Author: National Ploughing Association

Virtual Reality Quad Experience

Posted on by

VIRTUAL REALITY QUAD EXPERIENCE AIMED AT IMPROVING FARM SAFETY WILL BE AVAILABLE AT PLOUGHING CHAMPIONSHIPS – FRS TRAINING 

10 quad related deaths on Irish farms over last decade 

Special training programme on quad safety will be rolled out around the country

A virtual reality (VR) quad bike experience, aimed at helping improve farm safety, will be available for visitors to the National Ploughing Championship from FRS Training. The VR experience will take the user across various agricultural scenarios and terrains such as the farmyard, herding cattle, rough and inclined ground, showing how these vehicles should be handled. 

Quad bikes have been growing in popularity as agricultural vehicles in recent times but their use has also led to a number of accidents occurring. 10 quad related deaths are reported* to have occurred on Irish farms over the last decade.

From 20th November 2023, Government regulations will make it mandatory for all quad operators to undergo training and to wear appropriate protective equipment, including a helmet.  To help address these significant agricultural health and safety regulations, FRS Training will be rolling out a new quad bike training programme nationwide. 

The FRS Training Quad Bike Courses will run over two days and will be QQI accredited. The training covers operations, loading as well as health & safety around quad use. Group courses can be arranged, and individual public courses can be booked at www.frstraining.com

Speaking about the VR quad experience and the new training programme, Colin Donnery, Group CEO of FRS Network said, “The use of quads on Irish farms continues to grow.  These vehicles are becoming an increasingly popular choice for farmers as they are a useful and multipurpose vehicle for transport, spraying, spreading and a range of other work on the farm. Yet with this growth in usage, there are rising safety concerns around how they are being operated.

“Unfortunately there have been far too many accidents related to quad bikes on Irish farms in recent years, with at least 10 deaths being linked to their use in the last decade. Part of the problem is that people haven’t been properly trained in how to use these extremely powerful and heavy vehicles, which can lead to high risk driving behaviour and unfortunately in some cases, even dangerous misuse. 

“Our VR quad experience aims to give our visitors an immersive experience that will correct some of the misconceptions people have about driving quads, showing both their advantages and their perils. It will bring the VR user through several typical farm environments and scenarios, such as the farm yard, rough and inclined terrain, using the quad around livestock and more.

“Under new Government regulations, from the 20th November 2023 anyone operating quads on farms will also have to undergo training. We want to make Irish farms safer while also enabling those farmers who use quads to receive the training they need. Which is why we are rolling out our QQI accredited quad training programme nationwide.

“We truly hope that as more people grasp the key health and safety principles behind operating quad bikes, they will become more aware of the potential dangers. This will hopefully help reduce the number of quad related accidents on Irish farms, which is ultimately in the interest of everyone associated with Irish farming,” Mr. Donnery concluded.

The FRS VR Quad Bike experience is open to all free of charge on Row 11, Stand 204 at the National Ploughing Championships, Ratheniska, Co.Laois, between the 19th and 21st of September 2023. 

For further information contact Jimmy Healy, Cogency – 087 6479104

*Figure from Health & Safety Authority (HSA)

Reesink Agri

Posted on by

 New machinery distributor Reesink Agri enters the Irish market with Kaweco high end slurry equipment from the Netherlands 

Dutch company Royal Reesink is a market leading international distributor and service provider in the field of high quality machinery, components and services in agriculture, landscape maintenance, Turfcare and warehouse equipment. The 238 year old Dutch giant was founded by Hendrik Reesink as a one man operation in the Netherlands in 1786 and today employs over 2,500 people in around 40 subsidiaries worldwide. 

Tomás Cooney explained that and the new Reesink Agri Division in Ireland will run alongside their existing Turfcare division in Nurney Co. Kildare and that the first product they are introducing is the Kaweco range of high end slurry equipment from the Netherlands. 

With a rich history Kaweco have been producing slurry tanks in their plant in Hengelo since 1969 and are part of the wider Royal Reesink Group. They excel at producing high end specialized slurry tanks for intensive users and contractors looking to maximise output and efficiency. They also specialise in slurry injection with applicator options of up to 12 metres wide for both tillage and grassland. 

He explained that with splash plate slurry spreading outlawed in the Netherlands since 1992 both tanker technology and application methods have reached a more advanced level there with 95% of slurry now applied through injection. Dutch regulations also oblige farmers to record all slurry application details on a central data base and with regulations also tightening here it is something Irish farmers are also expecting to see introduced in the future. 

Kaweco slurry tank range 

Kaweco produce a wide range of tanks to meet all customer needs including trailed, goose neck and self propelled units. The Profi I, II and III trailed tanker range varies in size from 2200 to 7000 gallons with single, twin, tandem and tridem axle options available. Trailing shoe options are available from 6 to 30m and disc injector models are from 5.6 to 12m for tillage and grassland applications. 

