Irish Tractor June 2016

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June 2016 Vol. 4 No. 5

€3.95 Stg£2.95

J.R. Perry Ltd. Cotter Agri Contractors

Ballycoose Farm Campbell Tweed OBE

Eddie Slattery Dairy & Refrigeration Ltd.

The Liston Family

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2 Agri News

Contents

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

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Maguire Family Farm Generations of family farming

VK Agri Recycling Leading recycler of black plastic and other unwanted farmyard materials

Boyd Haulage Specialists in the collection of fallen animals for the past eleven years

The Liston Family

Fiachra Liston on the success of his family’s farm

14 Eddie Slattery Dairy & Refrigeration Ltd. Ireland’s leading DeLaval dealer

18 Lakeview Farm

Specialists in breeding pedigree Suffolk & Bluefaced Leicester sheep

22 Derry White Agri Contractors

Family run contracting business in Co Limerick

26 JR Perry Ltd.

Unrivalled agricultural machinery solutions

30 Crotanstown Stud

Trainer Michael O’Callaghan

34 Sean Dennehy

55 DM Tours Coach Hire Ltd.

Email: contact@lynngroupmedia.com

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John Carroll Paughanstown Farm Louth IFA Grain County Chairman

The leading agricultural tours specialist company in Ireland

61 Enniscorthy Farm Systems (EFS) Ltd.

Market leader in the supply and fitting of dairy and cattle housing equipment

68 B&D Sheds Ltd.

Leading fabricator and erector of farm buildings

71 Brendan Byrd Agri Contractors Celebrating 15 years in business

74 Ballycoose Farm

Campbell Tweed OBE, one of Northern Ireland’s premier sheep farmers

77 Mulchrone Bros Ltd.

Main Kubota dealer for over a decade

One of Cork’s best-known sheep farmers

80 Cotter Agri Contractors

One of Ireland’s leading engine reconditioning businesses

87 Jim Farrell Agricultural Contractors

38 Roberts Engines

42 Gowing Agri Contractors

Providing a superb agri contracting service for seven decades

45 Cedar Tree Services Professional and reliable

52 Loane Agri Contractors

Specialises in all aspects of agricultural contracting

Synonymous with excellence in agricultural contracting Excellent service for more than 20 years

90 Abraham Tree Maintenance

One of Ireland’s foremost tree surgeon specialists

92 Dennehy Agri

An efficient and reliable service

94 Nephin Tractors & Machinery Ltd.

Specialists in the sales & export of quality second hand tractors and agri machinery

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

Beauvais visit reinforces MF appeal

Consumers of all types of products have become more demanding in recent years.

They want to know where what they buy came from, how they were made and who made them.

Massey Ferguson can confirm this trend, having recorded a steady increase in the number of requests from farmers and other users to visit the tractor plant at Beauvais, France, to see for themselves the processes, technology, materials, quality control – and the people – that combine to create a truly global brand.

Celsus Treacy The desirability of the factory tour is highlighted by its growth as a surprise destination organised by family members for birthday, anniversary and even wedding presents!

The daughters of County Galway farmer Celsus Treacy, and his wife, thought Beauvais would add the perfect finishing touch to a romantic long weekend in Paris for the couple – Dad in particular.

The Treacys farm Sevenacres Angus, a 30ha holding near Ballinasloe. where they run 30 commercial cows and pedigree Angus cattle, some of which are taken to shows through the year. They also keep sheep and in most years sow a few acres of spring barley.

“My grandfather bought a new MF 20 in the 1950s and my uncle a new MF 265s in 1980 and we’ve also had a MF 128 baler and MF 70 mower,” Celsus recalls, “and now I’m the third generation of the family to have purchased a new Massey Ferguson tractor.”

How this investment came about will strike a chord of familiarity for many. “For years, I had wanted to visit the factory in order to see how the tractors were built.” he explains. “So two Christmases ago, our daughters sent my wife and I to Paris for a holiday – at the same time arranging for me to go out to Beauvais to see the factory.

“It was a very interesting tour of the plant, to see the tractors coming along the line and then the finished article. I was particularly interested in the hydraulic test beds, and very impressed, too, with the standard and intelligence of the engineers working in the factory.

“My daughter Kate works with me full-time on the farm,” Celsus continues, “so as I was planning to change the main tractor, we both went to see a lot of dealers, looking at a number of different makes and models in the 120-130hp category, bearing in mind what we wanted the tractor to do for us.

“Massey Ferguson came out top for us, as it clearly had the best all-rounder in that power category. The MF 6613 suited us best for what we want out of our tractor – the AGCO Power engine is a big part of that reason, when comparing other makes and models. The 6613 handles all our day-to-day jobs, as well as heavier work, like ploughing, silage-making, etc.

“I particularly like the size of the tractor – neither too big, nor too small – it’s very fuel efficient and very comfortable to travel in, with a very spacious cab. I’m very impressed with the turning lock – it’s second to none. I’m also extremely happy with the gearbox – very smooth (not jumpy, like some other makes) – and in my opinion the best on the market.

The MF 6613 obviously ticks the boxes for Celsus, so how does he rate the Massey Ferguson dealership that supplied it?

“The buying experience was excellent,” he reports, “dealing, as we did, with Whelan’s Garage at Loughrea – by far the best dealership around us. They are very straight to deal with and true to their word. I will most definitely be dealing with Whelan’s again.”

Speaking for Whelan’s Garage, Nelius Buckley says that when the Treacys first visited, they were very clear on the specification of the tractor they required.

“This was as a result of them having seen the product range on their visit to the Massey Ferguson factory,” he maintains.

“Dealing with Celsus and Kate was a pleasure, and the staff at Whelan’s wish them well with their purchase.’

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GCSAI and major join forces

Major have announced that from May 2016 they are an Intermediate Partner with the GCSAI, to support their ongoing commitment to the Education and Continuous Professional Development of Sportsturf Professionals in Ireland Damian Mc Laverty of the GCSAI commented ” Major Equipment are the only Irish based manufacturer of Professional Sportsturf Machinery and as such, we are delighted at their commitment to the development and education of our members. As our latest Intermediate Partner, Major Equipment are sending out a clear message that they suuport the future of our members and our industry.”

Major and GCSAI Commenting on the announcement, Martin Walsh, Sales Manager with Major Equipment said: “We are really pleased to be on-board with the GCSAI. The education and training programme run by the GCSAI for groundsmen, greenkeepers and golf course superintendents, is impressive and we are delighted to be involved.”

Major Equipment Intl. Ltd. manufactures a range of tractor mounted mowers in working widths from 1.9m to 6.1m in trailed, front mounted and three point linkage configurations. The company is the only Irish manufacturer of machinery to the amenity industry in Ireland.

70% of the machines produced by Major Equipment Intl. Ltd. are exported. “We have customers in sports clubs and golf clubs in countries as far away as Australia,” explained Martin. “But we are particularly proud of the relationships we’ve built with GAA clubs and golf clubs in our home country.”

Mass audience for Farm of the World-Garden in London

From May the 24th millions of television viewers had a preview of European Capital of Culture 2018.

That day the Chelsea Flower Show will commence in London, which is considered the most important exhibition for gardens and horticulture globally. The team, Farm of the World, project of Leeuwarden-Fryslân 2018, is one of the participants and is sponsored The Farm of the World Garden

by AkzoNobel.

In the category Fresh Gardens, Farm of the World displays a dye garden. The AkzoNobelHoneysuckle Blue(s) Garden is entirely dedicated to historic dye crops. These plants are in the spotlight due to their contribution to biodiversity and their capability to produce high quality dyes.

“The dye garden will not only show the beauty of plants, but also the richness of the colours they produce when they are transformed into dyes,” says visual artist Claudy Jongstra. Jongstra designed the garden in collaboration with garden designer Stefan Jaspers. She regularly uses dye crops such as woad, chamomile, nettle, valerian and calendula in her works. Specifically for the Chelsea Flower Show, she made a new piece that will be displayed in the Honeysuckle Blue(s) Garden.

With an average of 150,000 visits and daily (live) broadcasts by the BBC, the Chelsea Flower Show annually receives an extensive, diverse, audience. As in previous years the exhibition will be visited by representatives of the British Royal Family.

The Honeysuckle Blue(s) garden, a sample of what the public in 2018 – than in the Blokhuispoort in Leeuwarden – gets to see, is generously supported by AkzoNobel, on the initiative of the AkzoNobel Art Foundation. Additionally, the realisation of this garden has been made possible by the Dutch Embassy in London, Schellevis Beton and CED Natural Stone.

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Blaney Motor Company launches wheel loader concepts

Following years of research and development and identifying key markets, Blaney Motor Company is proud to launch two new wheel loader concepts on its stand at Balmoral Show. The exciting unveil took place in front of an audience of VIPS and industry representatives on the Blaney Motor Company stand on Wednesday morning.

In the current climate, many manufacturing companies are leaving the Ballymena area, but Sean Blaney who heads up Blaney Motor Company and other divisions within the Blaney Group, including Quad-X and Blaney Agri, has great confidence in the local labour force and is positive the range of loaders will be exactly what the end users require.

It’s a bold move for the young business based just outside Ballymena, at Ahoghill, as it has not only launched new products but also a new brand and manufacturing division.

The company is striving ahead with a full range of these loaders designed for both the agricultural and construction industries ahead of a full product launch later this year.

The theme running throughout the new range of Blaney telescopic loaders and wheel loaders is that they are designed to be compact, weighing under 3.5 tonnes and small enough to transport from site to site on a small trailer. They are ideal for many uses in the agricultural industry, equestrian, amenities, landscaping, construction, self-build and road works sector.

Launched on the stand was the TH1 15-48, a compact telehandler with a lifting capacity of 1.5 tonnes and a reach of 4.8m. It is powered by a 50 horsepower engine and uses a hydrostatic transmission with a four wheel drive lockable differential if required.

The second concept to be launched at the show was the L1 10-27 which is a compact wheel loader with a lifting capacity of one tonne and a reach of 2.7m. This time the engine is rated 40hp and the unit has a hydrostatic transmission with four wheel drive limited slip differential.

The team at Blaney Motor Company will now sit down to fine tune their creations in time for the product launch. The inspiration for the range has come from years of researching the specific target markets by Sean and his design team.

Mr Blaney said: “It’s very clear today that many of the big agricultural companies out there just keep on buying smaller businesses over and this is harmful as it closes doors and sees many people lose their jobs. We are progressing forwards with our own strong brands and are committed to making our business work in Northern Ireland. Our goal is to offer machines that will appeal to a wide range of end users.”

Alison Duncan, Dealer Development Manager is excited by the opportunities these new machines offer the industry. She tells us, “We have identified a number of requirements from operators in the construction, agricultural, landscaping, and plant hire industries. These requirements centre around a range of smaller wheel loaders that are compact yet powerful, efficient and reliable. The machines we wish to IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

develop will have specific focus on the under two tonnes lift capacity.”

With Blaney’s experience in the attachment sector they will offer a range of off-highway vehicles that are multipurpose and versatile, by offering a wide range of attachments.

With a focus on more niche attachments such as mowers and side discharge cement mixers these machines will suit a wide range of applications, offering complete solutions to various customers.

Given their track record there is a lot more to come from this innovative company in the near future. Further specific information on the range will be available ahead of the product launch later this year.

Over the next few months the Blaney Motor team are keen to discuss the concepts with end users to further tailor the machines. Blaney Motor Company will also be looking to develop a network of dealers to represent the brand and a growing range of vehicles in the near future.

Keep an eye out for Blaney Motor Company on facebook and twitter to watch the exciting adventures unfurl. You can contact Blaney Motor Company, from NI/UK on 028 2587 8744, from ROI 048 2587 8744 www.blaneymotor.com

Blayney Motor Company concepts

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Galway Mart software company lead the way with multiple lot display boards

Galway Company, ice cube leads the way with unique multiple lot display boards as it welcomes Department BDGP Scheme.

Following yesterday’s announcement by Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed, Galway Company ice cube are proud to announce that they are the only Mart Software Company in the country currently offering a facility to display multiple lots on the new display screens to be grant aided by the scheme.

The team at ice cube quickly identified the limitation in the existing system which only facilitated single lots and negotiated an advanced offering with ICBF to ensure that their leading Mart Software, ICE Auction could facilitate the multi lot capability. The ICE Auction displays are designed to meet the highest standards and as well as offering customers this unique multiple lot capability, comes with a number of added benefits such as: Calf registered Multiple Breeds Number of owners “We are very proud to continue leading the way in Mart Software development”, said Tony McDonagh, Account Manager with ice cube “This unique facility will make the day to day running of business much more streamlined for

Galway Mart software

our customers. This Government scheme is a great opportunity for marts to add to their existing infrastructure and introduce a whole new level of presentation to their day to day business. I am really looking forward to talking with our customers about this”.

Yesterday’s Government announcement confirmed that the Department will be setting aside €300,000 under state aid for funding up to 40% of the purchase of new electronic display screens in Marts in the Republic of Ireland. The introduction of these new screens will enable all Marts to display (BDGP) Beef Data and Genomics Programme information in the rings. ICOS said yesterday that this information “will be of widespread benefit to the Irish Livestock sector”.

For more information on the ICE Auction display screens and software application call Tony or Siobhán on 091429000 or log on to www.icecube.ie

Greybridge Classic Club Harvest Day

Each year Greybridge Classic Club host their Harvest Day is aid of their selected charities, the event has become infamous over the last number of years for their tractor lineouts including Massey Ferguson, Ford and TRACTORS. This year given John Deere are celebrating 50 years in Ireland and the UK, the club are now planning a John Deere Lineout for their 2016 event.

The Harvest Day will take place in Meanus, Co Limerick on Sunday August 7 at this year we are particularly delighted to announce the support of Geary’s Garage of Kilmeeely and Clarecastle and John Deere Ireland/UK for our 2016 event.

There are a number of displays and activities planned for the day, in addition to the main lineout, there will also be a number of static displays including both agricultural and constitution machinery. We will also include our ever popular silage display, and in keeping with the theme we will have John Deere harvesting and bailing equipment, new and old. So club members are on the search for all things John Deere including tractor, machinery and equipment to join us on the day.

A usual the day will also have plenty of activities for the ll the family, with vintage displays, demonstrations from the emergency services, free bouncy castles, penalty shootout competitions, face painting and lots more fun and games.

The Harvest Day is now in its fifth year, and is the clubs major charity event of the year. Events are run throughout the year, which contribute to the coast of the Harvest Day, this enable us to ensure that 100% of the profits made on the day are given directly to the charitable benefactors. To date the club has donated €130,000 to a number of very worthy charities. Amongst our benefactors are: Cliona’s Foundation, Limerick Search & Rescue, Pieta House, Irish Motor Neuron Disease Association, Children’s Ark University Hospital Limerick, Ronald McDonald Houses, Crumlin Children’s Hospital, Milford Hospice and many more.

The event has a vast audiences, people from vintage clubs right around the country, have participated in our events, but as the event has extended we also receive huge support from families and communities right across the Limerick and Cork region. A huge number of people contribute to the success of this event, from landowners, sponsors, other supporting vintage clubs, our own club members and their families and many other supporters and friends not only has it enabled us to contribute a fantastic amount of financial support, but allowed us to develop great friendships with a wide range of charities who do such a fantastic work within our communities.

This year we hope to continue our success to date by raising funds for our very worthy causes which include: Cliona’s Foundation which provides financial assistance to families with critically ill children, St Joseph’s Foundation – Liskenneth House providing support and therapy to people with disabilities and the Breast Services Unit, University Hospital Limerick.

For anyone who is interested in participating in any part of the event they can contact John: 085 8632200, Declan 087 2568117, John 087 2568246. You can also visit our website www,greybridgecc.ie or like our Facebook to keep Greybridge Classic Club Harvest Day up to date on the event.

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IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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Liston Herd continues to grow

he Liston family in Banogue, Co. Limerick have been steadily increasing their dairy herd size in recent years.

Fiachra Liston explains more.

Fiachra and his father Aidan are currently milking 280 Holstein Friesian cows, which is more than double what they were milking a decade ago. Since returning to the family farm in 2004, Fiachra has been focused on improving breeding to have the most profitable animal for their grass-based system. He is also focused on growing more tons of grass per hectare and attaining the correct work-life balance, which is something many farmers struggle to achieve.

Married to Mary (nee Barrett) with four young children, Caitlin, Edward, Aidan and Matthew who are all under the age of four, Fiachra studied both agriculture and engineering at Reaseheath College, Nantwich near Crewe before travelling to New Zealand and the US to develop his

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farm skills. While in the US, he worked on a farm in Arizona which milked 4,500 cows and spent a further six months working on the grain harvest from Texas to North Dakota. He has completed a number of courses over the years, including a DIY AI course, a first aid course with the Farm Relief Service (FRS) as well as farm profit monitor and cost control planner courses with Teagasc.

Fiachra was nominated for the Marca na Feirme / FBD Young Farmer of the Year award in 2008 and 2010, getting down to the last six in the latter year when three of the other finalists were also dairy farmers. One of a family of seven, he is a former chairman of Kilmallock Marca and has also served as county chairman and president. He is actively involved with the Banogue Drama Group and Banogue Musical Society, and was one of the main characters in the Drama Group's presentation of “It's the Real McCoy” last November. He is also chairman of Greybridge Classic Club which is a

fundraising club and has raised over €150,000 for local charities, including “Cliona Foundation”. This year the club is going to put together the JOHN DEERE logo with John Deere tractors on August 11.

“We have grown our dairy herd from 120 cows in 2006 to 280 cows this year. We have added to the herd every year during that time,” the 38-year-old explains.

“We are farming 370 acres in total, 250 of which is our own and 120 which is rented. It's all dairy here – cows, replacements and calves. The bigger

CONTACT DETAILS

The Liston family

Ballyculleen, Banogue, Croom, Co. Limerick.

Telephone: 087 1226408 IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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The 26-unit DeLaval parlour

herd has led to increased labour demands, but we are coping okay thanks to the addition of Pat Noonan, who manages the farm along with my father and I. “In recent years, we have employed staff through the local Farm Relief Service (FRS) to help with the milking.

Everyone knows exactly what their role is. When the workload is at its peak during the calving season and we're

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

working around the clock, my wife and mother (who is also called Mary) help out with the calf rearing. It's a real team effort.”

From March onwards, the cows are milked twice a day in a 26-unit DeLaval parlour with Fiachra and Pat rotating the morning and evening duties. DeLaval are one of the world's leading specialists in milking systems, equipment and products and the Liston’s receive a

terrific back-up service from Alan Sexton, who is the main DeLaval dealer for the Limerick and north Cork area. Joe Hayes of Cleanline Farm Services in Tipperary town supplies them with their detergent products.

“We put in a 16-unit in 2002, extended it to 20 before adding six more spaces in 2012. DeLaval is a very good system,” Fiachra says.

The Liston’s supply their milk to Kerry

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Best wishes to Liston Farm, from

FARM HOME STORES

Proud to support

Liston Farm

From all of us in AIB Adare

KERRY AGRIBUSINESS

Kilmallock Road, Charleville, Co Cork Tel: 063 35000

Contined Success To

Liston Farm

BEST WISHES TO ALL AT LISTON FARM, FROM

From

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IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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The cows remain outdoors for nine months of the year. They are fed silage for the other three months. The Liston’s call on the services of local agri contractors for their silage cutting, slurry spreading and reseeding needs. Any structural improvements or new builds on the farm are also left to the professionals, allowing them to concentrate solely on looking after their dairy herd.

Unlike many dairy farmers, the abolition of the EU milk quotas last year wasn't the motivation behind the Liston's decision to increase their herd size.

“For us, it was more to do with the availability of land,” Fiachra explains.

“We have been able to grow by investing gradually and being as efficient as possible. Having the right stock and keeping the cows on grass for as long as possible each year have been central to our herd growth. We use the maximum amount of grass and the minimum amount of feed. We reseed as often as we can and having slats and cubicles in our sheds enable us to keep infrastructure maintenance costs to a minimum.”

