Irish Tractor October 2015 by Lynn Group Media

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October 2015 Vol. 3 No. 9

Jim O’Regan Jim Ryan

Contracting Services

East Cork Dairy Services

Johnston Agri Contractors

Philip Ireland Tyre Repair

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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: Email: contact@lynngroupmedia.com

Condon Engineering Ltd Specialists in Livestock Housing solutions

Ballybofey & Stranorlar Co-Op Livestock Mart Ltd Integral part of farming life in the Finn Valley

East Cork Dairy Services

Ireland’s longest servicing Dairymaster agent

Maguire Contracts An unrivalled agricultural contracting service

Smithform Construction Complete builds of agricultural & industrial buildings

48 Jim O’Regan

Farming 1,600 acres in Kinsale

18 The Fertilizer Association of Ireland

52 Hannon Family Farm

21 Jim Ryan Contracting Services Ltd.

59 Pat Hickey

Promoting the efficient use of fertilizer

Celebrating 35 years in business

26 Philip Ireland Tyre Repair

No.1 supplier for BKT Agrimax Tyres in Co. Kilkenny

30 Enrich Environmental Ltd.

Award winning compost and soil manufacturer

33 North Kerry Agri Contractors Ltd.

Leader in Agricultural Contracting throughout Limerick & North Kerry region

Johnston Agricultural Contractors

Over 50 years experience in contracting

44 Gardiner Grain Ltd.

Supplying quality products & services

Managing the spectacular Lisnalty herd Two farms in Co. Westmeath & Co. Roscommon

62 S&M Engineering

A leader in agricultural equipment in Northern Ireland

68 Manna Organic Store

Only certified organic store in Co. Kerry

70 Lixnaw Fabrications

Has built up a wealth of experience

72 Woodford Timber Products Ireland

Renowned for outstanding quality and service

74 John O’Brien

One of the leading dairy farmers in West Cork

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

Michelin unveils new CargoXBib Heavy Duty tyre range for Agricultural Trailers

Michelin has unveiled its new CargoXBib Heavy Duty tyre – aimed at farmers looking for reliability and stability while using heavily loaded agricultural trailers on the road and in the field. With first versions expected to be available on the market in late 2015, this new generation tyre extends the CargoXBib range and is seen by Michelin as an additional offering to the CargoXBib High Flotation tyre. Designed to be the perfect fitment for both the road and the field, the CargoXBib Heavy Duty tyre is said by Michelin to optimise longevity and driver comfort The Michelin CargoXBib tyre on roads, while offering excellent slope handling and high load capacity of up to almost 8,330 kg per tyre. The alignment of the “Tripod” tread blocks and their alternating pattern promotes self-cleaning according to Michelin, while at the same time, tread block linkages limit wear caused by twisting. Large rounded shoulders are designed to protect the vegetation and simplify handling on hard ground, coupled with a flat and large tread design to maximise the ground contact patch reducing soil compaction and increasing traction. The CargoXBib Heavy Duty tyre will be available for agricultural trailers, implements and general agricultural machinery, in three sizes: 560/60 R22.5 from November 2015, 560/45 R22.5 from July 2016 and 500/60 R22.5 from August 2016.

Monster Tractor Run in Virginia

A Monster Tractor Run will take place on Saturday 10 October in Virgina Show Grounds, Co Cavan. Registration is at 9am with a start time of 12 noon and costs €20 per tractor. The event is in aid of two local causes – ‘4 Lil Jakes Sake’ and ‘Hope for Cian’ Special guests on the day are Grassmen and Marty Mone of ‘Hit the Diff’ fame. There will also be Dyno Testing on the day by Meath Farm Machinery. All are welcome.

Tractor run set for Virginia IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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John Deere unviels new high-horsepower 4-track 9RX Series tractors

Four new 4-track models provide more power to the ground, comfort and reliability for producers. John Deere introduces its first-ever 4-track tractor, adding to its extensive line of high horsepower 9R Series wheeled and 9RT Series 2-track tractors. The four new 9RX Tractor models – which range from 470 to 620 engine horsepower – feature a large, robust undercarriage and track system engineered to provide superior power, durability, and improved ride quality, especially when handling large implements in the field. The 9RX feature a superior undercarriage with a positive-drive track system that effectively delivers power to the ground; ideal to match heavy draft applications such as cultivating, ploughing, disking and ripping, large-scale seeding applications or even non-agricultural assignments. The new 9470RX and 9520RX tractors are powered by 13.5L John Deere PowerTech PSS engines (CIS/UKR release: Stage II engines), whereas the 9570RX and 9620RX are using 15.0L Cummins QSX engines. Featuring cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), enhanced turbo charger technology, diesel particulate filter (DPF) and Selective Catalytic Reduction Technology (SCR), both engine makes are compliant with Stage IV/Final Tier 4 emission regulations and provide the torque and power to handle the toughest field conditions. The engines power a large diameter drive sprocket and drive lugs that, along with optimally placed idlers and mid-rollers, work to deliver exceptional horsepower to the ground with less track slippage. The new 9RX tractors are equipped with rugged, puncture-resistant Camso Durabuilt 3500 and 6500 Series belts

with Duradrive Technology for optimal load-bearing performance in the field. Available in 30-inch width, the track belts are designed for increased durability and stay within the 3m limit of the total machine width. Extra-wide 36-inch tracks are also available as an option. Like its 9R/9RT siblings, the new 4-track tractors are available with the responsive, smooth-shifting e18 transmission with Efficiency Manager for automated control of the engine and transmission. This industry-leading transmission responds quickly and automatically in the field for improved performance and increased fuel savings. The tractors also feature an articulated steering system and the optionally available Active Command Steering (ACS) which improves maneuverability in the field and line-holding ability, even at transport speeds of 40km/h. Designed with integrated performance features already available on John Deere’s 9 Series family of tractors the CommandView III cab benefits from a new cab suspension system which significantly improves the tractors’ ride quality by allowing up to 4 inches (10 cm) of vertical travel. This helps to control movement and isolates the cab and operator from sudden impacts and vibration. Other features provide superior ergonomics within the CommandView III cab. These include the fully integrated AutoTrac™ guidance and JDLink Connect information management system, the intuitive, easy-to-use Generation 4 CommandCenter display with custom-built pages which provides fingertip control of tractor and implement functions, and the e18 transmission with Efficiency Manager. For optimum visibility even at dusk or night, as many as 24 LED Lights spread daylight quality around the tractor and implement. The hydraulic system in the new 9RX was redesigned and includes up to eight SCVs delivering a standard 220L/min per minute of flow, or an optional 435L/min per minute of flow. It easily meets the speed and high hydraulic power demands of the large implements our customers often use in the field.

Permanent Position

4-track 9RX Series IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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Michelin Farm Tyre Pressure App now available for iOS devices

Michelin’s agricultural tyre pressure calculator app is now available for iOS devices. Compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch devices, users can access the free app for real-time information and guidance which Michelin says makes it easier for farmers and contractors to calculate the correct tyre pressures for their desired tractor load and speed conditions – helping to reduce soil compaction and leave shallower ruts.

New Zetor & Merlo models debuted at National Ploughling Championships

The new Zetor Crystal tractor and Merlo medium duty Turbofarmer telehandler were among the crowdpulling exhibits to feature on the McHale Plant Sales’ stand at the National Ploughing Championships. The Zetor Crystal – a model that revives a popular name from Zetor’s historic past – will be available here in 144hp and 163hp versions. Powered by a 24valve Deutz engine with common rail Zetor Crystal tractor injection, it brings Zetor into the highperformance segment with a value-to-price specifications package that McHale sales director John O’Brien notes ‘will see Zetor competing toe-to-toe against the big brands’. Features include 30/30 forward/ reverse transmission, three-stage torque multiplier, extended wheelbase, a more spacious, more silent, suspended cab with sunroof and new trade mark red wheels. Merlo From Merlo, all eyes will be on the new medium-duty TF35.7 Turbofarmer range. Machine of the Year title winner, the TF35.7 is claimed by Merlo to be the only model in its category to offer an effective 3,500kg lift capacity at a height of 7-metres. Available with a mouth-watering range of driver comfort, operational and safety features, it is powered by a 122hp, 4cylinder Euro Tier 4/Stage 3B compliant engine. On show with it will be a Roto version that – with its spider feet stabilisers and crane-like reach – is gaining huge favour amongst construction users. Remembering also their role as Komatsu distributors – whose WA320-7 wheel loader is proving especially popular agricultural, quarrying and construction users alike – the McHale Plant Sales line-up also included a PC55 and PC138 short-tail excavator.

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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Advanced engines power new MF Activa combines from Massey Ferguson

Massey Ferguson is launching two new combines for the 2016 season – the new MF 7340 Activa combine, which is powered by the latest, highly advanced four cylinder engine and the six cylinder powered, MF 7344 Activa. The MF Activa 7340 MF Activa combine is powered by the latest and most advanced 176hp, AGCO Power 4.9 litre, four cylinder engine, employing pioneering engine technology to boost power density. This enables the four cylinder engine to deliver unrivalled performance to improve efficiency and economy. “It’s been a long time since a combine has been powered by a four cylinder engine,” says Adam Sherriff, Manager Marketing Massey Ferguson. “This offers the operating benefits of a six cylinder, but in a lighter, smaller package.” The large displacement, 4.9 litre four valve/cylinder engine features Fourth Generation common rail fuel injection and controls and employs maintenance free SCR technology to meet the latest emissions standards with low fuel consumption. With the engine comes a new CANbus linked control panel in the cab. This colour screen shows a range of engine and combine operating information. A new ‘sectional’ concave, which can be changed through the stone trap, further improves the versatile combine’s harvest quality in a range of crops. This allows operators to quickly and easily switch the front section of the concave to, for example, a wider maize unit without the need to remove the elevator. Six cylinder MF Activa 7344 with PowerFlow header The new MF Activa 7344, which replaces the MF Activa 7244 is now available with the option of a 5.5m wide PowerFlow header. This brings the benefits of this output enhancing cutterbar to users of smaller combines, providing unparalleled performance in oilseed rape, while improving cutting and output in a wide range of crops. “PowerFlow is proven to boost output by up to 73% in oilseed rape, 15% in wheat and 12% in barley. It is also particularly useful in difficult conditions, helping farmers secure more of their harvest, more quickly,” explains Mr Sherriff. The existing range of FreeFlow cutterbars, with Terra control auto-levelling option, is still available in widths from 4.2m to 6.6m. The five straw-walker MF Activa 7344 is powered by a new advanced 218hp AGCO Power 7.4 litre, six cylinder engine. This durable, fuel efficient and powerful engine is set to precisely deliver the torque and response required for efficient performance when combine harvesting. The new MF Activa 7344 also benefits from the same drum and concave with independent adjustment as the MF Activa 7340. It also benefits from the Active Rear Beater Concave, for optimum threshing in a wide variety of crops and conditions. The combine harvester features the same new, multi-function lever and terminal as the MF Activa 7340 and is topped off with new styling. This follows the Massey Ferguson Combine family feel with a new cab roof, grey upper part and a new rear straw hood. A wider flanged Rockinger trailer hitch is another new option.

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

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New John Deere W and T-Series combines for 2016

New John Deere combines

Featuring new Stage IV compliant PSS engines with more power and lower engine speeds, John Deere’s new W and TSeries combines have been comprehensively redesigned for the 2016 harvest season. Many components have been changed to achieve the best straw walker combine performance possible. The combination of the largest active separation area on the market and an enlarged cleaning shoe area will enable operators to achieve an increase in output of up to 15 per cent, says the company. Other class leading features include the fastest unloading rate and header conversion for different crops; exclusive 40kph top speed and track options; and the latest FarmSight precision farming developments with ConnectedCombine and MyJohnDeere.com. On both ranges, the design changes provide increased separation capacityeven under tough and wet harvesting conditions. Featuring a sieve area of more than 6m2, the redesigned cleaning shoe is now among the largest in its class. Tests have shown that the combines can now operate at a high performance level with low losses across a wider range of fan settings. This makes it easier to get the maximum out of the combine with minimal losses, even for less experienced operators. The unloading rate of up to 125 litres/sec allows an 11,000-litre capacity grain tank to be emptied in less than 90 seconds. The new 600X Series combine header can also be converted from barley to rape harvesting in just three minutes, while the rape knife features a quick coupler for faster conversion. In addition, John Deere’s new quick-engage Booster Bar is a rasp bar that can be swung into the crop flow in less than three minutes in situations where more aggressive threshing is required, for example in barley. The ConnectedCombine package is designed to enable operators to get the maximum performance out of the harvester, to adjust it properly and manage the recorded data with the support of GPS. AutoTrac hands-free steering allows the driver to concentrate on combine adjustments, while Interactive Combine Adjustment (ICA) helps with the optimisation of machine settings. If required, Remote Display Access (RDA) connects the operator to a dealer specialist on the go, giving access to 24/7 product support and training. Machine data such as fuel consumption, yield maps and area harvested on multiple fields can be transmitted via wireless data transfer (WDT) to the safe online web portal MyJohnDeere.com. Here an operator can view or download data instantly, as it is updated automatically on the move. Further data processing with agronomic software packages is also possible, while JDLink allows fleet management logistics to be optimised for greater efficiency and productivity. John Deere’s larger S-Series combines for 2016 will feature Stage IV engines with the same industry leading diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) consumption of only one to three per cent. A 40kph transmission option will also be available, in combination with ProDrive. In addition, the smaller W330 combine can now be specified with the AutoTrac Universal automatic guidance system, as can the W440 and W440PTC models, which also have the option of electric sieve adjustment.

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

MONSTER TRACTOR RUN Saturday 10th October Virginia Show Grounds

Registration - 9am €20 per Tractor Start - 12 noon In Aid of

Special Guests

Marty Mone ‘Hit the Diff’

DYNO TESTIN G on the d

ay by

Meath F arm Machine ry

ALL WELCOME!

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Providing exceptional dairy services in East Cork and Waterford

upplying milking machines (including an unbeatable back-up service) to the agricultural industry for over four decades, East Cork Dairy Services opened a second outlet this summer to cater for its growing customer base in neighbouring Waterford. We met up with founder / director Tim O’Mahony to trace the history of the business as well as to mark the historic opening of Waterford Dairy Services. 8

East Cork Dairy Services – Ireland’s longest-serving Dairymaster agent provides top-class, reliable milking machines and milking solutions, greatly assisting dairy farmers in maximising their productivity, as well as an unrivalled, prompt and professional servicing and repairs service. Over the past forty years and more, the company has developed a reputation as leaders in their field, putting decades of expertise, experience and enthusiasm to great use to offer a service that’s simply second to none.

