | Limerick

Low Call 1890 904 904 Email: info@nationalinsurance.ie www.nationalinsurance.ie

National Insurance Ltd is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

broughan designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 15:45 Page 4

some contract work for them.

Then, about a decade-and-ahalf ago, a local farmer contacted us to ask could we make a trailer for him. We took him up on that and it all started from there…”

Broughan Engineering was not an overnight sensation. If only life was so simple! “It’s about getting your name out there and that’s going to take time no matter how good you are at what you’re doing. It was very difficult for the first few years and, to be honest, it’s only in the last few years that steady orders are starting to come in. We went through some testing times but we always believed in our

A bespoke 20ft trailer built to carry sawdust

products so we stuck with it.”

Of course, there is still no room for complacency, even though the company is starting to gather considerable momentum: “It’s

A stunning dump trailer from Broughan Engineering IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Check out this superb lowloader

going well at the moment but, like everything else, margins are tight,” Patrick reveals.

“You are always investing in newer and better equipment and you can never take your eye off the ball. We are mindful of the fact that it’s a competitive market as well and we need to maintain as many efficiencies as possible, while continuing to manufacture the highestquality trailers on the market.

Quality is at the heart of everything we do and it’s about getting the product right every time so that customers are happy with it.”

Grain and silage trailers are now being produced steadily all year round, while there is also big demand for cattle trailers at this time of year. All

trailers are built using the highest-quality steel. “The market has changed and orders are now being placed in advance. This is something we have encouraged to ensure that customers always receive their trailers on time. Typically, we can deliver a trailer in between four and six weeks. April/May can be a very busy time of year for silage, which is why we’re taking orders in early to make sure that everybody has their trailers on time. You don’t want to ever have to turn anybody down.”

The Broughan Engineering reputation for quality trailers is starting to spread beyond Irish and UK shores, a development by which the directors are understandably

53

Irish Tractor & Farm Agri Magazine

WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR COMPANY FEATURED IN

Call Barry now on 00353 (0) 46 9241923

broughan designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 15:45 Page 5

Best Wishes & Continued Success To Broughan Engineering Best Wishes To Broughan Engineering, from

Best Wishes & Continued Success To Broughan Engineering From

MANUFACTURERS OF ALUMINIUM EXTRUDED SECTIONS STOCKISTS OF ALUMINIUM SHEET PRODUCTS

Block B, Ballymount Drive Industrial Estate Walkinstown, Dublin 12

PHONE 01-6016237 FAX: 01-6016240 EMAIL: PMULLIGAN@AMS.IE

Tel: +353 (0)1 456 9328 Fax: +353 (0)1 456 9055 www.goldstarplasticsireland.ie

TRADE ONLY WWW.AMS.IE

GRT MACHINERY LTD Wishing Continued Success To Broughan Engineering, From

Distributors of Broughan Trailers in the UK Offering Customers A Wide Range of Trailers

Best Wishes & Continued Success To BROUGHAN ENGINEERING from us all here at McCarthy Plant & Agri Sales Carrigtwohill & Lisavaird your Main Claas Dealer in Munster Head Office Carrigtwohill 021-4631229

All Trailers Built On Commercial Axels Drumcruilton Farm, Thornhill, Dumfriesshire, Scotland DG3 5BG

Tel 07740 986963 Fax 01848 500320 Email george@grtmachinery.co.uk www.grtmachinery.co.uk

Lisavaird 023-8833198

FOR ALL YOUR MACHINERY REQUIREMENTS

WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR COMPANY FEATURED IN Irish Tractor & Farm Agri Magazine

Call Barry now on 00353 (0) 46 9241923

54

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

broughan designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 15:45 Page 6

encouraged: “Last year we sold some trailers to a customer in Sweden and they seem to be happy with them, so that’s promising. We are also starting to export to New Zealand, which is another important breakthrough.”

Even though standard trailers are still available, more and more customers are looking for a customised option, something Broughan Engineering can provide without breaking stride. “A lot of the trailers are bespoke nowadays. We’d love if everybody wanted the same trailer but that’s not how it works! There’s big demand for bale trailers in Ireland and England right now as a lot of farmers are trading up to keep up with the newest regulations. We didn’t have to do too many changes for that as we had been on top of it for the last few years.

“Everything is done to individual requirements now.

One of the many reasons for this is that bigger tyres have become a big thing and customers like to choose their own tyres. Everything about the trailer must be bespoke to suit the contractor or farmer so that he can do the best and fastest job with it. Also, they want their trailers to be as versatile as possible, so that they can have more than one use – another solution we can provide.”

Are customers looking for quality or price first and foremost? “I think he is looking for both. But he IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

A 32ft livestock trailer

definitely wants a strong trailer that will last for many years, which is what we deliver. If he wants some added extras or tweaks, we won’t turn him away. We stand over all of our products and we have never had a problem with any of our trailers.”

Looking to the future, Patrick states that, while further expansion is certainly on the cards, Broughan Engineering will proceed cautiously. “We are hoping to expand some more this year but we will keep it steady and expand slowly. We are excited about Sweden and New Zealand and we’ve also had enquiries from France, but we realise it takes time to get into new markets.

“Facebook and YouTube have proven invaluable in promoting our trailers and we are very well known throughout Ireland and the England but it’s going to take time to develop a presence in other markets.

