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The experienced team at Marksville Farms, l/r: Eoin Clarke, Elaine Kerr, Paddy McDonnell, Tom McDonnell, Colum McDonnell, Aileen Kirk, Bernard Maguire
was established 13 years ago and we have seven full time staff employed. “We offer the supply of high quality Maxammon treated cereals, minerals, fertilizer and forage additives directly onto farms. Our background has always been in farming and we have diversified into selling our own grain. Having become distribution agents for Maxammon four years ago that is now
CONTACT DETAILS Marksville Farms Harristown Ardee, Co. Louth
Tel: 041 6853688 Email: info@marksvillefarms.ie IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI
our main focus. “Harbo in Scotland developed Maxammon and are manufacturers of the product. Having witnessed its use in the livestock sector over there four years ago, we immediately knew there would be a huge place for this product in Ireland” Maxammon grain is the name given to the alkaline grain storage and preservation system. Enhanced pH and increased protein content result in huge benefits to farmers and livestock alike. For non grain growers Marksville Farms supply ready to feed Maxammon barley, wheat, maize and oats. Maxammon is a combination of soluble feed grade urea, essential oils, enzymes and full fat soya. Enzymes ensure 100% hydrolization of the urea content during the preservation process, rapidly stabilising the grain. Grains treated with the Maxammon alkaline preservation process are left with a high pH (8.5 – 9.5). This high pH counteracts acidity in the rumen when fed. Optimum rumen pH for thorough digestion is 6.2. Most preserved forages in Ireland have a pH of 3.7 and 4.3, all of which add considerable acid loads to livestock diets. Maxammon grain rapidly increases the pH of the overall diet helping to attain an optimum rumen environment, resulting in better feed digestion and efficiency. During the Maxammon preservation process, mature grain is not rolled as fine as it may be with other treatment methods. This allows for the slower release of starch in the animals rumen. Twinned with its high pH, it means higher levels of Maxammon grain can be fed than traditional forms of cereals.
Marksville Farms is a busy operation nowadays and Tom and his brother Paddy hope to see that continue into 2015, and the future. “We are very busy at the moment,” he said. “Farming has had its own downturn but thankfully not in the same way as the construction industry. “We’re exposed to the price of beef and the price of milk and at the moment both of those are under pressure.” In addition to Maxammon treated cereals, Marksville Farms also offer a range of rolled cereals, straight energy, protein and fibre feeds, maize silage and straw. As mentioned, Marksville Farms are approved agents for the renowned Yara Fertiliser Range, which they deliver direct to farm. Yara Complex Compound Fertiliser range provides accurate spreading to maximize yield as well as even distributions pattern over 24 metres. It also provides consistent particle size (90% 2mm-4mm), is free flowing and dust free and has correct nutrient and balance in every particle. The Maxammon mineral range for dairy, dry cow and beef cattle has been developed by Marksville Farms in partnership with Harbro Limited and Devenish Nutrition Limited. This mineral range has been designed to provide the optimum requirements for livestock being fed Maxammon treated grain. Mineral, vitamin and trace element supplementation is vital to ensure animal health and performance is kept at optimum levels. It is often overlooked until a deficiency manifests itself. Silage additives are another essential cog in the business. Reducing feed
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