Fiachra isn't unduly concerned about the impact the lifting of the milk quotas will have on prices long-term.

“I don't think Ireland's increase in milk production will make a massive difference to the overall picture. We've always had troughs and peaks in this business and it just so happens that milk prices are poor at the moment. These things tend to balance themselves out over time and I've no doubt that the prices will come good again,” he concludes on a positive note.

Wishing Continued Success To Liston Farm, From

Michael O’Donoghue Agri Contractors

FCI Representative Limerick/Kerry

Croom, Co. Limerick Contact Michael 086-8784959 IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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FERGUS ROCHE T R A N S P O R T

Best Wishes To Liston Farm

Best Wishes & Continued Success To Liston Farm

Croom, Co. Limerick T: 061-397600 M:086-2575322 E: fergusroche@eircom.net

Best Wishes To Liston Farm, From

ACCOUNTANTS - TAX CONSULTANTS LIMITED

Provide A Complete Accounting Service To The Farming Community. Such Services Include:

Farm & Business Accounts • Management & Financial Accounts Interim Accounts • Income Tax/VAT Returns • Business Plans/Financial Planning • Business Consultancy Personal & Company Taxation • Business Start Up • Payroll Agri Consultancy • Complete Financial Services Contact us at any time Monday - Friday between 9.30 & 5.30

FDC House, 75 O’Connell St., Limerick Tel:061-404644 Fax:061-404634 Email: limerick@fdc.ie Area Manager Noel O’Connor

Shelton Contracting Ltd Best Wishes To All At Liston Farm, From

Agricultural Contractors

Tel:063-85939 Mobile: 086-2515595 Gortroe, Castletown, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick

Best Wishes To Liston Farm

B.F.S.

Detergent & Descaler Lacto Spray Uddermint Pegus Gain Top Spec Dungar Oats

11 O’Brien St., Tipperary Town. T/F: 062-82952 Joe Mobile: 087-2542087 Cathal 087-9754226 Email: cfsireland@eircom.net www.cfsireland.info

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Best Wishes & Continued Success To Liston Farm IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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Agri-business who, in conjunction with Teagasc, have organised open days on this exceptionally well-run farm in the past.

The family operates a very simple system that is founded on the principles of top-class facilities, excellent herd

health and a meticulous attention to detail. All facilities are developed with the aim of one man being able to handle 280 cows. Good cow health and genetics are key to keeping the system simple and minimising work. The six-week calving rate is about 85 per cent, with the

majority of the calves being born in February. The heifer calves are kept as replacements, while the bulls are sold to the mart at two / three weeks old. The breeding and condition scoring of the cows are other key factors in ensuring a healthy herd and getting them in calf.

Best Wishes to Fiachra & Aidan Liston, Ballycullen, Croom, Co. Limerick IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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The headquarters in Tralee, Co Kerry

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Ireland’s leading DeLaval dealer

ddie Slattery Dairy & Refrigeration Ltd in Tralee, Co Kerry has grown to become Ireland’s leading DeLaval dealer, so we felt it was time to catch up with company Sales Manager Derek O’Brien to find out more.

The origins of Eddie Slattery Dairy & Refrigeration Ltd date back to 1972 when north Kerry native joined Blennerhasset Brothers in Tralee. At that time, the Blennerhassets were the main Alfa Laval (now better known as DeLaval) dealers in Co Kerry.

Two years later, Eddie joined Alfa Laval

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and worked with them over the next seven Derek O’Brien filled us in a bit more years, initially as a serviceman before about the company. delving into their sales department.

“We’re based in Tralee, Co Kerry and the Before long Eddie would leave the company to set-up his own business venture, which saw him installing new CONTACT DETAILS milking parlours, servicing DeLaval milking systems and bulk tanks for Kerry Co-Op. Since that time, Eddie and his team of Eddie Slattery staff have grown a glowing reputation for Dairy & Refrigeration Ltd their outstanding service which caters for the needs of progressive milk producers.

Address: Unit D Mart Yard, Along with milking equipment, they also Árd na Sidhe, Carrigeendaniel, supply automatic yard scrapers, cow Tralee, Co. Kerry comfort and slat mats, power washers and a wide range of premium quality, dairy Phone: (066) 711 8800 detergents and teat dips.

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The company is based in Tralee, Co Kerry

current company was set-up in 2002,” explained Derek.

“Eddie has been in this line of work since back in 1972 though and his son Tommie is the Technical Director here.

We have 12 staff at the moment in total.”

He continued: “What we do here is basically milk machines and service tanks for Kerry Co-op. We have three lads working here full-time dedicated to servicing and fitting.

“We have 10 vans and two jeeps on the road and we cover the whole county – from Kenmare to north Kerry to the Dingle peninsula. We run a fleet of Nissans here and we’ve a mobile shop on the road too which calls to all of our farmers on a monthly basis.”

According to Derekkreidytransport@eircom.net, the work of a DeLaval dealer can often be quite varied and often challenging at times, ranging from installation of a new milking parlour to preventative maintenance programs and emergency repairs.

A prime example would be a farmer calling a serviceman at 7am in a panic with a plant broken down. Fortunately for the farmer, his servicemen are often able to diagnose and fix the problem over the IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

The company provide their services all over the Munster region

phone. This is then followed up later with a service call to repair or replace any problem component.

Eddie has a team of 11 capable men available which cover the entire north Kerry region and beyond. They are: Derek O’Brien, Ballymacelligot; Joseph Diggins, Causeway; Robert Bower and Tommie Slattery, Killarney; Paudie O’Callaghan, Rathmore; Kevin O’Sullivan, Castleisland; Kevin O’Dwyer, Freemount; Declan O’Callaghan, Causeway; Mike O’Connor, Ballyduff; Richard O’Mahony, Ballyheigue; Francis Cunningham, Ballyduff.

Those 11 men leave Eddie’s customers a phone call away from professional assistance and most clients can expect the emergency service within one hour of picking up the phone and calling.

The service men at Eddie Slattery Dairy & Refrigeration Ltd are all carefully trained by DeLaval engineers and accredited to a very high standard.

Tim Hussey of DeLaval Ltd and Eddie both continually stress the benefits of a milking parlour which is well maintained. The famers which avail of the preventative maintenance

programs have their plants and equipment serviced twice annually, so as they can sleep soundly as a costly breakdown during milking for them is unlikely.

All this adds up to the reason why business at the moment is thriving for

Best Wishes To Eddie Slattery Dairy & Refrigeration

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KINGDOM

Best Wishes To Eddie Slattery Dairy & Refrigeration, From

Co-Op Livestock Mart Carrigeendaniel Tralee, Co.Kerry

Tel: 066-7121738 PSRA No. 1587

General Cattle Sales Every Monday at 1.30pm Calves & Weanlings Every Tuesday Evening at 7.30pm

Best Wishes & Continued Success To Eddie Slattery Dairy & Refrigeration, From

Dublin Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois Tel:057-8680982/8680983 Mobile: 087-6623905 Fax:057-8681621 Email: jwrs@eircom.net

Best Wishes To Eddie Slattery Dairy & Refrigeration From

Liam Butler Farm Supplies

16

Best Wishes To Eddie Slattery Dairy & Refrigeration Alfco Engineering Ltd. Newtown, Trim, Co. Meath P: 353 (0)46 9431740F: 353 (0) 46 9436826 Email: info@alfco.ie www.alfco.ie IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

eddie slattery designed_Layout 1 01/06/2016 12:38 Page 4

The company supplies milk machines and service tanks for Kerry Co-Op

Eddie Slattery Dairy & Refrigeration employ 12 full-time staff

Eddie Slattery.

“Business is very good. We’ve recently installed robots for Dermot and Monica Flynn in Causeway and for Gerard O’Hanlon as well,” Derek stated.

“We do a lot of milking tanks here too and are providing customers with a service which is 24/7 and 365 days a year.”

Over the space of 12 months or so, Eddie Slattery Dairy & Refrigeration Ltd have installed five DeLaval VMS or Robots in Co Kerry.

The DeLaval VMS milking robots are renowned for their operating efficiency as well as their robust, around the clock performance. What is most impressive is that they enable you to harvest up to 3,000 litres of milk per day per robot and come as a standard with four quarter milking mastitis detection (MDi) milking analysis technology, among other things.

As aforementioned, the company have installed for Dermot and Monica Flynn, Causeway, Co Kerry, a 44 unit Parallel Rotary PR2100 complete feed to yield and a drafting system.

So why is it that Eddie Slattery’s customers continue to choose him first? The company’s MD cites two key reasons in his explanation.

“I think they choose us because of the quality of the product that we have here and the different options that we give them,” said Derek.

“Our business has grown hugely in the north Kerry area down through the years and we’re happy to report that we’re still experiencing busy times.”

Even throughout the economic downturn the company was managing well and Derek sees 2016 as being tough again.

However, he is confident that they’ll come through.

“This year is going to be a tester with the way milk prices are,” he said.

“Eddie has been going with DeLaval since 1972 and he is now the main dealer for them in Ireland, so there’s no arguing the company’s record of success. Hopefully we’ll continue to stay busy like we are at the moment and that things will eventually turn around with regards to milk prices and that.”

So if you’re looking for a reliable outfit to install your VMS machines or robots, look no further than Eddie Slattery Dairy and Refrigeration Ltd down in Tralee.

Features include...

®

Model Feeder 50

Corrosion resistant stainless steel feed measuring cylinder – delivers 0.5kg per ‘drop’.

Available as double (Type 50D) or single (Type 50S) versions with right or left hand build to suit the parlour layout.

Range of pneumatic controllers and tubing boxes offering a choice of control options.

Solenoid box available to integrate with all types of electronic panels.

System can be tubed for dual control.

ORBY dispensing mechanism provides for accurate, reliable and ‘pilfer-proof’ feeding.

Powered by compressed air for positive and responsive operation.

Push-in fittings used throughout for easy and simple installation.

For further information and prices contact your regular Milking Machine Agent or direct to the Manufacturers.

Orby Engineering Ltd.

Another project completed IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

26 Seagoe Industrial Estate,Portadown.Co. Armagh BT63 5QD Tel:028-3833 9145 F:028-3835 0540 E:info@orbyengineering.co.uk

Best Wishes To Eddie Slattery Dairy & Refrigeration 17

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Gary, Charles and Lee Beacom of Lakeview Pedigree Livestock

B

One of Northern Ireland’s premier breeders of elite pedigree sheep

ased in Fivemiletown, County Tyrone, Lakeview Farm specialises in breeding pedigree Suffolk and Bluefaced Leicester sheep. We caught up with Gary Beacom to find out more about this exceptional family business which has established itself as one of the island’s premier 18

pedigree sheep farms.

Lakeview Pedigree Livestock certainly isn’t your ordinary, everyday sheep farm.

Gary Beacom, who runs the elite operation alongside his father Charles and brother Lee, is widely recognised as a leading pedigree sheep breeder in Northern Ireland, synonymous with producing exceptionally high-quality

pedigree Suffolk and Bluefaced Leicester breeds.

He comes from generations of farmers, although he points out that it was only seven years ago that the family moved from the shores of lough Erne where the Lakeview prefix was born, Kesh, Co.Fermanagh to the Clogher Valley Farm: “This family farm which was purchased by my father, Charles in 2009 IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

lakeside designed_Layout 1 01/06/2016 09:52 Page 2

Lakeview’s pen of Suffolk lambs at the national show and sale in Shrewsbury, England, 2015.

and comprises of just over 100 acres all in one block on which we constructed a new purpose built pedigree livestock unit.”

“My dad kept suckler and dairy cows but due to health reasons in the late-90s he stopped milking. We established a flock of pedigree Suffolk Sheep in 1996 and kept sucklers and pedigree Belgian Blues up until 2013, at which point we decided to disperse the cows completely and increased the sheep numbers.”

At present, including ewes and lambs, the Beacom’s run up to 1,000 animals during peak times. This includes some 180 pedigree Suffolk ewes and hoggets, 75 pedigree Bluefaced Leicester ewes

and hoggets, and 300 cross ewes and hoggets, plus lambs. The cross ewes are kept mainly as recipients for embryos from the pedigree flocks.

Lakeview Pedigree Livestock is also renowned for carrying out extensive embryo transfer work and is one of the

biggest in the UK in this particular line, flushing some 30 pedigree ewes per year. Gary finds ET is a fantastic tool to help multiply elite genetics but at lakeview only ewes that have good maternal and commercial traits are selected for the flushing team.

CONTACT DETAILS

Lakeview Farm

97 Ballagh Road, Fivemiletown, County Tyrone.

Tel: 0044 7929 908510

E: lakeview_livestock@hotmail.co.uk Balmoral Supreme Champion 2014, 2015 and 2016.

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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Regarding Lakeview’s status as one of the largest and most celebrated pedigree sheep farms on the island, Gary notes: “There’s great ground in Clogher Valley and the land is ideal for livestock farming. There’s a good mix of farm types here; my neighbours would vary between dairy, suckler and sheep farmers.

“We specialise in elite pedigree stock as opposed to commercial sheep production. The majority of our stock is for the pedigree breeders market and are sold

predominantly at sales on the UK mainland. Our rams are sold from seven months old and go to the breeds National Show and Sale at Shrewsbury and Northern Area Show and Sale in Stirling, Kelso ram sales, while we also sell at breeding sales across the North of Ireland. We also sell around 100 pedigree females at sales, Balmoral in November and Carlisle in December, and have sold breeding stock into Belgium, Italy and Germany as well as across the UK and Ireland.

“We started attending a new sale in Carlisle last year and sold 37 females to average 1225gns, so we’d be hoping to sell 40-45 there every year from now on. We also sell some embryos of our betterbreeding ewes.”

Quality permeates everything that happens on Lakeview Farm and this requires significant investment of time, expertise and funds. The Beacom’s pay top price for their Suffolk breed stock ram every year – this had set them back 36,000gns, 25,000gns and

20,000gns respectively in the last three years alone.

The top prices received for rams at sales have been 15,000gns, 9,000gns, 7,000gns, while the top price recorded so far for females was 9,000gns – in December, 2015 whilst other females have sold at 7,800gns, 7,400gns, 7,200gns, 6,000gns.

“Myself, my father and my brother Lee all work here full time,” says Gary. “We do all the work ourselves, with the exception of seasonal labour at lambing time. We have a

Gary Beacom with Lakeview’s first-prize Bluefaced Leicester shearling ewe at Balmoral 2016

John Wiggins Agri Contracts Best Wishes To Lakeview Pedigree Livestock From

ROUND BALING • SLURRY & MANURE SPREADING UMBILICAL SLURRY WORK • HEDGECUTTING ETC

Telephohne+44 7771 617202 Clabby, Fivemiletown, Co. Tyrone BT75 ORS

20

Niall Walsh’s NZ Easyrams Suffolks

Wishing Continued Success To Lakeview Pedigree Livestock From

Quality Stock For Sale Tel:0505 44369 Mobile: 087-9088544 E:niallwalsh27@gmail.com

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

lakeside designed_Layout 1 01/06/2016 09:53 Page 4

Lakeview Pedigree Livestock’s impressive new unit in Clogher Valley.

purpose-built unit here and that leaves the labour load a good bit lighter.”

The sheep are housed from end November until early spring and go out to grass from mid-February, with lambing taking place in the first two weeks of January and the first week in February and March. Diets are strongly supplemented by haylage and high-quality feeds, sourced mainly from nearby Fane Valley Feeds.

The operation runs like clockwork and sheep breeding at this elite level is more akin to science than traditional farming.

“Everything is programmed and pre-planned,” Gary confirms.

Best Wishes & Continued Success To Lakeview Pedigree Livestock From ANIMAL EQUIPMENT POLYDOME PRODUCTS STEEL STRUCTURES ROOFING MATERIALS MACHINERY HAY & STRAW

Tattynuckle Road, Fivemiletown, Co. Tyrone Tel: +44 (0)28 8952 1170 or +44 (0)75 4514 4480

www.bothwellfarmsupplies.com

“For example, I always know the dates for AI and for lambing in advance and we can plan our helpers etc. around that. You have to be constantly thinking ahead and keep everything ticking over smoothly.”

Going forward, Gary intends to tweak the business model somewhat, moving more and more towards breeding 100% pedigree sheep, both Suffolk and Bluefaced Leicester. “The changes I intend to make are to increase the size of the pedigree flocks and to decrease the amount of embryo transfer work carried out.”

Lakeview Farm has been selected as Supreme Suffolk Champion at the Balmoral Show six times and was reserve champion twice, having won the Championship the last 4 consecutive years. This kind of prestigious recognition is indicative of the elite pedigree stock being bred on a consistent basis by the Beacom’s in Fivemiletown.

“We are breeding Suffolk sheep with a better carcass now and have been concentrating on clean black hair, tight skins with no wool on head or legs. This results in more vigorous lambs and daughters that are milking better.”

“The Suffolk breed is coming back strong, Ive used all breeds of continental rams over the the years on our cross bred flock, and couldn't find any of them to compete with the suffolk growth rates or the suffolk hardiness against bad spring weather” Gary concludes. “There is a lot of enthusiasm for both the suffolk and blue faced Leicester breed amongst the younger breeders coming into the industry and its a great time to be breeding elite pedigree stock.”

Clogher Valley Livestock Mart Best Wishes & Continued Success To

Lakeview Pedigree Livestock From

“Tyrone’s Largest Livestock Market”

Tel:028-8224 3221 www.fanevalleyfeeds.com Continued Best Wishes To Lakeview Pedigree Livestock IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Thursday - Sheep Sales | Saturdays - Cattle Sales 44 Station Rd., Clogher, Co. Tyrone BT76 OAH

Tel:028-855 48279 /028-855 48500 F:028-855 48828

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Whites Land Drainage have inter drain machines

Years of experience in the field W

e caught up with Derry White of Derry White Agri Contractors who has grown the business from modest beginnings and built up an extensive fleet of tractors and associated machinery.

Derry White Agri Contractors is a family run contracting business based in Broadford, Co Limerick and they have been successfully delivering and developing their agricultural contracting services for over four decades.

Set up in 1973, their simple aim is customer satisfaction and repeat business, which they have thankfully been able to sustain each year.

With over 40 years experience in both farming and the use of CONTACT DETAILS machinery, proprietor Derry White can provide Derry White Agri the best agricultural Contractors contracting services at competitive prices, Mount Plummer which means his Broadford Co. Limerick customers can get the Tel: (063) 84061/(087) job done quickly and 254 9993 efficiently at minimum

22

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

white agri designed_Layout 1 01/06/2016 12:51 Page 2

Derry White Agri Contractors at work

cost.

Derry and his seven employees pride themselves on offering the best agricultural contracting services possible. They can ensure your job, no matter how big or small, is completed to the highest level.

They have a fleet of modern and up to date machinery which means they have

the latest technology to complete a variety of agricultural operations. Their range of services is broad and flexible but silage and slurry are specialities.

“We cover a 30 mile radius and, thankfully, we've been busy in recent times,” Derry revealed when speaking to Irish Tractor & Agri magazine. “We're lucky in that many of our customers are

long standing and have remained very loyal to us down through the years.”

There is more than one string to Derry's bow as he also runs, in conjunction with his wife Ita, sons Jeremiah and Gavin, and daughter, Brenda, Whites Land Drainage as well as Whites Skip Hire from their Broadford base.

Whites Land Drainage is proud to be

Minimally invasive land drainage IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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white agri designed_Layout 1 01/06/2016 12:52 Page 3

Continued Best Wishes To

Best Wishes To Derry & The Team

Derry White Agri, From

The services provided include all your environment health and safety consulting and training needs

Waste Facility Permits | Waste Collections Permits Safety Statements | Risk Assessments Manual Handling Training | Forklift Training & much more..

Dromard, Rathkeale, Co. Limerick Tel:086-608 6117 | Email: info@fahyenvironmental.ie

Specialists in the Recycling Industry

www.fahyenvironmental.ie

Best Wishes & Continued Success To

Derry White Agri

Robert Cussen & Son From

Unit B5, Airside Enterprise Centre, Swords,Co. Dublin.