CONTACT DETAILS East Cork Dairy Services, Ladysbridge, County Cork. Tel: 021 4667385

Waterford Dairy Services: 058 22994 Email: ecds@eircom.net

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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The range of equipment and supplies offered includes milking machines and systems, water heaters, automatic scrapers, parlour wash troughs, parlour feed systems, cluster cleanse systems, moo monitors and drafting with solutions tailored to meet each dairy farmer’s specific individual needs. Highly-trained, knowledgeable and helpful staff are on hand to assist customers with their every need and the extension of the distributor network through the genesis of a second outlet – Waterford Dairy Services – in July of this

All the staff are highly trained

year will yield further growth in the coming years. Decades on from its inception, this exceptional business continues to gather pace. Tim O’Mahony, who set the business up alongside co-director Tom Barry, boasts almost half a century of experience of the dairy sector. Having completed a course at Moore Park, Fermoy, he joined Imokilly Co-Op in 1966 and tested and serviced milking machines there for the next six years. “I started out on my own in 1972,” he reflects. “In 1973, we became the first

Patrick Curran, Tom Barry, Ned Harty, Tim O’Mahony and Sarah O’Mahony IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

agent Ned Harty [Dairymaster founder] had. In 1975, Tom Barry came on board as my business partner and we traded as O’Mahony & Barry until the mideighties, before forming East Cork Dairy Services.” In the formative years, Tim and Tom did servicing and breakdowns. The business grew organically and quickly on the back of providing farmers with an excellent level of service. “Dairymaster was starting to grow in the late ‘seventies and we started to sell equipment too and the workforce started to grow,” Tim continues. When the quotas came in during the ‘eighties, East Cork Dairy Services continued to get a lot of business as they were providing an exceptional service and repairing every make of milking machine. “We were providing a complete 24/7 breakdown service, 365 days a year and the business grew on the back of that,” says Tim. “We continued to grow throughout the ‘eighties and took on more employees. As more technology was introduced and the equipment became more electronic, we brought in more qualified people, including Paddy Curran, who’s qualified in electronics and who is now a director in the company.” The fourth director in the business is Tim’s daughter, Sarah, who also works in accounts. Regarding the steady growth of the business from the 1980s onwards, the affable Cork man explains: “We were doing a lot of machines in East Cork and all over Cork and we were also doing a good bit of business in Waterford, so we

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At the opening of the Waterford Dairy Services shop

kept growing, again through the quality of our service and the breakdown service. “When a customer has a breakdown, we try to get him up and running again within an hour. That’s what we aim for. We always have a man on call, around the clock, as well as a back-up man and even a third man if needs be. You have to get the machines back working as quickly as possible. “We’re service driven. Since Day One my aim has been to provide a quality service and my outlook has been that everything else will follow. The farmer is under fierce pressure when he’s broken

and once you get him fixed quickly he’ll appreciate it and the chances are he’ll do business with you again.” This is why East Cork Dairy Services boasts hundreds of satisfied customers all over Cork and Waterford! “We’re expanding the whole time and gaining new customers all the time,” Tim continues. “We have around 800 customers in total between Cork and Waterford and we handle all the installations in East Cork for Dairymaster.” To ensure the optimal levels of customer satisfaction, a team of 14 is employed at present, including four fully-

qualified milking machine technicians. Although fresh blood has been introduced to ensure that the business remains at the cutting edge, founder Tim O’Mahony keeps very much up to speed with everything that’s going on in the milking machine sector. “I know what’s happening on the ground,” he confirms. “Things are getting more advanced but we are staying on top of it.” As well as supplying, installing, servicing and repairing Dairymaster equipment and all associated tools etc., East Cork Dairy Services stocks literally anything a dairy farmer could want, from detergents to complete parlours. Even though the Waterford branch only opened in July, it has already been a great success. Is the business seasonal at all? “Not really. It was back in the ‘70s but now we’re busy all year around. We’re putting up and servicing parlours for twelve months of the year. Indeed, some of the farmers are so busy that they’re having their parlours serviced several times a year.” But have dairy farmers got much disposal income to spend on new equipment? “It was looking fairly good last year when milk prices were good but they have dropped again. The grants are helping but you’d still like to see prices go back up above 30cent for it to take off

The team pictured at the opening of the outlet in Dungarvan

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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Continued success to all at

EAST CORK DAIRY SERVICES

CROP SEEDS | SOLID FUELS | FERTILIZERS TOWNSPARK, MIDLETON, CO. CORK Phone : 021- 4630683 Fax : 021- 4630664 Email: info@amac.ie | www.amac.ie

Wishing Continued Success To EAST CORK DAIRY SERVICES

Carrigtohill Industrial Estate, Carrigtohill Head Office: 021 488 11 90 Fax: 021 488 11 93 Mobile: 086 25 88 390

For All Your Oil Requirements

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Aidan O’Shaughnessy & Sons Ltd. Best Wishes To East Cork Dairy Services, From

ENGINEERING SUPPLIES Blackstone Bridge, Lower Killeens, Co. Cork

T: 021- 4304644 | F: 021 -4304197 IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Best wishes to East Cork Dairy Services from all in C.A. Galvin Ltd www.cagalvin.com

IRISH

AGRI

WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR COMPANY FEATURED

Call Barry now on 00353 (0) 46 9241923

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Continued Success To East Cork Dairy Services, From

Best Wishes & Continued Success To East Cork Dairy Services

LEADING SUPPLIER OF FASTENERS AND FIXINGS

Link Road, Poulavone, Ballincollig, Co.Cork Tel:021-4875878 Fax:021-4875882 Email: info@gwscork.ie www.gwscork.ie

Best Wishes To East Cork Dairy Services, From

DAIRY HYGIENE PRODUCTS TEAT CARE SPECIALISTS Dromalour, Kanturk, Co. Cork. Tel: 029 50176 / 087 2598537 Email: carechemsupplies@eircom.net www.carechemsupplies.com Best Wishes & Continued Success To East Cork Dairy Services, From

PATRICK MCNAMARA & ASSOCIATES (CORK)

CHARTERED CERTIFIED ACCOUNTANTS & STATUTORY AUDITORS

“Providing A Personal Professional Proactive Service To Our Clients” Lee View House,11/12 South Terrace, Cork. Phone:021 - 4965455 Fax:021 - 4963941 E-Mail:info@pmcncork.ie | www.pmcncork.ie

Hydraulics - Pneumatics Torque Tools - Work Wear -

Macro Stainless Ltd. Best Wishes To East Cork Dairy Services, From

Corcanree Ind Est., Dock Road, Limerick

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

www.macrostainless.ie Tel:061-414555 Fax:061-414411 Contact Tommy Rowan, Tony McNamara Wishing Continued Success To East Cork Dairy Services From

Continued Best Wishes To East Cork Dairy Services Unit 10 Owenacurra Business Park, Knockgriffin, Midleton, Co Cork. T: (021) 4632176 F: (021) 4632601 Email: info@redpower.ie www.redwoodpowertools.com 12

Distributing Tools & Equipment Throughout Ireland Since 1984

97 Lower Glanmire Road,Cork. Tel: +353 21 4500051 Fax: +353 21 4508203 www.disc.ie IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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again. Having said that, we’ve a lot of work on at the moment and plenty of sales and enquiries. “Labour is the biggest problem farmers are facing. It’s very hard to get properlytrained lads to take on milking. If they could get more lads in to milk, that would be a big help. More needs to be done to encourage lads to take up milking, because it’s a very good job and there’s a shortage of labour. The farmers don’t have any problem paying wages; there just aren’t enough good lads prepared to do it.” East Cork Dairy Services also build extensions onto existing parlours if required, although complete new builds are every bit as popular. “With the grants, it pays better to get a whole new parlour,” Tim points out. “A lot of farmers are moving out of their existing facilities and there would be as many brand-new ones as extensions. We can install anything from a small ten-unit parlour to an 18- or 20-

Inside the Waterford Dairy Services shop

unit up to a bigger 26- or 30unit parlour, while we also do our share of 50-unit and 60-unit rotaries. Whatever the famer wants, we will supply it.” Looking to the future, Tim confirms that East Cork Dairy Services won’t be taking their eye off the ball: “We’re confident that once we continue to give a good service we’ll have plenty of work, so that’s what we’ll do,” he concludes.

Just some of the stock in the shop IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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Cattle can experience the height of comfort

Gates erected by Condon Engineering

Livestock comfort at its best

he health and safety and wellbeing of animals is paramount in modern society as there are regulations and legislation in place to look after the welfare of all livestock. It has been found that the better the surroundings, the more cattle, sheep or pigs thrive and there is an increase in production for farmers. There is much more of an emphasis on where animals are kept these days as farmers look to get the best out of their livestock. Housing solutions for farm yards come in a variety of forms and one of the top companies in Ireland producing these sort of products is Condon Engineering Ltd. This Louth based company specialises in Livestock Housing Solutions and has been designing, manufacturing and supplying quality and innovative products to the agriculture sectors for over 30 years. Located in Collon Business Park, Collon, Co Louth, the family run business has developed a quality service that has seen its customer base continually grow over the years. As many farmers come from a long line of family involved in the agricultural industry, the need to upgrade their facilities has become a necessity and when it

Only specialised paint is used on cubicles

comes to the housing solutions for their animals then then are very few businesses that can rival Condon Engineering. Established in the late eighties by Tom Condon, this growing concern has evolved into a major business from humble beginnings. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are a family run business based in Co Louth that designs and manufactures high quality livestock

CONTACT DETAILS Condon Engineering Ltd Unit 5, Unit 6, Kells Rd, Collon, Co. Louth.

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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products,” said Tom’s son Jason who along with his brothers Keith and Graham help their father run business on a daily basis. In the early 1980's, Tom found that it was too dear to buy cow cubicles and he started making them for his own farm. His local Teagasc representative him to go into business full time and following some consideration, that’s exactly what he done and since then this has led to supplying products throughout Ireland and beyond. Today, Condon Engineering employs over 35 staff. “Coming from a farming background, we pride ourselves on having a great understanding of our customers’ needs,” added Jason. Condon Engineering designs, manufactures and supplies such products as cattle crushers, cubicles, cattle drinkers, feeding barriers, dividing gates, etc to not only the Irish market, but further afield as well. “We would have an extensive product range and our design team are always looking at new products and modifications that we can make to existing ones. Our customer base would

Feeding barriers are a speciality

be mixed in that we would have retail and trade customers both here in Ireland and the U.K. “We work with the customer and help advise them if they are unsure of exactly what they want. We would manufacture 95% of our products and buy in a small bit. Suiting the customers’ needs is our

priority and something that we strive to do all the time.” Jason stressed that they are always looking at ways of improving not only the product range, but the service that they provide to their customers also. “You cannot rest on your laurels in this business and you have to be always

Best Wishes To Condon Engineering

Condon Engineering was established 30 years ago

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

DROGHEDA M1 Retail Park, (exit 10 of M1 Motorway), Drogheda, H91 HH51, Co. Louth TEL: 0419898100 email: east@westernmotors.ie GALWAY Ballybrit, Galway.A92 EY20 Co.Galway TEL: 091709970 email: west@westernmotors.ie www.westernmotors.ie

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GLASSALLEN ELECTRICAL SERVICES Mobile: 086-8510307

Continued Best Wishes To Condon Engineering, From

☛Mechanical & Electrical Maintenance ☛Supplier of new & used welding equipment Glassallen, Collon, Co. Meath

Best Wishes & Continued Success To Condon Engineering From

14 Sandholes Rd, Cookstown,Co Tyrone, BT80 9AR Tel: +44 (0) 28 867 63323 Fax: +44 (0) 28 867 66012 Email : info@sperrintubesupplies.com www.sperrintubesupplies.com

Wishing Continued Success To Condon Engineering, From

Aidan O’Shaughnessy & Sons Ltd. Best Wishes To Condon Engineering, From

ENGINEERING SUPPLIES Blackstone Bridge, Lower Killeens, Co. Cork

T: 021- 4304644 | F: 021 -4304197

Waterjet Creations

Collon Business Park, Collon, Co. Louth

Contact: Mobile: Tel: Email: Website:

Vincent Clarke @ 086-6001572 041-9826700 waterjetcreations@eircom.net www.waterjetcreations.com

Waterjet Profiling Service

Best Wishes To Condon Engineering Wishing Continued Best Wishes To Condon Engineering From

31B Irish Street,Ardee, Co Louth P: (041) 6856360 F: (041) 6856382 74-75 JKL Street, Edenderry, Co. Offaly P: (046) 9731218 F: (046) 9733209 E: insurance@ociinsurances.com www.ociinsurances.com

OCI Insurance Brokers Ltd is regulated by The Central Bank of Ireland.

7 Duleek Business Park, Duleek, Co. Meath Tel: (041) 9814800 Fax: (041) 9814801 Email: sales@flanagantimber.com

www.flanagantimber.com

Best Wishes To Condon Engineering, From

Curraghbeg Industrial Park, Ardee, Co. Louth p: 041 686 0000 f :041 686 0040 e: admin.northeast@fastway.ie www.fastway.ie CONTINUED BEST WISHES TO CONDON ENGINEERING

Coe's Road, Dundalk, Co. Louth Phone: (042) 9331137 Fax: (042) 9339291 Email: info@oxyarc.ie www.oxyarc.ie IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

condon engineering designed_Layout 1 23/09/2015 15:10 Page 4

Animal welfare is paramount

pushing forward and looking at ways to improve in all areas. We are looking at the possibility of developing a range of field gates at present as well as other products. “Whatever the farmer needs, we have the solution for it. There is a skilled workforce here, many of who have been with the company for years.” As mentioned earlier, health and safety is paramount and there are certain criteria to be met when producing products for livestock housing. “All our products are galvanised and this is not just more practical but it is for animal safety as well, given some of the paints that can be used. It last longer and is a lot

safer. A company in Dublin does all our galvanising for us.” The fact that the Condon family still farm 150 cattle gives them an edge over some of their competitors as they have a greater knowledge of what the customer actually wants. “Up until about ten years ago, we were milking 100 cows, but the business took off so much that there just wasn’t the time to keep both going, so we have finishing cattle now. “My father started this business knowing what he wanted for his farm and that is something we are continuing to do today, experimenting and looking at ways to improve the service.”

A water feeder

Cattle can enjoy great comfort these days

The design team work closely with the farmer

Continued success for the future to Tom & all at Condon Engineering

Field gates are an area the company is pushing more IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

paddy casey designed_Layout 1 23/09/2015 16:55 Page 1

Promoting eﬃcient fertilizer use for nearly 50 years

he Fertilizer Association of Ireland promotes the efficient use of fertilizer to produce quality food in an economical and environmentally sustainable manner. The Association’s president Paddy Casey explains more. Established in 1968 with Dr Tom Walsh as its first president, the Fertilizer Association of Ireland is run by a Council of 17 members, who are elected each year. There are additional 80-90 members drawn from the agricultural/agri-business, fertilizer, retail, co-operative, corporate and research sectors, as well as from the Department of Agriculture, Food & Marine and Teagasc. The current president is Paddy Casey, who succeeded Dr. Stan Lalor at the AGM in February 2014. Paddy, who is sales manager for Target Fertilisers in the Midlands and North-East, works closely with vice-president PJ Browne, secretary Jeremiah Murphy, treasurer John Galavan and council members to promote the efficient use of fertilizer and to ensure farmers maximise the return on their investment in fertilizers. “We’re essentially a voice for the technical side of the fertilizer industry. We’re here to help farmers with proper fertilizer use,” explains Paddy, who is nearing the end of his two-year presidential term. “We see ourselves as being a vibrant organisation with a vibrant membership. We have good people serving on our Council who are prepared to put their shoulder to the wheel. The fact that the president can only serve for two years and a Council member can serve for a maximum of five years is good from the

Joe Lalor (on right), Grassland AGRO Technical Agronomy Advisor in Sligo/Donegal, receives his prize of a soil sampler from Paddy Casey after winning the 2014 top student award for the Teagasc Crops Nutrition Management Course

point of view that it leads to fresh faces and new ideas. “The Association has been around since 1968 and we are already looking forward to our 50th anniversary in under three years’ time.” Two years ago, Paddy was part of a delegation from the Fertilizer Association of Ireland which successfully lobbied the Government for an extension of the spreading season for chemical fertilizers

CONTACT DETAILS The Fertilizer Association of Ireland c/o Grassland AGRO, Carrigohane Road, Cork. Email: info@fertilizer-assoc.ie Website: www.fertilizer-assoc.ie

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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A group from the Fertilizer Association of Ireland on a trip to Rothamsted

from September 15 to 30 (it starts on February 1). The decision was warmly welcomed by farmers as it gave them a better chance of addressing fodder shortages during the winter. “We had a situation in this country in

the winter of 2012/2013 where we had a fodder crisis and animals were starving to death. We didn’t want to see a repeat of that the following winter so we lobbied for the artificial spreading season to be extended by a few weeks. And thankfully

the Government listened to us,” the Moate, Co. Westmeath man says. “We are always looking at legislation coming down the tracks and the implications it might have for our members. We are fortunate to have

Minister Simon Coveney was joined by members of the Fertilizer Association of Ireland at the launch of the 'Nutrient Wheel' P and K offtake calculator IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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members from Teagasc, IFA and the Department of Agriculture to serve on our environmental committee.” The Fertilizer Association held its annual Spring Scientific Meeting in the Horse & Jockey Hotel in Co. Tipperary on February 3 last. A presentation of the most recent statistics and trends in soil fertility indexes was given by Mark Plunkett from Teagasc. The 120-strong attendance heard how only 11 per cent of soils are currently at optimum soil pH, P and K fertility. This is a cause for concern for the grassland and crop production potential of the country. Dr. Tim Shiel presented a paper summarising his recent studies of the relationship between soil pH, lime and phosphorous availability in grassland. The clear message from the paper was that improving soil P fertility should go hand-in-hand with soil pH improvement and lime application. The Association’s IFA representative Harold Kingston presented an overview of the Smart farming programme. This programme is aimed at increasing awareness of cost savings that can rise from resource-use-efficiency on farms. It is led by the IFA and brings together the knowledge of a wide range of participants, including Teagasc, the Fertilizer Association of Ireland, EPA, UCD and others. Over 600 farmers have participated in the programme so far, and have identified average cost savings of €6,600 per farm. The final presentation was by Sean O’Donnell, a dairy farmer from Co. Mayo, who gave a real-life account of his experience of the importance of soil fertility while expanding his dairy operation. His key messages were the importance of being “brilliant at the basics” when farming, and that “going hard and fast” was the right approach on his farm to build soil fertility as quickly as possible.