“You have to keep moving with the times and continue to embrace the latest technology. We’re building a lot of trailers with air suspension now, which has become increasingly popular, and ball-and-spoon and swivel hitches are also very popular.

“90% of our trailers are fitted with air brakes and some of them have ABS as well. We also fit brand new commercial axles on all our trailers, rated at 105km at 12 tonne. Lorry axles are fitted as standard

A 35ft bale trailer

on all our trailers, large and small, and we have never put an agricultural axle on any of them. People want their trailers right. They want high quality and that’s what we

give them.”

It’s not difficult to see why Broughan Engineering Ltd. is making such an impact in the agricultural trailer market at home and abroad!

Best Wishes To Broughan Engineering From

55

Leslie Farm designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 13:26 Page 1

The delivery trucks deliver bulk goods as well as other products

T

A top quality service

he summer months are a hive activity in the farming community as there is so much to be done in a short time frame.

Winter brings about its own perils and although it may not be as hectic as the previous two seasons, it certainly is not a case of downing tools for a couple of months.

Farmers rely on supplies to keep their farms in order, whether it be animal feeds, vet supplies, farm equipment or other utensils, all are needed in order for the day to day running of their business to run smoothly.

To achieve this goal, farmers turn to hardware or farm supply stores and the people of West Sligo are fortunate to have a reliable and efficient supplier in their area.

Leslie’s Farm Supplies has been

56

trading for 24 years now after Leslie Ward initially started up the business from his parents’ garage.

Through hard work and endeavour, Leslie has worked hard to build up the business to what it is today and he reveals to this month’s edition of Irish Tractor & Agri just what it took to get where he is today.

First, let’s go back to the beginning and take a look at the genesis of the business, which is an unique story in itself.

“I set up in the garage at my parents’ house. I then converted the garage where I started expanding the range of products that I was selling. The customer base continued to grow fairly steady.

“Twenty years ago, I bought a site on the Drum Road, Rathcormack and I built a premise there and that is where we are still located at to this day,” he added.

Leslie has built up a good rapport with

his customers over the years and he is dealing directly with the farmers so he has got to know their needs very well.

“A farmer could come in here not sure what he’s looking for and we can help him on that front. We now have an extensive range of products here ranging from feed and fertiliser to farming equipment and vet products.

“We have a dedicated and knowledgeable staff at the counter who can relate to and understand our

CONTACT DETAILS

Leslie’s Farm Supplies, Drum Road, Rathcormack, Co Sligo.

TEL: 071 9145328 MOB: 087 2510421

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Leslie Farm designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 13:26 Page 2

customers’ needs.

Our experience means we can help farmers and give them the best advice possible.”

Over the years the customer base has not only grown numerically, but geographically as well as customers come from bordering counties to do business with Leslie.

“We would cover Sligo, North Leitrim and South Donegal. The customer base has grown considerably over the years and we now have a staff of four full time working here.

“Recently, I took on a Sales Rep to help promote the business even further and he is on the road the full time and we are already seeing the benefits of that.”

Leslie’s Farm Supplies has become a family run business

over the years as his wife Shirley as well as sons Colin and Andrew are also involved.

Farmers are already looking ahead to the winter months and that sees a rise in the sale of animal feeds. Leslie Farm Supplies has four trucks on the road delivering to farmers directly during this period.

“We are agents for animal feeds from AW Ennis, Liffey Mills, Thompsons and Corby Rock Mill, which gives us and the farmer a wide range of variety to choose from.

“We do bulk deliveries to all our customers if needed, while we also supply some horse feed from GAIN on a smaller scale. From about October to May, we will be busy supplying the animal feeds.”

Leslie’s Farm Supplies stock a wide range of products

Best Wishes & Continued Success To Leslie’s Farm Supplies From

Wishing Continued Success To Leslie’s Farm Supplies From

Irish Made Quality Smokeless Fuels Ecobrite for Stoves Cosyglo for Open Fires & Backboilers

www.gainfeeds.com IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Arigna, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Roscommon

Tel: 071-9646107 www.arignafuels.ie

57

Leslie Farm designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 13:26 Page 3

Leslie admits that there is a genuine concern for the beef industry at the moment and volatility in the market has a knock on effect for his business.

“The beef industry is in a depressed state at the moment as prices are not great and of course that affects us also as farmers are not willing to spend as much, but we are here to help them in anyway we can. I have always tried to provide an efficient and reliable service to the customers. We do our best to have

Cawley Commercials Ltd.

Drinaghan, Sligo Tel: 071 -91 69555 / 91- 60783 Fax: 071- 91 69500 www.cawleys.ie

The cereals are kept in these silos

Scania & Mitsubishi Dealer Sales, Service & Vehicle Hire VTN Test Centre- HGV & LGV

Best Wishes To Leslie’s Farm Supplies

whatever they want in stock as we know that they need it quickly.”

Other popular products that are stored at Leslie’s Farm Supplies are dairy hygiene products, weed killer and bale wrap to name just a few.

Leslie is pleased with the direction that the company is heading and he feels that if he can maintain and if possible improve on the service that he provides then the customers will

remain happy.

“I have a very loyal customer base and I would know all the farmers very well.

I’m grateful for the business that they have given us over the years and look forward to supplying them with the service that they have become accustomed too for many years to come.”