Tel: 01-840 40 12 info@fingalins.ie www.fingalinsurance.ie Fingal Insurance Group Ltd is regulated by The Central Bank of Ireland

Wishing Continued Success To Derry White Agri, From Specialists In Automobile Electrical & Fuel Injection Repairs Stockist of Gates Hydraulic Hoses TACOGRAPH CENTRE SPEED LIMITER CENTRE Agricultural & Commercial Oils Batteries | Starters |Alternators & Filters Gortboy, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick Tel: (069) 61373 • Fax: (069) 61181 Email: westautoelectrics@eircom.net

Best Wishes To Derry White Agri

Solicitors

North Quay, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick V42 V803 Tel:+353 (0)69 62066 Fax:+353 (0)69 62413 Email: info@robertcussen.ie

www.robertcussen.ie

Síle O’Halloran, B.B.S., C.P.A. Consultant

James F. O’Halloran F.C.P.A. A.I.T.I.

Mill Road, Ennis, Co. Clare Tel:065-6829955 Fax:065-6820551

E:ohalloranaccountants@eircom.net

Continued Best Wishes To Derry White Agri

For All Your

Farming News www.irishtractor.ie

24

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

white agri designed_Layout 1 01/06/2016 12:52 Page 4

one of the very few companies in Ireland to sport inter drain machines and with these machines they are better equipped to dig drains with little damage to fields.

The team at Whites Drainage do this by digging, laying pipe and filling the drain all at once. In conjunction with their accurate field planning and mapping system, this helps reduce traffic on the site and means that in wet or dry conditions your field will be workable as quick as possible after the job.

“My father, Richard White, was in contracting and branched into land drainage in the fifties,” Derry explained.

“I look after that end of the business myself as it's an old timers job!” he added laughing.

“I started off doing it in the early eighties but, as the years went on, there wasn't much of a demand for that service. Then in the summer of 2009 it was obvious to me that a lot of the land had slipped backwards over time. I went out and bought a drainer that winter and have been quite busy ever since.”

Whites Skip Hire, meanwhile, provide a range of tailored services to both small and large companies.

Their waste management services range from 24/7 scheduled collection to on-site recycling programmes and the supply of specialised waste containers and equipment.

Providing skip and bin hire to commercial industries and businesses as IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

well as to private householders, Whites is one of Limerick's leading independent waste recycling companies offering services throughout the county.

They are renowned as a fully compliant respected industry expert that have the environment and health and safety as a major priority.

“We established the skip and bin hire business in 1999 and we've noticed an upturn in business in recent years as the economy recovers.”

Derry White's professional experience

and clear understanding of his customers individual needs has allowed them to have complete confidence in him for the last 43 years.

His family run businesses provide a friendly and trustworthy service that has seen great returns for them and their customers.

Derry White Agri Contractors, for instance, provide the farmer with a cost effective and useful alternative for many of their farming operations.

Give Derry a call to find out more.

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JR Perry designed_Layout 1 01/06/2016 12:42 Page 1

J

Top-class machinery sales and servicing with a personal touch

R Perry Ltd. is a longestablished family business that has been offering unrivalled agricultural machinery solutions to farmers and contractors across Kildare and surrounding counties for more than half a century. We revisited their Athy head office and touched base once more with managing director Stephen Perry to find out how this outstanding, customer-focused company had adapted to meet the needs of its discerning customer base.

Renowned specialists in harvest and tillage farm machinery, JR Perry Ltd. supply new and used farm machinery

26

from a number of leading manufacturers as well as providing an exceptional backup service. They are main New Holland dealers for Kildare and also hold a number of other well-known franchises including Vaderstad, Quicke, Kverneland, Kuhn, Berthoud, Abbey, Bargam, Rossmore, Sulky and Vicon.

A full range of farm machinery equipment is provided including tractors, combine harvesters, forage harvesters, balers, telehandlers, drills, ploughs, cultivators, power harrows, sprayers, fertiliser spreaders, mowers, rakes, rollers, tankers, feeders, hedge cutters etc. and JR Perry provide full servicing solutions for all agri gear, with a huge selection of spare parts ready and available for immediate fitting / dispatch.

The customer always comes first and

breakdown / repair services are available around the clock, with the company’s fully-kitted mobile response units on call 24/7. The highest levels of customer care have resulted in decades of repeat business and – in tandem with the best

CONTACT DETAILS JR Perry Ltd.,

Kildare Road, Athy, County Kildare.

Tel: 059 8631411 Fax: 059 8631415 Email: sperryathy@eircom.net Web: www.jrperry.ie IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

JR Perry designed_Layout 1 01/06/2016 12:42 Page 2

new and used machinery that money can buy – have resulted in JR Perry Ltd. weathering many economic storms to continue providing clients old and new with optimal products and services.

“There’s no doubt the tractor market has declined but we are hanging in there and continue to offer our customers the latest and best products on the market,” says managing director Stephen Perry. Some of the exciting developments at JR Perry of late include the introduction of Tier 4B engine technology to tractors; the launch of the impressive new range of New Holland FR forage harvesters; and a magnificent new line-up of combines with new engines on board for this season.

Offering ultimate capacity where throughput is king, superior harvest quality, lower operating costs and absolute driving pleasure, New Holland has been at the forefront of the forage harvesting sector for over half a century with a whole host of pioneering industry firsts that have revolutionised the way you forage today. New Holland Forage Harvester owners are spoiled for choice in the five-model range with powers ranging from 450hp(CV) right up to the mighty 824hp(CV) of the flagship FR850 model.

Industry-leading chopping performance has been married to outstanding operator comfort in the form of the IntelliView™ IV monitor.

Significantly improved capacity and productivity result from better crop flow, which are all wrapped up in a sleek and tapered design which has New Holland written all over it.

“All the equipment come with the latest engines to comply with all emissions laws and also to maximise power and performance. We supply great, efficient and cost-effective products and IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

we also give a strong back-up service on everything we sell.

“The recession has hit everybody hard and these are undoubtedly challenging times for farmers but we are still open for business and we can offer very attractive financing packages on new tractors and machinery.”

Many dealers didn’t make it through the downturn; those who did should come out stronger and more efficient than ever. “You have to cut your cloth to measure,” says Stephen. “Look, it’s not ideal.

It’s been a difficult few years but, as a business, we have been through difficult times before and have come out the other side. We’ll do so again.”

JR Perry’s track record is second to none and they have been consistently delivering the goods for their customers – literally! - for 54 years and counting, establishing themselves as one of Leinster’s premier importers and distributors of agricultural machinery. The Athy-based dealership has been a main New Holland dealer for four-and-a-half decades.

The genesis of JR Perry goes back to 1962 when it was established by John R Perry, who handed the reins over to his son Stephen in 2006. The current MD has been working in the family business since 1980.

“New Holland is very much our major player and we have a long-standing association with them. We’ve had the blue tractors here since 1972 and the New Holland harvester dealership would cover Kildare, Wicklow, Laois, Carlow and parts of Tipp, while the tractor dealership covers Kildare and Carlow and parts of Wicklow and Laois.”

At any given time, JR Perry Ltd. stocks a vast range of second-hand equipment, including everything from tractors and harvesters to ploughs, spreaders and sprayers, tillage equipment,

Stephen Perry has been fronting the family business for a decade

The Perry family offer a customer-focussed service from their Athy base

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JR Perry designed_Layout 1 01/06/2016 12:42 Page 3

PERRY MOTORS LTD.

NEW VEHICLES | USED CARS | VAN HIRE PARTS & SERVICE | TYRE CENTRE FORD AUTHORISED REPAIRER

DUBLIN ROAD, ATHY, CO.KILDARE Tel:059-8631095 Wishing Continued Success To JR Perry Ltd Best wishes to JR Perry Ltd from all the team in our Carlow office

Haulage Insurance | Commercial Insurance Equestrian Insurance

Lo-Call 0818 22 3000 www.wrightcover.ie

email info@wrightcover.ie

Offices Carlow, Wexford & Gorey

T Prendergast Wright Group Brokers t/a Wright Insurance Brokers, Wrightcover is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland

DJT O’Brien Brothers Agri Ltd

Wishing Continued Success To JR Perry Ltd

Continued Best Wishes To JR Perry Ltd, From

Agri Contractors LTD Dangan, Golden, Cashel, Co. Tipperary Tel: 062-72238 Fax: 062-72692

Contact Tommy 087-2524528 | Gary 086-2524528

Best Wishes & Continued Success To JR PERRY LTD From

28

www.irishtractor.ie

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

JR Perry designed_Layout 1 01/06/2016 12:42 Page 4

JR Perry Ltd. has been serving farmers in Kildare for more than half a century

grassland equipment, balers, telehandlers etc.

The servicing department provides full servicing on all makes and models of machinery, while a next-day delivery service is provided on all parts

Very much part and parcel of the local agri community, JR Perry Ltd. have looked after their customers extremely well down through the years, nay decades. Alongside superb new and used equipment, they have been here

providing an exceptional level of service for more than half a century and the signs are encouraging that they will be supplying local farmers and contractors with excellent solutions for many more years to come.

JR Perry carries a full range of tractors and farm machinery.

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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B

Fast track to success

eing a successful horse trainer is made up of many ingredients that can take years to formulate correctly.

However, for some, they have that ‘knack’ from early on in their careers.

Kerry native Michael O’Callaghan is a relatively ‘new kid on the block’ as he has only been training full time for the past two years.

CONTACT DETAILS

Crotanstown Stud, Lumville, The Curragh, Co. Kildare R56 PN27 T: +353 (0)45 456502.

M: +353 (0) 87 955 0771.

F: +353 (0)45 456504.

E: michael@michaelocallaghan.ie

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Knoxville Bullet in action at Tipperary IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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Nonetheless, Michael could not have asked for a better 2015 as he trained no fewer than 15 winners throughout the flat season.

“I was delighted with the way that last year went. We set a target of 15 wins for

The Gallops on the Curragh

the year and to achieve that was just remarkable for all the team here,” said Michael.

The wins included many firsts for the team who train out of the famed Crotanstown Stud which is located in the

Father and Son Michael O’Callaghan snr and Michael jnr IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Curragh and has been home to 12 Classic winners down through the years.

“We had our first stakes winner Letters Of Note and our first Group winner, Blue De Vega, both for Sheikh Fahad Al Thani through his Qatar Racing and Pearl Bloodstock banners.”

Other winners included Now Or Never, in the colours of the Now or Never Partnership, added a gutsy Group 2 second to her Galway Maiden success in the Futurity Stakes, while the Military Syndicate’s Military Angel was placed four times in Group or Listed company last season.

Other season highlights for the team were the brilliant but ill-fated State Of Emergency’s two wins and the successes of our homebreds, Moral High Ground and Maknificent, who flew the flag for both Rangefield Stud and the yard here at Crotanstown.

These wins have certainly put Michael firmly on the racing map and the goals for 2016 have increased as has the numbers of horses that he is currently training.

“The aim is to improve on last year and set ourselves higher targets. We’ve doubled the number of horses here to 50 this year. We will have in the region of 200 runners this year, so it is going to be

31

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Wishing Continued Success To Michael O’Callaghan Bluefrog is a heat sterilised, totally dust free, virgin wood shaving. Using only pine from sustainable untreated sources.

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Fastidious in action in Dundalk

a busy time for us.”

Michael’s success last year was certainly no fluke as he has learned from the best. Beginning his trade with Tom Cooper in Tralee before moving on to the renowned Coolmore Stud and then working for the National Stud where he made the decision that he wanted to become a trainer.

“I picked up a lot of experience over the years and I rented a farm where I was buying and selling colts that won maidens.

I decided to keep hold of them started to train them myself. I was a restricted trainer before getting my licence.

“With the help of my father Michael Snr, there was only one kreidytransport@eircom.netplace we could think of that would

t: 02882 257 340 | f: 02881 662 197 enquiries@boydbedding.com www.boydbedding.com

laghan From

ichael O’Cal

M Best Wishes To

Powerstown Stud

Best Wishes To Michael O’Callaghan From All At

Powerstown, Goresbridge, Kilkenny E: powerstownstud@gmail.com Connections of Bainne celebrate at the Curragh

Tel:059-9775672

Wishing Continued Success To Michael O’Callaghan From

For All HORSE WALKERS, LUNGING RINGS AND HARROWS

Letters of Note in full stride at Dundalk

32

ODON Equestrian, Knockgorm, Midleton, Co Cork Tel 021 4652972 Fax 021 4651900 Email: odonequestrian@eircom.net

www.odonequest.com

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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Now or Never galloping down the final stretch at Galway Another winner in Dundalk as Indian Tomahawk takes the plaudits

Moral High Ground edges in front at Navan

give us the best opportunity of training winners and that was the Curragh.”

Michael and his father jumped at the chance of moving into the famed Crotanstown Stud yard and he admits that they have the best facilities in the world at their disposal.

“There is no doubt but these are some of the world’s best facilities for horse training here in the Curragh. In the yard itself, we have 65 boxes. We also have a number of paddocks

Blue De Vega strides to victory at Leopardstown IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

which allow us to get our horses out on grass regularly. We take pride in breaking all of our own yearlings.

“We also have the use of such facilities as a Laboratory, Heart Rate & GPS Systems, Hydrotherapy Spa, two horse walkers, Weighing Scales, Starting Stalls, Vibrating Floor, Lunging Ring, Large Sand Menage, Fully Floodlit and access to a 50m Equine swimming pool.”

Michael’s reputation received another huge boost earlier this year when it was announced that top class rider Kieren Fallon would be riding out for him this year.

Fallon has previously ridden as stable jockey to Sir Henry Cecil, Sir Michael Stoute and Aidan O'Brien as well as linking up with the likes of Godolphin and Luca Cumani in the past.

The 51-year-old rider counts three Derby successes on his record, as well as two Prix de l'Arc de Triomphes - experience O'Callaghan feels will be invaluable.

Michael said: “Kieren Fallon is one of the world’s most accomplished jockeys. He has been British champion six times and has won big races all over the world. I am thrilled that he has agreed to join our team. It is a real coup for our yard.”

Fallon also said at the time of the announcement that the move would be good for both parties: "Irish racing is up there with the best in the world and, even while I was in America, I have been following the scene here. Michael is a trainer going places and I jumped at the opportunity to get involved with his yard. He has a super set-up here on the Curragh, a smashing group of horses and excellent staff. This is a good move for me."

There are many role models in Irish racing for Michael to look up too, but there are a few in particular that he believes stand out from the rest.

“Jim Bolger would be someone that I would admire greatly.

He built up the yard from nothing and he is one of the most successful trainers ever. Henry Cecil is another who has been at the top of his game for many years, while Aidan O’Brien’s record speaks for itself.

“It’s up to us to set our targets and reach our goals and with the help of the dedicated staff here, I feel we can achieve those goals.”

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Sean the sheep farmer 34

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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A

s well as being one of Cork's best-known sheep farmers, Sean Dennehy is IFA sheep chairman of Cork Central and a member of the national sheep committee.

Sean and his wife Colette farm nearly 250 acres, which is owned and rented, in Shandangan, Carrigadrohid, which is in Cork's Muskerry and Lee Valley regions. They have three children, Nicola (17), Laura (14) and Robert (11), who help with the day-to-day running of the farm.

Sean's late father Jerry, who was a native of Rathmore, Co. Kerry, started farming in Carrigadrohid after returning from the US in 1966. Having initially farmed cattle, pigs and sheep, the Dennehy's have been concentrating on sheep for a number of years now.

CONTACT DETAILS Sean Dennehy

IFA Sheep Chairman of Cork Central, Shandangan, Carrigadrohid, Co. Cork.

Telephone: 087 8103406 IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

There are 920 breeding ewes, 250 ewe lambs, 40 rams and five teaser rams, not to mention a whole batch of spring born lambs, to be found on the farm at present.

The breeding ewes are a mixture of Belclare and Suffolk, while the rams consist of Belclare, Suffolk, Texel and Welsh Lleyn. The lambs which aren't kept as replacements are supplied to Macroombased craft butcher Michael Twomey, with the surplus going to Kildare Chilling through factory agent Brendan Kelleher. Sean has a contract with his local butcher to supply 25 Sean Dennehy with his son Robert lambs per week, while he supplies his wool to sample what is being produced right Daniel Buckley in Millstreet. here in the Lee Valley. Irish lamb is the “By selling our lambs locally, we can best in the world and we want as many take satisfaction from the fact that we people as possible to enjoy it.” doing our bit for the local economy. I'm a The Dennehy's are coming off the back firm believer in supporting the business of another busy lambing season which community locally,” he says. began on February 17 and finished on “It also allows local consumers to April 20. About 150 ewes lambed every

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week, with many of them having twins and triples.

“We've had a reasonable lambing season, but the weather and slow grass growth made the lambing very difficult,” the affable sheep farmer reports.

“The weather always has a big bearing, especially when the ewes are lambing outdoors. When the weather is bad, it can lead to some losses.

“The health and condition of the ewes is another important element in having a good lambing season. In any given year, one of the most important tasks carried out pre-lambing is scanning the ewes.

The ewes will then be fed according to litter size.

“Ewes with single lambs are fed on a restricted grass diet to reduce the prospect of the lamb being too big at birth. Ewes having twins get a flat rate feed of half a kilo of concentrates, and grass ad-lib, in the last four weeks prior to lambing. Barren ewes are identified and re-scanned at a later date. If any barren ewes are found at that second scanning, they are sold to the factory.”

He continues: “Twins are lambed outsides and singles and triplets are lambed indoors. We're geared for sheep on this farm, except for housing which is minimal for the size of the flock. We have three loose sheds for housing as well as a lambing penning shed.”

The Dennehy family has been breeding sheep since 1984.

Nowadays, the flock is divided between Belclare and Suffolk cross ewes. This year, the main flock scanned nearly two lambs per ewe and out of 250 ewe lambs, 200 proved in lamb.

Nearly all of these are rearing lambs at present.

When he's not busy on the farm, Sean is fighting the cause of local sheep farmers through is involvement with the IFA's National Sheep Committee. Sean is in his third year as sheep chairman of Cork Central and attends about 20 meetings a year at local and national level. It's a role he enjoys, despite the current challenges and difficulties facing Irish sheep farmers.

“The IFA Sheep Committee is committed to campaigning for more support for the industry. Compared to the higher profile dairy and beef sectors, we are small, yet sheep meat exports still contribute nearly €300 million to the Irish economy.”

At national and EU level, the IFA Sheep Committee lobbies

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

on behalf of all sheep farmers on the issues of critical importance to members such as incomes, lamb prices and sheep support. The priority issues for the Committee are: strong lamb prices; adequate sheep support payments; a fairer system of EU sheep policy; a positive hill sheep policy involving GLAS and ANC payments; strong opposition to lamb imports under WTO. The national chairman is John Lynksey from Co. Mayo, with Peter Shields from Co. Louth vice-chair.

“We have been lobbying the Government since last June for a sheep support payment of €20 per ewe for active producers and we had success recently when securing funding for a €10 per ewe payment and restoration of ANC payments to pre2008 levels, the whole package being worth €50 million. We also got sheep fencing re-included in TAMS II. It was a team effort with all the members of the IFA sheep committee lobbying their local TDs and highlighting the need for a sheep support payment.

“Something I have a major gripe with relates to the weight of spring lambs going into factories. It would make a big different to producers if this was raised from 20kg to 21kg. Strong lamb prices and increased weight are essential to restore profitability to the sheep sectors and the IFA will continue to put pressure on processors and retailers to return maximum prices from the market back to producers.”

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From left to right are the company staff; Willie Deacon, Ciaran Roberts, Brian Robers, John Roberts (proprietor) and Declan Murphy

A family aair 38

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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A

pproaching 25 years in business, Roberts Engines in Clonegal, Co Wexford continues to thrive under the leadership and management of its founder, John Roberts. Irish Tractor & Agri caught up with the man himself to get an insight of the business.