At the recent Irish launch event the company were using a twin axle KAWECO PROFI II 4000 gallon contractor model tank with a Liftmax premium linkage system enabling the machine to be used with both a 15m Bomech Trailing shoe and a Kaweco Opti-Ject 8m Disc Injector offering contractors plenty of flexibility depending on their customers needs. 

Most tanks are built to order and the integrated chassis and modular build of the tank makes it very easy to add additional options at a later stage. The machine is divided into 2 compartments and empties from the back first keeping weight applied on the tractor ensuring better balance and traction. 

Other notable features are the rotary lube pump which is positioned under the machine for maximum filling and unloading capacity. The flowmeter is mounted vertically to ensure a more even flow of slurry at start up and in combination with the Isobus system it ensures slurry flow is automatically regulated in conjunction with tractor forward speed and PTO rpm. 

For further details see Kaweco.com or contact Tomás Cooney directly on 087 2470684. The Reesink Agri/Kaweco stand at the Ploughing will be in block 2, row 1 stand 8. 

New partnership announcement with Permanent TSB

Posted on by

The NPA are pleased to announce a fantastic new partnership with Permanent TSB for this year’s National Ploughing Championships taking place in Ratheniska, Co Laois from September 19th to 21st. 

NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said “Permanent TSB have been very supportive and a loyal contributor to ‘Ploughing’ throughout the years so it is with great joy that the NPA are welcoming Permanent TSB on board as the new financial institution sponsor.   This is a fantastic opportunity for Permanent TSB with crowds of up to 300,000 expected throughout the three-day festival.” 

Speaking to the announcement, Eddie Kearney, Head of Retail Distribution at Permanent TSB, said “Permanent TSB is delighted to be returning to the National Ploughing Championships again this year and are pleased to support Anna May McHugh and the wider team as one of the event’s sponsors.  We take great pride in this partnership, and our team will be on hand at stand 304 throughout the three days to support our agri-community with their business banking and asset finance needs.’’

Follow the build up to #Ploughing2023 and to plan your visit: please see Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok

Excitement builds as the countdown is well and truly on for ‘Ploughing 23’

Posted on by

With just two weeks to go until Europe’s largest outdoor event kicks off!

EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness attended this morning’s National Ploughing Championships launch on site in Ratheniska, Co Laois where the national media and special guests were entertained by local performers from Co. Laois while prize-winning animals, high powered tractors, horses and hounds were all on display.  Everyone was in high spirits and getting into ‘ploughing’ mode’ in the hope that this glorious weather would hold out for just another few days. 

NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said “preparations are well underway as this green field in the middle of Ireland transforms into a bustling hub for the National Ploughing Championships.  The event not only provides a national stage to showcase all things that are great about Ireland but also brings together people from all sectors of Irish society both rural and urban, to enjoy three days immersed in country living.”

There will be millions of euro worth of agricultural and plant machinery on display featuring an extensive range of cutting edge agricultural technology and equipment, with the opportunity to see these in action in the machinery demonstration area. The leading manufacturers and agents will be present with specialist sales advisors and technical experts available for free consultations.  

Visitors can take the opportunity to admire the marvellous quality livestock on display and learn about livestock management, genetics, nutrition and healthcare.   

Sustainability is very much a key theme again for #Ploughing2023.   As this year at ‘Ploughing’ there will be numerous green initiatives, for example the NPA will be promoting the use of recyclable products, food waste will be converted into energy through an anaerobic digester and there will also be solar panelled lighting towers, cardboard compactors, litter fines and waste separation operations on-site.”  Certa formally known as EMO Oil are providing the electricity for the event using HVO Hydrated Vegetable Oil (recycled cooking oil).  

The ‘Ploughing’ is a haven for foodies, as all sectors of the food chain are represented from producer to retailer, artisan foods, craft beers, celebrity chefs, cookery competitions and much more.

 In the national ploughing stakes a particularly strong programme has attracted entries from all around the country and Northern Ireland with over 320 competitors over the 3 days. 

Models from the Holman Lee modelling agency took to a mini catwalk to provide a glimpse of the highly anticipated fashion shows that will take place throughout the three days of the event.   Local and national boutiques/fashion houses provided a taster of the latest styles and the fashion of the upcoming season. 

All of the firm favourite attractions are set to return this year such as Fashion Shows, Meggers, Sheep Shearing, Hunt Derby, Fun Fair, Food Fayre, Craft Demonstrations, Pony Games, Live Music and Dancing, Vintage Ploughing, Threshing, Loy Digging, Motor Show, Baking Competitions  with celebrities and well known faces everywhere Ploughing 2023 is not to be missed.