Best Wishes To Leslie’s Farm Supplies

Best Wishes To Leslie’s Farm Supplies

58

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

C McGee designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 13:20 Page 1

E

A class apart

ver wonder how retailers have such fresh fruit and vegetables in their stores?

Well wonder no longer as this article sets out to explain the tasks involved in getting these items from their source and onto the shelves.

customer base grow considerably over the years and their clients come from a wide sector including the retail and hospitality industries.

“We supply a full range of quality fresh produce all year round,” said Fergie. “The main core of the business would be local growers and from our location here in Rush, we have built up a great business relationship with them over the years.”

Obviously Ireland’s climate doesn’t allow for certain fruits and veg to be grown all year round, but that doesn’t stop C McGee & Sons Ltd from continuing to provide their customers with top quality fresh produce.

“During the winter period in particular, we would source produce in Europe where we buy from top growers in the U.K, France, Spain, Holland and Italy. The produce is shipped over here where we distribute to our customers.”

Up to 20 people are employed by this family run business, many of who have

Time is of the essence in this industry and experience counts for a lot too and that is why Dublin based C McGee & Sons Ltd are at the forefront of their field of expertise.

With almost 50 years’ experience in supplying a wide range of fruit, vegetables and potatoes to a large customer base, C McGee and Sons ensure that they have stuck to their motto of ‘quality comes first, no matter the circumstances.’

Christopher McGee saw a niche in the market where he supplied supermarkets and other retailers with their fruit and veg instead of them having to go to the markets to buy them as was the case in

those days.

Christopher received a positive response when he approached businesses about supplying this service and from there the company has grown into what it is today.

These days, Christopher’s three sons Paul, John and Fergie oversee the day to day running of the business and for this month’s edition of Irish Tractor & Agri, we speak to Fergie and he gives us an insight into what it takes to run this specialised service on a daily basis.

Located in a prime location in Rush, Co Dublin, in the heartland of the fruit and veg growing area in the capital, the area has been renowned for generations for producing quality produce, mainly attributed to by the fertile soil and 70% of all vegetables are produced in the area. C McGee & Sons Ltd has seen its IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

59

C McGee designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 13:20 Page 2

“We are always working against the clock, but we have a system in place that we adhere too and we try to make everything run as smoothly as possible.

“The simple fact is that if our customers don’t get their produce on time or in an unfit state, then they will take their business elsewhere, so it is up to us to ensure that they always receive quality produce on time.”

When dealing with fresh produce, there are many standards to be achieved and maintained. C McGee & Sons Ltd have obtained the necessary documentation to be allowed carried out their duties as the company carries the BRC Global Standard For Food Safety - Grade A: This Standard is continually assessed and revised and requires execution of HACCP; an efficient quality management system; and the control of environment standards, products, processes and Best Wishes personnel. They are also Bord Bia & Approved.

Continued “All the produce Success To sourced in Ireland here is Bord Bia C.McGee approved, while & Sons anything bought in Europe has its own traceability from source.”

Fergie admits that it is essential to

been there years now and all are highly trained in their areas of expertise.

“There is a very hard working and loyal staff here. Some of them would be with us for up to 25 years. They are highly efficient in what they do and they range from drivers to packers and from quality controllers to office staff.”

Given the short life expectancy of fruit and vegetables, time constraints are a formidable problem that must be dealt with on a daily basis.

Congratulations to McGee’s & Sons On Their 50th Year Trading

Tel: 01-8433356 Email: info@prepveg.ie

maintain the high standards that they have set for themselves and which their customers have become accustomed too.

“Our customers expect quality produce and it is up to us to deliver that to them.

We are continually looking at ways to improve our business and that is something that we have always looked to do. Our motto is ‘small enough to care, big enough to get the job done’. We are very proud of what we do and also very passionate about how we get the job done. Our main priority is ensure the satisfaction of our customers and to forge long term partnerships.”

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank our many customers for their loyal support over the years and look forward to working for them for many years to come.”

CONTACT DETAILS

C. McGee & Sons Ltd,

Email: eurooil@gmail.com

Best Wishes & Continued Success To C. McGee & Sons 60

Skerries Road, Rush, Co. Dublin, Tel: +353 1 8437614 Email: info@mcgeesons.ie Web: www.greengrowers.ie IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

C McGee designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 13:20 Page 3

Best Wishes & Continued Success To C.McGee & Sons From

Brookridge Farm are suppliers of top quality fresh produce washed and packed with high-tech machinery.

Suppliers Of: Bunch Carrots | Parsnips | Leeks | York Cabbage | Cauliflowers

Beau Hill, Whitestown, Rush, Co. Dublin Phone: +353 1 843 9759 Fax: +353 1 843 0625 Mobile: +353 862 597 823 E-Mail: warren@brookridgefarm.com

www.brookridgefarm.com

Best Wishes To C.McGee & Sons, From

Best wishes and continued success to all at C. McGee & Sons from Dolmen Insurance Brokers Ltd

Specialists in all types of insurance including Farm & Haulage Unit 44 Butterly Business Park, Artane, Dublin 5 Tel:01-8022300 Fax:01-8672123 E:info@dolmen-insurance.ie www.dolmen-insurance.ie Dolmen Insurance Brokers Limited is regulated by The Central Bank of Ireland

Willie Snow & Sons Potatoes & Grain

Drynam Road, Swords, Co. Dublin Tel:086-2468162 E: williesnowsonsltd@live.ie

Best Wishes To C.McGee & Sons, From

SPECIALIST REFRIGERATION ENGINEERING Products & Services Site Survey & System Recommendation Supply, Installation & Commissioning Project Management | Energy Saving Packages Monitoring Systems | Plant Service & Maintenance Unit 26, Cookstown Ind Est., Cookstown, Tallaght, Dublin 24

Tel:01-405 6777 | Fax:01-4136932

E:sales@crosstechnicalsolutions.ie | www.crosstechnicalsolutions.ie IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Supplying the Irish and International market with the freshest pak choi, little gem lettuce,cos lettuce & butterhead lettuce all grown in our protected crop in glass houses.