Established in 1992, Roberts Engines is a family run business based just outside Wexford’s Enniscorthy in the village of Clonegal.

The company provides a nationwide service for its customers and its manager John Roberts has been in this field of work since 1976.

Having served his time as a fitter/ turner, John established a one man engine shop back in 1992 which he has built up to one of Ireland’s leading engine reconditioning businesses with the help of his two sons Brian and Ciaran, along with other staff members.

Roberts Engines boasts an up to date workshop and thanks to the company’s facilities, they can provide an impeccable service for customers all over Ireland.

They machine all engine components themselves and supply a vast quantity of engine parts.

A Clonegal native born and bred, John gave us some insight to his decision to start up his own company all those years ago and run it himself from his home village.

“We’re here in Clonegal, which is outside Enniscorthy in Co Wexford,” said John.

“We started up in 1992 and before that I had worked in a similar line of work fixing engines and that for 15 years. It got to a point then where it just made sense for me to go out on my own and I haven’t looked back since, thankfully.

“At the moment, there are six of us working here altogether, between fitting and everything. I’ve two sons working with me as well that help run the business.”

John’s own background had seen him working as a fitter and he admits that he

hadn’t had much experience in farming until he began to break down and repair engines for some of the local famers around Clonegal.

Nowadays, he is the first man many farmers around Enniscorthy will come to when they have a problem with their tractor engines, after having built up a solid reputation through the work he had carried out for them through the past two-and-a-half decades.

“I didn’t come from a farming background at all, but I’d know a good few local farmers around here,” he said.

“I started at it when I was 17 and served my time working in a local mill.

Eventually I got out and was able to go out on my own and since that time I’ve been at this.”

Roberts Engines cater for engines in the industrial, commercial, marine and agricultural sectors and this time of year in particular sees them concentrating heavily on the latter sector.

“Basically what we do is re-building engines every week. We remove them from tractors and then re-manufacture them as well. If they can be exchanged we will do that too,” the managing director explained.

As for business at the moment, John

says he “can’t complain”, citing the fact that they’re willing to work practically anywhere in the Republic of Ireland as a major bonus.

2016 has been reasonably busy for John and co thus far and they’re now gearing up for the hectic summer months when their phones will be hoping with busy silage cutters on the other end of the line.

“Tractors are breaking down all the time and that more or less means that we’ll be kept busy through our customers,” he stated.

“The first year I started it was hard to get going, to be honest. It took time to build up a customer base, like any business I suppose, but thankfully we’re doing okay at the moment.

“We go up as far as Monaghan, Cavan and Longford. We wouldn’t cross the border all that often but we have probably covered all of the 26 southern counties at this stage when it comes to the work we’ve done.”

The downturn didn’t have a huge effect on John’s business either, with many local farmers having kept their older tractors maintained regularly rather than splashing out on new machinery.

It made for busy times for John and his

CONTACT DETAILS

Roberts Engines

Address: Leinster View Johnstown, Clonegal, Bunclody, Co Wexford Tel: 053 9377834

Web: RobertsEngines.ie E-mail: info@robertsengines.ie IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Roberts Engines is one of Ireland’s leading engine reconditioning outfits

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John Roberts established the company in 1992

staff during those years, as the man himself explained.

“It (the economic downturn) never really affected us. This line of work will always keep you busy because engines will continue to breakdown,” said the Clonegal man.

“During the recession not as any farmers we’re buying new machinery, which means that the older engines would have to be maintained, so that would have kept us busy.”

More than most, John relies on repeat business from his customers and that stems from two things he feels his company does better than most competitors.

“A fella could come back to me after 10 or 15 years from when I last did an engine for him,” John outlined.

“Naturally, I’d be picking up customers as I go along too, but we do rely on repeat business a lot here – there’s no arguing that.”

He continued: “We feel that we’re very competitive price-wise and there is plenty of opposition in this line of work. But I think the main reasons why our customers choose us first is because of our fair price and our reliability.”

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Roberts Engines are now coming towards the busiest months of the calendar, which will likely lead them taking on more men, if necessary.

“As you could imagine, the silage season would be our busiest time of year,” John illustrated. “We are flat out from May until August and that would lead to our summer time staff coming in as well, so we’re certainly putting in long hours during those months.”

Time is money in any line of work and when it comes to every engine, John makes sure to take his time and ensure that the job’s done right.

“A big engine takes longer to do, maybe twice as long,” he said.

“In the busy time we could be doing anywhere between six to eight engines a week, which means longer hours. There’s no going home at 6pm; we’d be staying up all night to get it done.”

That’s what customers like to hear and, with that in mind, it’s not hard to understand why Roberts Engines will soon be celebrating 25 years.

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Trumera, Mountrath, Co. Laois 41

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Frankie and his team are renowned for reliability

F

Great Gowing

or seven decades, the Gowing family in Killeigh, County Offaly has been providing superb agri contracting services to farming families in the local community. We travelled to the midlands and caught up with Richard Gowing, known locally as Frankie to discuss the history and current well-being of this exceptional enterprise.

Gowing Agri Contractors is an integral part of life in and around Killeigh, a scenic rural village located approximately six kilometres south of Tullamore in County Offaly. For almost three-quarters of a century, the Gowing family has offered local farmers dependable and affordable agri contracting solutions, a tradition which is being maintained today by Frankie Gowing.

Reflecting on the genesis of the family’s

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highly-regarded contracting service, he notes: “My late father, Frank, established the contracting business. He started contracting over 65 years ago, in and around 1950. He traded under his own name and we changed it to Gowing Agri Contracting after I took over.”

Frankie has been involved in the family business for forty years now and he admits that he took to it like the proverbial duck to water. “I was born and bred into it and I’ve always had a great interest in it,” he confirms.

Like the vast majority of contractors, Frankie also runs his own family farm.

Alongside his wife Carol and family Emma and Ben, he owns some 80 acres and rents an additional 100. Dry stock and cereal is the name of the game at home… “We used to sow sugar beet but we now do fodder beet instead, which we sell to local farmers,” the amiable Offaly man adds.

As for the contracting, Frankie provides a wide range of services to his customers.

“My father would have started out mainly doing dung spreading, ploughing, sowing corn and baling hay,” he explains. “Today, we do ploughing, sowing corn, harvesting corn, pit and bale-wrap silage, a good bit of slurry, hedge cutting, sowing and harvesting fodder beet, and we also do a lot of fertilizer spreading and cereal spraying. We try to cover as many

CONTACT DETAILS Gowing Agri Contractors Killeigh, Co. Offaly Tel: 057 9344115

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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Frankie Gowing operates a fleet of six tractors

aspects of it as we can.”

“Most of the work is within a 20-mile radius and we try to stay within that.

We keep it local and focus on providing our customers with the best possible service. We’d be associated with a lot of families here for a number of years and decades. Most of our clients are regular customers who we’ve been dealing with for a long time.”

When customers stick with you, it’s as good an endorsement of your services as you could ask for – proof that quality solutions are being provided. At the end of the day, it’s a competitive world we live in and customers won’t return unless they are being looked after.

“I suppose it’s a combination of everything,” says Frankie, when asked what does he attribute the longevity of these vital relationships. “There’s a lot of loyalty involved in it as well. I always try to get to each customer as soon as I can, so reliability is definitely a big thing – and I look after them as well as I can. That’s the way it has been here the whole time.

“Reliability and quality of work are two of our strengths and I take great pride in the work we do. Every job gets my undivided attention and I make sure it’s done right.”

In order to provide a quality service, dependable equipment is a prerequisite. To this end, Frankie runs a fleet of six tractors; four Massey Fergusons and two John Deeres. The IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

newest is an 11-reg and there are also two ‘07s, an ’04, an ’03 and a ’96. All the tractors are regularly serviced in-house and maintained in immaculate condition at all times.

Frankie also operates a hugelyversatile JCB TM320 Agri with an array of attachments, a pair of John Deere combines, a John Deere forage harvester, a one-pass for sowing corn, a McHale baler and wrapper for silage and a Krone mower.

Regarding his tendency to purchase only the very best gear, he states: “When you stick with names like John Deere

and Massey Ferguson, you know you have very reliable tractors and machinery. You can avoid downtime and keep them running. There’s no point buying cheaper makes and taking a chance that you could run into problems with them. In this game, you have to

An excellent service is provided within a 20-mile radius of Killeigh

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keep moving so you need equipment that won’t let you down.

“Of course, it takes a lot of time and investment to keep it all up to date and firing on all cylinders but that’s part and parcel of contracting. You also try to make sure that you have something to do all year around. I have one man working full time here and then seasonal workers depending The Gowings have been contracting on the work load so we do a for over 65 years good bit of hedge cutting during the winter to keep things ticking along.”

Then there’s the home farm to look after as well, so there’s always work to be done. “It’s a challenge to juggle everything, that’s why I stick with the dry stock,” says Frankie. “I do store-to-beef, which doesn’t take up too much time and ties in nicely with the contracting.

My wife and kids help out feeding them in the evenings, so it’s a family effort.”

With farmers currently under intense pressure due to low Frankie has been involved in the family business for 40 years prices being paid to primary producers, Frankie admits that Continued Best Wishes To Gowing Agri Contractors these are concerning times for everyone involved in the agri From sector. “It’s having an impact for sure and my guess is that it will have an even bigger impact down the road. It’s hard to know where it’s all going to end. Grain prices and dairy prices are way back and tillage and dairy between them account for most of our business, so there’s a lot of uncertainty there at the moment. We’re depending so much on world market prices Specialising In now, so it’s hard to call. It’s out of our hands, really.”

Sales & Service Of All Leading Brands All that farmers and contractors can do is roll up their sleeves and soldier on. “We’ll keep going,” Frankie concludes. “I’m confident that if we keep providing the same service, that there will be demand for it. Somebody has to provide it and I’m in the game a long time now and have a good reputation and all the Bracklone St., Portarlington, Co. Laois Tel:057-8623177 machinery. As long as it’s there to be done. I’ll keep doing it.”

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44

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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Cedar Tree Services

W

hen it comes to tree removal and cutting, few outfits are more professional and reliable than Cedar Tree Services up in Co Donegal.

Irish Tractor & Agri caught up with company co-owner Jason McDaid to learn more about the business.

The tree service industry is one of those where safety is paramount and for Donegal native Jason McDaid it is a motto that he has always abided by.

Involved in the business all of his working life, Jason took the initiative to go out on his own eight years back and co-founded Cedar Tree Services, which now primarily carries out contract work for the Electricity IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Cedar Tree Services has been established since 2008

Supply Board (ESB) all year round. positive for Jason and Kevin’s company Jason and fellow co-owner Kevin Dolan and something to build on over the ensuing have been immersed in the business ever years. since and the former gave us some insight The services that they provide see them into the ins and outs of Cedar Tree Services.

“We’re based in Ballybofey in Co Donegal CONTACT DETAILS and we’re established since 2008,” explained Jason.

“We’ve four staff working here at present Cedar Tree Services and myself and Kevin Dolan are the coAddress: 16 The Park, owners of the company. Since we founded Blue Cedars, Ballybofey, it we’ve started working for ESB and it has Co Donegal kept us fairly busy down through these last few years.”

Mob: 086 3219655 Having got up and running in the middle Fax: 074 9190302 of an economic downturn, being able to report busy times nowadays is certainly a

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going out and braving the conditions that others won’t or struggle to cope in, which is a primary reason, along with reliability and efficiency, as to why ESB have continued to renew their contracts with Cedar Tree Services over the past eight years.

“Basically what we do is cut and clear trees. When there’s a bad storm we’d be called out to remove or cut down trees that have damaged power-lines,” Jason stated.

“We’ve had contracts going with ESB since 2008 and they’ve been renewed every couple of year since that. So we are kept busy with those contacts.”

Jason’s background in tree service works starts back to when he was a teenager and he feels his experience allows him to tackle almost any job, provided that it’s safe.

Indeed the McDaid family name is one that’s synonymous with tree cutting and clearing back from the days when Jason’s father first started out in the industry and, as the years, have rolled by his son has followed in his footsteps.

“My father had his own tree service company and I would have started working for him when I was 16 or 17 once I came out of school,” he explained.

“I haven’t really been involved in much else kind of work. I’ve been doing this all of my life, so it made sense in 2008 to go into a joint business with Kevin.”

Jason is happy to report that he has been working for himself since that time and intends to keep doing so with another contract from ESB hopefully around the corner.

“I’m happy to be working for myself since then (2008) and have done a couple of private jobs mostly around Donegal in that

The company is based in Ballybofey, Co Donegal

A typical day’s work at Cedar Tree Services

time as well,” he said.

“But we’re preoccupied with our work with ESB at the moment and during the storms last year we were down in Tipperary and Cork, so we go where ever they need to send us. A lot of our work would be in Donegal though and the weather up here tends to keep us busy at times.”

While spring isn’t the busiest time of year for Cedar Tree Services, different days still tend to bring up different projects for the business.

For Jason, it’s a job that sees him on call 24 hours a day and seven days a week,

which means that they are never overly busy or overly quiet, and that’s something that he has grown accustom to.

“You sort of just keep ticking away every day and some days are definitely busier than others,” he said.

“Obviously, big storms are the busiest times of year for us and on the normal days we are mostly kept steady. You could be called out at any time and you just have to be ready to go whenever you get that call.”

The knock on effect that the downturn had would have certainly influenced some of the ESB contracts that were dished out to tree service companies all across the country.

Despite having only started up in 2008, Jason and Kevin continued to earn the contracts year upon year and that in itself speaks volumes about the stellar work going on at Cedar Tree Services.

“Business is middling right now,” Jason confirmed. “The downturn did hit us alright

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IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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The company employs four full-time staff

and ESB would have been way quieter during the recession, with not as many contracts going. Thankfully, we got them though.

“It’s all contract tender work we’re doing now and luckily enough we’ve been able to get those contracts over the last eight years.”

Along with reliability and efficiency in their work, safety is another huge aspect of the business and the company boast a proud record when it comes to safety.

For Jason, having all the right paperwork and certificates for carrying out each job is a must and another reason why their clientele choose his company.

“Safety is a major part of this business, no doubt about it,” he outlined. “We all have the certificates here and you have to have them when you’re doing work for a company like ESB.” Four months into 2016 and the hope for Jason and co now will be to keep ticking over as they are and land a new contract with ESB. “Hopefully we get the new contract now and continue to keep our heads down and stay busy this year,” he concluded.

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A flock of sheep at Maguire Family Farm

‘Not your typical sheep farm’

The farm is situated near Collon, along the Meath-Louth border

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The Maguires sell their lambs to Irish Country Meats IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

paul maguire designed_Layout 1 31/05/2016 15:46 Page 2

C

o Louth man Paul Maguire and his family have been farming for generations now, so Irish Tractor & Agri felt it was time to catch up with the man himself to find out more about his unique farm.

So far as sheep farms go, Maguire Family Farm is far from your typical one.

Situated along the Louth-Meath border near Collon, Paul and his brother Thomas together farm more than 600 acres, with the beef cattle and sheep each being managed separately.

Paul himself specialises in the sheep end of the business and his wife Mary and two teenagers Mark and Olive are all involved on the farm. Both Mark and Olive are heavily involved in the farm, having both taken on the responsibility of a small flock of Jacob sheep, along with a flock of Textel.

“We’re based near Collon in Co Louth and have been on the go for 30 years, but the family itself would be farming for generations,” explained Paul.

“The farm itself is a partnership in that my brother, Thomas, would look after the cattle and I look after the sheep.

“We are running approximately 250 acres of sheep and probably 200 acres of cattle.

We’d also rent another 200 acres on top of that.”

At the moment, the Maguires are currently running a combination of 1,500 crossbred ewes and commercial ewes in total, which is a far cry from where the family were when Paul first began working on the farm off the back of a farming apprenticeship.

Their commercial ewes are run with Texel, Dorset and Vendeen rams, along with a batch of 300 ewes - 200 mules and

Some cattle on the family farm IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

100 Lleyn cross ewes - and these are exclusively bred with Dorset and Romney rams.

The Maguires do this to ensure that the next few years will see all the breeding ewes be at least half Dorset. Paul believes that this method of breeding will provide a prolific and early lambing ewe.

As aforementioned, the farming tradition in the family stretches back generations and Paul explained that it was his mother that oversaw the farm back when he was growing up and began to learn about the industry.

“It would have been my mother that ran the farm all of her lifetime and that kind of led me towards completing a farm apprenticeship,” he said.

“At that stage it was just a dairy farm and sheep would have come into it around 1985 when I came home from my apprenticeship and started farming. I had an aunt that had some livestock and I was helping her as well.”

Since that time, the growth of the family farm has been colossal with numbers progressing majorly year on year once Paul and Thomas became involved on a full-time basis. kreidytransport@eircom.net Neither has looked back since and the farm, like so many, is one that requires attention 365 days of the years.

“The way figures went, we were quickly going up from 25 to 50 to 100, so we decided to go big. We went out and got 400 ewes and went from 100 ewes to 400 in 1985,” Paul outlined.

Today, business is as steady as it has ever been for the Maguire clan, as they continually work ahead of themselves in a sense.

This year’s entire lamb crop started to sell

around the middle of March, and with haggis’ sales not concluding until the end of April there certainly is a beneficial overlap “It’s not so bad. The system that we run here is very unique and quite hard to explain at the same time,” said Paul.

“I think we’ve done just about everything you can do with sheep and we’d be doing six crops of lamb in five years to make sure that we’re always staying ahead of ourselves. Once they lamb in December, they’ve already been sold.

“The crop of lambs we have now in 2016 have already been sold and they all go to Irish Country Meats in Navan.”

Indeed the objective is to have lambs ready for the factory on a weekly basis throughout the year, as they go directly to the meat plant in Navan. That means that while the variation in price will be massive throughout the year, it’s still the average that is most important overall.

In order ensure the constant supply of lambs, the Maguires breed from the beginning of December to April. This makes the Dorset the ideal choice for this system and Paul aims to have six lamb

CONTACT DETAILS Maguire Family Farm Collon, Co. Louth

Tel: 086 2639973

The Maguires run approximately 250 acres of sheep

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Best Wishes To Maguire Family Farm, From

Located at our new premises in Teemore Industrial Estate, Granard, Co. Longford (beside the fire station) We have a large selection of new & used vehicles available for sale.

Visit our website at www.newlinemotors.ie or contact our salesteam on 043-6687780 or Paraic on 087-2402822 email: newlinemotors@outlook.ie We also do crewcab conversions on suitable vehicles

Robbie Meade Best Wishes & Continued Success To

Maguire Family Farm From

AGRI CONTRACTOR

Hopkinstown, Lobinstown, Co. Meath Email: robbiemeade77@gmail.com

Contact 086-8041897 Best Wishes To Maguire Family Farm

MAIN MASSEY FERGUSON TRACTOR DEALER.

Cavan Road, Bailieboro, Co. Cavan Tel:0429665147 Fax :0429666193 Sales team: Oliver 0872201296 or Ronnie 0862506462. www.martinsgarage.ie www.masseyparts.ie

Best Wishes To Maguire Family Farm, From

MOONEY FARM BUILDINGS Best Wishes To Maguire Family Farm, From

Family Business Serving The Farming Community In The North-East Since 1978

Rossin, Slane, Co. Meath Tel:041-9824492 Contact Peter 087-6809145 Email: pjsmooney@eircom.net

FOR ALL YOUR FARM BUILDING & INDUSTRIAL BUILDING REQUIREMENTS CE Certified Fabricator & Full Insurance Cert Provided Farm Sheds Supplied & Erected Also Steel & Sheeting Sales

Wishing Continued Success To Maguire Family Farm, From

LKS Disposals Ltd Michael McKeever T/A

DEAD ANIMAL COLLECTION SERVICES Covering North East Region Daily

Mobile: 087-2251899 Office 041-6858767 Lisrenny, Tallanstown, Dundalk, Co. Louth

Best Wishes To Maguire Family Farm, From

Mathews Agricultural Services Ltd.

