Farm machinery sales
It's an ill-wind that blows no good. So the disastrous 'summer' has been a boon for a select group of Irish agricultural machinery manufacturers.
Namely those selling zero-grazing machines to farmers aiming to beat the conditions and keep a fresh supply of grass in front of their stock.
"A bad summer, believe it or not, is good for us," said Michael Gavin of Belmac Engineering, near Ferbane, Co Offaly.
Mr Gavin and his son David have seen sales of their zero-grazing wagons quadruple this year, as a combination of poor grazing conditions and expansionary pressures on fragmented units forced many farmers to invest in the concept.
"Many of the farmers who bought from me this year were guys who have been thinking long and hard about the idea for years," said Niall O'Reilly, who sells his Zerograzer wagon from his base in Kilnaleck, Co Cavan.
"When the weather went against them this year, it made up their minds."
Mr Reilly has seen sales double over the past year, to 34 machines this year.
A zero-grazing machine capable of feeding at least 50 cows starts at €20,000 but can range up to €60,000 for a unit designed to cater for 250-cow herds.
However, the sales are not confined to cow herds, with both the Gavins and Mr O'Reilly selling units to bull-beef finishers and goat herd owners.
Belmac Engineering has had to take on four extra manufacturing staff, bringing its total number of employees to 16, following the company's sale of 32 machines this year, including six to Britain and Northern Ireland.
- Darragh McCullough
Source: irishindependent