Fertilizer Association of Ireland president Paddy Casey

“We are working closely with Teagasc and the Department of Agriculture to improve the information available on soil. We are concerned that only 11 per cent of soils are at optimum levels of nutrition in terms of pH, P and K and lime. It is critical that we increase these levels to ensure farmers get the best return from their grass,” continues Paddy. “Dairy farmers, in particular, need to get the most efficient use out of their grass to help offset the tightening margins they are suffering with the falling milk price.” The Association is involved in three initiatives that recognise academic achievement in soil science and nutrient management, as well as honouring those who have made significant contributions to the Association and the industry over their careers. The initiatives are: UCD Soil Science Award; Fertilizer Association Special Merit Award; Crops Nutrition Management Course Award. The most recent winner of the UCD Soil Science Award, which is awarded

annually to the student who obtains the highest grade in the Module “Soil Science Basics” in Stage 2 of the B Agr Sc degree programme at UCD, was Niamh Garvey. The Award was presented to Niamh by Paddy Casey at the UCD Agriculture and Food Science Awards ceremony last November. The Officers and Council of the Fertilizer Association of Ireland for 2015: president – Paddy Casey (Target Fertilisers); vice-president – PJ Browne (Grassland AGRO); secretary – Jeremiah Murphy (Target Fertilisers); treasurer – John Galavan (Nitrofert); past-president – Stan Lalor (Grassland AGRO); Council members – David Wall (Teagasc), Eoin O’Carroll (Ground Limestone Producers), Andrew Watson (K+S UK & Eire), Michael Tennyson (Agricultural Consultants Association), Liam Walsh (Grassland AGRO), Mark Plunkett (Teagasc) Peter Ging (Gouldings), Harold Kingston (IFA), John Carroll (Glanbia), Gerry Lohan (Department of Agriculture, Food & Marine), Evan Ross (Yara) and John McGrath (Gouldings).

Continued success to all at

THE FERTILIZER ASSOCIATION OF IRELAND

CROP SEEDS | SOLID FUELS | FERTILIZERS TOWNSPARK ,MIDLETON, CO. CORK Phone : 021- 4630683 Fax : 021- 4630664 Email: info@amac.ie | www.amac.ie

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Jim Ryan designed_Layout 1 23/09/2015 10:51 Page 1

Lifting silage

A Premier service

elebrating 35 years in business, Jim Ryan Contracting Services Ltd provides a professional agricultural contracting service. From humble beginnings, the company has grown into one of

the largest and most respected of joined by their sons Kieran and Morgan. The family business employs six full-time its kind in south Tipperary. Jim Ryan, along with his wife Therese, set up the business in Clerihan, Co. Tipperary in 1980 to cater for the needs of local farmers. They have since been

staff and two part-time. Fergus Doyle is the longest-serving staff member, having been involved since the beginning. Another long-time staff member, Ned Lonigan, retired last Christmas, and his son Eamon is now following in his footsteps. Committed to providing a quality service and total customer satisfaction, Jim Ryan Contracting Services Ltd offers a complete agri contracting service, including silage cutting, grain harvesting, slurry spreading, baling, bale wrapping, ploughing, reseeding, hedge cutting, excavation and drainage. The company also has a wide range of trailers to draw

CONTACT DETAILS

Jim's Bredal fertiliser spreader IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Jim Ryan Contracting Services Ltd Knockeevan, Clerihan, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary. Telephone: 952 6135113 Mobile: 087 2586115

Jim Ryan designed_Layout 1 23/09/2015 10:51 Page 2

Best Wishes & Continued Success To

Jim Ryan Contracting Services From

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

Eamon

Gleeson Tyres

Best Wishes To Jim Ryan Contracting Services, From

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Carrigeen Ind Est., Cahir, Co. Tipperary

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info@kehoebros.ie Bunclody Road,Tullow, Co. Carlow Tel:059-9149005 Best Wishes & Continued Success To JIM RYAN CONTRACTING SERVICES,

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William J. Carroll Ltd Machinery Sales & Service Best Wishes To Jim Ryan Contracting Services, From

Coolanga, Clonoulty, Cashel, Co. Tipperary www.wjcarroll.ie Email: sales@wjcarroll.ie Tel:+353(0)504 42235

Main agents for

Irish Tractor & Farm Agri Magazine

Call Barry now on 00353 (0) 46 9241923 22

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Jim Ryan designed_Layout 1 23/09/2015 10:51 Page 3

bales and grain, while they also run track machines, carrying out excavations, drainage and roadways throughout the year. Jim, who is also engaged in tillage farming, cuts approximately 1,000 acres of corn and 1,700 acres of pit silage every year. In addition, he makes about 30,000 bales of silage, hay, straw and haylage. Jim has an array of state-of-theart machinery to carry out your work quickly and efficiently, providing you with value-formoney and an alternative to investing in your own expensive equipment. The knowledge, skill and experience of his staff, combined with ongoing investment in new equipment, have helped to make him the number one agri contractor in south Tipperary. Jim Ryan Contracting Services delivers the value and quality farmers expect from their agricultural contracting partner. “We offer the full service when it comes to silage, baling and grain,” the affable contractor says. “We cut, bale, wrap, draw and stack the bales. We also have six or seven grain trailers. We can look after all your hay, silage and grain requirements from start to finish.” Jim runs a fleet of 10 tractors, including six New Holland, two Massey Ferguson, one Fendt and one John Deere. Four of the New Hollands are 680s, while the other two are T7235 and T7260. The Massey models are 2620 and 2626, the Fendt is an 828 and the John Deere a 6930. The tractors were mostly purchased from Meehan & Slattery in Cashel, but also from WR Shaw in Tullamore and Kehoe Brothers in Wexford. The two Masseys are the latest additions to the fleet, having been bought new from Kehoe Brothers last year and earlier this year. Other plant / equipment includes Claas Lexion 550 and 650 combine harvesters with 22-feet cutting bars, three Pottinger silage wagons – purchased from Suirway Farm Machinery in Carrick-on-Suir – a JCB 426 loading shovel, JCB TM320S and TM300 loaders, a Bredal fertiliser IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Jim Ryan Contracting Services are leading silage makers in Tipperary

spreader with GPS system, two Welger 245 round-balers, two McHale bale wrappers, a new Welger Tornado baler / wrapper – purchased from Rossmore Engineering in Cashel – a Massey Ferguson 70x80 baler for haylage, a new Krone 90x120 baler, Horsch and Amazone seed drills, Kuhn and Kverneland ploughs, a fivemetre Pottinger disc harrow, Claas and Pottinger rakes, Lely and Pottinger tetters, a McConnel hedge cutter, two dumpers, a 14t Doosan track machine, a Bateman crop sprayer, one Abbey and two Major slurry spreaders and umbilical system.

Tipping a load of grain

Jim Ryan designed_Layout 1 23/09/2015 10:51 Page 4

Mobile Fitting & Breakdown Service

Slievenamon Rd., Thurles, Co. Tipperary

Tel:0504- 21233

Email: info@lyonstyre.com www.lyonstyre.com

CONTINUED BEST WISHES TO JIM RYAN CONTRACTING SERVICES

Best Wishes & Continued Success To Jim Ryan Contracting Services

• Heating Oil • Lubricants • Service Stations • Tractor Diesel

Manufacturers of Agricultural and Industrial buildings. Projects carried out include:

Contact Frank 087-6784690 / Jason 087-8044536 P: 052-613 8145 F:052-613 8953 Email: loughryanengineering@eircom.net

Best Wishes & Continued Success To Jim Ryan Contracting Services

W.F. O’Gorman & Co. Cathy & Liam O’Gorman are proud to be connected with Jim Ryan Contracting Services for the past 35 years

Incorporated Public Accountants Accountants & Registered Auditors

Waterford Rd., Clonmel, Co. Tipperary Tel: 052-6124177

E: info@clonmeloil.com www.clonmeloil.com

Star Fuels & Farm Supplies Ltd

Continued Best Wishes To Jim Ryan Contracting Services From

SOLID FUELS • MINERALS • GRASS SEEDS OILS • FERTILIZERS ETC Suppliers of

Bank Place, Powerstown Park Clonmel, Co. Tipperary Mitchelstown, Co. Cork Tel:025-24714 Tel:052-6127474 Email: starfuel@eircom.net

Knockgraffon, Cahir, Co. Tipperary

Tel:052-74612136| Mobile: 087-2412033 Email: wfogorman@gmail.ie

ABBEY RETAIL (Clerihan)

Abbey Retail are proud to supply Jim Ryan with their Machinery and parts needs

Ballyclerihan, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary O52-6135742 • Anthony Dunford 087-9966877

Main Dealers for Abbey, Massey Ferguson , Kuhn, Rauch & Quicke

Abbey tanks in stock

Massey Ferguson Tractors in stock

Best Wishes To Jim Ryan Contracting Services, from

Clonmel Precision Engineering Limited

MANUFACTURING & REPAIR OF INDUSTRIAL AND AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY

Cashel Road Industrial Estate, Cashel Road, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary

Phone: (052) 612 5579

Email: clonmelprecisioneng@eircom.net

IRISH &

AGRI IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Jim Ryan designed_Layout 1 23/09/2015 10:51 Page 5

All machines are maintained and serviced regularly by local mechanic Robert Fitzgerald to avoid breakdowns and downtime. Jim buys his spare parts from Abbey Machinery in Clerihan and Clonmel Machinery. He also spreads fertiliser for Star Fuels, Glanbia and Brett Brothers. The family-run business has certainly come a long way over the past 35 years. When Jim started in the agri contracting business, his fleet comprised two Ford (7600 and 7840) tractors, a New Holland 376 square baler and a New Holland 1550 combine harvester. In August 2014, a huge fire destroyed Jim’s workshop and some of his machinery. He recalls: “It was a terrible thing to happen. It took four units of Clonmel fire brigade to bring the blaze under control. The fire caused a lot of damage, but thankfully the machinery that was damaged was insured and FBD looked after us very well. Farmers give out about high insurance premiums sometimes, but we would have been in big trouble if we weren’t insured.” There is no such thing as a quiet time of the year for this agri contractor. In the early months, the focus is on slurry and fertiliser spreading, and sowing. The silage season, which typically runs from May to September, is a particularly busy period for the Ryan team who will work around the clock to get the job done. The grain harvest then takes precedence, following by more slurry spreading and hedge cutting. Jim Ryan Contracting Services boasts a large and loyal customer-base within a 20-mile radius of his Clerihan base, which is located four IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

The only Fendt in the Ryan fleet

miles from Clonmel. “We have a lot of good customers who have stuck with us through thick and thin. Our goal has always been to provide them with a top-class, reliable and affordable service. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their support down through the years,” he says. Jim is involved in Clerihan GAA, a club he helped to reform in 2003 after it had ceased to exist in 1968. Since reforming, the club has gone from strength to strength in both hurling and football. The club plays its home games in the new Clerihan Community Field, which was developed at a cost of €1.3 million.

A Komatsu digger on the move

The harvest in full flow

Philip Ireland designed_Layout 1 23/09/2015 10:43 Page 1

Some of the company’s fleet

Another healthy tyre lo

Leading the way from Danesfort

stablished four years ago, Philip Ireland Tyre Repair is an up and coming business in its industry. Irish Tractor spoke to the man himself about his company which has risen to become the leading supplier of BKT Agrimax tyres in Co Kilkenny & the surrounding areas.

It may have been a tricky time to set up your own business but looking back on it now, Philip Ireland certainly had no second thoughts about setting up shop in 2011. In fact, it was the right time for him and his family, with his wife Ann Marie and brother Andrew coming on board with him, as the new business venture began to take off with the customers impressed by the service they were getting. Four years on and Philip Ireland Tyre Repair is now the number one supplier for BKT Agrimax Tyres in Co Kilkenny & surrounding areas so you could certainly say that things are looking good for them down in the hurling stronghold. “We’re based here in Danesfort in Co Kilkenny,” explained Philip, whose company specialises in the repairs and

selling of agricultural and tractor tyres. “We’re established since 2011 and I’m the owner here. I’ve my brother working with me and my wife Ann-Marie also works with me on the admin side of things”. So what exactly do they do at Philip Ireland Tyre Repair? Well, apart from the obvious, they are big into providing their customers, whom mainly work in the agricultural sector, with prompt and reliable service. “We sell any tyre really,” said Philip. “Mainly BKT Agrimax tyres and rims and we would be selling a lot of jeep & truck tyres, along with tractor tyres and tyres for other agricultural machinery. With regards to private vehicles, the tyres that we sell there would mainly be for jeeps. We don’t sell as much for cars.” The market for car tyres isn’t what it was in a lot of ways and Philip was certainly wise to that when he set up his business. His background beforehand had been in the haulage trade, where he learned a thing or two about the industry he now finds himself in. “I used to work for a haulage company in Kilkenny and I got let go,” he said. “It

was obviously a difficult time for business in this country, but I decided to go out on my own then and things have been going well so far, thankfully. It’s getting stronger and stronger and there’s been a big turnaround in the last 12 months particularly. “We started in 2011, so it would have been right in the middle of the downturn but I guess you could see a bit of an upside in that people weren’t buying new. That’s still the case and we’re happy to repair or supply them with the kind of tyre they need.” With so much reliance on the agricultural industry, a busy trend develops in the summer time for Philip

CONTACT DETAILS Philip Ireland Tyre Repair Kilkenny Tel: 086 8249804

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Philip Ireland designed_Layout 1 23/09/2015 10:43 Page 2

nother healthy tyre load

and his team. The two service vehicles After a pulsating eighty plus minutes of hurling, the Minor Hurling sides of Mayo and Tyrone remained deadlocked and the destination of the Adrian Freeman Memorial Cup still remains in the balance.are constantly on the road in

order to keep customers on schedule and satisfied. “I suppose you could say that summer would be a busy time of year for us,” Philip enthused. “A lot of our customers are general farmers and agricultural contractors and they depend on us for

Philip Ireland Tyre Repair is based in Danesfort, Co Kilkenny

Philip Ireland Tyre Repair was set up in 2011 IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Philip has repaired his fair share of tractor tyres

repairs, so we’re fairly busy at the moment around here.” When you read down the list of customers that have come on board (and stayed) with Philip Ireland Tyres Repairs you tend to notice a common word throughout the names – ‘Agri’.