COLLON, CO. LOUTH

T: 041 -9826139/ 9826812 F: 041- 9826287 Email: mathewsagri@indigo.ie

Best Wishes To Maguire Family Farm From All At

Slane, Co. Meath

Tel: 041 -9824142 Mobile: 087- 2526347 50

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

paul maguire designed_Layout 1 31/05/2016 15:46 Page 4

crops in a five-year period.

All of the ewes at Maguire Family Farm are lambed indoors, where there is a large lambing shed on the home farm which accommodates for some 600 ewes.

The majority of the Maguires’ sheep are based at an out farm a couple of miles adrift from the home and they experience few lambing problems, as the lambs are lively and quickly up and sucking.

“The best thing about the style that we’ve adopted here is that we’re practically selling every week, which means that it’s brilliant for cash flow,” Paul explained.

“The lowest time of year for selling lamb would be July and August and the rest of the year round we’re kept busy with it.

We’d be doing around 50-60 lambs a week when we’re busy anyway.”

All things considered, it’s safe to say that Maguire Family Farms is not your average farms but for the past 30 years or so, under the direction of Paul and Thomas Maguire, they’ve been making it work.

“It’s not your typical sheep farm but it has great advantages,” Paul beamed. “There’s 40 individual pens here and we put 1,600 sheep through them, so that’s fairly good going and we can’t have any complaints at the minute.”

He concluded: “In order to run a good sheep farm, you need to have good fences and a good system in place, and most importantly you need to stick to that system.

“You have to know when your ewes are lambing too. The December lambs have to be lambing in December and not January, otherwise that system gets thrown off.

“In this particular line of work, you need to be very rigid and very discipline at the same time in order to make it work.”

Feeding time for the cattle

The lambing shed accommodates for some 600 ewes

The Maguires breed their lambs from the beginning of December to April IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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loane agri designed_Layout 1 01/06/2016 11:05 Page 1

The Loane family specialise in all aspects of agricultural contracting

Getting the job done quickly and efficiently

L

oane Agri Contractors of Aughnacloy have built up a strong client base and a reputation for high quality work, delivering results to the customers satisfaction.

Wilfred Loane elaborated on the services they provide in conversation with Irish Tractor & Agri.

A long-established business, Loane Agri Contractors is family run and specialises in all aspects of agricultural contracting.

Their services are tailored to their customers specific needs, and because of their broad ranging expertise, they are able to take care of all your requirements, saving you time and expense.

Having a wealth of experience and knowledge of the agricultural sector, you can be rest assured that all work will be completed to the high standard you expect.

At very competitive rates, their wide

52

range of contracting services include slurrying, digging, silage cutting, reseeding, hedge cutting, sub-soiling and land management.

Started from humble beginnings 36 years ago, Loane Agri Contractors has survived the test of time and continues to operate to the highest standards. To this day the business has matured to offer a whole range of agricultural services and operations to meet the needs of the progressive landowner and farmer.

“I worked with a contractor before setting up on my own in 1980,” Wilfred Loane answered when asked to trace the roots of the business. “My son Neil then joined me when he left school and we currently have an additional two full-time employees as well as three part-time employees.”

Loane Agri's workload brings them to Ballygawley, Omagh, Cookstown, Dungannon and Aughnacloy and Caledon and they boast a long list of

satisfied customers which numbers approximately 80.

Their name is synonymous with high quality work in local agricultural circles and they are renowned for reliability when it comes to providing a complete service to fully support the farmer throughout the year.

The continued growth of the company

CONTACT DETAILS Loane Agri Contractors 16 Loughans Road Aughnacloy Co Tyrone BT69 6BJ

Wilfred's number: 077 7928 0071 Neil's number: 079 6600 5517

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

loane agri designed_Layout 1 01/06/2016 11:05 Page 2

Loane Agri's machinery and equipment are constantly maintained and in good and safe operational condition

can be attributed to their policy of always putting the customer first and providing an excellent service.

Crucially, they turn up when promised on an agreed date and time.

With weather patterns constantly changing and customers eager to manage their costs, the Loane's aim to provide a cost-effective and punctual service to remove any stress from their customers' farming operations.

They get much of their work through customer recommendations which is a testament to their high standards. “We're lucky to have a loyal customer base and we've been working with many

No job has ever been considered too big or too small IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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of them for the last 10 to 15 years,” Wilfred explained.

“We take particular pride in our slurry and silage cutting services and reliability is key in this business. When a farmer is looking to get a job done he doesn't want any time wasted. Our customers all seem to be quite happy with the quality of our work.”

He added: “The weather is obviously the main challenge in this game but we are busy really the whole year around and that has always been the case.”

The Tyrone-based outfit has a policy of continuous investment and maintenance in their machinery and equipment. This ensures that their equipment is constantly maintained and in good and safe operational condition.

Their major machinery and plant includes seven New Holland tractors, a Claas harvester, five Kane trailers, slurry tankers, diggers, rakes and mowers along with a vast array of associated machinery.

Although they are well-known for providing high quality services to the local farming community, Loane Agri Contractors are continuously striving to incorporate improvements.

They ensure that the services they provide meet or exceed their customers expectations and comply with farming best practices. No job has ever been considered too big or too small and, since the inception of the business, every job has been given the priority it deserved.

Want to find out more? Give Wilfred a call at the number above because, along with his team, he has the knowledge of how to get things completed.

Best Wishes & Continued Success To Loane Agri Contractors, from

8 Park Road, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone Tel: 028 8772 2139 www.asmaccountants.com

Associated Offices

Belfast I Dundalk I Magherafelt | Newry

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Wishing Continued Success To Loane Agri Contractors

Services Available

SUPPLY OF CRUSHED STONE TIPPER HIRE

34A Lagan Rd, Keady, Co. Armagh, BT60 3ES N.I. Phone: (028) 37 530 488 R.O.I. Phone: (048) 37 530 488 E: contact@leerquarry.com www.leerquarry.com

AGRICULTURE EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT

Kilnamartyra, Co. Cork Tel: +353 26 40024 Fax: +353 26 40279 Tommy Vaughan T +353 86 2445895 E: tvraleigh@gmail.com James Vaughan T: +353 87 2685625 E: jamesv65@hotmail.com

www.seamusvaughanagri.com Best Wishes To Loane Agri Contractors

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

DM Tours designed_Layout 1 01/06/2016 10:51 Page 1

A group from Monaghan Teagasc who visited the ’Story of JCB’ exhibition, JCB ship and a tour of the assembly line

A tour de force A

t Monaghan-based DM Tours they'll take the hassle out of organising your ideal agricultural trip. Your journey is planned by professionals with years of experience and nothing is left to chance because Managing Director, Damian McKenna, understands every aspect of the agricultural tour business from the ground up.

It is by accident rather than design that Damian McKenna finds himself at the helm of the leading agricultural tours specialist company in Ireland. By his own admission he would probably still be milking cows morning, noon and night if fate hadn't intervened to take him on a different career path.

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

“I make no bones about saying that I probably wouldn't be doing what I am doing today if it wasn't for the 1994/95 scenario and the over production of the milk quota. A small farm with a large number of cows couldn't survive in those circumstances.

“I came from a dairy background and also worked as an Agricultural Contractor from 1975 to the mid-nineties when I started driving tour coaches and also refrigerated haulage driving across Europe.

“It was around that time that I went back to college to do a Failte Ireland 'All Ireland' tour guide course. I started working as a tour guide for Brendan Tours and CIE Tours but I always ran a few agricultural tours on the side. I officially started DM Tours in 2002.”

Now a division of O'Hanrahan Travel,

CONTACT DETAILS

DM Tours Coach Hire Ltd Gallagh, Clontibret, Co. Monaghan Coach Office: +353 (0) 4780568 Mobile: + 353 (0)87 282 6977 (Damian McKenna) Email: dmtours2013@gmail.com Website: www.dmtcoaches.com DM Tours, Church Square, Monaghan

Booking Office: + 353 47 81133 or Low Call: 0818282020 Mobile: + 353 (0)87 282 6977 (Damian McKenna) Email: dmtours@oht.ie Website: www.dmtours.ie

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DM Tours designed_Layout 1 01/06/2016 10:51 Page 2

DM Tours run a fleet of luxury coaches and are the experts in agricultural, special interest and leisure tours

the multi-award winning travel agent in Monaghan, DM Tours is a fully licenced travel company to protect you and your tour every time you book. They cater both for individuals as well as for clubs, associations and groups who share

similar interests.

Tours can be tailor made around any exhibition, show or event in whatever month they take place and can be of any length to suit your budget and tastes, either by coach or by air.

In addition, they can help arrange private visits to special collections and/or archives to add to the enjoyment of the tour.

For special interest groups, Damian and his team organise annual tours to Techno Classica Essen,

The Farrell clan from the USA on tour

DM Tours were the first company ever to be granted a tour around the JCB Fastrac factory

56

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

DM Tours designed_Layout 1 01/06/2016 10:52 Page 3

Cambridge Machinery and Vintage Sales, the Great Yorkshire Show, the Royal Welsh Show, the World Ploughing Championships and EuroTier & Energy Decentral in Hanover to name but a few.

As an extra benefit, they have numerous contacts in the farming community in Great Britain and Europe so that they can arrange visits to ‘real’ working family farms (not hobby farms) to see your chosen machinery or breed, first hand.

“We've been up and running for 14 years now and with my experience in agriculture and coaches, it would be fair to say that nothing or no destination is beyond me anymore”, Damian remarked.

“We pride ourselves on our efficiency, professionalism and value for money. If we say we're leaving a hotel at 6.45am, we leave at 6.45am, we don't leave at 6.50am.

That's the way we run our tours, everything is to the itinerary, not to spoil the enjoyment of others on the tour.

We always make that absolutely clear when people book with us.

“We hired in coaches from 2002 up to 2013 when we purchased our first coach,” Damian revealed.

“We're now running a fleet of luxury coaches, including new 2016, 55 seater tri-axle coaches which are just out on the road since April.”

With 10 full-time and two part-time employees on their payroll, it is their meticulous attention to detail that separates DM Tours & Coach Hire Ltd from their competitors. For their customers this means top quality service in every respect, with comfort, safety and value for money their top priorities.

At DM Tours Coach Hire, they have the solution to suit your needs and ensure you have a safe, comfortable and enjoyable time. Their efficient fleet of coaches can, if desired, carry your own company’s logos and graphics.

All of their vehicles have air-conditioning, washroom facilities, refrigerator, DVD and CD players, courier seat and PA system and comfortable seats with ample leg room. Tea and coffee facilities are available on-board a number of their coaches while all of their vehicles have free Wi-Fi. “Business is going well. Our clients come to us and they know they have nothing to worry about. Our coach company couldn't survive on agricultural tours alone so we also do work on behalf of other tour companies such as Midland Travel in Tullamore and carry out tours on their behalf to the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool games and the Cheltenham and Aintree horse racing festivals”.

Midland Travel is Ireland's leading sports travel company who only use city centre accommodation on all their sport tour packages.

DM Tours are the experts in agricultural, special interest and leisure tours by coach and by air throughout Ireland, UK and Europe. They use only top quality luxury coaches with highly experienced knowledgeable and friendly staff.

Many of their tours enjoy local area pick up points around Ireland making your travel experience an easy one.

Make a booking today! From the time you make the initial contact to during the tour and beyond, you are guaranteed a personal service.

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Best Wishes & Continued Success To

DM Tours Coach Hire From

GOLF PACKAGES FOOTBALL RUGBY FORMULA 1 HORSE RACING THEME PARKS SCHOOL TOURS FUNDRAISING HOLIDAYS William Street, Tullamore, Co. Offaly Tel:057-9326777 Email: info@midlandtravel.ie

www.midlandtravel.ie

CASTLE COMMERCIALS LTD

Best Wishes To

DM Tours Coach Hire

TRUCK & COACH REPAIRS COMMERCIAL VEHICLE REPAIRS Contact Darren 087-9797009 Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan

57

VK Agri designed_Layout 1 01/06/2016 15:05 Page 1

Some of the team at VK Agri Recycling, l/r: Vincent Kearney Jnr, Kevin Hunt, Aaron Hunt, Declan O’Donnell, Fergal Lounghney, Aidan McLoughlin and William Higgins

Connacht’s farm plastic recycling specialist

C

elebrating a decade in business, VK Agri Recycling has established itself as the leading recycler of black plastic and other unwanted farmyard materials in Connacht.

We caught up with founder / proprietor Vincent Kearney to find out more about this outstanding, IFFPG-endorsed operation.

Formed in 2006, VK Agri Recycling is a licensed contractor of the IFFPG (Irish Farm Film Producers Group - Ireland’s only approved farm plastics recycling compliance scheme). The company’s main objective has always been to

58

provide an efficient and low cost service to farmers throughout the Connacht region.

This impressive family-run business has increased its customer numbers year on year and now provides an exceptional service to over 15,000 customers.

Vincent is joined in the business by his wife Geraldine and son Vincent Jnr, while his daughters Niamh, Dearbhla and Siobhan also help out. VK Agri Recycling takes most plastic-based materials off farms for recycling, with round bale plastic and pit covers accounting for the majority of materials collected and recycled.

Materials can be collected in one of three ways: farmers may take them to

one of the 40+ designated bring centres located in all five counties across the province (mainly in livestock marts as well as some private yards); they can be removed directly from the farmyard; or

CONTACT DETAILS

VK Agri Recycling, Cloonalaghan, Carrowmore Lacken Ballina, County Mayo.

Tel: 086 8709220 Email: info@vkagrirecycling.ie Web: www.vkagrirecycling.ie IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

ins

VK Agri designed_Layout 1 01/06/2016 15:05 Page 2

they can be dropped directly into the fullypermitted and –licensed VK Agri Recycling processing facility in Ballina.

As well as bale wrap and pit covers, other agri waste materials recycled include bulk / small fertiliser and feed bags, netting and twine, and chemical containers. All materials are taken back to VK’s state-of-the-art recycling facility in Ballina and processed accordingly in a professional and environmentally-friendly manner.

The genesis of VK Agri Recycling dates back to a chance meeting at the National Ploughing Championships. “I was doing a bit of contracting at the time and happened to be at the ploughing championships in Carlow,” Vincent recalls. “I met a man who was looking for somebody in Mayo to collect and recycle plastics from farms, and that’s how it started. The FRS (Farm Relief Services) were contracted to do it at the time and I became a contractor for them, covering Mayo.”

Vincent had no idea at the time that this was an area in which he could potentially set up a dedicated company… “I started to collect with a tractor and trailer but the whole thing slowed down and came to a halt with the Foot & Mouth outbreak. I started again in 2005, working for the IFFPG, and the company was established in ’06.”

Hand in hand with a thriving recycling sector, VK Agri Recycling has evolved

Collecting plastic from a farm

into a thoroughly professional and organised operation. “BPI in Scotland was the only outlet accepting farm plastic for recycling at the time and you actually had to pay them to take it off you. Things have gone the other way now and there is more demand for the plastic.”

As a farmer himself, Vincent fully understands the needs and mindsets of those he collects from. Regarding the collection of the plastic / film, every effort is taken to ensure convenience for farmers. “We cover every mart in Connacht, setting up a stall for the day where farmers can drop off their plastic and wraps. There is a small charge, payable by weight and you could have more than 400 passing through the bring

JACOBS SERVICE STATION Wishing Continued Success To VK Agri Recycling From

centre per day.

“This year we will be at 39 marts across the province, covering every nook and cranny. We haul the material back to our yard and process it there. We also provide a service where we can go out and collect the plastic on the farm but naturally that is a little bit more expensive.

“Black plastic from bales and pit covering is the biggest part of the business. We collect that from the farmers and then bale it here in the yard, before shipping it off, usually to Scotland or Holland.”

Gainful employment is generated for a crew of eight and Vincent operates a fleet of five lorries – three smaller trucks

Best Wishes & Continued Success To VK AGRI RECYCLING From

Enniscrone, Co. Sligo

DEUTZ • SAME • ZETOR TRACTORS

JF • Malone • Kuhn • Flemming • Quicke • Stoll • NC Contact

Tel: 096-36148 Tel: 096-36008 Tel:087-2586732 IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Crossmolina Road, Ballina, Co Mayo.

T:096 22555 / 096 22558 F:096 22694 E: Ballina@auctionmarts.com

www.mayosligomart.ie

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plus two artics. Six of the lads are with Vincent from the start and he says the company wouldn’t be what it is today without them.

“We generally collect between April and July and then bale it and have the yard clear every year between December and January,” he notes.

“We focus 100% on farm materials – all plastics,” the Mayo man continues. “We don’t go near any domestic waste or anything like that.

We are contracted by the IFFPG to cover Connacht for them and are currently in the second year of our third five-year contract.”

The fact that he’s a farmer / contactor himself certainly works in Vincent’s favour. Farmers see him as one of their own and are always more than happy to work with him. “I do a good job and get on with everybody,” he states.

“As I’m in the farming sector myself, I do Plastic which will be processed understand farmers, how they work and how they think. They all know me locally and I like to think they see me as one of their own.”

As for his own farming enterprise, the proprietor of VK Agri Recycling concludes: “I got out of dairy farming about ten years ago and went into sucklers, with some of the herd pedigree Charolais. I still do a small bit of baling and slurry contracting as well but the agri recycling takes up most of my time and ties in nicely with the farming.”

VK Agri Recycling

COME AND SEE @ Crossmolina Road, Ballina, Co. Mayo Tel:096-21748 Tel: 096-72803 Email: david@ardaghservices.com Website: www.ardaghservices.com 0% FINANCE AVAILABLE Best Wishes To VK Agri Recycling

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IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Enniscorthy Farm designed_Layout 1 31/05/2016 15:51 Page 1

EFS - for all your dairy and farm needs

E

nniscorthy Farm Systems Ltd (EFS) is a market leader in the supply and fitting of dairy and cattle housing equipment. Founded in 1998 by Ibar Murphy and Peter Prendergast, the company supplies a wide range of products, including DeLaval milking equipment.

An impressive installation

in Enniscorthy, who they had both worked for. EFS provides everything from milking machines, augers, feeders, meal bins, backing and cow drafting gates, cow cubicles, barriers and gates to head locking barriers, automatic scrapers, slat rubber, cubicle mating and pressure washers.

Over the past two decades, the Co. Wexford-based concern has established itself as a leading advisor and supplier of The business partners acquired the equipment to the farm yard. It is renowned DeLaval brand following the recognised as one of the foremost closure of Roche & Cleary Dairy Services housing specialists in the south-east in IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

CONTACT DETAILS Enniscorthy Farm Systems (EFS) Ltd

Old Dublin Road, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.

Telephone: 053 9237987 Fax: 053 9234049 Mobile: 085 7246134 Email: info@enniscorthyfarmsystems.ie Web: www.enniscorthyfarmsystems.ie

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Enniscorthy Farm designed_Layout 1 31/05/2016 15:51 Page 2

Inside the shop

the provision of handling equipment to the dairy and cattle sectors. EFS offers free consultation and advice – gained from over 30 years’ experience – on planning the best handling facilities. As well as DeLaval, the company is an authorised agent for Easyfix rubber mats and a wide range of products, including cubicles, calf equipment, fencing equipment, feed barriers, dividing gates, slurry scrapers and crush equipment, from such reputable names as Nugent Engineering, Condon Engineering, Jourdain Feed Barriers, Teemore Engineering and Alfco Engineering.

“We originally specialised in milking equipment before expanding into cattle housing equipment,” explains Paddy Murphy, who is involved in the business with his parents Ibar and Margaret.

“We can offer advice to farmers on the equipment that best suits their requirements and on the planning, design and layout of their sheds. We

provide a complete service to the dairy farmer and are your complete farm store.”

EFS’s 12-strong staff includes a team of DeLaval-trained engineers and fitters who provide on-farm milking machine service, maintenance and 24-hour breakdown cover, 24/7, 365 days a year.

They have a wealth of experience in milking machine maintenance and service. Whether its new parlour installations, modifications and updates, service and testing, breakdown cover or advice on mastitis you are looking for, they are just a phone call away.

