Author: National Ploughing Association

Sun beginning to set as such a successful ‘Ploughing’ draws to a close.

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As the traffic flows from the car parks here this evening in Ratheniska, Co Laois the total attendance figure for the 93RD National Ploughing Championships came to a massive 244,000 over the 3 days, with a huge increase of 43,450 visitors when compared to last year.  Exhibitors and visitors alike thoroughly enjoying themselves in the glorious weather with all that was on offer.

NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said, “The overall mood for this year’s Ploughing has been incredibly buoyant and positive.  With so much for visitors to enjoy from quality livestock & serious machinery to fashion, celebrities, influencers and sports stars galore there was something for every member of the family to enjoy.”

The coveted 2024 Best Brown Bread Baker title went to Rose Egan from Offaly, she received a very generous cash prize of €5,000 and a state of the art NEFF oven.  The competition was first a feature of the National Ploughing Championships in the early 1950s is sponsored by Euronics & run in conjunction with the ICA

The NPA would like to wish everyone a safe journey home and thank all for making this one of the most successful Championships of all time.

90,500 visitors attended day 2 of the National Ploughing Championships

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Today 90,500 visitors passed through the gates of this year’s ‘Ploughing’ in Ratheniska, Co Laois. This brings the total attendance so far this week to 166,000 over the first two days. Speaking this evening, NPA Managing Director Ms Anna May McHugh said “We expected large crowds again today given the glorious weather & great feedback received yesterday.”

In the afternoon, the ever popular Most Appropriately Dressed Lady & Gentleman Competitions were hotly contested in the dedicated Fashion Show Marquee.  Anne O’Mahony from Tipperary, received the title of The Most Appropriately Dressed Lady, judged by former Miss Ireland winner, Holly Carpenter, sponsored by the Club Hotel at Goffs.  Anne O’Mahony won an exclusive weekend at The Club at Goffs, including a four-course meal. Most Appropriately Dressed Gentleman winner was Patrick O’Brien from Galway, judged by Irish influencer, Kieran Corrigan and sponsored by Shaws Department Store. Mr O’Brien won a 500 euro voucher for Shaws Department Stores. 

The final day of the 93rd National Ploughing Championships will be tomorrow. Everyone is eagerly anticipating all of tomorrow’s Ploughing action and the final of the National Brown Bread Baking Competition will take place. The winner will be crowned Ireland’s National Brown Bread Baker of the Year 2024. 

#Ploughing2024 roars into life as the sun beams down on the site in Ratheniska.

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Spirits were high as visitors poured on to the site from early morning and the day did not disappoint as there were a huge number of 75,500 attendees.  This represents an increase of 9,250 on last year’s figure of 66,250.

With clear blue skies throughout the day, shoppers and agricultural enthusiasts joined celebrities and politicians to experience a great day out for all the family.

From farming to fashion, artisan foods to top-of-the range machinery & quality livestock all of the best of what Ireland has to offer was on display today for people of all interests to enjoy.

The highly anticipated prestigious Machine of the Year competition result was announced with congratulations going to the family run RT Sales Ltd, an innovative leader in the hedge cutting industry.  The judges were extremely impressed with the strength of the entries in in this highly competitive contest.
Speaking at the end of Day One, Ms Anna May McHugh said “We are extremely pleased with the fantastic turnout today.  The traffic flowed with ease thanks to the guard’s fantastic traffic management and visitor co-operation. Everywhere you looked people were smiling and enjoying themselves at a whole array of activities.”

President Michael D. Higgins officially launched the event paying tribute to Ms Anna May McHugh, the Gardaí, Laois County Council and the hundreds of volunteers and staff that are required to stage the event.

Tomorrow’s action-packed day includes Fashion Shows, Celebrity cookery demonstrations, Machinery Demos and 300 sheep are due to take part in a sheep shearing competition.  One of the highlights will be the ‘Most Appropriately Dressed’ Lady & Gentleman competitions judged by influencers Holly Carpenter and Kieran Corrigan.

With all that is happening on site tomorrow & wonderful weather forecast again Ratheniska, Co Laois is the place to be for Day 2 of the National Ploughing Championships.

West Wood Trailers

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Today we have the pleasure of confirming the introduction of a new 16ft TA510 Livestock Trailer. We have received several requests from our Distributor Network and customers across the globe for a longer version of our highly respected Livestock Trailer.

Our Design Engineers and Manufacturing Teams have been working hard to develop this new product, and at the same time, introduce a number of new and exciting features compatible with all sizes of TA510 Livestock Trailers

NEW 16ft TA510

The 16ft TA510 has been designed and developed solely, as a tri-axle trailer, with the tri-axle wheel base giving this longer trailer the stability and strength needed when towing animals. The additional length gives the farmer optimal choices for stock segregation in transport. With a market leading reputation for incredibly durable and robust trailers, we are confident that Ifor Williams Trailers customers all over the world will want to enjoy the benefits of this longer trailer.

NEW FEATURES

EASYLOAD RELEASE FROM ABOVE

We are now launching a new and improved EasyLoad release mechanism, bringing the handle and release catch to the internal aspect of the ramp gates for a quick and simple release. We trust that this mechanism, in its more accessible location, will be a big improvement for farmers when unloading their livestock and especially when doing so in tight spaces. This will be introduced as standard across all Livestock Trailer Ranges with the EasyLoad deck system.

ALUMINIUM TREDPLATE FRONT FOOTPLATE

We have introduced a strong and sleek aluminium front footplate in treadplate material. This new feature has dual functionality – firstly protecting the mudguards and secondly serving as a footplate to stand on and inspect inside the top decks of the trailer. The footplate also provides excellent access to the internal cross division latch. This feature is an optional extra on the new 16ft TA510 and will be introduced as a new optional extra for all sizes of trailers in the TA5 and TA510 range.

INTEGRATED SUMP TANK

As part of the 16ft TA510 Trailer, we have developed a unique integrated sump tank with removable galvanised grids. This new feature makes cleaning out the trailer considerably easier and the galvanised grids have ‘Ifor Williams Trailers’ branding laser cut into a prime position and in clear sight for all trailer users.

This feature is only available with the new 16ft TA510 and will be a standard feature costed into the price of this newly released trailer.

HEAVY DUTY BRAKES

The 16’ TA510 is fitted with our largest 250x40mm Brakes on all 3 Axles as standard, providing unquestionable Braking capacity and longevity. This is Standard on the 16ft TA510 and is an option on the 12’ and14’ TA510 and DP Tri-Axle range.

SIDE MOUNTED GATE CARRIERS

We have also developed a storage facility for stock handling gates on the side of the trailer. This can also be used to store additional Small Cross-Divisions, this gives our customers maximum options and utility when using their Livestock Trailer to interchange between transporting different animals.

This feature is an optional extra on the new 16ft TA510 and will be introduced as a new optional extra for all sizes of trailers in the TA5, TA510 and DP120 range.

ENGRAVED REAR FOOTPLATE

We have also introduced an engraved rear footplate, which again can be used for ease of top deck inspection and has a striking Ifor Williams Trailers branded engraving, with a blue background, integrated into the design.

We are currently reviewing developing this further into a treadplate style material and will keep you updated on this workstream. This feature will become standard on the new 16ft TA510 and will be standard on all sizes of trailers in the TA5 and TA510 range.