Philip works on all kinds of agricultural machinery

Philip offers his customers a 24-hour service

Philip Ireland designed_Layout 1 23/09/2015 10:44 Page 3

Noel Delaney Best Wishes To Philip Ireland Tyre Repair, From

AGRI SERVICES

All types of contractor work SILAGE ,CORN , MAIZE , BEET HARVESTING BALING , RESEEDING , Also supply washed beet , maize , straw to all farmers Kilmanagh, Co. Kilkenny Tel:086-2771487 or 086-2750398

LIAM & PAT HENNESSY

Best Wishes To Philip Ireland Tyre Repair, From

Agri Contracts

Rathculbin, Kells, Co.Kilkenny

Telephone:086-2736286

JJ Burke Agri Services Ltd

Maher Agri FOR ALL YOUR AGRICULTURAL NEEDS

086-8313560

Best Wishes To Philip Ireland Tyre Repair

SHAY MALONE PLANT HIRE Telephone: 087-2758563

Site Excavations • Farm Roadways Slatted Houses • Land Drainage Rock Breaking • Site Clearance Site Development • Ground Works Pipe Laying • Demolition VAT Registered • C2 Certified

Contact Shay 087-2758563 E:info@shaymalone.com www.shaymalone.com

Best Wishes To Philip Ireland Tyre Repair

Continued Best Wishes To Philip Ireland Tyre Repair

Poulacapple, Callan, Co. Kilkenny Telephone: 086-2583626 Best Wishes To Philip Ireland Tyre Repair Best Wishes & Continued Success To

Kilbricken Farm Philip Ireland Tyre Repair From

Tel:086-8850864 Callan, Co. Kilkenny

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Philip Ireland designed_Layout 1 23/09/2015 10:44 Page 4

Despite some dreadful weather this past summer, agricultural contractors & general farmers all throughout Ireland still had to get their silage & grain cut and they’re no different in and around Kilkenny. More work for them means more work for Philip and his team in the long run, and he has had no complaints from some of the names below since they decided he’d be the man to look after the rubber on their machinery. Noel Delaney Agri, Mattie Walton Agri, Kennedy Agri, Barry & Eoin Hoyne Agri, JJ Burke Agri, Brendan and John Hughes Agri, Liam and Pat Hennessy Agri, Maher Agri Services, Eamon Cottrell Agri, TFM Comerfords, Patsy Maher Plant Hire, Horizon Plant hire, Folkstown Feeds, Hoyne Transport, W

Another tyre ready for repair IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Another load of tyres ready to go

Byrne Transport and Eamon Maher Bus Hire to name but a few, have either been with Philip since he started out on his own or recognised the quality of repair service and tyre he provides. Either way, it makes for good reading for the company in the short space of just under four years. The unofficial motto for Philip, who buys the majority of his tyres from Agrigear & Midland Tyres, is: “Any tyre you need, we’ll sell it”. That’s a very positive attitude indeed, and there’s no doubt that you need that kind of approach nowadays if you want to succeed in business. All in all, the signs are very positive and Philip is upbeat about the future, no matter what the demand is.

“Our opening hours are from Monday to Saturday, like everyone else. But, to be honest, we are really open 24 hours because we’re on call all the time whenever our customers need us.”

Philip specialises in the repairs and selling of agricultural and tractor tyres

The company has recently invested in a new Volkswagen van to add to their fleet

enrich designed_Layout 1 23/09/2015 10:37 Page 1

The company is the largest producer of peat-free horticultural products in the country

Working in harmony with nature

ounded in 2004 by Tim Duggan, Enrich Environmental Ltd is an award-winning compost and soil manufacturer based in Co. Meath. Adhering to the famous Antoine Lavoisier quote “In nature nothing is wasted, nothing is created, everything is transformed”, Enrich is truly a soil supplier with a difference.

From the beginning, Enrich has concentrated on developing soil mixes and horticultural products to meet the specific needs of its customers, and all with minimal environmental footprint. The company is now the largest producer of peat-free horticultural products in Ireland.

Enrich’s research and development team resources. has gained valuable knowledge about soil “We endeavour to displace virgin products performance over the past decade which such as peat and manufacture products has provided the platform for its advisory service business. The company thrives on generating new ideas and finding better CONTACT DETAILS ways of doing things. Its solutions work in harmony with nature, are sustainable and Enrich Environmental Ltd cost-effective. Soils form a vital part of the Earth’s eco Newtownrathganley, system, being a medium for plant growth, a Larchill, habitat for millions of micro-organisms, a Kilcock, recycling system for organic waste and a Co. Meath. regulator of water quality. At all times, the Telephone: 01 6103672 environment is central to Enrich’s product Fax: 01 8228745 development. The full benefits of recycling Email: info@enrich.ie can only be attained when the resulting Website: www.enrich.ie products are used to replace finite natural IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

enrich designed_Layout 1 23/09/2015 10:37 Page 2

The grounds of Killeen Castle in Co. Meath

from recycled materials, this is closed loop recycling,” Enrich Environmental’s Business Development Manager Kevin McCabe emphasises. “When Tim and I worked as landscapers, we had lots of garden cuttings and it used to end up in landfill. It was only when we saw what was happening in other countries that we realised it’s a product that can be

100 per cent reused and transformed to quality products”. “Enrich started out selling the compost made in our facility to householders, but as we grow we quickly learnt how versatile compost is. We developed arrange of mixes to suit many uses that landscapers, engineers, golf courses, racecourses and nurseries have. Each product is tailored to

suit the intended application,” he adds. Committed to promoting environmental awareness and creating a brighter future for generations to come, Enrich Environmental holds regular open days and school tours at its state-of-the-art composting and soil blending facility in Kilcock, Co. Meath. It also provides sponsorship to local organisations, such as the Tidy Towns and the GAA. “We get great satisfaction from hearing about kids who went home after a school tour and told their parents about the benefits of using their compost bin. It’s all about educating people about recycling; that everything has a value. We recently started composting programmes in local schools, which are proving to be very popular with the children.” The green material is composted in windrows and used as a component for different landscaping products, including soil conditioners, fine and medium grade mulch, bark, compost, topdressings, topsoil, lightweight roof soil and erosion control barriers. Customised mixes can be made to suit specific requirements. Enrich has a range of 13 different products which are stocked by garden centres, hardware and DIY stores nationwide. The company’s horticultural products are specified by many leading

Killacroy Logistics Limited

Continued Success To Enrich Environmental From All At

SHIPPING & FORWARDING AGENTS Killallon, Co. Meath

Tel:086-7879464

Enrich is at the forefront of compost and soil manufacturing

Continued Best Wishes To Enrich Environmental, From

Unit B5, Airside Enterprise Centre, Swords,Co. Dublin. Tel: 01-840 40 12 joe@fingalins.ie | www.fingalinsurance.ie

Fingal Insurance Group Ltd is regulated by The Central Bank of Ireland

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

D&P Mahon Transport Ltd

1 Crinstown Cross, Maynooth, Co. Kildare

Tel: 01-629 3725 www.mahoncranehire.ie Best Wishes To Enrich Environmental 31

enrich designed_Layout 1 23/09/2015 10:37 Page 3

landscape architects. Enrich was the first company in Ireland to be accredited under the Compost Quality Assurance Scheme CQAS441:2012. Products are available bulked and bagged with a nationwide delivery service provided. Enrich purposely doesn’t run its own fleet of trucks, opting instead to use local hauliers for deliveries. “It’s all about minimising waste and reducing emissions. That’s our whole premise,” Kevin says. In addition, Enrich specialises in soil consulting. With the team provides a hands-on experience of the properties and performance of soil as well as extensive technical knowledge of methods of analysis and interpretation of test results. This blend of practical experience and scientific understanding enables Enrich to provide an unrivalled soil consulting service. Enrich looks to soil performance issues by adopting an integrated approach which addresses the chemical physical and biological aspects of the soil. Projects which Enrich has worked on include the M3 M o t o r w a y ; Fairyhouse Racecourse and N a v a n Racecourse (both Co. Meath); Bord na Mona Visitor Centre in Lough Boora, Co. Offaly;

Soil mixing in progress

Bord Gais Headquarters; Diageo St. James’ Gate, Dublin 8; Titanic Quarter, Belfast; Northwood Business Campus, Ballymun; Department of Environment Headquarters in Wexford; Dublin Zoo; Ferrovial, Ballycoolin, Dublin 15. Enrich Environmental is a member of ALCI (Association of Landscape Soil mixing in progressContractors in Ireland) and CRE (Composting and Anaerobic Digestion Association of Ireland). The company has won a host of awards, including Green Technology Awards in 2013 and 2014 and the Cre Cup Award. Enrich is proud to be at the forefront of compost and soil manufacturing in Ireland. Kevin concludes by saying: “We were the first company in the country to be accredited under the Compost Quality Assurance Scheme CQAS441:2012. It is very gratifying when other composting New John Deere combinescompanies come to us looking for advice. We have and continue to set the highest standards.”

Best Wishes To Enrich Environmental

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

north kerry agri designed_Layout 1 23/09/2015 16:15 Page 1

North Kerry’s leader in Agri

orth Kerry Agricultural Contractors Ltd has been and continues to be a leader in agricultural contracting throughout Limerick and the north Kerry region. Managing Director Michael O’Keeffe explained to Irish Tractor what services his company provide, along with what else they do outside the farming market.

O’Keeffe is no different. This time of year sees him employ twice as many workers to keep up with the demand from his customers, which he is more than happy to do in order to maintain the workload. When Michael first started out, which is 35 years ago now, he had a limited customer base. However, through the high calibre of his work and the reliability of his service that list has grown and as a result he is kept very busy all year round, which is the way he These are busy times for the agricultural likes it. Some may still call the business ‘O’Keeffe contractors throughout Ireland and Michael

Agri’, but he’s quick to point out that it’s actually named after the region where they do most of their work ‘’My company is North Kerry Agricultural Contractors Ltd,’’ he explained. “I am based in Upper Athea, Co. Limerick and I carry out work mainly in the North Kerry area, of which I am a native, and also in West Limerick. Michael continued: ‘’We have been operating since 1980. We have six to seven lads working for us all year round and in the summer time we employ extra workers to cope with the busy harvest period. Also included in my staff are my two sons David and Gary, who work with me full time along with my wife Helen who takes care of the clerical/admin side of the business, so it is very much a family run operation.’’ It’s safe to say that family and farming go together hand in hand in this country and the O’Keeffes are certainly keeping up with that tradition down in Upper Athea. Michael has endeavoured down through the years to ensure that he provides his customers with what they need by building up his agri machinery and heavy plant base, which has now turned into somewhat of a repertoire when you ask him what he can do for you. “First and foremost is silage cutting, but North Kerry Agri is about much more than that,’’ he explained. “Primarily we do silage cutting. We have two forage harvesters that run concurrently for three to four weeks straight every year. We also carry out road construction through forestry and farm land. In addition to that we do ploughing, tilling, seeding, land drainage, which includes deep

CONTACT DETAILS North Kerry Agri Contractors Ltd,

Michael has secured contracts from various different forestry companies

Upper Athea, Co. Limerick Tel: 068 42157 Mob: 087 2599505 E-mail: helenokeeffe1@gmail.com

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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Continued Best Wishes To North Kerry Agri Contractors

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MAIN DEALERS TRACTORS & FARM MACHINERY

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Best Wishes To North Kerry Agri Contractors, From

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Michael O’Keeffe cites John Deere as a very reliable brand

Michael with his two sons, David (left) and Gary

drainage. “We have a large selection of equipment and plant and because we carry out so many different types of work, we are able

Digger work is another aspect of the business IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

to employ our men all year round. Most of the repairs are carried out in my workshop in Upper Athea. “I’ve some land of my own on which I grow a silage crop and I then sell that on to my customers. The summer months are all about getting as much work done as possible for the farmers. However, the weather has played its part once again this year in slowing up the whole process, and with silage cutting there is a very short time-frame in which to get things done.” Ensuring that the job gets done and on time, Michael has put his faith in the John Deere brand , all along with his 12 tractors which makes up part of his extensive fleet. He ensures that all his machinery is always maintained to a very high standard.

“I’ve all John Deere tractors, which comprise of 6820’s, 6920’s and 7810’s. In addition to that I have two forage harvesters, one Claas and one John Deere, also I own a Krone Big M2 mower and a Claas butterfly which are used for mowing grass. I have 2 loading shovels, one Komatsu and one New Holland 170C. I have 10 silage trailers, including two Smiths, which I bought new in 2014. He continued: “I’m with John Deere for years. I started with them when I was very young and I’ve remained loyal to the John Deere brand since as I’ve always found them very reliable.” The forestry end of the business adds another dynamic to the company and sees Michael secure contracts from the various different forestry companies, which require various works to be carried out such as forestry mounding, firelines, drainage, forest road construction and maintenance. North Kerry Agri supply other companies with the machinery necessary to carry out different tasks such as tracked excavators 13 to 37 tonne (including rock breakers), Volvo dumpers, dozers, and tipper trucks. “We can handle anything that has to do

A Komatsu digger has been a recent addition for Michael O’Keeffe

The company’s impressive John Deere fleet

Some of the day to day work that goes on at North Kerry Agri

with rock and soil- that includes heavy muck shift and rock breaking,” explained Michael. So if you’re looking for services in agricultural contracting and more, look no further than Michael O’Keeffe and North Kerry agricultural Contractors Ltd.