EFS were the first DeLaval dealers in Ireland to provide a route van service to farmers in their area. Calling to in excess of 300 farms every month, the van is well stocked with over 100 popular and costeffective products, including detergents, descalers, filter socks, liners, paper towels, udder creams, footbath solutions and spare parts. Also supplied are iodine

The Enniscorthy Farm Systems store front

62

and chlorhexidine-based teat dips which achieve a fast kill of bacteria, spores and other mastitis causing organisms. Each month, there is a special offer which provides great value for the farmer.

It goes without saying that EFS is proud to fly the flag for DeLaval in the south-east. DeLaval is a world leader in the dairy farming industry, providing integrated milking solutions designed to improve dairy farmers’ production, animal welfare and overall quality of life.

Working closing with customers in more than 100 countries across the globe, DeLaval offers automatic and conventional milking systems, cooling and feeding systems, effluent and housing systems and farm management support systems. DeLaval customers can also choose from a wide range of services and consumables which are grouped in four portfolios: liners and tubes, farm supplies, service and original parts, and milk quality and animal health.

Enniscorthy Farm Systems guarantees the lowest prices on all DeLavel products. If you can find a better price, they will match it.

DeLaval has seen a dramatic increase in sales of its robotic milking machines since the lifting of the EU milk quotas a year ago.

DeLaval VMS milking robots are renowned for their operating efficiency and robust, around the clock performance. They enable the dairy farmer to harvest up to 3,000 litres of milk per day per IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Enniscorthy Farm designed_Layout 1 31/05/2016 15:51 Page 3

robot and come as standard with four quarter milking and mastitis detection index (MDi) milk analysis technology, among other things.

With the introduction of the VMS Plus+ and the unique range of tailored VMS solutions, DeLaval are taking robotic dairy farming to the next level.

Other robotic systems offered by the milking parlour heavyweight are the VMS Supra Management, the VMS Supra+ and the VMS Spectra.

“DeLaval has been in Ireland for over 50 years and is now entering its Enniscorthy Farm Systems offer sales and service next phase with the introduction of its robotic cows are more relaxed with less stress and increased grazing milking machines which are designed to work in grazing time. The system also requires less manual labour and gives systems,” Paddy points out. the farmer greater flexibility. Everything runs like clockwork.”s, “We installed our first robotic machine for a farmer in a. Calling to over 300 farms Kilmuckridge last year and the feedback has been very EFS is open from 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday-Friday and from positive. We have orders to install eight more robots this year, 9.30am to 12.30pm on Saturdays. For a professional service so they are certainly growing in popularity. While the robot is and the most competitive prices, be sure to give them a call. more expensive than the conventional milking machine, the

Best Wishes & Continued Success To Enniscorthy Farm Systems (EFS) Ltd From

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS & REGISTERED AUDITORS

100 North Main Street, Wexford T: 053-9144270/9142132 F: 053-9146849 E: info@martinquigley.ie

WWW.MARTINQUIGLEY.IE

Best Wishes To Enniscorthy Farm Systems (EFS) Ltd

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Best Wishes To Enniscorthy Farm Systems (EFS) Ltd

Alfco Engineering Ltd. Newtown, Trim, Co. Meath P: 353 (0)46 9431740F: 353 (0) 46 9436826 Email: info@alfco.ie www.alfco.ie 63

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Boyd Haulage at Foyle Proteins, l/r: Jordan Graham (Boyd Haulage), Christopher Carton (Foyle Proteins), Jason Boyd (Boyd Haualge)

Boyd Haulage: For all your rendering needs

T

he disposal of category one meat and bonemeal is the single largest issue facing the rendering industry on a daily basis.

It is a complex industry that requires every ‘T’ to be crossed and every ‘I’ to be dotted before a business can perform its duties. The legislation regarding the collection of fallen animals has forced ‘rogue operators’ to cease trading much to the delight of those that do everything by the book.

The collection of fallen animals is a specialised job that sees operators adhering to stringent regulations and

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legislation.

Antrim, Derry and South Tyrone with their Mid Ulster based company Boyd five trucks on the road on a daily basis.

Haulage is a family run business that According to Adrian Boyd who runs the specialises in the collection of fallen company, they have a big customer base animals for the past 11 years.

Since 2005, the company has worked CONTACT DETAILS closely with the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture and they are Boyd Haulage official collectors for the Government 64 Lismoyle Road body.

Swatragh Boyd Haulage is a family run fallen Maghera stock, animal by-product and food waste BT46 5QU collection business serving farms, food processing/retail outlets, and the wider Telephone: 028 7940 1325 agriculture industry.

Fax: 028 7940 1863 Boyd Haulage covers throughout the Mobile: 07710944870 mid Ulster region, covering the likes of Email: info@boydhaulage.co.uk IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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that not only includes farmers, but butcher shops and other businesses connected to the industry.

“We are quite busy at the moment. In this line of work, you can be very busy during periods and quieter than during certain months. Usually between the months of October into the Spring would be our busiest period,” said Adrian.

“All of the fallen animals that we collect are brought to Foyle Proteins where they are disposed of according to department regulations. There is a massive amount of paperwork and procedures to be followed but they are for the benefit of the industry.

“We are fully licensed by the Department of Agriculture (DARD) and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, the Maghera based Boyd Haulage takes pride in providing a fast and efficient service to agriculture clients throughout mid-Ulster.”

The company provide a number of services to a large customer base and the services include Fallen Stock collections from farms; Animal byproduct collection from food processors and retail outlets; Food waste collections from processors and retail outlets.

To carry out their duties on a daily basis, Adrian admits that they are fortunate to have loyal and hard working employees.

“We would have a very loyal staff, some of who have been with us for many

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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Congratulations To Boyd Haulage On Their 11 Years In Service & Wishing Continued Success In The Future

Collectors are: Adrian Boyd, David Moore, Noel Graham, Peter Mallon, Liam Campbell & Francis Gallagher Monday - Friday (08.00 -16.30) Out of hours answer service available

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www.irishtractor.ie IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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years now. They are on first name terms with our customers and they have been sympathetic with the farmers’ needs over the years.

“Our aim is to provide local farmers with a competitive priced and reliable collection service. The collection charges are extremely competitive across the board particularly where larger, mature animals are concerned.

“All our staff is trained to remove all fallen stock in a professional manner with the minimum of fuss and disturbance to the farmers involved. Dead animals represent an unwanted cost on every farm and it is our aim to make the removal cost effective and a straight forward process. They are trained in all bio security and environmental regulations.”

To carry out their business, Boyd’s operate a fleet of specialised lorries to provide an efficient and timely collection service to their clients, scheduling deliveries to achieve maximum reliability and efficiencies and adjusting collection patterns in real-time to respond to changing requirements.

“We continually invest in the latest transport equipment and technology ensuring we can meet all your transportation needs.

The trucks are washed down after every load, which is in accordance with department regulations.”

A customer will be waiting a maximum of two days for a collection to be made as Boyd Haulage provide an efficient and reliable collection service to their client base.

“We guarantees a two-day turnaround for each collection request. All animals that are over 48months/4 years of age must be booked in via telephone to Foyle Proteins call centre for TSE sampling within 24 hours from time of death as required by DARD. All scrapie monitored sheep must be booked into Foyle Proteins call centre as required by DARD IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

within 24 hours from time of death.”

Boyd’s supply various sizes of wheelie bins to their customers in the agricultural sector. “There are three sizes of bins and they are 240 litre household bin, 360 litre bin and a 1100 litre industrial bin. We also collect 120-1100 litre bins of pigs and poultry and skips.”

Boyd Haulage offers all types of service contracts from oneoff collections through to long terms contracted repeat collections. “We offer the different type of contracts to suit the customers’ needs whether it be a one-off collection or long term, we are here to oblige.”

Best Wishes To Boyd Haulage From

COOKSTOWN SKIP SERVICES Incorporating Gallagher Waste Disposal

Fallen Animals & Offal Disposal

Collector for Members/Non-Members of the NFSS

Skip Hire & Wheelie Bin Emptying Service For Bovine, Swine & Poultry Serving The Meat Industry For 25 Years Servicing the Farming Community in MID-ULSTER AREA For 50 years Francis Gallagher

Mobile: 07801-644866 Tel:028-87738141 Mobile: 07860272894 E:info@cookstownskipservices.com DARD Registered 324/98

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An example of the high quality work of B&D Sheds Ltd

B

î “e farm building experts in West Cork

&D Sheds Ltd is a leading fabricator and erector of farm buildings based in Skibbereen, Co. Cork. The familyrun business has the knowledge and experience to build sheds of all sizes and budgets.

Established in 2008 by Bernard O’Donovan and Donal Kelly to cater for the then booming slatted shed sector, B&D Sheds has been run by Bernard and his wife Margaret since 2011 (their son Liam was also involved in the business until 2014). The company has a proven track record and is recognised as the number one farm building specialist in West Cork.

Working in conjunction with highlyskilled engineers, fabricators, welders and erectors, and using the best materials on the market, B&D Sheds can plan and design each shed to your specifications and ensure that all your requirements are met. The company can advise you on the

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specification of materials to use and aims to deliver your farm building on time and within budget. No job is too big or too small for this thriving business which is CE certified, fully insured and complies with all health and safety regulations.

B&D Sheds supplies and fits all types of agricultural buildings, including dairy units, beef units, milking parlours, calf

CONTACT DETAILS B&D Sheds Ltd Skeagh, Skibbereen, Co. Cork.

Telephone: 087 7753629 IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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sheds and storage units for hay, straw and machinery.

Recalling the company’s genesis, Bernard explains: “We’ve been an agent for Croom Concrete cattle slats since 1981 and nearly every farmer we were supplying them to a decade ago were looking for the full shed because grants were available at the time. So that’s how B&D Sheds was born.

“In our first year, we were exceptionally busy with orders for slatted sheds, but once the grant scheme ended, things inevitably got quieter. We are still kept busy, mind you, with new and repeat business. The farmer’s income is the determining factor for us at the end of the day.

“While the majority of our clients are in West Cork, we have built sheds as far away as Wexford and Meath. Nearly all of our business is secured through word of mouth.”

B&D Sheds has earned a reputation for providing quality products and a great service at an affordable price, while also ensuring peace of mind both during and after construction. The company’s sheds are built to last! Bernard and his team of sub-contractors provide a tailored service to suit every client’s needs.

Whether a customer is looking for a complete project development from design stage to fully operational end use, or just the supply and erection of structural steel and cladding, they can provide it.

“Ninety-nine per cent of buildings are designed to a different specification,” Bernard points out.

“Likewise, no two farmers want the same thing. Some want us to oversee the whole project from start to finish, while others want to put in the concrete or steel themselves. We can also maintain or restore older buildings for them. Whatever they ask for, we will do it to the best of our ability.”

B&D Sheds use cladding and sheeting from Tegral, Euroclad Ireland, Irish Rollforming and Newell Roofing, while fixtures and fasteners are supplied by GWS and Toolfast.

Bernard also sells quality used farm machinery which he imports from the UK IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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and France, and which accounts for about 20 per cent of his overall business.

He says: “The farm machinery end happened more by accident than design.

Back in 2008 when we had to go to the UK for steel and cladding to cater for the huge number of slatted sheds we were building, we started bringing in small farm machinery on the backloads. We import everything from power harrows and fertiliser spreaders to milking machines.

We have established good contacts in the UK and can source whatever machine the customer needs.”

A part-time farmer also, Bernard is wellknown in IFA circles, having served as chairman of the West Cork branch for eight years as well as on the national committee. He was also an IFA membership organiser in Cork. Many farmers throughout the country were grateful for his UK connections during the fodder crisis in 2013 when he was able to source hay from farms over there and have it delivered to 15 different Irish coops.

“I spent three weeks in England sourcing fodder. Word went out through the IFA and we were able to get the fodder to farmers via their local co-op.

Sean Clarke regional organiser for Cork IFA coordinated the whole thing from back in Cork,” he explains.

Continued Best Wishes To B&D Sheds, From

Roof Sheeting & Cladding in box and corrugated profiles Curved & Cocktailed • Box Vented Sheeting Non-Drip Roof Sheeting • Tile Effect Roof Sheeting Clear Lights • Galvanised Steel Purlins Flashings Made Any Size • Gutters & Accessories Sliding Door Track • Bolts & Screws • Insulated Panel Cement Fibre Roofing

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Best Wishes & Continued Success To B&D Sheds

Best Wishes To B&D Sheds

Agricultural Consultancy needs in the West Cork and South Kerry region.

17 Bridge Street, Skibbereen, Co.Cork.

Tel: 028-23283 Kenmare Mart, Kenmare, Co Kerry Tel:064-6686031 E: info@owenodriscoll.com www.owenodriscoll.com 70

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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The fleet and staff at Brendan Byrd Agri Contractors

C

Offering the complete package

elebrating 15 years in business, Brendan Byrd Agri Contractors in Co Cavan continues to grow from strength to strength in the industry. Irish Tractor & Agri spoke to the man himself to find

out all about the business and his easy. impressive fleet of New Holland Born and bred in Kilnaleck in Co Cavan, Brendan and his family have been tractors. running Brendan Byrd Agricultural Starting up on your own is no easy feat, Contractors since 2001 and, so far, but Brendan Byrd has always had a they’ve been making a success of it, with the company grown year on year since its knack for making the difficult things look inception.

Brendan has been involved in farming all of his working life, with both land and cattle of his own, and when the time came he felt it was right to step out and start up

CONTACT DETAILS Brendan Byrd Agri Contractors Drumbee, Kilnaleck, Co. Cavan

Tel: 087 2728696 The company’s fine fleet of New Holland tractors IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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Chartered Accountants

Best Wishes To Brendan Byrd Agri Contractors, From

CAVAN 049-4361444 LONGFORD 043-3354028

Best Wishes To Brendan Byrd Agri Contractors, From

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Gordon Agri Contact Padraig 087-6797256/087-6695254

Best Wishes To Brendan Byrd Agri Contractors From

Lime Spreading & Agri Contracting

Killyfassey, Mountnugent, Co. Cavan

Tel:049-4336524 Mobile: 086-0845035

LAKELAND STORES

Best Wishes to Brendan Byrd Agri Contractors, from

EUGENE SMITH

Kilnaleck, Co. Cavan. Tel: 049-4336214

FEEDS, FERTILISERS, FUELS & ALL FARM INPUTS

TOM CANNING B. AGR.SC Agricultural Consultant

Best Wishes To Brendan Byrd Agri Contractors From

FOR ALL YOUR FARM BUSINESS ADVICE

• GLAS applications and reviews • Basic Payment Applications and Entitlement Transfers • Cross Compliance Inspections and Nitrate Derogations and Records • Soil Sampling Service • Nutrient Management Planning • Planning Permission, Design and Layout of Agricultural Buildings • TAM applications

Contact Kelly on 086-3825944 Tel:049-4367091 Email: tcanning05@eircom.net Farranadaly, Crossdoney, Co. Cavan H12AV60

Best Wishes To Brendan Byrd Agri Contractors From We carry a large range of glass for cars, commercials,agri and plant. We carry out windscreen replacements and repairs.

Contact us first on 049-4332777

and we can process your claim directly with your insurance company.

FOR ALL YOUR FARMING NEWS

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www.irishtractor.ie 72

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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an agri contracting outfit of his own.

It’s a decision he hasn’t looked back from, as the busy times are set to get a whole lot busier again now for him and his family, with the summer months around the corner once again.

“We’re based in Drumbee, Kilnaleck in Co Cavan and we’d be officially set-up since 2001,” explained Brendan.

“We have three full-time staff working here which includes my sons Jamie and Gavin and also Cathal Traynor, and in the summer time we’d take on extra lads to help out with the grass cutting and that.”

Brendan Byrd Agri Contractors is far from a seasonal business, however. The range of different services in which they provides sees them kept busy all year round, with digger work one of the main aspects of the business during the winter time.

When Brendan first set-up the business in 2001, he took plenty into consideration; including how to keep an agri outfit ticking over 12 months of the year.

Looking back on it now, he is happy with the decision to offer his customers all the different aspects of agri contracting.

“We do everything related to agri contracting. From silage to slurry spreading, ploughing and digging.

Anything to do with agri, we do it,” Brendan confirmed.

"Up until now we were on a sewer job in Cavan town. P&S Civil Works are the main contractors on it for which I have been employed by for the past 30 years.”

Gaining contract work for 18 months with an outfit like P&S Civil Works is a far cry from when Brendan first started up his outfit with a lone tractor.

Indeed he started started off small before developing the company into a business which caters for the requirements of numerous farmers within the local region, while also offering a digger service for the likes of building contractors and other outfits.

“Basically when I started off it was with one tractor back in 2000,” Brendan explained. “I bought the tractor and started spreading slurry and cut about 700 acres then after that and from there it just kept getting IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

bigger and bigger. After a while, I got into the digger work and it has been a real benefit to us during the winter.

“I also recently bought a McHale F5500 and changed the harvester as well; I’ve a new one sitting in Ronnie Martin’s in Bailieborough that I’ve yet to take out.”

It all points to busy times for Brendan and his family, but he concedes that the most hectic time of the year is now right around the corner.

“Business at the moment is grand,” said the Cavan native. “Right now we’re concentrating on re-seeding and building up to the summer months when it will be all silage cutting and baling.

“Next month (June) the grass starts again and that will put everything into overdrive, but that’s the way we like it.”

He added: “The last two summers were quite damp but we got through them.

We’re busy now again so hopefully the rain stays off and we have a bit of consistent weather so we’re not rushing to get everything cut in a short space of time.”

Along with that, Brendan has his own farm to look after but he’s happy to be kept preoccupied by both duties.

"I have 60 acres myself and 30 acres rented and we have around 100 head of cattle. We were milking 50 cows there this evening, so you could imagine having the silage to do on top of that,” he pointed out.

“Like I said, from now until September will be crazy and the baling keeps it going until all hours sometimes and

The EX 135 Hitachi in action

Brendan Byrd Agri Contractors are celebrating 15 years in business

that’s just what you have to do when you’re in this line of work.”

As for the fleet he operates with, Brendan tends to stick with the New Holland brand when it comes to his tractors, as he feels they’re very reliable.

While he jokes that “the buying is over for now”, down through the years Brendan has never been afraid to invest in his fleet and his top class machinery is another reason why his clientele come to him first ahead of his competitors.

“I’ve a T-70 40, a T 7210, a JCB 320, a TM 140 and a TM120,” he stated.

“John Deere would be the brand that we hire when we do hire. We also have 16-foot trailers and 2,000 gallon tankers. There’s an EX 135 Hitachi there as well.”

Concluding, Brendan gave his assessment as to why he feels his customers have stuck with him over the past 15 years.

“All of our customers would be local,” he confirmed. “I think they come to us because we give a good service and when I say I’ll be there at such a time, I’ll be there.

“I think you need to offer that kind of reliability to make it in this kind of work. We have good machinery too, which is always a help, and carry out a professional service.”

What more could you ask for than that?

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Ballycoose Farm currently runs 3,000 ewes plus followers

An extraordinary sheep farming legacy

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he story of Ballycoose Farm in County Antrim is a gripping one. The Tweed family has been synonymous with farming this land for over four-and-a-half centuries and current owner Campbell Tweed OBE is widely regarded as one of Northern Ireland’s premier sheep farmers. As well as producing premium sheep, the spectacular farm has also been used as a location for cult TV series Game of Thrones. So let’s get the cameras rolling…

“We have been farming here for a long time,” the affable Campbell Tweed considers when asked about the origins of his superb sheep farming enterprise at

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Ballycoose Farm – a hill and upland farm located equidistant between Larne and Glenarm in County Antrim. “We would originally have been tenant farmers and have been associated with this land going back as far as 1647.”

That in itself makes for an amazing storyline. Add in the fact that Campbell is a rarity amongst sheep farmers in that he holds an OBE - as well as the use of his farm as a location for HBO’s smash-hit Game of Thrones TV extravaganza between 2009 and 2013 - and we have a truly remarkable success story on our hands, replete with intriguing twists and subplots.

