While there is no FTMTA (Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association) Grass & Muck event this year, the association has confirmed that it will return to Gurteen College, close to Birr in the midlands, for next year’s (2018) machinery exhibition and working demonstration.
Grass & Muck runs every second year and alternates with the FTMTA’s Farm Machinery Show – in Punchestown, close to Naas, Co. Kildare.
Last year, Grass & Muck reportedly attracted a very significant 11,000 visitors. While it has numerous static exhibits, the event’s real attraction is its plethora of working demonstrations – in which mowers, tedders, rakes, harvesters, wagons, balers and wrappers are put through their paces. Loading shovels tackle a burgeoning quantity of silage at the pit – all watched by visitors and prospective buyers.
The ‘muck’ portion of the event involves slurry and muck spreading equipment. There is also a focus on pasture reseeding.
Grassland & Muck 2017…in the UK
For those who can’t wait that long, and are willing to travel to Britain, there is a similar event taking place in Stoneleigh, Warwickshire next month. Grassland & Muck 2017 takes place on May 24 and 25.
Like the Irish event, the UK version is comprised of a mixture of working demonstrations and exhibits. In the ‘grass working’ area a long list of manufacturers will be vying for space. These will include Case IH, Claas, Fendt, JCB, John Deere, Kongskilde, Krone, Kubota, Kuhn, Kverneland, Lely, Malone, Massey Ferguson, McHale, New Holland, OPICO, Pottinger, Schuitemaker, Tanco, Teagle and Vicon.
At the silage pits – or clamps as some might say in the UK – participants will include Claas, Fendt, JCB, Massey Ferguson, Merlo, New Holland and Valtra.
The muck machinery demonstration area will be home to the likes of Agrifac, Bauer, Fliegl, Bunning, Hi-Spec, Joskin, K-Two, Mastek, Pichon, Richard Western, Rolland, Teagle, Tramspread and Vogelsang.
Irish presence
Malone Farm Machinery is one of several Irish companies that will be exhibiting at the event.
The company, which was founded in 1999 and is based in Ballyglass, Claremorris, Co. Mayo, manufactures a growing range of products including: trailed mower-conditioners; 2.1m, 2.4m and 2.85m mounted disc mowers; tedders; self-loading forage wagons – as well as post-drivers, log-splitters and toppers.
The Malone brand-name has been growing in the UK year-on-year with ongoing product launches and new dealer appointments. Factory expansion at its base in Mayo continues – centered around a recent 3600m² development.
All Malone machines are designed, built and tested in Ireland – before being sold either here, in the UK or further afield. Some Malone mowers, for example, have found homes in the harsh environments and conditions of South Africa and Chili. Malone also has a presence in the Nordic countries and as far away as New Zealand.
Demand for the latest ‘Tedd-Air’ range is “exceeding expectations”. Models available include a 4-rotor 5.7m unit and a bigger 6-rotor 8.4m version.
Focus on forage protein
Forage experts Germinal will highlight the “multiple benefits” of high-protein forage crops at the event, with demonstration plots and advice covering a range of modern cropping options.
The Germinal exhibit will include currently-available varieties and mixtures, through to the latest breeding advances. There will be a strong emphasis on how to make livestock production more profitable and sustainable by growing and feeding high-protein species such as white and red clovers, brassicas, perennial chicory and lucerne.
Quality grass starts with quality mixtures
Meanwhile, delivering a “proven return on investment from quality mixtures” will be the theme on the Wynnstay stand at this year’s Grassland & Muck event.
“Reseeding is cost-effective, but to get the most out of this investment, it’s essential to use the best-quality seed mixtures available,” said Rachel Jones, Wynnstay Assistant Product Manager.
“The Wynnstay range of grass mixes includes varieties which are from the Recommended Grass and Clover list for England and Wales, and contain some of the highest quality ryegrass varieties in the market.
“Our independence means that we are able to capitalise on different breeders’ strengths – carefully studying the trials information provided from the Recommended List. This is to ensure that our mixtures consist of varieties with the highest yield, nutritional and agronomic characteristics.
“Our approach is fairly simple – if we use the best possible varieties in the market, we are able to supply the best grass seed mixtures.”
Grassland & Muck (UK) is organised by the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE) – an independent charity “dedicated to the application of science and technology to optimise agriculture and food resources to ensure a secure global future”.