North Kerry Agricultural Contractors Ltd has been on the go since 1980

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e Mart report from Ballybofey

allybofey & Stranorlar Co-op Livestock Mart Ltd has been part of the fabric of Donegal’s ‘Twin Towns’ for over half a century. Mart manager Brian Crawford explains more. Ballybofey & Stranorlar Co-op Livestock Mart has been an integral part of farming life in the Finn Valley since its first sale took place in June 1962. Established by a group of local farmers and shareholders on the site of the old railway yard in Stranorlar – which is separated from Ballybofey by the River Finn – the Mart has become one of the premier centres of cattle and sheep trading in the North-West. Run by farmers for farmers, it is committed to providing buyers and sellers with a fair platform. The Mart, which sold 8,000 cattle and 35,000 sheep in 2014, has grown substantially over the years. A second

Dermot Connelly from Ballinasloe and his Champion Galway Lamb and Ram at the Ballybofey & Stranorlar Livestock Co-Op Rare Breeds Show and Sale with Albert Baxter, judge, and Michael Kelly. Photo courtesy of Clive Wasson

CONTACT DETAILS Ballybofey & Stranorlar Co-op Livestock Mart Ltd

Railway Road, Stranorlar, Ballbofey, Co. Donegal. Telephone: 074 9131101 Fax: 074 9190427 E: stranorlarcoopmart@gmail.com Website: stranorlarmart.ie

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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sales ring was added in the 1990s, while more recently a new computer system, wash-bay and canteen were added. Ballybofey & Stranorlar Co-op Livestock Mart, along with four other Marts, are members of the Donegal Marts Association. A familiar voice at all five Marts is auctioneer Jonathan Lucas, who carries out his duties in a

professional and efficient manner. “The Mart has been a meeting place for farmers in this part of Donegal for the past 53 years,” says Brian Crawford, who is only the fifth manager to have served in that time. “The running of the Mart is overseen by 18 committee members and a four-man financial committee. There are 17 people

employed, most of whom are part-time and work on their farms the rest of the time.” He continues: “The facilities we have here are second to none. We use Newline Auction Management Software which provides all the information buyers and sellers need to know from the weight and age of the animal to its movement, test dates and whether it’s from a quality assured farm. It’s all there on a screen in front of them. “The Mart is centrally located, easy to get in and out of and there’s lots of room for parking.” Every Monday and Wednesday evening, hundreds of farmers descend on Ballybofey & Stranorlar Co-op Livestock Mart for the respective cattle and sheep sales. The cattle sale is held at 6.30pm on Mondays (including Bank Holidays), while the sheep sale takes place on Wednesdays at 6pm. The sales are held in the evening time to avoid clashes with other sales in the area and to accommodate part-time farmers who also hold down day jobs. The Mart staged a first annual Rare Breeds Sale & Exhibition on Saturday, August 1 last. It has also been playing host to breeding sheep sales every second Saturday since August 15. “The Rare Breeds Sale & Exhibition has been a huge success,” enthuses Brian. “The Sale attracts breeders not just from Donegal but from all over the country. Rare breeds of cattle, sheep, goats and poultry are all sold on the day.” Weanling sales this year commence on

8,000 cattle and 35,000 sheep were sold at the Ballybofey & Stranorlar Mart last year. Photo courtesy of Clive Wasson IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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James Vance from Ballintra with the smallest calf in the world, a one-week old Irish Dexter, at the Ballybofey & Stranorlar Livestock Co-Op Rare Breeds Show and Sale. Photo courtesy of Clive Wasson

David McKelvey checking out the Irish Moiled Heifer at the Ballybofey & Stranorlar Livestock Co-Op Rare Breeds Show and Sale. Photo courtesy of Clive Wasson

Monday, September 14 and run until December. Other upcoming events include the Blackface Sheep Breeders ram and ewe sale at the start of October and the Wicklow cheviot sheep sale in November. From 2010 to 2013, the Mart staged a Winter Fair for show cattle on the October Bank Holiday weekend. In addition, Ballybofey & Stranorlar Co-op Livestock Mart boasts a live export facility which operates every Tuesday morning. Here, livestock are checked by Departure of Agriculture vets before they are cleared for export. “New John Deere combines have a 10,000 customer-base and that figure is increasing all of the time. We cater for all types of stock and use the two sales rings all year round. We receive tremendous support from the local farming community and are fortunate that two of the main cattle exporters in the IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

country are based nearby and send buyers to our Mart,” Brian explains. Ballybofey & Stranorlar is on course to surpass last year’s sales figures. “Stock numbers in both sheep and cattle are up. The increased demand for cattle is being driven by a countrywide shortage. It means farmers who are selling are getting good prices right across the board.” The cattle sale results on July 20 were as follows: dry cows €1,230-€2,120; bulls €1,760-€1,860; springers €1,210-€1,330; cows and calves €1,400 to €2,300; runners €505-835; heifers €468-€1,136 over; bullocks €496-€959 over. The sheep results on July 22 were: lambs €50-€101; hoggets €100-€150; dry ewes €50-€100.

Finn Valley Nursery Best Wishes To Ballybofey & Stranorlar Mart From GALLINAGH

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Sludge being loaded on trailers

Johnston’s have the experience

gricultural Contractors know that to get the job done, they have to use every available hour during the summer months and in this country that is easier said than done. Contractors face a constant battle against the unpredictable Irish weather to get through their customer base, especially during silage season. Fortunately, there has been a few windows of opportunity to get the job done so to speak and for this month’s edition of Irish Tractor & Agri, we speak to Leitrim based Agricultural Contractor Trevor Johnston of Johnston Agri Contracts and he tells us just what it takes to get through the workload during the summer months. With over fifty years’ experience in contracting, there are not many contractors

The New Holland Range has proven to be very reliable

out there that have the knowledge and wherewithal of the Johnstons. Tom Johnston started out with a Dexter cutting silage back in the 1960’s and he has seen the industry evolve as everything involved has become bigger and better. Tom is still working his day, while he has

CONTACT DETAILS Johnston Agricultural Contractors Newtowngore, Co Leitrim.

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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been joined by his son Trevor for the past 25 years. Together, they have built an extensive customer base which is mainly close to their home in Newtowngore, Co Leitrim. “My father started out in a small way all those years ago and you can imagine the changes in machinery that he has seen over the years,” said Trevor. “He has always moved with the times with regards the machinery and we have always upgraded on a regular basis. From getting through a few acres of silage a day, we can now pick up anywhere between 60 and 70 acres a day.” To do this Trevor revealed that they had an extensive fleet of machinery that included 12 tractors. “We would have seven Masseys and five New Hollands. The Masseys have been bought from Lunneys here in Leitrim and we would have a good business relationship with them over the years, but we would buy anywhere if the price is right.” A JF FCT 1060 precision chop is used for picking the silage which Tom usually operates, while seven drivers are employed during the peak times. Silage is certainly not the only service provided by this family run business as slurry, tillage and hedge cutting are just a few of the other services on offer. “We would do a good bit of slurry during the winter, although that has been confined to specific months now, due to the new legislation brought in. “We have tankers for the slurry as well as the umbilical system, which is great when the ground is soft and it is a quick way of operating too. Generally, there would be a lad coming after us when the silage is done and spreading slurry.

An impressive view of the fleet of Massey Fergusons

Tipping sludge in a safe and environmental manner

“The tillage work involved ploughing, reseeding and stitching, while we would be busy at the hedge cutting too.” Trevor revealed that the majority of their customers have been on their books for many years at this stage. “There would be farmers there who are with us since my Father first started out in the business fifty years ago. We have always tried to provide a reliable service and we’re lucky in that our entire customer base would be no further than four mile away from us. We

would actually be harvesting 1100 acres of silage in that radius, which is a lot to be fair. “With the weather in Ireland, you have to act fast and get in and get the job done. When that window of opportunity opens up, you have to be ready to work 24/7 and make sure the farmer is happy.” Another service provided by Trevor and Tom is the work they have with the local Lakeland Dairies branch in Killeshandra. “We would draw sludge from them and spread it on the land. It is essentially waste water from the machines that turns into a thick sludge, but it is good for the

CROSSDONEY Wishing Continued Success To Johnston Agri Contractors From

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A loader backing up silage IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Crossdoney, Ballinagh, Co. Cavan Tel:049-4337501 www.crossdoneytractors.com 41

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Best Wishes To Johnston Agri Contractors, From

Serving the farming community in Leitrim, Cavan and Longford with a wide range of new and used machinery and parts. Dedicated after sales service. Leading stockists of Krone, Amazone, Quicke and Spearhead machinery. Richard Wilson, Kilrush, Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim

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Continued success to Johnston Agri Contractors Newtowngore, Co. Leitrim

T: 049-4333232 F: 049-4333262

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grass, but it can be only used by certain farmers who have to meet some legislation in order to receive it. This work is also controlled by slurry regulations and cannot be done in winter months.” Asides from the agri contracting, the Johnston’s farm over 100 acres themselves and are currently milking 45 cows on a daily basis.

Slurry being brought out to the land

One may ask, how do the find the time to do the milking especially when the silage is ongoing and this is where another family member comes to the fore. “My mother Margaret does the milking twice a day and has been doing so for many years. She looks after that the

whole time and she enjoys doing it. It takes the pressure off us when we are so busy, but things should be easing off now a bit in the next few weeks. We are now in the middle of the second cuts, so hopefully we can get a spell of weather to finish them.”

Mowing is carried out with a top of the range mower

Contact FBD Cavan (049) 4361301 Conor McGovern

Stitching grass seed

One of the silage outfits ready for action IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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‘Farming is back booming in this area’

experience and four store locations, Gardiners has become a trusted supplier for hundreds of customers throughout the east coast and all over Ireland, with online business broadening their horizons (gardinergrain.ie for more info). Over the years the product line up has continued to expand to meet customer demand. Today Gardiner Grain is specialist in the supply of agricultural and farming products, hardware products, all forms of equestrian care and feed products and a full range of poultry related feeds and supplies. They also provide fertilizer under the Target fertilizer range which has been developed through Cooney Furlong Ltd. For the past 10 years now, Colleen Atkinson has been the Gardiners’ branch manager at their store in Carnew in Co Wicklow and she insists that business has never been better out their way. “Business is very good at the moment, thankfully. Farming is back booming in this area - beef is going very well; sheep are going well and there’s always a demand for grain,” said Colleen. The demand for grain, in particular, is something which the Gardiners have been able to meet sufficiently down through the years and has seen them earn a valuable reputation as grain merchants throughout the south east. With some 30 employees between all four branches, Gardiners have grown into The crew in Carnew. Lorry driver Michael Kelly with Pat Doyle, Colleen Atkinson and Colin Peavoy. specialising in all areas of the agri trading business. They also manufacture their stablished since 1962, office is based, Gorey, Carnew and own range of ruminant animal feeds under Gardiner Grain Ltd has been Avoca, the Gardiners have endeavoured the ‘Avoca Milling’ brand name and retail supplying the local farming to make sure that their products are their own range of dog food under the community with quality products available to those in the agricultural and services from their four outlets industry throughout Wexford, Wicklow throughout Ireland’s south east. and beyond. CONTACT DETAILS Carnew Branch manager Colleen It has been 53 years now since Joe and Atkinson filled Irish Tractor & Agri Margaret Gardiner started Gardiner Grain in on what the company is all Ltd as a family business to supply the Gardiner Grain Ltd local farming community with quality about. products and services. While the reins of Head Office: These are indeed heady times for the company have changed and passed Coolgreaney, farmers in this country and companies like down the family ranks, the impeccable Co. Wexford Gardiner Grain Ltd are there to provide quality of brand and service stays the Tel: 0402 37103 them with the materials they need. With same. Email: gardinergrain.ie Today, with over a half a decade stores in Coolgreaney, where the head

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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Best Wishes To Gardiner Grain

gardiner grain designed_Layout 1 23/09/2015 16:07 Page 3

A view of inside Gardiner Grain’s store in Carnew

The store in Carnew has been open 10 years now

‘Mad About’ brand name. “We are involved in agricultural business and sell everything from feed and to hardware and chemicals. We set up our own mill here three years ago,” explained Colleen. “We also opened a new branch in Gorey and it’s going very well. There are

only three of us in the Carnew branch but we’re in a huge area and go as far as Baltinglass for our customers. “Recently we started do our own dog food, rabbit mix - all in smaller bags and it has really taken off over the last couple of years for us.” So why do customers continue to

A delivery at the Avoca Milling Mill

choose Gardiner Grain first? Colleen puts it down to the reliable brand and the personal touch from the owners themselves which people have come to appreciate down through the decades. “They are a family business who are known throughout the area for many years. We have recently started selling the Staffords coal, along with briquettes etc and this in turn attracts women to the store also. “The downturn didn’t hit us too badly, thankfully. Farmers are the one group of people that the banks will lend to nowadays and that’s great for our business, obviously. Basically, October through March is the busy period for us with feeding.” Gardiner Grain Ltd also offers their customers products in other forms of animal nutrition, such as horse feed and poultry feed, as well as equestrian equipment, hardware and garden equipment and veterinary and poultry equipment. That, in many ways, makes Gardiners a ‘one stop shop’ for anyone immersed in the agricultural industry. Colleen reiterates that point when outlining out the success of a company which she proudly represents from the Carnew end. Proudly representing is something which she knows plenty about, having captained Wexford’s intermediate camogie team to an All-Ireland title at Croke Park four years ago. The win marked a very special year for the Slayneysiders as they’d also capture the senior crown with victory over Galway in the capital, which capped a remarkable double feat. Colleen, who retired from camogie in March, fondly dwells when she looks back on the historic success. “I started with Wexford from a young age and eventually broke on to the senior team in 2007,” she explained. “We won the 3-in-a-row in 2010, 2011 and 2012, and I played left corner back on the intermediate team and was involved with the seniors and all those occasions also.” She added: “JJ Doyle played such a huge part too. He came in 2010 and brought real belief to the team and we went on and won three in-a-row at senior level which was a great achievement for us. Then winning the intermediate on top of that as well, it was just a great year for Wexford camogie.” Along with three All-Ireland medals, Colleen earned 10 county titles during her playing days with Oulart The Ballagh, earning two All-Ireland club titles in the process, before finally hanging up her IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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Continued Best Wishes To GARDINER GRAIN From

JFC Manufacturing e:info@jfcagri.com t:093-24066 www.jfcagri.com The yard in Carnew

boots in 2015. Nowadays family and work commitments come first for Colleen, as she continues to keep her schedule busy. “I retired in March gone past there,” she said. “They have tried to tempt me back but I’ve a daughter now and

I knew that the All-Ireland club final last year would be my last game with Oulart The Ballagh.” For now, it’s business as usual for Colleen as the customers keep coming into the store out Carnew way at Gardiner Grain Ltd.

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Colleen Atkinson working at the counter in Carnew

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Jim O’Regan farms 1,600 acres

A proud tillage man I

n 1974, a young man called Jim O’Regan who had been working on the family farm in Bandon, Co. Cork decided to go out on his own and began spreading lime for local farmers.

Jim O’Regan

Today, Jim farms 1,600 acres of land which is mainly used to grow cereals, but also sugar beet (approximately 135 acres) for animal feed. He has certainly come a long way since the days of when he first began providing a service to the farming public. Wheats, oats and barley are the preferred cereals grown on Jim’s land at Coolyrahilly, near Kinsale and for this month’s edition of Irish Tractor & Agri, we profile his farm and speak to Jim about the many aspects that help make a successful business. “We have in the region of 1,600 acres these days, the majority of which is leased and shared farmed,” he says.

“In the 1970s, after I started spreading the lime, I diversified into sugar beet and in 1975, started off growing eight acres. “Over the years, the tillage enterprise expanded with wheat oats and barley being our main focus now. We harvest 700 acres of winter cereals, while we do the same amount of spring cereals. The oats crop is grown on contract for Flahavan’s Mill.” Jim revealed that in the 1990s, he decided to extend his business: “I bought two big square balers in 1994 and have done a lot of work in Co. Cork with these. We bale approximately 11,000 bales of straw for the livestock market and deliver all over Munster and to

CONTACT DETAILS Jim O’Regan Coolrahilly Bandon Co Cork

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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The DeCourcey Harvest Working Day Show on Jim O’Regan’s land

Northern Ireland.” “There has been a large customer base on the books for many years now. We have a lot of repeat customers and we know that once we provide the right level of service, they will keep giving us their business” he said, Another area of the business is his landfill site and he has the relevant permits to remove earth and stone to a landfill site on his land. “We started the landfill site in 2007 and we have our own trucks on the road. Earth and stone are brought from building sites to our own site where they are disposed of, and we have all the necessary permits to carry out this work. We have three trucks, one artic and two rigids which have demountable bodies. Jim also has a major contract to spread slurry. “Slurry spreading is a big part of the business and I’ve a contract to spread two million gallons of slurry with two local piggeries. The nutrient value of pig slurry brings life to the soil and it is very beneficial to our land.” An extensive range of machinery is needed to carry out the duties and Jim told us that he is not afraid to add to the fleet of machinery if a particular machine is needed. “We upgrade on a regular IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

basis. You have too. There is a lot of machinery and plant here, all of which is in excellent condition. We dry most of the grain and store when necessary. Jim has a wide range of modern machinery to carry out his work quickly and efficiently. He operates a New Holland CX8090 four-wheel drive combine harvester which is the largest of New Holland straw walker machines. He also has a wide range of New Holland tractors form the earlier 8360s to the newer T.7260 with front and rear linkage. This tractor is used for big square baling and for powering a six metre Kuhn combination unit with front seed hopper, power harrow and seed unit. Jim also runs three industrial loaders, two of which are JCB TM300s which he finds ideal for stacking and loading big square bales of straw. He purchases his machinery from Cavanagh’s of Fermoy, McCarthy & Sullivan of Ballincollig and Bandon, McCarthy Commercials, main Volvo dealers in Watergrasshill as well as E.C.I. in Carrigtowhill. A passionate farmer, Jim has been no shrieking violet when it comes to fighting the cause of tillage farmers and he has held many positions in the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA).