“I’ve been farming here myself all my life,” Campbell adds matter-of-factly. “My father, grandfather, great grandfather and great great grandfather would all have been here

before me.”

Little wonder the Antrim man has the art of sheep farming down to a fine tee! On some 1,600 acres, he is currently running 3,000 ewes plus followers. All the sheep are bred to be naturally wool-shedding – either Easy Care or Wiltshire Horn. The flock size

CONTACT DETAILS Ballycoose Farm,

31 Ballycoose Road, Ballygally, County Antrim, BT40 2RW

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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has grown organically and considerably down through the years. In the 1970s, for example, there were close to 1,000 sheep on the land.

Campbell says he is probably close to peak production right now – but does that mean increased profits or increased workloads? “Put it this way – if economics were the same as they were in the early 80s, there would be a lot more profit,” he quips.

Easy Care is a revolutionary breed of sheep which requires minimal shepherding and veterinary care and yet offers excellent meat yields and lambing ratios.

“The aim of Easy Care sheep is low cost production and a low level of lambing difficult with all the sheep kept outdoor on the land and performance-recorded,” he continues. “I’m producing three classes of animal: lambs for slaughter, which are going to Dunbia, which is part of the Sainsbury’s supply chain; as well as selling breeding females and rams to other farmers; and producing rams for ourselves.

“Traditionally, we would have been Scotch Blackface but since ’99 I have been changing over. I bred Wiltshire Horn first and then followed that up with Easy Care.

We’re now 90 per cent Easy Care, with about 23 different mating groups.”

As the sheep farming enterprise has grown, the beef farming operation at Ballycoose has been cut back significantly.

“We had a large suckler herd here at one time but the winter is too long here and beef is a real uphill struggle,” Campbell notes. “But we do still buy some store cattle and cows and graze them,” A graduate of West of Scotland Agricultural College in 1976, it would be fair to say that Campbell has been there, done, that, bought the t-shirt. He was awarded a Nuffield Scholarship in 1993 and is on the Board of Governors at Harper Adams University. He was awarded an OBE in 2003 for services to the environment and agriculture and has been extensively involved with a number of organisations down through the years, including IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Campbell Tweed OBE

chairman of Lantra’s Council for Northern Ireland; international chairman, UK chairman and NI chairman of the Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust; president of the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU); UK vicechairman of the Farming and Wildlife

Advisory Group (FWAG); chairman of the Farmers’ Club Committee Membership in London; the Coastal Zone Management Forum for NI (NIEA); and the Assured Food Ownership Body Standards (red tractor scheme).

Campbell Tweed OBE accepts a presentation for his services to Lantra, with Marcus Potter and Paula Smyth

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Campbell is also a former chairman of the Historic Monuments Council NI; vice chairman of NSA NI, National Trust NI Advisory Board; chairman of the National Sheep Group; Board of Larne Grammar School; past president of UK Grassland Society; NFS Co Director Ulster Farmers Union; BBC Rural Affairs and Agriculture Committee member; and member of the CAFRE Uplands Board.

He is current chairman of the Northern Ireland region of the National Sheep Association and sits on the UK Policy & Technical Committee.

He is typically upbeat about the future prospects of his burgeoning sheep enterprise: “I would be quite optimistic,” the ultra-efficient Antrim man confirms. “Lamb is a very good product.

“It tends to sell at around luxury price compared to white meats and beef, so you need to be very good at what you are doing in terms of quality and you also have the opportunity to have a lower cost of production than beef, which we have achieved here using the Easy Care breed.

“Lamb prices are suffering less damage than the others and are still relatively good. You also have a wider customer base than beef or pork so there are a lot of positives.”

Campbell’s son Frazer is a huge part of the operation at Ballycoose Farm, which generates employment for two people fulltime plus several other part-time workers during lambing season.

“We have taken as much trouble out of the production process as possible,” he concludes. “Without heavy fleeces, you have very little bother with flies and use less chemicals. Easier lambing is a big plus. It’s going well and hopefully our family will continue to farm this land for many more years to come.”

And so ends one of the most interesting stories to be recounted in this magazine.

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Stephen McDowell

Best Wishes To Ballycoose Farm, From

LIVESTOCK & HAULAGE

17 Old Moy Road, Dungannon BT71 6PS Tel:077 65025013

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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The well stocked yard

T

New Kubota tractors arrive at Mulchrone Bros

he first Kubota M7001 tractors have arrived at Mulchrone Bros Ltd in Westport, Co. Mayo and are expected to take the Irish market by storm. Available in three different models – the 130hp M7131, 150hp M7151 and 170hp M7171 – the new series is ideal for carrying out a wide range of jobs on both mixed and arable units and comes with a host of features to maximise performance, reliability and operator comfort and control.

Built at the Japanese firm’s new manufacturing facility in Northern France, the M7001 series is Kubota’s most powerful tractor to date and is set to put a serious dent in the market share enjoyed by the traditional tractor brands in Ireland heretofore. Mulchrone Bros have been IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

main Kubota dealers for over a decade and are excited about what the future holds for their flagship brand, which leads the way in innovation and engineering excellence.

“We expect the M7001 series to appeal to many Irish farmers,” Joe Mulchrone predicts.

“Kubota have a 50 per cent market share in parts of the US and are getting more and more popular in Europe. They are offering 0% finance and a five-year warranty with every new tractor they sell.

This is an offer you won’t get from any of the other manufacturers.

“As agents for everything Kubota make, from ride-on lawnmowers to 170hp tractors, we are here to look after the product throughout its lifetime. We are proud to offer a complete sales and backup service and have the awards to prove it, having received a Kubota sales award in 2014 and a high service award last

year. We also carry out in-house service training on a regular basis.”

Joe added: “There has been a lot of interest since this series was first unveiled, so we’re delighted they’re now finally launching on the Irish market.”

There are nine combinations of the new

CONTACT DETAILS Mulchrone Bros Ltd Castlebar Road, Westport, County Mayo

Phone: 098 29122 Fax: 098 29150 Mobile: 087 2411120 Email:info@mulchronebros.com Web: www.mulchronebros.com Mulchrone Bros are also on Facebook

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M7001 series available in three specifications – Standard, Premium and Premium K-VT. They are designed for heavy-duty working conditions and provide the performance of a six-cylinder tractor with a new Kubota Stage IV compliant four-cylinder V6108 engine with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and diesel particulate filter (DPF) technology offering high levels of performance and torque, with reduced fuel consumption.

Taking the power to the wheels is a choice of two highly responsive, simpleto-operate transmissions: Rob Wilkins (left) from Kubota UK with Joe and and Dominic Mulchrone K-Power – Powershift with electro-hydraulic range precise operation. shifting providing 24x24 speeds with optional creep (16x16); Mulchrone Bros have been Yamaha ATV agents for even and K-VT – Infinitely variable transmission for a virtually infinite longer – 21 years - and are also agents for NC engineering, number of forward or reverse speeds.

Nugent trailers and equipment, Malone equipment, Quad X Other features of the M7001 series include: K-Monitor – attachments, Woods Bros trailers, Einbock, Rocha, Belmac single large touch screen display, ergonomically arranged for and other leading agri brands. simple and effortless control of all tractor and implement Established by brothers Dominic and Padraic Mulchrone over operations; Innovative Kubota Isoubs – one terminal for all 40 years ago, Mulchrone Bros is run nowadays by Dominic with implements offering centralised data collection, easy data the help of his sons Joe, Sean and Dominic Jnr and employs transfer to terminal with standardised connectors; Geo Control solution with auto guidance / auto steering – complete GPS Best Wishes & Continued Success To precision farming solution for improved field output year to year without additional cost; Headlight management system (Premium and Premium K-VT From models) for easier and precise headland turning; Standard multifunction lever provides improved operator comfort, intuitive control and simple operation; High-performance hydraulic system for enhanced operational efficiency and ability to multitask; Category 3, rear three-point linkage with up to 9,000kg lift capacity; Unobstructed visibility with a new four-pillar cab design; Spacious air conditioned cab, offers superb operator comfort along with low noise levels for a quiet and comfortable working environment on those long days; Three-stage front suspension system for advanced cab comfort and stable,

Mulchrone Bros

15 Aughnagar Road, Galbally, Dungannon County Tyrone BT70 2PP OFFICE T: +44 (0) 28 8775 8583 Mobile: 087-0522785 E: info@nugentengineering.com

www.nugentengineering.com 78

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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20 staff. A household name in agricultural plant hire in the West of Ireland, the Mulchrones started out as agricultural contractors before branching into supplying agricultural machinery as well as machines for hire to building contractors, local authorities and other public bodies.

Serving the farming community was their main reason for going into business in the mid-1970s and this still remains one of their top priorities. In 1995, Mulchrone Bros Ltd was award the Yamaha ATV dealership. They were first to introduce quadbikes to farmers in the area and this has had a huge impact on the way farming is carried out.

They currently have the new Yamaha Kodiak and Grizzly 700 models in stock, with excellent finance packages available on both.

Customers are at the very core of the business and the reputation of Mulchrone Bros has been built on a policy of providing customers with products and services that they can rely on at all times. The business is – and always has been – 100% customerdriven.

To this end, they carry a large stock of spare parts to ensure that machine downtime is kept to a minimum. Their fully-qualified service staff have garnered many years of experience in various types of machinery and can work through breakdowns in a common sense and practical way. All fitters are trained on the maintenance and service of all products supplied.

Tractor mowers from Kubota

Mulchrone Bros Ltd boasts its own purpose-built workshop, which is used to keep the machines they sell in top shape.

They also operate a hire business which supplies excavators from 0.8-21 tonne, dumpers from ¼-10tonne, loadalls, skid steers, trailers, rollers etc, the list goes on and on. Mulchrone Bros demonstrate to their customers their commitment to the machines they sell by using those machines themselves.

This shows the customer that machines, tractors and attachments can be put through hard work on hire and contracting basis with no problem.

In short, Mulchrone Bros is a one-stop shop for all your agricultural machinery needs.

Best Wishes To Mulchrone Bros

Wishing Mulchrone Bros continued success In The Future

Unit 516D Grants Rise, Greenogue Business Park, Rathcoole, Co. Dublin. Email: sales@bnr.ie A quadbike with spreader IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

www.bnr.ie

Tel: +353-(0)1-4019045 Fax: +353-(0)1-4019044

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2016 is set to be another busy summer for Cotter Agri Contractors

Family to the core 80

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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D

own through the decades, the Cotter family in Cappoquin, Co Waterford has earned itself a stellar reputation for the work they’ve carried out in agricultural contracting all over the local region. Second generation farmer Kieran Cotter told us more.

Since the 1960s, the Cotter family name has been synonymous with excellence in agricultural contracting and two years ago saw the latest landmark for the Waterfordbased farming family.

Cotter Agri Contractors Ltd was officially born in January 2014 and is headed up by father and son combination, John and Kieran Cotter, whom have continued the good work that the family have been carrying out through six different decades now.

Kieran has been involved in agricultural contracting practically all of his working life and has followed in his father’s footsteps in setting up his own company, while keeping the same clientele that have stuck with them down through the years.

“We’re in Aglish, Cappoquin, Co Waterford and my dad would have been at this since back in 1966,” explained Kieran.

CONTACT DETAILS Cotter Agri Contractors Aglish, Cappoquin, Co. Waterford

Tel: 087 6227677

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

The company’s superb fleet of New Hollands

“Cotter Agri Contractors officially started up in January 2014. We have four staff here, which includes myself, my dad and my cousin David. Michael is the fourth fella here then and he would be working with my dad for more than 35 years now.”

Through 50 years of farming, Kieran’s father John has built up invaluable experience in the industry One of the New Holland fleet ready for action and passed it down to the family, with his other son Sean also involved via maintaining their machinery through his own company.

Kieran himself explained that the Cotters have never strayed too far away from the two core aspects of the business, which Cotter Agri Contractors Ltd are now firmly concentrating on.

“We are mainly agri The Cotters have always prided themselves contractors and the work that in the work they do we do would mostly be in the summer months and silage season fast beet and maize,” he explained. approaching. For Kieran, he can’t ask for “We’ve been growing maize for years much more than for him and his staff to be now and we’ve over 250 acres of land here kept busy in what is undoubtedly a tough which is leased out, so we’re definitely kept period for farmers across Ireland. busy with what we’re doing here. Summer “I’d be happy with it at the moment. So far is upon us again now and that brings even as our customer base goes, we have a more work for us with silage and that.” serious list of clientele that deal with us for The busy times come down to the their agri needs,” he said. thousands of man hours that his father has put in, according to Kieran, with customers “We have a great relationship with our unwilling to go elsewhere when it comes to customers here and that goes back to the their agri contracting needs. work that my father did for them all down At the moment, business is good and it’s through the years. All of our customers about to get a whole lot better again with would be within a 20-mile radius and we’d

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do a lot of work for them in and around Dungarvan.”

So what’s the secret? Why do Cotter Agri Contractors’ customers come to them first ahead of other agri outfits?

For Kieran, it’s about the way in which they carry out their service and the relationship that they have established their customers.

“I’d say it comes down to our work. We take wicked pride in the work that we do here,” he said.

“The first thing is to do the job right and in a professional manner.

I’m dealing with lads that are sons of the lads that may father used to do work for, so we’ve definitely developed a good reputation down through the years, you could say.”

While Kieran himself is a popular figure within the local community, having played inter-county football for Waterford and currently holding the managerial post at the local Geraldines club, he insists that it doesn’t put on patch on what John Cotter has down around Aglish and all over the county.

“My father is 72 years old and is still working with us here every day,” Kieran beamed.

“John and his brother Tom started the business from scratch and built it up to the point where they were cutting 3,000 acres of silage with only two machines, which is remarkable really.

“I take great pride in what he has done. He has worked hard for everything he has and the man is still at it!”

So far as the company’s fleet is concerned, the Cotters have tended to stick with the New Holland brand, which they’ve always found highly reliable.

“We have seven tractors here altogether and we tend to stick with New Holland when it comes to our machinery. We recently got a Volvo L70H, which we’re very happy with,” said Kieran.

“We would do a bit of grass silage and the main thing for us in

Continued Best Wishes To Cotter Agri Contractors From

Cork Road, Fermoy, Co Cork.

Ready for cutting

the summer months when it’s very busy is that the machines don’t stop.

“We know a lot about New Hollands and find them a very reliable machine. Cavanagh’s in Fermoy supply them for us.

“We’re also running Claas triple mowers on a New Holland T7 250 and we purchased a new Claas 860 last year with a new eight row maize head. All of our Claas gear is bought off McCarthys in Carrigtwohill in Co Cork.”

As aforementioned, Kieran’s brother Sean has his own agri sales and services outfit in Aglish.

The company is called Blackwater Agri, which was set-up by Sean in 2006, and has been of great benefit to the family business ever since.

“Blackwater Agri is owned and ran my brother Sean and he’s a serious asset for us. He helps maintain our fleet and supplies us with second hand tractors as well,” said Kieran.

Continued Best Wishes To Cotter Agri Contractors, From

For All Your HEDGE CUTTING | FLAIL & SAW TRACTOR HIRE | SPRAYING

T+353 (0)25 42036 F:+353 (0)25 32345 E-mail: sales@cavanaghsoffermoy.ie

Blackwater Agri Services www.cavanaghsoffermoy.com

Best Wishes & Continued Success To Cotter Agri Contractors

Contact Sean Cotter 087-7966241 Aglish, Cappoquin, Co. Waterford 82

ROCHE’S TYRES

Continued Best Wishes To Cotter Agri Contractors, from

Shop & Service Station

Ballysaggart, Lismore, Co. Waterford Telephone: 058-54185 M: 087-2842245 (Pat/Mobile Breakdown Unit) Email: deirdre@rochestyres.ie Laser/Visa facilities available IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

cotter agri designed_Layout 1 01/06/2016 12:35 Page 4

Two of the company’s New Holland fleet

Cotter Agri Contractors Ltd officially started up in January 2014

“The Volvo we bought was off Pat O’Donnell and we get our oil from East Cork Oils. They have a depo in Aglish and they’re the only crowd that I will deal with when it comes to oil.”

Overall, the Cotters look to be in good shape for years to come, with this summer set to be another busy one, according to the co-director of the company.

“I’ve the same lads with me every year when it comes to silage for the last 15 years,” said Kieran.

“We have been flat out setting up crops for the last few weeks and we’re cutting 350 acres of maize at the moment.

We were harvesting 200 acres of beet in 2015 and it will be the same again this year, if not more.”

Great to hear.

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

The company is headed up by father and son, John and Kieran Cotter

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Work being carried out on the farm

T

Grain prices a real concern

he current price of grain has become major concern amongst farmers as the world market continues to be a volatile area.

difficult for farmers to make a living.

For this month’s edition of Irish Tractor & Agri we speak to grain and potato farmer John Carroll who is the IFA Grain County Chairman in Louth.

Based in Paughanstown Farm, Dunleer, Farming is dictated by the world market John farms in the region of 410 acres whether it be the price of milk or cereals which is split into 350 acres for cereals and the current price has left it very and 60 acres of potatoes.

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CONTACT DETAILS

John Carroll Paughanstown Farm Dunleer, Co Louth Tel: 086 2489212

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

paughanstown designed_Layout 1 01/06/2016 12:30 Page 2

Such is his commitment to his work that John has held numerous positions within the IFA including that of chairman of the grain committee in the Wee County.

He admitted that these are uncertain times for any farmer but especially those involved in the harvesting of cereals.

The future of Irish tillage farming is in doubt as farmers face an unprecedented income crisis due to continuing low grain prices, coupled with a very difficult and late spring.

“These are testing times for farmers.

The world market is not in a stable position at the moment and that is having an adverse effect on us here in Ireland,” said John.

Current indications are for a further reduction in overall sowings for the crop year with spring barley likely to fall by an additional 15,000 ha as many growers are forced to leave land fallow. The EU Commission and Parliament, despite numerous warnings from the IFA, have failed to recognise the worsening income situation and take appropriate measures to support growers.

“No there is not enough being done to support farmers at the moment. There is two million tonnes of grain being imported into the country every year.

The price per tonne has been affected by this.”

The International Grains Council in its latest report has revised total world grain production marginally lower by 9mt from 2,006mt to 1,907mt from last month, 45mt below last year’s record crop.

Markets did not react as carryover grain stocks of 466mt (+18mt on last season) into the 2016/17 crop year are seen as more than adequate.

Old crop Irish barley is trading from €145/t to €147/t with new crop from €152/t to €153/t. Old wheat crop is a little weaker trading from €153/t to €155/t with new crop trading €10/t over old crop.

Maize prices are up €2/t on the week trading at €168/t.

John has been a member of the Irish Farmers’ Association for many years and more importantly for him the National Grain Committee which represents Ireland’s 13,000 cereal growers. Its

members are elected by IFA’s 25 county executives. The most important issues include feed grains, peas, beans and oilseed prices and malting barley premium.

The Committee was instrumental in developing price risk management tools for malting barley growers to minimise grain price volatility.

The grain produced by John on his farm is sold locally to Tom McDonnell and Philip Halpenny Ltd, while large square baled straw is sold in the north.

John revealed that they do all the work themselves with a New Holland combine doing the harvesting, while he operates a Grimme harvester for the potatoes and a 6400 Massey series doing the bulk of the other work.

“We get someone in to do the slurry and that is the only contractor that would be working here, everything else is done by ourselves.

Most of the machinery that John uses is sourced from local dealers.

As stated John produces 60 acres of potatoes annually and these are also sold to producers like Wilson’s Country

Tillage work is done on 350 acres IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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BARRCU

Best Wishes To John Carroll, From

Barry Cunningham

ENGINEERING LTD

Contact 087-6839098 Mooremount, Dunleer, Co. Louth

Email: mooremount@gmail.com

DOHERTY POTATOES Best Wishes & Continued Success To John Carroll, From

SUPPLYING POTATOES TO ALL LOCAL MARKETS Seed Potatoes Supplied Nationwide Moness, Burt, Co. Donegal

Mobile: 086-8220247

Colm McDonagh E:dohertypotatoes@yahoo.ie

TYRES

Best Wishes To Paughanstown Farm DUNLEER, CO. LOUTH

CALL 086-2507982 Best Wishes To John Carroll From

Mathews Agricultural Services Ltd.