Haytown Rush Co.Dublin Telephone: +353 (0)1 895 4401 Email: info@morningfreshfarm.ie www.morningfreshfarm.ie Continued Best Wishes To C.McGee & Sons 61

massey salvage designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 17:13 Page 1

Ned and Keith Murphy

Breaking new ground with Massey Salvage

C

elebrating 15 years in business, Ned Murphy Tractors Ltd in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford has recently added another string to its bow with the launch of its Massey Salvage division.

Synonymous with the sales and

62

servicing of Massey Ferguson tractors since 1999, Ned Murphy Tractors Ltd now boasts a salvage supplies section which has been receiving enquiries from as far away as New Zealand.

Massey Salvage is headed up by Ned’s two sons, Keith and Gary, who set up the division in response to a shortage of quality used tractor parts on the Irish

market. Specialising in used Massey Ferguson parts only, the fledgling business was granted a permit to deal with end-of-life tractors a year ago which allows it to purchase end-of-life tractors, salvage and process them for parts to resell onwards. “We decided to set up Massey Salvage because of the difficulties we were IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

massey salvage designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 17:13 Page 2

experiencing in sourcing good second hand parts in this country. It had got to the stage where we were sourcing most of our second hand parts from Holland,” Keith Murphy explains.

“Once we were granted our waste facility permit number, we got straight down to the business of breaking tractors. We take in tractors from all over Ireland and are now sending parts all over the world.

“We’ve put a lot into marketing and publicising this side of the business over the past 12 months and it’s starting to pay off for us. The public are now coming to us looking to sell their end-of-life tractors rather than us coming to them. It has really snowballed and we’re delighted with how things have gone so far.”

The Murphys break all types of Massey Ferguson tractors, including 8160, 3080, 3090, 6180, 6255, 5455, 6290, 3630, 3070, 3060, 8130 and many more.

“We are specialising in Massey Ferguson for the time being because their tractors are the ones we are most familiar with,” says Keith, whose father Ned has 40 years’ experience as a mechanic working on the MF brand.

“We have broken everything from a 1983 20620 to a 2008 5460. Ideally, we are looking for tractors such as the 390 upwards to current tractors in any condition. The business has been such a success to date that we are looking to expand our premises and perhaps take on new staff in the

future. We have plans in the pipeline to build a 1,000 square metres storage unit which will have pallet racking to store the parts.”

Massey Salvage can supply you with virtually any MF part you are looking for, be it gearbox parts, hydraulic rams, wings or PTOs. There are many advantages to buying a used part, not least the fact that they are significantly lighter on your pocket.

“New parts, as we all know, are very expensive and a lot of people can’t afford them,” continues Keith.

“There are big savings to be made by buying used parts, usually about 50 per cent. Used parts, or ‘green parts’ as they are often referred to, are also more environmentally-friendly as they are being reused. Many of the parts we stock are as good as new. In addition, we offer a three-month warranty on all parts for peace of mind.”

With customers dotted throughout Ireland and all over the world (parts have been sold to customers in Holland, Polland, the UK, Tanzania, Romania, the US and Lithuania), it’s no surprise to hear that the majority of Massey Salvage’s spares are sold online.

“Instead of customers calling in, we email them a picture of the part they are looking for. If they decide to buy it, we send it to them by courier. About 95 per cent of everything we sell is sent by courier,” he explains.

Ned Murphy had worked for Donohues – which was a well-known Massey Ferguson dealership in Enniscorthy and Dublin – for many years before setting up his own tractor sales company 15 years ago. The family-run business prides itself on experience and professionalism, having gained an enviable reputation for providing topquality products and, in particular,

CONTACT DETAILS

Ned Murphy Tractors Ltd / Massey Salvage

Massey Salvage was set up in response to the difficulties the Murphy’s experienced in sourcing good second hand parts IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Ballydaw, Marshalstown, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.