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Jim O’Regan operates an extensive fleet of machinary

“I became the county grain chairman in 1987 and in 1994 I became overall county chairman,” he explains. “In 2000, I was elected onto the IFA sugar beet committee, representing Bandon/Kinsale. I was elected national chairman of the same committee in 2003.” During his tenure as national chairman, Jim was involved in

critical negotiations on sugar reform and at all timesPicturesque Cork was opposed to the closure of the sugar beet industry. “I believe then and still believe that we should have retained the sugar beet industry,” he maintains. “I was extremely critical of the line taken by IFA nationally by the then officers and senior staff for the misleading information

Picturesque Cork

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supplied to growers during the lead-up to the closure of the industry in 2005/06. I was extremely critical of a banner headline on the Irish Farmers’ Journal in May 2005 which stated that growers would receive €750 per tonne in compensation. There was absolutely no basis whatsoever for such a headline. “I believe that it was a deliberately misleading headline put out by the Irish Farm Centre in Bluebell, Dublin to shift the emphasis away from the retention of the industry to that of going for compensation.” Jim continues: “Growers were also advised by IFA personnel that most of the beet growing countries across Europe were about to exit the industry and that there was a limited pool of compensation, and that if we didn’t sign up quickly, that we would miss out on this compensation package. “I was also be critical of the Government, Greencore and the EU for their stance on the industry. Latvia and ourselves were the only two countries in Europe to exit the industry, and look what has happened to the price of sugar since, escalating to over €700 a tonne. “The tillage sector has never recovered from the loss of this vital crop as well as being a hugely beneficial break crop for cereals,” laments Jim, who has ceased all involvement in I.F.A in protest at their stance. On a lighter note, Jim is actively involved in the DeCourcey Vintage Club which

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is an annual vintage machinery show held on his land. The DeCourcey Harvest Working Day Show is different to any other farming show in the country as the machinery there is not just on display, but is seen to be working as Jim gives up a portion of his winter barley crop for the event. The Show is held on the August Bank Holiday weekend and has grown year on year. “We are delighted to have hosted the Show for the last four years,” the affable Kinsale man enthuses. “In 2013, Claas celebrated their 100th anniversary and sponsored the event on our farm, while New Holland celebrated the 50th anniversary of tractor manufacturing at their Basildon plant last year. “The Show has continued to grow and up to 6,000 people attended last year. With New Holland celebrating, there was a line-up of models from the earliest model assembled at the old Ford plant in the Marina in Cork in 1920 to present-day models, as well as New Holland combine harvesters from the late 1950s to the present day. “All proceeds are donated to charitable organisations and to local clubs. Everything is done voluntarily.” Jim has worked hard to get to where he is today and he admitted that it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of his wife Eileen and family. These days, their son Martin is on board and ready to lead the O’Regan farm into the next generation.

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A spectacular view of the impressive Hannon family farm, home to the Lisnalty herd

IHFA celebrates in style with its highest-profile herd

he 2015 Irish Holstein Friesian Association (IHFA) national open day was held on the beautiful 700-acre dairy and suckler Hannan familyfarm in Friarstown, Crecora, County Limerick on Wednesday, July 8th … an unforgettable and historic occasion for all concerned. We caught up with Paul Hannan, who manages the spectacular

Lisnalty herd, to find out more.

There were at least three major causes for celebration at the IHFA’s open day this year as 50th anniversaries abounded: the Association itself marked its golden jubilee; while it was also 50 years since the establishment of the Lisnalty herd; and Jimmy and Marie Hannan - who founded the herd celebrated 50 years of marriage.

The magnificent herd is now managed by their son Paul, whose brother John looks after the beef and suckler unit as well as a successful baled silage contracting business. The landmark occasion attracted a massive crowd of in excess of 4,000 (the largest ever attendance at an IFHA open day sale), including dairy farmers from all over Ireland and the UK. A celebratory mood pervaded – despite the strain being placed on dairy farmers by low milk prices – and the quality of the coveted Lisnalty herd was underlined as

CONTACT DETAILS Hannon Family Farm Friarstown, Crecora Co. Limerick

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Paul and Eileen Hannon with their children Bill, Jane and Claire

The open day at the Hannon family farm

Milking in progress IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

33 deep-pedigreed young heifers fetched an average of €3,000 in the sales ring. All in all, the day was a massive success for the Irish Holstein Friesian Association, the Hannan family and Ireland’s most highprofile, award-winning herd. “It was a massive success,” Paul confirms. “It was a dream come true for us to host the 50th-anniversary IHFA open day. On such a massive year, it was a huge honour to be asked. A big crowd turned out and it was the biggest event to take place in this area since the ploughing championships were held in Crecora in the early 1990s. Tom Ryan Centra, Raheen and parents from the local [Carnane] National School did the catering for us and the day went really well. “What with it being the 50th anniversary, we were actually asked 18 months in advance. They wanted a high-profile herd and we’ve never been out of the Top Two herds nationally in the past ten years, finishing first on five occasions and runners-up the other five times.” 90% of Paul’s herd are classified in the top two grades – Lisnalty was the perfect fit for the Association’s big birthday bash! The genesis of the enterprise goes back almost exactly half a decade to September 1st, 1965 when Jimmy Hannan purchased 18 acres in Friarstown upon getting married. Since then, the farm has grown to 700 acres (150 acres of which are rented). The average yield per cow is over 12,000 litres per annum – over twice the national average, with milking daily at 6am and 5:30pm. A brand-new 20-unit DeLaval parlour was built in 2012, with automatic cluster removers, which halved milking time compared to the old nine-unit parlour (from four hours to two, plus 30 minutes clean-up). The dairy herd comprises 120 cows with replacements, supplying around 1.35 million litres of liquid milk to Kerry Co-op per year, for sale by Dawn Dairies. The Hannans also have 60 sucklers (Charolais x Limousin) and 150 cattle are finished as beef. All the Holstein bull calves are finished as beef at 18 months of age and sold to ABP Nenagh or Charleville Foods. Calving is split 60/40 between autumn and spring. The herd is on a TMR diet which includes top-quality baled silage, straw, fodder beet (grown locally on contract) and forage maize (48 acres grown on the home farm). “My father used to sell clothes, believe it or not,” Paul reflects. “Any time he made a few pounds, he either bought a new cow or a bit of land. He eventually sold his drapery shop and bought more land. My mother worked at home and reared six children. Between them, they got the farm up and running.” Of the six Hannan offspring, two were boys. Paul and John took to farming like proverbial ducks to water. “This is all I ever wanted to do,” says the former. “I got involved in ’86,

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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE HANNON FAMILY ON 50 YEARS OF SUCCESSFUL HOLSTEIN FRIESIAN PEDIGREE BREEDING

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Pictured are Thomas and John Stone, Moate, EBI Award winner, Over 70 Section; Michael Kiernan, Navan, EBI Award winner, Spring Section; and Martin Harty representing Kieran Harty, Ballyheigue, EBI Award winner, Under 70 Section; at the IHFA National Open Day 2015 at Friarstown, Crecora, at the Lisnalty Herd owned by the Hannon family

National Herds Competition First Prize winners, l/r: Leitrim man Gordon Richardson, Greenvale Animal Feeds, sponsors of the National Herds Competition with Eamon McLoughney, Nenagh, (1st Spring Section), Richard Whelan, Clonard, (1st Under 70 Section), Paul Hannan, Crecora, (1st Over 70 Section)

Trevor Lockhart from the Donegal Club, winner of the Jack McCullough Trophy for the Highest Individual Winner ( 26 years & over Section) receives the award from Phil Healy, of sponsors, Kerry Co-Op / Agribusiness; at the IHFA National Open Day 2015 at Friarstown, Crecora, Co. Limerick

straight from school. After I did my Leaving Cert, all I wanted to do was be a farmer.” Paul, who singlehandedly oversees every aspect of the dairy enterprise, is married to Eileen and the couple have three children of their own – Bill, Jane and Claire. Going forward, Paul’s goals are modest – a 25% increase in herd size: “I’m not aiming to double in size or anything like that,” he notes. “Our aim is to milk 150 good cows. It’s like a football team, everybody has to perform. And I’m a harsh coach: a heifer has to milk five gallons after six weeks. We don’t sell any of our heifers at mart – we keep them all.” The herd is 100% Holstein Friesian. The switch dates back over 25 years to when the first cow was purchased in England in 1989. “It produced higher volumes and there was more inside the bulk tank,” says Paul. “That mean more money and that’s where my love of them came from, to be honest.” Paul adds that dairy farming is his passion IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

in life. He loves looking after the cows and would do it for free … but the money helps! The Hannans produce their own baled silage, with no additives. “John looks after this. We only do bale silage. We cut it at seven weeks, ted it out, row it in and bale it. He also contracts that work as well. We run all Massey Ferguson tractors and Lely baling equipment. “Roches Feeds in Limerick do our diets for the cows. Paddy McCarthy and Paul Hennessy look after that for me. Apart from buying the feed in, we are totally self-sufficient. We have one other lad working with us. Sean has been here 18 years and is part of the furniture at this stage. He even gets up with us on Christmas morning!” As the man whose vision has brought the Hannan family farm’s dairy enterprise to the next level upon assuming the reins from his father, Paul says there will be no let-up in the relentless quest for maximum quality: “We’ve had our open day and had a very successful sales day but we’re not going to rest on our laurels,” he concludes. “We’ll keep it going. “We’ll get up to 150 cows inside the next three years and that will be it in terms of growth. But we’ll continue to focus on quality. If I could have 150 good cows, I’d be delighted with that.”

National Herds Competition, sponsored by Greenvale Animal Feeds the Judges Choice award winners were, l/r: Joseph Cocoman, Kill, 1st place; Richard Whelan, Clonard, 2nd place; Victor Jackson representing Dermot Jackson, Kiltegan, 3rd place, at the IHFA National Open Day

Interclub Stockjudging (26 years & over) sponsored by Kerry Coop Agribusiness 1st place winners were the North Eastern Club. Pictured are Phil Healy, Kerry Co-Op / Agribusines (sponsors) with Thomas Daly (Navan), Leo Nulty (Slane) and Brendan Mennis (Navan)

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Monaghan’s premier agri contractor

Maguire Contracts has been serving farmers in the border region since 2004

perating from just outside Clones in Co. Monaghan, Maguire Contracts provides an unrivalled agricultural contracting service. Managing director Mark Maguire explains more.

Mark founded Maguire Contracts in 2004 to cater for the needs of farmers in the border region. Committed to providing a quality service and total client satisfaction, the business specialises primarily in silage cutting and slurry spreading, but also provides a range of other services, including baling, ploughing, reseeding, dung spreading and hedge cutting. Mark has an array of state-of-the-art machinery to carry out your work quickly and efficiently, providing you with valuefor-money and an alternative to investing in your own expensive equipment. The knowledge, skill and experience of his staff, combined with ongoing investment in new equipment, has helped to make Mark’s enterprise the success it is today. In short, he delivers the value and quality IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

farmers expect from their agricultural contracting partner. The decision to concentrate on silage and slurry spreading was a no-brainer for Mark given the landscape and soil type of north Co. Monaghan. “There is hardly any tillage in this part of the country because the soil doesn’t lend itself to growing crops,” he explains. “It’s grass country really which means silage and slurry spreading are the two biggies for us. We cut about 1,200 acres of pit silage every year and are after getting into baling as well. We’re linking up with Neville Rickey from just over the border in Newtownbutler in that regard. Neville is a well-respected name in the agri contracting sector and we have struck up an excellent working relationship with him.” Whereas three cuts of silage per year is common in other parts of the country, most of Mark’s customers only cut the once. Commenting on this season’s harvest, he says: “The very early cuts were light enough, but they got heavier as the summer went on. We were very busy,

despite the fact that one cut of silage is the norm in this area.” Mark runs four John Deere tractors, which are between one and nine years old. The newest is a 6210R which he purchased from Hanlon Machinery in Dundalk, Co. Louth. He also bought his 6190R and 6930 models from the same dealer. His oldest John Deere – a 6820 – was purchased from Rae Valley Tractors in England. The Maguire fleet is an impressive sight when in full flow. Mark has two Krone MX320 silage wagons, three Krone

CONTACT DETAILS Maguire Contracts Clonshanvo, Clones, Co. Monaghan.

Telephone: 086 8255151 E: maguirecontractsjd@gmail.com

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mowers and a JCB 310S loading shovel working on the pit. Other plant / equipment includes a Krone round baler, a McHale bale wrapper, a Hi-Spec slurry spreader and umbilical pipe system, a K2 rear discharge spreader, a Kuhn power harrow, an Overum four-furrow plough and a McConnel PA500 hedge cutter. Mark bought his Krone machinery from Irwin Brothers in Magheraveely, Co. Fermanagh, which is just a few miles from Clones. All machines are upgraded and serviced regularly to avoid breakdowns and downtime. There is no such thing as a quiet time of the year for this agri contractor. In the early months, the focus is on slurry spreading and sowing. The silage season, which typically runs from May to September, is a particularly busy period for the Maguire team who will work around the clock to keep their customers happy. Slurry spreading and hedge cutting take centre stage at the latter end of the year. David Humphreys works full-time with Mark. During the silage season, Mark has up to five men working for him, including his brother Brian. Maguire Contracts boasts a large and loyal customer-base within a 30-mile radius of Clones. “We’ve carried out work as far north as Brookeborough in Co. Fermanagh and as far south as Mullahoran in Co. Cavan. We will go wherever the work is. But we try to stay as local as

One of the John Deere tractors with a new Krone round baler

possible to keep costs down. No job is too big or too small,” Mark says. In addition to the contracting business, Mark has a suckler beef farm which he runs with the help of his partner Lorraine and their three children, Michaela (17), Rachel (14) and Colin (10). The affable Clones man concludes by thanking his customers for their continued support. “We started out doing contract work for a few neighbours and it grew from there. The support we’ve received from the local farming community has been fantastic. Our aim at all times is to provide them with a topclass, reliable and affordable service.”

