With the roads close to impassable in some parts of the country, county councils have called on the contracting community to put their shoulder to the wheel and help to keep the roads clear. Contractors are uniquely placed to help as they have the gear and the staff to get the job done.

I joined up with Patrick Nolan of Joe Nolan and sons for a few hours to see what was involved. Patrick was driving a Fendt 820 vario pushing a 9ft plough and his father Joe was driving a Fendt 824 with a similar plough.

They have been given the task of keeping a 50km stretch of south Kildare’s roads free of fresh snow. Read the full story in next week’s Irish Farmers Journal.

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