Telephone: 053 9388646 Mobile (Ned): 087 6815015 Mobile (Keith): 087 9263052 Mobile (Gary): 086 8606504 Email: info@nedmurphytractors.com Web: www.nedmurphytractors.com

63

massey salvage designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 17:14 Page 3

Continued Best Wishes To Ned Murphy Tractors, From

www.kehoebros.ie Camolin,Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford Tel:053-9383255

ROBERTS ENGINE RECONDITIONERS LTD t/a RER Best Wishes To Ned Murphy Tractors From

Johnstown, Clonegal, Bunclody, Co. Wexford Tom (087) 8137614 Phone/Fax:(053) 9377478 FULL ENGINE OVERHAUL FACILITIES NATIONWIDE SERVICE Best Wishes & Continued Success To Ned Murphy Tractors, From

info@kehoebros.ie Bunclody Road,Tullow, Co. Carlow Tel:059-9149005

MOLLOY METAL RECYCLING LTD. Best Wishes To Ned Murphy Tractors, From

MOBILE CAR CRUSHER SCRAP & CARS COLLECTED

Ballycarney, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford Tel: 053-9388886 | Mobile: 086-2514265 Email: molloymetals@hotmail.com

Best Wishes To Ned Murphy Tractors, From

Offering New & Quality Second Hand Machines, With Constantly Changing Stock Nationwide Delivery

Main Street, Ferns, Co. Wexford Tel: 053-9366779 Fax: 053-9367585 Email: ennismartinarch@gmail.com

The Harrow, Ferns, Co. Wexford Tel:053-9366423 Mobile: 087-2594864 E: sales@alaceyagri.com E:andrewlacey1@eircom.net www.alaceyagri.com

WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR COMPANY FEATURED IN Irish Tractor & Agri Magazine Call Barry now on 00353 (0) 46 9241923

64

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

massey salvage designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 17:14 Page 4

Massey Ferguson parts from the 35, 135 and 390 right up to today’s powerful 8700 series.

MF has long been a firm favourite with Irish farmers and continues to be one the biggest selling brands, both new and second hand. As well

Customers can save 50 per cent by buying used parts

as stocking a large range of high quality tractors and parts, Ned sells an extensive range of farm machinery and accessories, including diggers, dumpers, tractor loaders and brackets, tractor weights and tyres. Repairs and servicing is also provided.

The company’s highlytrained and knowledgeable sales team will be happy to deal with any query you may have. In short, Ned Murphy Tractors Ltd offers a complete service.

On Massey Salvage, Keith concludes by saying: “We

were very anxious about how it would go at the start, but it has surpassed our wildest expectations. We welcome any calls from dealers or farmers wishing to sell end-oflife Massey Ferguson tractors and, of course, any enquiries about parts.”

The Murphy’s can supply you with virtually any MF part you are looking for IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

65

Leo Dunne designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 17:18 Page 1

Best Wishes To Leo Dunne

Blakes Cross, Lusk, Co. Dublin Mary Hill (087) 257 3114 Aidan Arnold (087) 251 2373 T: (01) 843 8711 F: (01) 843 8702 E: info@europrise.ie www.europrise.ie

E.V. CONDELL LTD MAIN MASSEY FERGUSON DEALERS Sales & Service

Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois Tel:057-8621218 | Fax:057-8622213 Email: evcondell@eircom.net

Supplying the Dunne Family with Massey Ferguson Tractors & Equipment for over 50 Years.

Continued success for many years to come 66

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Leo Dunne designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 17:18 Page 2

The crop is harvested in all types of weather

F

A family tradition

or four generations, Leo Dunne Ltd has been growing carrots in Durrow, Co. Laois and the surrounding areas. Today, the Dunne family continues to grow and prepack conventional and organic carrots of the highest quality, which can found on shop shelves all over Ireland.

Originally, the family grew a variety of vegetables before a decision was taken to concentrate solely on growing carrots in the late 1970s. Since then, the Dunne name has become synonymous with the carrot growing sector. The family’s longterm commitment, knowledge and experience ensure consumers of the best and freshest Irish carrots.

One of only five dedicated carrot growers in the country, Leo Dunne Ltd is run by Leo Dunne, his wife Bernadette and their sons Emmett and Leo jnr. The family involvement doesn’t end there as Leo’s brothers Martin and Michael are also employed. The company employs IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

over 30 people from the local area, with additional staff often being taken on in the busy weeks leading up to Christmas.

The Dunne’s grow 230 acres of conventional and organic carrots on mostly rented land in the Durrow, Shanahoe and Cullohill areas of south Co. Laois. The carrots are harvested all year round, with the first of the early crop sown in early February and the rest being sown in April and May. The carrots are covered with plastic and straw in the winter to protect them from the elements as Emmett Dunne explains: “The plastic and straw covering acts like a big blanket that protects the carrots from the frost. There is a lot of work and expense involved in this, but it is necessary in the Irish climate.

“When it is time to harvest the carrots, we remove the straw and plastic wrap.

The harvesting then takes place and the carrots are taken to our washing and packing department.”

The ploughing and sowing work is carried out each spring by local agricultural contractors, who also spend

three weeks putting down the straw every October. The soil-type in the Durrow area, which is known as Grace’s Wood, is particularly suited to growing carrots.

Modern machines are used for the cultivation of the roots. The carrots are then taken to an on-site production facility where they are washed, hydrocooled, graded and packed. Not all of the carrots are packed with many consumers still preferring to buy their

CONTACT DETAILS

Leo Dunne Ltd

Dunmore, Durrow, Co. Laois.

Telephone: 057 9736263 Mobile: 086 8106957 Fax: 057 8736377 Email: info@leodunne.com

67

Leo Dunne designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 17:18 Page 3

The Dunnes grow 230 acres of conventional and organic carrots

carrots loose.

“We have recently invested in a stateof-the-art high-care processing carrot line. The whole washing, sorting and packing process is quick and efficient.

The carrots are harvested at 6 o’clock each morning and will be on the shop shelves within 24 hours, meaning freshness is always guaranteed,” Emmett says.