One of Mark Maguire's Krone silage wagons

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From the farm to the fridge ...

ilk quotas are a thing of the past and Pat Hickey says good riddance. The Kilkenny native maintains that the quota system stifled the entrepreneurial instincts of a generation of dairy farmers. The Irish dairy industry has operated within an EU quota system since 1983. Volumes were fixed but the EU effectively provided a minimum price for milk through a complex system of intervention purchasing, export refunds, aids for storage and subsidies for industrial use. Farmer milk prices were relatively stable, but this did not prevent a dramatic reduction in numbers of milk suppliers, with a drop from about 65,000 in 1983, to about 18,000 today. But, since May of this year,the Irish dairy sector, farmers and processors, have the opportunity to pursue efficiencies through increased volumes and, hopefully. assert themselves on the world stage. Farmers and their co-ops are gearing up for an increase in milk supply of the order of 50% by 2020 and they are making the investments necessary to produce and profitably process and market the milk. Given that European population and their dairy consumption is largely stable,

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it is envisaged that the additional production will largely be targeted at the growing world market, particularly in Africa and Southeast Asia. The challenge faced in these growing markets will be tough. Our international c o m p e t i t o r s , particularly those from the Southern hemisphere, benefit from low-cost milk production, on huge farms, processed in a massive scale. However, Ireland's efficient grass-based Pat Hickey and his brother John milk 520 cows between both farms production system and the fact that we have a seasonality curve that almost exactly quotas destroyed a generation of farmers mirrors that of main competitors should who started out in '83 and, as a result, the allow us to trade profitably on those best part of their farming lives were gone. “It's like everything else now, if people emerging markets. want to expand they can, if they don't Focussed on producing milk at a low cost, dairy farming is a 24 hour, seven want to they don't have to but at least they days a week lifestyle for Kilkenny native have that option now. There was no Pat Hickey who, along with his brother options before. I'd be very optimistic John, milks 520 cows between two farms about the future. The negative outlook for in Ardnacraney, Tang, milk prices is the main concern now but, Co.Westmeath and, hopefully, the price will turn around soon.” One of six children, Pat was born and Co. Roscommon. For the first time in 31 reared on the family farm in Freshford, Co years, there are no Kilkenny and learned the tricks of the restrictions on how dairy trade from his father Paddy. As an enthusiastic young farmer he much milk dairy farmers can supply and decided to spread his wings back in 2005 the abolition of the milk and has made Westmeath his home quota came as music to his ears. He doesn't CONTACT DETAILS subscribe to the theory that supply will exceed demand. Pat Hickey “I think it's a great thing for the dairy Ardnacraney industry and the Tang country as a whole,” Ballymahon Pat revealed to Irish Co. Westmeath Tractor magazine. “The

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The Hickey's are focused on producing milk at a low costSoil mixing in progress

since then along with his wife Elaine, who he married in 2007, and four children - Evan (3), Eva (3) and 18 week old twins, Paddy and John. Tracing his roots, the large scale milk producer explained: “Dad had taken over the family farm from uncle and was milking 80 cows in '83 when the quota was brought in so that slowed down any expansion plans he may have had. “Myself and John were looking to expand and saw the farm in Ballymahon advertised. We purchased Ardnacraney in 2005, it came with 255 acres and a 2000 gallon with milk quota. The quota was readily available so that made it an attractive proposition. “We then purchased the farm in Roscommon in October 2012. It was a complete green field site, we purchased

210 acres and are leasing an additional 110 from the previous owner. It's good quality, dry land in Roscommon. We started building on site in June 2013 and commenced milking March 2014. “We have 520 cows between both farms but with the land base we have we could milk in the region of 600 cows. We'd have to have the heifers on the ground to achieve that next year - if can get enough grass to feed them!” With the help of three employees

(Roscommon farm manager Brendan Elliott, Robert Swirez and Pat Burke), Pat and John have ambitious plans for the future growth of the two farms but what are challenges they encounter on a day-to-day basis? “The milk price, as I said, is the big one at the moment and, after that, you have to keep the costs under control. We're no different to a lot of people in that we are carrying fair bank commitments so we have to keep our cash flow in order.”

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A pen with hurdles created by S&M Engineering

Agri equipment at its finest

ust shy of celebrating 25 years in business, S&M Engineering continues to manufacture some of the finest everyday equipment for everyday farmers. Kyle Alexander is a partner with the Co Tyrone-based company and told Irish Tractor all about the thriving business.

Everyone likes a success story and S&M Engineering certainly fits the bill. First founded by Sydney Alexander almost a quarter of a decade ago, the Omagh

A crush designed by S&M Engineering

business has blossomed to become a leader in agricultural equipment in Northern Ireland. With an address at 27 Corlea Road in Omagh, Co Tyrone, S&M Engineering now employees 22 staff and has customers all throughout Ireland using their products, which have even made their way to Scandinavia in recent years. Sidney’s son, Kyle, is a partner with the company and was good enough to take out time and fill us in despite a very busy schedule these days. “We manufacture everyday products that you’d use on a farm and they are all galvanised locally,” Kyle explained, before going into his own role in the family outfit. “I’m a partner here. I came in eight years ago and my father Sydney owns the company. My brother Lee is working here as well. Lee does most of the farming for us and we would have about 150-160 acres of land that we farm.” As farmers themselves, the Alexanders have been able to grasp better than anyone else what exactly

it is that the customer looks for when it comes to the equipment they rely on a daily basis. They also understand the necessity for that equipment to be safe (for you and the animal), reliable, durable, and to have a long life span. Therefore, you need something expertly crafted. Offering a wide range of agricultural equipment, the team at S&M Engineering are on hand to help design the perfect product for you and your farm. How the idea for the company first came about is easy to relate to when you consider

CONTACT DETAILS

S&M Engineering

27 Corlea Road Omagh Co Tyrone Northern Ireland Phone: 028 8224 9681 Web: sandmengineering.co.uk

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Sydney Alexander’s predicament at the time. “Basically, my father made the stuff because he didn’t have the money to buy it at that time,” Kyle explained. “Nowadays we are very busy. We’re exporting to Norway and also have leads to Denmark and Finland, so hopefully we can start getting our products in those places soon as well. The company that we work for now from Norway are called Ifor Williams. They were in Northern Ireland a couple of years back and saw our product and really liked it. They got on to us and basically the relationship took off from there.” Fane Valley, Windy Hill Farm, John Denny Ltd, Gibson Agri Services, Homeland (Aurivo Co-Op), Quinn’s Group Baltinglass, Ulster Livestock Care and Farmline in Dromore are some of the customers which have come to appreciate the calibre and reliability of S&M Engineering’s products. So why do their customers choose them first? Kyle explained: “We deliver our products in 3-4 days maximum. The price is right and the quality is very good, I think that’s why our customers choose us before others and we intend to keep on supplying them with a quality product.” The products on offer at S&M Engineering make up a large selection of equipment from ring feeders and troughs to hayracks and cattle crushes. They also design weighing equipment for sheep, cattle and pigs, creep feeders and troughs for feeding. For more specialised equipment you should consult the company’s website (www.sandmengineering.co.uk). How the equipment is tested is pretty straightforward, according to Kyle. “We use it ourselves and if we feel that it’s good enough we will sell it. All of the steel that we use is from Barrett’s Steel in Belfast and Met Steel Group,” he said. He continued: “We recently started manufacturing sheep hurdles as we seen a gap in the market in the north as there was

year in which they targeted the export market, which accounted for 39% of turnover in 2013. Having entered the Norwegian market, they supply Ifor Williams with nine outlets scattered across the Scandinavian country. Sales in Norway now account for 9% of S&M’s total turnover and plans are now in place to grow the export market, having also been buoyed by some recent success in Kuwait. It all makes for encouraging news and you expect plenty more nominations to come in for the Alexanders in the future as they continue to expand their market.

A lamb weighbridge

only one company manufacturing them and figured we could add a bit of competition. It also doesn’t hurt that sheep hurdles are also being grant aided in the south which has helped to rise the profile of our hurdle.” Grant-aided or not, it seems that where ever S&M Engineering carry their products to they are earning rave reviews for their quality. In 2014, S&M Engineering’s expertise in exporting their products was highlighted when they were nominated for the Invest NI Growth through Export award. The ceremony, which took place at the Kelly’s Inn in Dungannon, Co Tyrone, saw S&M Engineering finish inside the Top 3 following a stellar

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IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

A sheep ring feeder

A sheep hay rack with trough

Best Wishes & Continued Success To S&M Engineering From

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A wide range of superb-looking agri buildings is available

Quality agri buildings that look the part

mithform Construction offers complete builds of agricultural (and industrial) buildings. We met up with founder / proprietor Benny Smith to find out more about this popular business, which is renowned nationwide for erecting a wide range superblooking agri farm buildings - from slatted sheds and milking parlours to silage slabs, underground tanks and everything in between. 64

Specialising in all aspects of concrete work, Smithform Construction provides island-wide solutions to both the agricultural and industrial sectors, erecting slatted units, silage slabs, industrial units, underground colverts, sewage treatment plants, slurry storage facilities etc., all to the highest spec and with meticulous attention to detail. Cavan man Benny Smith set the business up just shy of a decade ago, expanding upon a proud family tradition of constructing farmyard buildings. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My father Vincie would

CONTACT DETAILS Smithform Construction Benny Smith: 087 4063047

Email: bennysmith198@gmail.com

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

smithform designed_Layout 1 23/09/2015 17:50 Page 2

have worked on farms all his life, doing shuttering, formwork and steel erecting,” the Mountnugent native reflects. Benny himself got involved at a very young age. “I went to Dublin when I was 16 and spent the next seven years working on blocks, apartments and multi-storey car parks, working for a number of different companies doing shuttering.” Having served his apprenticeship at the cutting edge of the construction industry, Benny then spotted an ideal opportunity to go out on his own: “I starting doing the agricultural buildings in ’06 because the grant came out that year and I thought there might be an opening.” Today, agri buildings account for some 80% approximately of Smithform Construction’s overall work. Benny also oversees a substantial amount of industrial buildings as well as projects like bridges for local authorities. “Sheds and underground tanks are probably the main ones,” he notes. “We do a lot of those as well as a large number of milking parlours, silage slabs and silage walls. Milking parlours is a big one these days as well and we IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Benny has a healthy order book for 2016.

From sheds to underground tanks and everything in between

smithform designed_Layout 1 23/09/2015 17:50 Page 3

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Email: patcottersteel@live.com Continued Best Wishes To Smithform Construction IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

smithform designed_Layout 1 23/09/2015 17:50 Page 4

provide a complete building service, including everything from start to finish.” One of the things that sets Smithform Construction’s parlours (and other buildings) apart from those of the competition is the great lengths to which Benny goes to ensure an aestheticallypleasing finish (as well as a functional, prompt and cost-effective one, of course). “We put up nice ones, with a lot of attention to detail and that gets us a lot of new business through word of mouth,” he confirms. “To me, the look of the building is very important. Naturally, all the buildings are of a very high standard, but they also look the part and we leave no stone unturned to make them look tidy. Structurally, we build everything to grant-spec, if that’s what the farmer wants. Whatever the customer wants, that’s what he’ll get.” The highest-quality steel and concrete is sourced from suppliers nationwide and all raw materials that go into Smithform Construction’s buildings is fully-certified and –approved in accordance with all current legislative and environmental considerations. Benny provides steady employment to seven or eight men and is pleased to report

Smithform Construction offers complete builds.

that he has plenty of orders to keep him going well into the next calendar year. “We’ve been extremely busy all year around for the past six years, thankfully. and we’ve enough work on at the moment to keep us going until well after Christmas,” says the Cavan man who also has a brother active in the same line of work – Sean Smith of SS Shuttering. Considering that Ireland – and the construction sector in particular - was just about to nosedive into recession at the time, was ’06 a bad year to start up a business? “To be honest, in the game that I started in, it was probably the best time because the grants had just been introduced and, even though the Celtic Tiger collapsed in 2007, dairy farmers were getting a very good price for their milk and they were putting up a lot of buildings. “I have been very competitive since Day One and placed a great emphasis on erecting quality buildings at a reasonable price. We got a lot of work out of that and found that if we worked for a farmer in a particular area that a lot of other farmers from nearby were also getting in touch. This led to a lot of work in the Limerick area, for example, and I’m still very busy in that region as we speak.

“I suppose I’d be pretty well known all over Limerick, Cork, Clare, Kerry and Tipperary. It was an ad in The Farmers Journal that took me down there in the first place and it just snowballed from there. I’ve also done a lot of work in Cavan, Meath, Westmeath, Offaly and Louth as well as in Northern Ireland. The business has been going well and I’m happy with how it’s worked out. “The grants continued up until December 31st, 2008 and it was great while it lasted. After that, you were on your own.” By that stage, encouraging references and positive word of mouth ensured that Smithform Construction was known far and wide for the quality of its work. As well as new builds, extensions to existing structures can also be accommodated and Smithform Construction also erects a great deal of industrial units, garages and warehouses etc. Looking to the future, Benny would be more than happy to consolidate the successful family enterprise: “We’ll stay as we are and continue to provide the best possible service,” he concludes. “We’ll keep doing what we do best and maybe we’ll see if we can get a bit more work up north.’’

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From heaven ...

anna Organic Farm and Store in the Dingle peninsula is a true labour of love for husband-and-wife team Thomas and Claire O’Connor. We took a trip to County Kerry for a closer look at this exceptional enterprise. Located in the lush Gleann na Galt Valley near Camp, Manna Organic Farm is a 25acre smallholding, which has been transformed into a working mixed farm, with 13 acres of native woodland, an orchard, poultry and pigs, and fruit & vegetables. Meanwhile, Manna Organic Store – the only certified organic store in County Kerry - can be found at the Island of Geese, Strand Street, Tralee - selling a wide range of delicious organic fruit, vegetables and wholefoods. Stocking produce from the O’Connors’ own farm and other local organic farms, Manna is certainly a shop with

The lush Gleann na Galt Valley produces buetiful crops

Thomas and Claire O’Connor

a difference. The genesis of the family business took place eight years ago, when Thomas and Claire bought the farm. The business had existed on a very modest scale previously, but it has been completely transformed and taken to the next level since 2007. “The land was basically four empty fields but we put in extensive hedges, forestry, orchards, poultry (hens, ducks, geese) and pigs, soft fruit, polytunnels, bees and outdoor veg,” Claire notes. “We had always been very interested in foods and cooking, and we decided that

we needed to be more involved,” the Kerry woman continues. “We attended The Organic College in Dromcollogher to study for a year prior to set-up and it was amazing. We met a lot of organic farmers and talked to them at length and that experience saved us years of mistakes.” Tomas O’Connor is chairman of the Irish Organic Farmers & Growers Association (IOFGA), while his wife has been on the board for the past three years. Claire points out that there are 1,500 certified organic farmers in the country. While running an organic farm and store is a very commendable occupation, something many of us might aspire towards, how difficult was it to get the business up and running as a viable commercial entity? “We pretty much both work seven days a week and have done for years – that’s how we make it work. We really do love what we do and we don’t see it as work. Of course, I miss having the weekends off and five weeks’ annual holidays, but when you wake up every morning on one of the most beautiful places on the planet, it more than compensates.” The work is split down the middle: Thomas runs the farm (a self-sufficient and innovative enterprise in its own right); Clare looks after the store. Taste is of paramount importance in every product produced and sold. “There’s a huge amount of biodiversity on the farm and we

CONTACT DETAILS Manna Organic Store Island of Geese, Strand Street, Tralee, County Kerry. Tel: 066 7125699 Email: shop@mannaorganicstore.ie www.mannaorganicstore.ie IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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believe that’s one of the reasons why our produce tastes so different.” The organic eggs are a case in point. The hens can wander from field to field as they please. With so many different natural variants in the grasses, a rich diversity of wildlife and fauna, they have an extremely varied diet. As a result, customers rave about the eggs. Furthermore, the biodiversity present also strengthens all the plants on the farm and renders them more powerful to fight off an invasion of pests or disease than a monoculture set-up would be. On the fruit and veg front, Manna Organic Farm produces 15 different types of lettuce alone as well as assorted spinach, cabbage, tomatoes, courgettes,

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

A polytunnel of lettuce

Thomas with the geese

cucumbers, celery, chillies, garlics, leaks and onions. The O’Connors also grow their own potatoes and carrots for personal consumption. “We also buy in from other organic farmers,” Claire explains. “Tony Garahy from Lough Boora Farm, for example, is highly

recommended. He does beef, lamb and vegetables and we sell a lot of his stuff, including courgettes, onions, potatoes and carrots. We also sell a lot of Irish organic cheese.” Wheatgrass is another big seller and Manna Organic has just launched its own sweetgrass (eight shots of wheatgrass juice, frozen and packaged for convenience of use). This is a very convenient way to consume wheatgrass, which can be bought several weeks in advance. People are driving from as far away as Donegal, Galway and Dublin to buy this innovative product, which can also be packaged and delivered nationwide. “We also have 1.5 acres of orchard – all native Irish variants – as well as growing our own soft fruits – raspberries, strawberries, currents and berries. We have cherry trees and plum trees but because the farm is so young we don’t expect any fruit from those for a few more years. Eventually, we hope to displace up to 80% of what we’re importing. “We also keep Tamworth pigs and produce organic rashers, sausages, pork chops, ham etc., all of which is sold exclusively in Manna Organic Store. We don’t sell through anybody else – everything we produce is sold to a huge diversity of customers from our own store.” Looking to the future, Claire sees potential for further growth. “We currently have plenty to be getting on with but there is certainly room for growth, within our own land,” she concludes.