COLLON, CO. LOUTH

T: 041 -9826139/ 9826812 F: 041- 9826287 Email: mathewsagri@indigo.ie 86

Sixty acres of potatoes are produced

Potatoes, Country Crest and Tom Kennedy Ltd. The Irish potato industry is an important indigenous industry worth €80m at farm gate, with 500 growers planting over 9,000 hectares annually.

“Over the last number of years, potato sales have fallen in Ireland so to arrest the situation, the IFA and Bord Bia have launched a three-year campaign aimed at encouraging the consumption of the potato in Ireland, especially among younger consumers. It is co-funded by the EU, Ireland’s Potato Industry and the Department of Agriculture, Food & Marine.”

John also hosts farm open days for local students and school tours. Despite the IFA holding meetings only once every six weeks, between that and the farming John is kept very busy, so he is fortunate to have the support of his wife and children.

“My wife Nicola would look after all the paperwork and anything that would have to be done for audits, which is a huge help to me.

“We have four children two girls and two boys. We have Una and Eilish and twin boys Sean and Liam who only recently turned 17.

The lads have autism and they are an inspiration to us all.

They are currently learning to drive and they are very good at art, the drawings they produce are unreal, they are very talented.”

Best Wishes To Paughanstown Farm From

Suppliers of Fertilizer, Alkaline Grain, Maize, Animal Feeds & Silage Additives for the Agricultural Sector.

Harristown, Ardee, Co. Louth.

Office Ph: 353 (0)41- 6853688 M: 353 (0) 86- 2452650

Email: info@marksvillefarms.ie www.marksvillefarms.ie

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Jim Farrell designed_Layout 1 01/06/2016 12:25 Page 1

Jim has invested in a brand new Claas Jaguar 860 Harvester

A family aair for Jim Farrell Contractors

J

im Farrell Agricultural Contractors have been providing their customers with an excellent service for more than 20 years now, so Irish Tractor & Agri decided it was time to catch up with one of the men behind the Westmeath-based agri outfit.

certainly seems to be the case when you take into account what has been going on for the last 20-plus years at Jim Farrell Agricultural Contractors in Moate, Co Westmeath.

For Jim Farrell himself, it has come full circle. The business he first officially started up back in the early 1990s has now saw three of his sons come on Success breeds success. The old saying board to help out with the day-to-day

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

CONTACT DETAILS Jim Farrell Agricultural Contractors Moate, Co Westmeath

Tel: 087 7434315

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operations and overall running of the business.

Jim Farrell has been involved in agricultural contracting all of his working life and his sons Tom, Michael and John have all been quick to follow in his footsteps, with another busy summer ahead for all four of them.

Tom is one of the four full-time staff that Jim Farrell Agri Contractors employs all year round and with the summer months fast approaching, he explained that the employee count is set to swell into double figures again soon, with the workload set to increase drastically into September.

It’s something which the Farrells have grown accustom to down through the years and Tom shared with us just exactly what the family outfit are all about.

“We’re based in Moate in Co Westmeath and we’re established for more than 20 years now,” he explained.

“We have four full-time staff working with us, which would include my brother Michael as well. Our father, Jim Farrell, would have founded the company and he’s been in the agricultural industry all of his life.”

Indeed Jim has seen some changes in his time in the industry

Richard O’Brien Agri

The company has eight New Holland tractors in its fleet

Best Wishes To Jim Farrell Agri Contractors From

Clonbonny, Athlone, Co. Westmeath Tel:087-2621512 E:richardobrien_3@msn.com

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but the core values of his business have remained the same, with offering a reliable service to his customers always number one on the agenda.

The work carried out at Jim Farrell Agri Contractors sees them kept ticking over for 12 months of the year, with June, July and August almost always the busiest months on the calendar. As Tom explained, the Farrells offer their customers the full package when it comes to agri services – and they carry them out in a reliable and professional manner.

“We spread a lot of slurry, cut silage, make and wrap bales, along with other services which tend to keep us going all year round,” said Tom. “At the moment, we are very busy with the slurry spreading end of things, which is normal for us this time of year. That’s

Best Wishes & Continued Success To Jim Farrell Agri Contractors

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Jim Farrell designed_Layout 1 01/06/2016 12:25 Page 3

keeping us busy now and into the summer while we prepare for the silage cutting in the months ahead.”

As aforementioned, the summer is very much where it’s at for Jim Farrell and co and they endeavour to make sure that their customers are satisfied with the service that they provide.

As for the customers themselves, Jim has managed to build up a decent sized clientele list down through the years and a large portion of those would be within a 20-30 mile radius of Moate, where the family was born and bred.

Given the reputation that the family has for getting their work done both quickly and efficiently, it’s no surprise to see that those customers have struck with Jim and his sons through thick and thin when they need a contracting service carried out, whether it be silage, slurry or anything else.

For Tom, offering that kind of service is something which he has grown accustom to after having worked under his father for so many years.

“A lot of our customers would be local. In fact, almost all of them are local and that obviously suits us with the work that we do here,” he said.

So why do they choose Jim Farrell Agri Contractors above other agri outfits?

“I think our customers come to us first because they understand that we are very reliable,” Tom stated. “When we say that we’re going to be somewhere, we’ll be there and I think that’s one of the most important aspects in this business – reliability.

“If you’re not reliable and efficient, the customer will go elsewhere. So therefore you have to be dependable and

A view from the hot seat IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Jim Farrell Agri Contractors has been on the go since the early 1990s

there for them when they call.”

The company fleet is also a draw for customers and one which Jim has proudly built up through his long-time experience working with all different types of machinery.

It includes eight New Holland tractors along with two John Deeres, A Claas Harvesters, a Volvo loading shovel, four slurry tankers, five trailers, a 30-foot Claas rake, a McHale Baler and a McHale wrapper.

This time of year sees that fleet very much in full flight and if you’re looking to see some of it in operation you can check out videos on YouTube from July of last year which show Jim and his sons cutting silage with a brand new Claas Jaguar 860 Harvester. You can also see they’re New Holland T7 200 Tractor in action on a job in Tober in Co Offaly.

“We could have up to 10 to 12 lads working here for us during the summer when we’re at our busiest,” Tom outlined.

“Between the baling and silage we’d be working long hours in the summer and could be out cutting, baling or wrapping until 3 in the morning. That’s the business and it can often be very weather dependant.”

He added: “If there’s rain or signs of rain of the way, Jim would often try and work right through it to get it cut.”

As for their own land, the Farrells have plenty to keep them going and also rent out a couple of hundred acres along with a couple of hundred cattle, according to Tom. “We have about 100 suckler cows, which my brother John helps out with, so you could say it’s very much a family effort here,” he concluded.

Great to hear, Tom.

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All vehicles, plant and equipment are kept in pristine condition

C

Tree care experts for over 25 years

elebrating over 25 years in business, Abraham Tree Maintenance in Waringstown, Co. Armagh covers a wide area with a team of experienced tree surgeons and support staff who can take care of all your tree felling, pruning, shaping, crown reduction and removal needs. Health & Safety manager Rowland Chapman explains more.

Abraham Tree Maintenance has carved out a reputation as one of Ireland’s foremost tree surgeon specialists since managing director Tom Abraham set up the business in 1991. Specialising in every tree service available, the company prides itself on safety, reliability and

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providing each customer with the perfect result. Its tree surgery services are available to both private and commercial customers both north and south of the border. Each member of the Abraham team is fully qualified and trained to operate state-of-the-art machinery and technology. No job is too big or too small with free quotes available on request.

“We offer an array of services to private and commercial clients,” Rowland explains.

“We cover all of Northern Ireland and parts of the Republic as well. We are busy all year round and have grown by 25 per cent in the past two years. Our biggest customer is ESB Networks who we’ve been working for since the late1990s. We cover an area from Dundalk down to Mullingar and also the whole of

Co. Donegal for them, with this specialised work safety is our priority, ESB provides us with induction training, supervisory training and full support in our daily operations, safety is of course paramount and as well as working to

CONTACT DETAILS Abraham Tree Maintenance 95 Banbridge Road, Waringstown, Co. Armagh BT66 7RU

Telephone: +44 (0)28 3888 1258 E: info@abrahamtreemaintenance.co.uk www.abrahamtreemaintenance.co.uk

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

abraham tree designed_Layout 1 01/06/2016 12:23 Page 2

stringent safety guidelines provided from ESB, we also sought independent safety approval, this is provided by SafeTcert and we are now in our third year as being SafeTcert certified.

“We also work for NIE Networks, periodically for over 22 years now, Harold McIvor leads the crew on this work Harry has over 20 years’ experience and expertise in tree surgery, and we have a wide range of private customers, including many farmers. Most of our business is secured through word of mouth, we have been fortunate over the years gaining customers this way”.

Trees are beautiful, majestic beings, but sometimes they can outgrow their surroundings or outstay their welcome. If you have a tree in your garden or on your land that is becoming overbearing, Abraham Tree Maintenance can offer a variety of solutions. Ranging from crown reduction, which makes the tree appear smaller, through to complete tree removal, they’ll take care of the entire process.

While a tree itself may be thriving, the ground below it may be suffering due to lack of sunlight and water. There are a variety of solutions to this common problem, so why not give the Abraham team a call and they’ll take you through them. The main services offered are tree felling, tree removal, tree pruning and thinning, hedge pruning, stump removal, crown reduction, tree surveys and inspection.

Abraham Tree Maintenance is fully insured for your peace of mind and offers great prices on all services and products.

All staff have undergone NPTC training at TKF (T Kirk Forestry), National Training Solutions in Navan, Co. Meath or at Abortech in Ballycastle, Co. Antrim.

The cost of the training is footed by the company itself.

“We don’t take on staff unless they are, or willing to become fully trained,” Rowland stresses.

“Being a tree surgeon is one of the most dangerous occupations there is, and that is why it is so important to follow health & safety guidelines at all times.

Our staff is a mixture of tree surgeons, climbers, groundsmen and work planners. Given the dangerous nature of the work, it can be a challenge for us to recruit the right staff. We have found that IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

The impressive fleet

The team at Abraham Tree Maintenance

The company’s central location within there aren’t many young people out Northern Ireland means its crews are there who are interested in becoming never far away from the customer. The tree surgeons although we have been staff have a huge passion for timber and fortunate to establish a very good team a great understanding of trees and their of staff. Our team of staff are made up of ways. three crews consisting of 3-4 staff with a Owner Tom Abraham says: “We would mixture of climbers and ground persons, like to take this opportunity to thank our Christopher White is a crew leader, he customers for their support and loyalty joined us fresh from leaving school over over the past 25 years. We are 12 years ago over the years he obtained constantly striving to improve and NPTC, City & Guilds, Solas and first aid enhance our services and equipment. qualifications enabling him to become an We look forward to catering for all of our intensively skilled tree surgeon, Our clients’ tree surgery requirements for other crew leader Andrew White came to many more years to come.” us from working as a young person in The tree surgeon specialist is always the building trade and also excelled on the lookout for trained staff so if any himself to become an experienced tree readers are interested in a career in tree surgeon. surgery, please email you cv to Abraham Tree Maintenance runs a abrahamtreemaintenance@gmail.com modern fleet of vehicles consisting of three lorries, three 4x4s, two vans and four chippers. The Best Wishes & three crews all Continued Success operate machinery To which is calibrated by Abraham Tree the NIE, including Maintenance chainsaws, pole saws, insulated rods, insulated handsaws and specialist climbing equipment.

17 Mandeville Street, Portadown All equipment is Craigavon, Co Armagh BT62 3PB subject to regular safety checks, while T 028 3833 2801 F 028 3835 0293 twice-weekly audits www.gmcgca.com are also carried out.

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A Volvo L90f backs up silage onto the pit

A Krone triple mower is used for mowing

Dennehy Agri continue to deliver A

gricultural contractors take out the hassle and strain of getting through a mountain of work during the course of the year.

Financially, it also makes sense to hire in a contractor to do the necessary work throughout the various seasons, which range from ploughing, reseeding, maize, slurry and muck spreading, silage and baling to name just a few services provided by contractors. Many also offer groundworks and other plant services which farmers avail of from time to time.

For a farmer to do all this work, he or she would need the proper machinery and equipment and as we all know that comes at a great expense, while the specialised machinery would only be sitting idle in their yards for the majority of the year.

Farmers are creatures of habit and once they trust a contractor to do the work to the standard that they require then that contractor will be called upon every year.

This is the case with family run business Dennehy Agri Contractors & Plant Hire

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who from their homestead in Ballyhooly, Co Cork supply an efficient and reliable service to an ever-increasing customer base that spans across their native county as well as parts of Kerry, Limerick and Tipperary.

Contracting is dictated to by the weather and time constraints. Last year, was a good year for contractors as the mainly dry summer allowed them to get through their work quickly.

The Dennehy family are farmers themselves so they know what their customers want. In 1986, Ger Dennehy decided to start some contracting work and from there the business and customer base has grown hand in hand.

These days, he is joined by his sons Dave and James. Services provided included silage, maize, muck spreading, ploughing, reseeding, slurry and dumper work.

Dave spoke to Irish Tractor & Agri about the business and how they strive to ensure that each and every customer is happy with the work that they do.

“Since my father started up, we would have gathered a lot of experience over

the years, while we have continuously upgraded the machinery and I think that is a massive thing given the time constraints in this business,” said Dave.

“With the silage for example, we can manage to get through 100 acres a day with the machinery that we are using. A Krone Triple mower is used for mowing, while for picking up, we have a Claas 960 which was bought from McCarthy Plant & Agri Sales, Carrigtwohill. We have John Deere tractors for drawing in and we use Broughan trailers also. Then for backing up, we have a Volvo L90f.

“During the off season, we would do all our maintenance work ourselves and make sure that all the machinery is in excellent condition as the last thing we or our customers want is for us to be breaking down while on a job.”

Dave added that during this busy period additional staff are taken on to help cope with the workload.

CONTACT DETAILS Dennehy Agri Killathy, Ballyhooly, Cork, Co. Cork

Tel: (025)39152 Mob: 086-1080084 IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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An impressive view of the fleet

“We operate one crew during the silage season. The three of us would be working and we would bring in an additional six lads for that period.

“When there is a window of opportunity there to get the work done then you have to take it and this can be a hectic schedule for a few weeks, but it’s a case of having to get the work done.”

Dave revealed that the customer base has grown considerably over the years with many of their clients opting to use Dennehy Agri Contracts for many years now.

“The majority of our customers would be with us for many year now, some of which would be there from the start and a lot of them would use us for more than just one service.”

Dennehy’s are something of a specialist when it comes to sowing maize as they offer the full service, from ploughing to reseeding using the Samco system.

The Samco System involves the use of a 3-in-1 machine that sows Maize Corn Seed, sprays a pre-emergence

herbicide on the soil and lays a thin layer of degradable mulch film over the soil, increasing air and ground temperature and protecting the young seedling from adverse weather and late frosts. The Samco System can be used in a range of climatic conditions depending on the customer’s requirements.

“We provide a host of services and we are kept busy throughout the year, while my father looks after the farm at home. We farm up to 300 acres and focus mainly on dairy.”

Dave admits that there has been many changes in the farming industry over the years and he feels that most of these changes have benefitted the agricultural community.

“Farming has become a lot more scientific. From the type of slurry used to fertilise grass to measuring grass itself, it all has a common purpose of reaching the maximum potential of your farm.

“That is why when it comes to the contracting, we know what the farmer wants and needs, which we strive to give them every time we work for them.”

WILLIAM TANNER Continued Success & Best Wishes to Dennehy Agri from

Dennehy’s carry out groundworks also

A Claas 960 is used for picking up silage

The summer months are a busy time

Best Wishes To Dennehy Agri, From

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Don’t settle for second best

f your looking to buy a used tractor, look no further than Nephin Tractors and Machinery Ltd. The Mayo-based company specialises in the sales and export of quality second hand tractors and agricultural machinery. Proprietor Colm Moyles offers all the services his customers require including delivery, overseas export and shipping.

The country's export sectors are playing a major role in fueling the economic recovery. Highly competitive, the prospects for continued robust growth are good as long as global trade continues to expand.

Domestically, there has also been a significant improvement in trading conditions but far away fields are greener as far as Colm Moyles of Nephin Tractors & Machinery Ltd is concerned.

Stocking a wide range of brands and models of tractors and plant, Nephin Tractors & Machinery are experts in supplying and sourcing tractors and plant

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machinery to export and home markets.

“I set up the business in 2012,” explained Colm in conversation with Irish Tractor & Agri. “I had worked in construction up until then but that fell by the wayside around 2008.

“Everyone knows what happened there but I originally hailed from a farming background and I saw a demand there for export tractors initially. From there I slowly but surely got into holding and pushing stock.

“Most of my business is export. For example I was on the phone to customers in Ghana and Malaysia today. I source tractors and machinery throughout Ireland and sell them on to Europe, the Far East, the Middle East and Africa.”

It's a business model that has served Colm and Nephin Tractors & Machinery well so far but it's not without its risks.

“Currency rates are obviously one of the main stumbling blocks while there are other issues that arise from time to time that are outside my control.

“Two years ago a customer in Yemen

had paid me a deposit on some items but then phoned me up to say he couldn't go ahead with the arrangement because the port had been blown up!

“It's hard to believe that something that happens internationally can have such an effect on my business here in Mayo but that's the way the export business is.”

Nephin Tractors & Machinery's main route to market is via international buy and sell websites (a la Done Deal). In addition,

CONTACT DETAILS Nephin Tractors & Machinery Ltd Derryhillagh Castlehill Ballina Co. Mayo Tel: +353 (0)876806540 Email: info@nephintractors.ie Website: www.nephintractors.ie

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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customers can log on to the company's regularly updated website – www.nephintractors.ie.

Offering a highly personalised and knowledgable service, Colm gives his clients assurance that what they purchase is sound and reliable. Organising haulage and delivery globally, as a result, he has many clients who come back to him again and again.

“I'm of the opinion that what people believe they are getting, they get. There's huge trust involved and my clients are obviously satisfied with what I tell them because I get a lot of repeat business.

“It takes a while to build up relationships and trust. Some clients visit my yard while purchase on trust, they rely hugely on what I tell them.”

The quality of Nephin's tractors and plant machinery is another reason why the office phone is rarely idle.

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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“Business has been fairly steady, there are times it blows hot and cold but that's the nature of this business and, overall, I'm happy because I'm kept going.

“At times I'm surprised how steadily the business has grown and I hope to take on a person this year.

“There's a good demand out there for quality second hand stock. The construction sector has also seen a lift in recent times and there is a shortage of machinery and tractors.

“As long as there are farmers there will be a need for tractors and equipment. Cash flow can be tight, that goes in cycles, but what I've seen is a good demand domestically for the last while.”

One of the leading dealers in the country, Nephin Tractors & Machinery Ltd provide their customers with the best service available.

Colm takes care of everything from the purchase to the delivery with full peace of mind that his clients require.

Give him a call to find out more.

James Foy Auto Service

Wishing Continued Success To Nephin Tractors & Machinery, From

24 HOUR RECOVERY SERVICE Specialist In Truck & Coach Recovery

“From A Moped To A Artic We’ll Recover it” Dromore West, Sligo Tel:+353.9647052 Mobile: +353.872541243

www.recoverysligo.com

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NOEL HOLMES

Best Wishes To Nephin Tractors & Machinery, From

CONSTRUCTION LTD

FARM BUILDINGS | HOUSES | NEW BUILDS EXTENSIONS | RENOVATIONS Leadymore, Killala, Co. Mayo Telephone: 096-32480 Email: holmesconstruction@gmail.com IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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