Nairobi is the preferred variety of carrot grown by the Dunne’s, accounting for 96 per cent of all carrots grown on their farm. They also grow other varieties such as Laguna.

“While we always trial any new seeds that come on the market, Nairobi is tried and trusted. It suits the type of soil we have here in Durrow,” Emmett adds.

The Dunne family supplies carrots to Tesco and Dunnes Stores as well as to smaller retail outlets. They have been supplying directly to Tesco – who are their biggest customer – since the supermarket chain first entered the Irish market in

68

1998. Many customers shop in Tesco because they know they stock the most extensive range of locally supplied products, from Irish vegetables and meat to bread and milk. Sourcing from over 11,000 farm families, Tesco are

committed to providing their customers with the very best and freshest produce.

And Leo Dunne Ltd obviously fits the bill in this regard.

Among the accolades won by the Dunne family include the Tesco “Blue”

Carrots are harvested all year around IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

69_Layout 1 14/11/2014 11:18 Page 1

Leo Dunne designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 17:19 Page 5

Continued Success To Leo Dunne, From

FARM PLASTICS RECYCLING SERVICES

Clonkeen, Portlaoise, Laois P: 00353 (0) 57- 8622204 F: 00353 (0) 57- 8622247 E: walker@walkerrecycling.ie

www.walkerrecycling.com

LEO DUNNE

LEESON STANLEY

Wishing Leo Dunne, Continued Success From

AGRI

FOR ALL YOUR GENERAL AGRI CONTRACTING NEEDS

Contact Leeson 087-2597514 Donaughmore, Johnstown, Co. Kilkenny

Roe Agri Services Wishing Leo Dunne Continued Success From

Tillage Specialists & General Agri Contracting Contact Gary 087-6165272 Clifford 087-2537786 Ballacolla, Portlaoise, Co.Laois E:roe_agri12@yahoo.com

BEST WISHES TO LEO DUNNE

Innovative Farm Inputs For Maximum Farm Outputs

The Pound Road, Slane, Co. Meath Tel: 041-9824124/041-9824378 www.grasslandagro.ie

JAMES MURPHY HAULAGE LTD.

Wishing Leo Dunne Continued Success From

Laurel Lodge, Dunmore, Durrow, Co. Laois Tel:057-8734073 | Fax:057-8734972 Mobile: 087-2586364 Email: jmhaulage@eircom.net

Wishing Leo Dunne Continued Success From

E.C. Pratt & Co Ltd Cork Road, Abbeyleix, Co. Laois

70

Email: chris.bollard@goldcrop.ie

Tel:057-873 1132

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Leo Dunne designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 17:19 Page 6

Standard award and the Bord Bia Highly Commended award in the Best Organic Fruit & Vegetable category for their tasty Tesco 750kg organic carrots.

Everything at Leo Dunne Ltd is about quality,

The soil type in Co. Laois is particularly suited to growing carrots

consistency and attention to detail. Every step of the production and supply chain is managed meticulously. Leo and his staff listen to and work closely with customers to make sure they’re 100 per cent happy with their

produce.

Accredited by Bord Bia and Organic Trust, the company is also a member of the IFA Horticulture Committee which comprises the chairmen of the different horticulture sectors, including the Potato, Field Vegetable & Protected Crops, Soft Fruits, Mushroom and Nursery Stock Committees.

Emmett attributes the family business’ success and growth over the past 50 years to the quality of its product and the major

contracts it holds with the leading supermarket chains.

“It’s a tough business to be in, but we’re lucky that we have our contracts, which means we are able to plan ahead. The other producers who have to tender for work don’t have that luxury.

Carrots have long been a staple diet in Ireland and we are expecting consumption to increase in the years ahead given the health benefits you get from eating them,” he concludes on a positive note.

Wishing Leo Dunne Ltd Continued Success From

Specialists In Packaging Machines Throughout Ireland Fresh Food & Non Food Packaging Machines 20 Killywoolaghan Road, Dungannon, Co Tyrone, BT71 5AS Ploughing, tiling and sowing is carried out each spring IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Tel: +44 (0)28 8673 6333 Fax: +44 (0)28 8673 6777 www.emautomationltd.com

71

B&V designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 16:23 Page 1

A voice for the hardy nursery stock producers

T

he Irish Hardy Nursery Stock Association (IHNSA) is a commodity sector within the horticultural section of the IFA and is the representative body of nursery stock producers whose main objective is to advance and protect the interests of primary producers of hardy nursery stock.

A member of the European Nursery Stock Association (ENA), IHNSA provides representation and liaison at all levels, national, European and international, as well as with similar associations, local authorities and scientific and educational institutions.

IHNSA also organise trolley fairs each year to assist producers in showcasing their produce to potential buyers.

The Association, which has over 60 members, is chaired by Val Farrell of B&V Nurseries Ltd in Skerries, Co. Dublin. Val, who is in his third year in the voluntary role, has been a member of the IHNSA since setting up his business along with his wife Bridie a quarter of a century ago. He has witnessed many changes in the sector in that time, none more so than in the last 10 years when prosperity has given way for hard times.

“The Garden Centre trade has become very depressed since the collapse of the economy and that has had serious implications for us because we are the producers who supply them with their stock,” Val explains.