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A shed being erected by Lixnaw Fabrications

Building from experience

illions of euro is spent by farmers each year on their farms as the necessity to have farm buildings that meet all regulation needs is essential.

We all like our comfort and farm animals are no different and for farmers to get the best out of their stock, a proper housing environment has to be in place. There are many companies in this country that specialise in farm building and for this month’s edition of Irish Tractor & Agri, we profile one such business. Kerry based Lixnaw Fabrications was established in 1989 by Tommy Molyneaux and for the last 26 years, the company has been supplying an excellent service to an ever-increasing customer base. Based in Lixnaw in the north of the county, Lixnaw Fabrications has built up a wealth of experience over the years as Tommy and his wife Margaret who is also a director of the company have worked hard to get to where they are today. “I had worked with the Kerry Group as they were known at the time and I decided to go out on my own in the late eighties. We have a purpose built facility and we have been kept going ever since,” said Tommy. “Of course, there are times when we were busier than others, but we would have a good bit of repeat custom and although things are not as good as they used to be,

This shed is complete

we are still working away here.” There are many needs to be met when involved in farm building and no two projects will be the same. That is where Lixnaw Fabrication can tailor for the customers’ needs and give solid advice to them when needed. People's expectations of farmyards differ, but any change made should make life simpler. “No job is the same, but we know that and can adapt to whatever the customer needs. We are long enough in this business now to have an idea of what they want.” The company specialises in the fabrication and erection of structural steel and cladding for the industrial, commercial, agricultural and leisure sectors. “We would have all the necessary certificates to manufacture our products from the department spec S101 standard to the E.U and C.E traceability markings that are coming into the industry. “There is a lot more paperwork these days, but it is for the benefit of the industry and we have met all the requirements asked of us.” Lixnaw Fabrication has established a first-class reputation within this industry through a balance of competitive prices, commitment to quality, customer satisfaction and proven capabilities. “We source all of our materials from long established, quality suppliers and can offer

lengthy warranties to all our customers. All our cladding would come from Tegral. Quality is essential to us, right from the start, we always said that we would deliver on quality and not be taking shortcuts to

Lixnaw use Tegral cladding

CONTACT DETAILS Lixnaw Fabrications

Irrebeg, Lixnaw, Co. Kerry Phone:(066) 713 2454

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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This shed is completed to a high standard

make a few extra quid. It is a stance that we have always taken and always will.” Health and Safety is of course a big issue as Tommy and his team leave no stone unturned when it comes to ensuring that all requirements on this front are met. “It is our policy to carry out all works in conformance with all Health & Safety Legislation, Construction regulations and insurance requirements. We are CE certified also.” When it comes to farm building, the Kerry based firm are unrivalled in the south as their services have been required all over Munster and further afield as well. “We have a wealth of experience in the agricultural sector and about 95% of our work would be in this area. From the design stage right until the work is completed, we work with the customer to ensure that they are happy with the work we are doing. “Our aim is to make the process of purchasing your building as smooth as possible, while also achieving the end result you will be expecting and be proud of. “We offer all our customers assistance with the design, planning and choosing of the correct materials. All units are

Four-bay sheds are ideal for some farmers

All regulations are adhered too when using steel

designed to meet their needs and intended use. A full after sales service is also provided. “The housing of livestock, dairy, beef, poultry and pigs would be where we do most our work, but we have completed some big projects in other industries as well. “We would have a very experienced workforce, many of who have been with us years now. They have played a huge part in the success of the company.”

If Lixnaw Fabrication were to be described in one word, than ‘solid’ is one that springs to mind. Their experience sees them provide a quality service and product, while their ability to complete a project on time has also earned them rave reviews. “Business is quieter than usual at the moment, but we’re hoping that things will pick up in the near future, we’ll keep working away anyway and make sure the customer is happy with the work that we do.”

Best Wishes To Lixnaw Fabrications, From

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Best Wishes To Lixnaw Fabrications

30 Years

In Business Est 1985

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Fifteen years a-growing

oodford Timber Products has been specialising in the manufacture of garden fencing, decking, trellis, gates, children’s play equipment (Jungle Gym) and sheds, log cabins and garden buildings since 2000. Founded by Alan Richardson, the company has become a major employer in the west Co. Cavan area and is renowned for its outstanding quality and service. Woodford Timber Products employs 40 staff at its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Kiltynaskellan, which is five miles from the border town of Ballyconnell. The company is committed to offering customers the most cost-effective and stylish solutions to their entire outdoor timber requirements. The well-established family-run business prides itself on its vast knowledge and experience of the timber industry, and will help you with all your outdoor timber requirements, large or small. “The three things we aim to achieve at all times are customer service, product quality and price competitiveness,” says Woodford sales representative Mark Richardson, who is a nephew of managing director Alan. “We insist on putting only the finest timber into our products. Most of the timber we use is imported. It is stronger and more durable than the native timber.” All of the timber used in Woodford’s products is pressure impregnated using Tanalith E, which is one of the world’s leading preservatives. This provides complete protection and with the minimum of aftercare, you can reasonably expect the products to have a useful life in excess of 10 years. The company’s manufacturing facility has an extensive range of modern woodworking equipment. A large percentage of Woodford’s products are machined and treated on site, thus assuring top quality products at all times. This, combined with the efficient quality control systems in place, ensures Woodford Timber Products remains the supplier of choice for the discerning customer. Woodford Timber Products counts many farmers among its wide and varied client-

Woodford Timber Products prides itself on their extensive knowledge of the timber industry

Garden furniture of the highest quality

base. The company offers a huge range of fencing and posts, while also specialising in made-to-measure timber gates. Among the fencing products supplied are heavy duty chunky post and rail fencing, fence boards and rails, fence panels, fencing accessories and trellis. There is also a large selection of posts, including round fence posts (pointed), weathered square posts, pointed square posts, moulded posts, tree stakes and gate posts. The round posts are ideal for driving and come in a variety of sizes. The weathered square posts are 95x95mm and are ideal for setting in concrete. The pointed square posts are 75x75mm and are also ideal for driving.

Woodford’s moulded posts are superior quality posts with rounded edges which give a more aesthetically pleasing finish to any outdoor timber application. Indeed, the entire range of furniture and children’s play

CONTACT DETAILS Woodford Timber Products Ireland Skellan, Doogarry, Co. Cavan. Telephone: +353 (0)49 4333133 Fax: +353 (0)49 4333134 Website: www.woodfordtimber.ie

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

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equipment is manufactured using the moulded finish for that particular reason. Tree stakes are also ideal for driving and are available in various sizes. It goes without saying that all of the products mentioned are fully pressure treated. “All of our round posts are incised prior to treatment with Tanalith E preservative to ensure maximum penetration of the preservative and a longer lifespan for the posts,” Mark explains. Sticking with the farming theme, the company’s timber products are also used widely in the construction of farm buildings and hay barns. Gates that can be madeto-measure include country field gates, driveway gates, gooseneck gates, field gates, garden and side gates. In addition, Woodford Timber Products manufactures a wide range of garden accessories to suit any garden. The range includes picnic tables, benches, garden swings, planters, bridges, sleepers, log rolls, garden chests, log stores and frame, playhouses and swings, are playground equipment. Its highly-qualified Woodford’s unique wheelchair accessible continuously tested and monitored by an table. designers work with a strict safety-first accredited inspection company (DEKRA) Similar to their gates, Woodford Timber policy for all climbing frames, from high and this had led to Jungle Gym being the Products specialise in made-to-measure quality pressure treated pinewood. one and only brand in Europe with the log cabins to suit your requirements. All Jungle Gym back garden play official GS certification for private use Woodford uses a unique corner joint equipment, including wooden climbing climbing frames. Additionally, system that requires no fixings, is features such as metal rungs very strong and sturdy, and is with non-slip coating and rung quick and easy to assemble. ends, caps to cover the bolt All windows and glazed doors heads, bumper pads and cubes, are fitted with toughened safety safety ball, sturdy handgrips, glass for added safety and sand pit net and ground anchors security, and are available in are all standard parts of the single or double glazing. Also wooden climbing frame. provided with each building are Woodford Timber Products pressure treated foundation continues to go from strength to beams and a kit of easy-to-follow strength, especially in the UK assembly instructions. where about 40 per cent of all its Woodford Timber Products is a products are now sold. Opening proud agent for Jungle Gym hours are 8.30pm to 5pm children’s play equipment in Monday to Friday and 9am to Ireland and Scotland. Jungle 1pm on Saturdays. Why not give Gym is recognised as Europe’s All of the company’s wood cabins are pressure treated and them a call? leading designer of safe outdoor manufactured from quality imported softwood

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john o brien designed_Layout 1 24/09/2015 17:52 Page 1

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A long career in the dairy industry

A family portrait. John (front, left) pictured with (seated, l/r) Peggy, Hettie and (standing l/r) Jerome, Ann-Marie, Tadhg and Phil

former chairman of both Carbery Group (an innovative and highlysuccessful confederation of four co-ops) and Barryroe Co-op, John O’Brien is one of the leading dairy farmers in West Cork. We met up with the irrepressible Barryroe man, who has evolved an exceptional enterprise in the face of tremendous adversity. John O’Brien has known adversity, but from somewhere he has found the strength to develop an excellent dairy enterprise in Barryroe, County Cork, milking 200 cows at present, while also demonstrating impressive leadership qualities, representing dairy farmers in the West Cork region.. He sat on the Irish Dairy Board for four IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

years up until 2014; was chairman of Barryroe Co-op from 2007- 2014 served on the board of Carbery (and was chairman from 2010-11); and is current chairman of the West Cork Development Partnership Programme (LEADER). In all of these capacities, John has worked tirelessly to create a better environment for his fellow farmers and greater community. For example, Carbery delivers top prices for its members and brings innovation and technology to the dairy industry. The constituent co-ops lead the way in securing top milk prices for its members, competing favourably with bigger-name competition such as Dairygold, Kerry Glanbia. Reflecting on his own family-run dairy enterprise in Barryroe, John notes: “My parents – Timmie and Peggy - bought the

farm here in the early ‘60s where they grew the dairy herd. My father, who was involved in building and machinery as well as dairy farming.Timmie,,died in a tragic farmyard accident in 1979, when I was 15. “I completed my Inter Cert and did a year in Clonakilty agricultural college before starting full-time on the farm myself

CONTACT DETAILS John O’Brien Barryroe County Cork

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in ’81. So I’ve been at it from a very young age.” The tragedy that precipitated John’s assumption of the reins at such an early age has imbued him with strength, determination and battling qualities, which have served both the family business and the local community in general well over the past two-and-a-half decades.The family pulled together as a unit and made the most of the cruel hand they’d been dealt. Going back to 1979, John continues: “There were 110 cows in the John O’Brien has served Carbery Milk Products extremely well down through the years, both as a board member and supplier herd at the time. My mother and I took over The herd is 40% autumn calving / 60% spring, kept in two and we also had Tim Flynn who had worked for my father for distinct blocks. Holstein Friesian has been introduced to the 30 years. He stayed with us and kept the show on the road until farm, along with Jersey. The herd EBI 146 (166 and 170 for the time of his death. My aunt also came on board and, the young stock). The herd average is around 6,500 litres, with between family help and neighbours, we got through it.” all milk going to Carbery Milk Products through Barryroe CoJohn is from a family of seven children – five sisters and one op. brother (who now works in Barryroe Co-op). “We all knuckled John owns 145 acres and farms 250 in total. Low land down,” he says. “There’s nothing like hard work to focus the availability places physical restrictions on the possibility of mind.” expanding the actual milking platform, so if there is to be future As for the farm itself, there was no change in the farming growth it could conceivably have to come from within the programme other than that John got rid of the machinery and existing farm / herd, which varies in size between 200 and 220 stayed milking cows. Today, he runs the farm with his wife Phil cows. and his mother Peggy lives with the family still having a great “Our mantra is to produce as much quality milk as we can, interest in all that happens on the farm . John and Phil have predominantly off grass. I also grow some maize but I keep the four children : , Tadhg (25), has a degree in agricultural science cows on grass as much as possible,because we are located in and works as a trainee chartered accountant with Grant a mild climate, they generally graze from January until Thornton; Ann-Marie (23) is a trainee chef at CIT also works November.” as a chef in Monks Lane Restaurant Timoleague; Jerome (22) There is a great tradition of dairy farming on both sides of is a fourth-year agricultural science student at UCD; Hettie (18) John and Phils family’s . John hopes that one of his children is doing her Leaving Cert. might one day assume the mantle. “We’ve successfully grown “We’ve doubled the size of the operation with organic, steady the business down through the years,” he concludes. “There growth,” says John. “We had a quota of 135,000 when the might be scope for another 20 or 30 cows and I will look at any quotas were introduced and grew that to 240,000 by the time opportunities that arise. Hopefully one of the kids will come of abolition. We expanded and maximised and are now home in the future and we’ll stay at it.” performing close to our optimum. “We modernised the housing facilities in the early ‘80s and that’s still there as modern and useful as it was , when it was built which shows the value of good planning and investment. In 2002, we extended the milking parlour to a 20-unit and we also have plenty of slurry storage etc. All the facilities are up to date and modern, although there is always ongoing investment and maintenance.” Like the majority of dairy farmers in Ireland, John is involved in the day to day running of the farm . “I have one great young farm manager, Gerard Kirby, working with me and he is a very capable young man contributing greatly to the running of the farm. We also have students in from the agricultural college during the autumn and winter, and the family helps out a lot as well. But I’m at it seven days a week, 365 days a year. I do take holiday, though – it’s not all slavery! And the fact that my chairmanship of the co-op ended last year has also freed up a bit more time…”

Kingswood Computing is a market leader in Agricultural IT, trusted by farmers for over 25 years.

www.kingswood.ie

For sales enquiries, call us on +353 1 459 6677 (1850 923 396 ROI Only) or via email at info@kingswood.ie For support queries, our friendly, professional support team are here to answer your questions. Contact us on +353 1 459 9491.

Best Wishes & Continued Success To John O’Brien

IRISH TRACTOR & AGRI

Tractor Subscription_Layout 1 10/04/2015 15:59 Page 1

IRISH & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

SUBSCRIPTION ONLY

FOR 12 ISSUES or

INCLUDING P&P

By Post Fill out the attached application form and send it by post accompanied with a DG Press cheque or postal order (made payable to Lynn Group) for the correct amount to Irish Tractor Trucker Magazine, DG Press Ltd., Kells Business Park, Kells, Co. Meath By Email Enclose your postal address and credit card details (Card type, number and expiry date) to contact@lynngroupmedia.com A receipt will be enclosed with your first magazine. Any further inquiries can be made to contact@lynngroupmedia.com

Name:............................................................................... Address:.......................................................................... .......................................................................................... .......................................................................................... I enclose a cheque/postal order for €/Stg£ _______ made payable to DG Press Ltd. Send to:

Martina Clarke, DG Press Ltd., Kells Business Park, Kells, Co. Meath. Tel: 00353 (0)46-9241923

MONSTER TRACTOR RUN Saturday 10th October Virginia Show Grounds

Registration - 9am €20 per Tractor Start - 12 noon In Aid of

Special Guests

Marty Mone ‘Hit the Diff’

DYNO TESTIN G on the d

ay by

Meath F arm Machine ry

ALL WELCOME!