Nursery men made sizable investments during the good times, but are struggling to survive and some have even gone out of business. We’re feeling the effects of that our sales have diminished over the last six years and product prices have stagnated since 2001.

“Consumer priority these days is with putting food on the table and paying their bills, with spending on plants way down their list of priorities.”

The recession is not entirely to blame for bringing the industry to its knees. Two

72

unseasonably cold winters, new plant diseases, rising wage and input costs and competition from overseas markets have also contributed to Irish growers woes.

“During the two bad winters we had in 2010 and 2011, some of our members lost as much as 70-80 per cent of their stock,” reveals Val. “A lot of them are still in serious financial difficulty as a result of the devastation caused in those years.

There was no compensation available for these losses which left nursery producers very annoyed as other horticulture sectors qualified for some frost loss compensation.”

“On top of that, we have had to cope with the threat on new diseases such as Ash Dieback (Chalara fraxinea) and Sudden Oak Death (Phytophthora ramorum). Sudden Oak Death is very prevalent in southern England and has spread to some Irish forests. If our plants are affected, they have to be quarantined. We have to comply with the Department’s regulations and we don’t get compensated for that either.

“Further hardship is being caused by

the rise in input costs such as fertilizer and peat moss, and wages which are very high compared to other countries.

Wages haven’t gone up in the last four or five years, but they increased dramatically in the four or five years previous to that and, as I’ve already said, prices haven’t gone up since 2001.”

Val believes the only way nursery stock owners will pull through their currently difficulties is if they stick together and support one another.

“The way things are at the moment, it’s easier for garden centres and retailers to import because the growers in countries like Holland are better organised than us.

All that the shop owner has to do is go

CONTACT DETAILS

B&V Nurseries Ltd,

Rathmooney, Skerries, Co. Dublin.

Telephone: 01 8412786 Mobile: 087 2503752 IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

B&V designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 16:23 Page 2

online and make the order.

We need to get ourselves organised into one strong unit if we’re to counteract the imports. One way to do that would be to establish a central distribution centre where all our produce would be on the same trolley, rather than on separate trolleys.”

As someone who prefers to look at the glass half full rather than half empty, the IHNSA chairman says the outlook for the landscape sector, in particular is positive. “There has been an upturn in the landscape trade.

We’re looking forward to the autumn business. That has to be a positive.”

This year, IHNSA held two trolley fairs at Punchestown Racecourse in Co. Kildare.

The fairs are organised to help producers showcase their produce to the retail sector.

“Garden Centres are invited to come along and take orders from up to 35 different nurseries who display their produce on trolleys,” says Val. “The fairs provide smaller growers with an opportunity

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

to get their name out there.

They also give nursery owners a chance to get together once a year and talk about what they’re up to and ideas they may have. All in all, it’s a great day out.”

Val strongly encourages any hardy stock owner who isn’t

in the IHNSA to join.

“There are many benefits to being a member of our Association,” he emphasises.

“All our members are wholesalers, with some also having retail outlets. We provide a voice for nursery stock producers at many

different levels. We regularly hold meetings with the Minister for Horticulture Tom Hayes and Teagasc to try and get the best for our members.

Our goal is to look after the interests of primary producers of hardy nursery stock.”

B&V Nurseries Ltd grows a wide range of hardy nursery stock, including perennials, scrubs, bedding, plants and hedging.

With the landscaping side of the business now taking up much of Val’s time, the nursery is run by Anne-Marie McGann, who has been with the company for the past 17 years. Val’s wife Bridie also plays an active role in the day-to-day running of the business.

“Our staff numbers have fallen from 14 six years ago to just three today. It’s a reflection of the way things have gone in the industry. But if everyone pulls together and shows a united front, I’ve no doubt that this industry will fight back,” the IHNSA chairman concludes on a defiant note.

73

Anglesey Vet designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 16:20 Page 1

From the horse’s mouth ...

S

ince its genesis 38 years ago, Anglesey Equine Hospital in County Kildare has evolved into Ireland’s No.1 veterinary practise for the treatment of horses. We dropped into their well-appointed base adjacent to The Curragh Racecourse and got an insight into day-to-day operations from Tom Austin, one of four partners in the pioneering practice.

Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital is a ten-vet practice dedicated to the firstclass diagnosis and treatment of horses.

Based at a purpose-built hospital alongside The Curragh Racecourse in County Kildare, the facility offers a full call-out veterinary service to local clients and referral services for horses from all over the island of Ireland. The four partners in the practice are Ned Gowing,

74

Marie Harty, Mark MacRedmond and Tom Austin.

The hospital has expanded significantly since its formation in 1976 and now employs 20 people in total. With this expansion has come the increasing specialisation of the vets into different aspects of horse medicine; they now employ vets whose primary focus is surgery, lameness and orthopaedics, internal medicine, critical care or mare reproduction.

Reflecting on the genesis of the practice, Tom Austin notes: “Ned Gowing is the principal and he started off as a one-man band in County Cork. He then practised in Kildare town for some thirteen years before moving to the current site and opening Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital on the edge of The Curragh Racecourse in 1976. Ned has built it up brick by brick.

“There are now four partners and I am

very much the baby of the partnership, having become a senior partner only three years ago. But I have been involved in the practice since 2000.”

Generally regarded as Ireland’s premier equine hospital, Anglesey is renowned for its cutting-edge treatment of sick foals and wind surgeries (where operations are carried out on racehorses’ throats). “Given our location, about 95% of our work is with

CONTACT DETAILS

Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital, Phone: 045 521373 Fax: 045 521114 Email: info@aleh.ie www.aleh.ie

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Anglesey Vet designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 16:20 Page 2

racehorses,” Tom confirms.

“We would be heavily involved in assisting both the breeding and training of racehorses.

“On the breeding end of it, we make our services available to a number of leading stud farms in Maynooth, County Kildare, Mountrath in Laois, Grangecon, County Wicklow plus all the local, immediate clients.

“We also work with a number of leading trainers in Ireland, including Jessica Harrington, Arthur Moore, Johnny Murtagh, Willie McCreery, Patrick Prendergast, Ken Condon and Eddie Harty.”

The strengths of the practice are manifold. Not least amongst these is the outstanding track record built up over the best part of four decades. “Having been in business for 38 years, we have long-standing relationships with our clients,” says Tom. “We benefit from a

lot of customer loyalty, mainly because we provide a topclass service. Our vets have a genuine passion for the horses and also a real interest in the people who own them. The client is our No.1 priority. We look after the needs of the horse and the owner.

Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital in Kildare

“Mr Gowing has a keen ethos on how the place is run and that is adhered to night and day. You do everything you possible can for the client and for the horses and you run a tight ship. One thing he emphasises is: never put a job off until tomorrow if you can do it today.

“There are huge levels of expectations and there is a lot of pressure involved as horse racing is a big-money business. At the same time, we treat every horse equally.

You could be working with a racehorse valued at half a million euro or a pony that cost €100 … we treat them

Best Wishes & Continued Success To Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital From

McElroy Horse Feeds Ltd Ballyfair Lodge,The Curragh,Co. Kildare.

Email: info@mcelroyfeeds.com Office: 045-441526 Joe: 087- 257 3099 David: 087- 270 2302

www.mcelroyfeeds.com

Continued Success To Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital From

Unit 4 Creevaghbeg, Athlone Road, Ballymahon, Co. Longford.

Tel: (090) 64 38724 Fax: (090) 64 38725

www.molloyveterinary.ie

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

75

Anglesey Vet designed_Layout 1 13/11/2014 16:20 Page 3

all the same. Every horse is important to its owner and every horse that comes into the hospital is important to us.

“Of course, we don’t see the horses that are winning week in, week out. We tend to see the horses that have problems and our task is to try to get them back to the winner’s enclosure.

“People are happy with our services once their horses are well.

As long as the horse is running healthy and well, owners are happy to pay trainers and that helps keep the wheels turning. We see ourselves as the people who protect the owner’s investment.”

In addition to ten fulltime vets, all of whom have been with the practice long-term, Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital also provides further work to two interns during the Spring time. “We would have vets out on the road on a day-today basis performing scans and X-rays and we also tend to sick foals in the hospital itself, performing surgeries and caring for very sick animals in the Intensive Care Unit.”

The practice has offered this specialist critical care service since 2006, boasting 24-hour onsite nursing with veterinary back-up. They are able to look after the sickest patients, including horses with colic, colitis, pneumonia and pleuropneumonia, neurological problems and bone or muscle injuries. Level III intensive care is provided for foals. This includes, when necessary, mechanical ventilation, oxygen, electronic volumetric pumps to accurately deliver fluids and drugs, blood pressure measurement and 24-hour nursing.

The critical care service is led by Kevin Corley, a

76

Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care.

“We’re also extremely fortunate to have the services of specialist surgeon Turlough McNally, who trained in both Kentucky and Florida, and brought a lot of fresh ideas back to Ireland.”

There are a total of 23 stables onsite at the practice and occupancy at present runs at around 70%. “We were operating at full capacity during the Celtic Tiger but we’re not quite as busy now.

However, we are fortunate in that we have very good, reliable, long-term customers.

“When the recession kicked in, we lost the battle with credit control for a time but everybody tightened their belts and we rode it out and we are fighting back now.

Funds are available again and we have invested €200,000 into the practice over the last 18 months.”

This money has gone towards the provision of new scanners, a new X-ray machine and a dynamic endoscopy (a tiny camera which goes up the horse’s

nose and records activity in its throat and assesses how it is breathing during exercise).

Anglesey Lodge Equine Laboratory provides laboratory services to the vets within the practice and many of its referring vets.

They process blood samples both for detection or monitoring of disease, and for assessment of racehorses in training and before declaration to race. The laboratory is overseen by fulltime lab manager, Noreen Madden, whose CV includes spells in Newmarket, Cornell and the State laboratory in

Abbotstown.

Regarding the future of the practice, the emphasis will remain very much on continuing to provide an excellent service: “Our aim is to stay in business by continuing to keep our clients happy,” Tom concludes. “As the country recovers and the industry expands, we will expand to meet whatever demand there is for our services. We are demand driven and it can be a 24-hour job sometimes, especially during the Spring, but we all love our work and wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Best Wishes To Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital From

Unit 2, Quayside Business Park Mill Street, Dundalk, Co.Louth.

Tel:+353(0)429 320 070 www.bcftechnology.com IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

truck news designed_Layout 1 13/08/2014 12:44 Page 2

Victor Treacy full_Layout 1 25/09/2014 14:28 Page 1