Getting the bed right this winter

Northern Ireland manufacturer Blaney Agri will be showcasing a number of feeding and bedding Innovations at the Winter Fair.

Blaney Agri offers two models of Cubicle Bedder. The belt dispenser model and CB Discus, a twin-disc model, are available in a range of hopper sizes and mounting options to suit tractor requirements. According to Blaney Agri, they have been developed to dispense a range of bedding, including shavings, sawdust, lime mix, chopped straw or sand. Blaney Agri says with the Cubicle Bedder, bedding can be done in minutes from the cab, saving up to 50% bedding material compared with manual bedding.

The Blaney Bale Shredder will be on display at the Winter Fair, a machine developed to shred round bales of silage and straw. It comes in various models to suit farm and tractor size. According to Blaney Agri, the bale shredder is ideal for feeding silage bales, since fresh-chopped silage is more palatable, giving increased intake.

The Bale Shredder can chop straw quickly for a clean bed. Straw can be chopped as a feed to be added to a total mixed ration.

Blaney will also be exhibiting a model hedgecutter from their wide range, available up to 6.5m reach. Blaney’s sister company, Quad-X, will be exhibiting a selection of ATV equipment, including the Wipeout 2 weed licker, which Quad-X claims gives up to 100% weed kill in just one pass. The Quad-X 6 bag/300kg fertiliser sower will also be on display. This machine is popular with farmers for spreading urea in early spring when ground conditions are still soft.

For more information about the Blaney Agri or Quad-X ranges, call 028 2587 2801 or visit www.blaneyagri.com and www.quad-x.com.

Major slurry focus

Grass cutting and slurry equipment manufacturers Major Equipment are hosting a slurry information day for applicants to the TAMS II scheme. Applications for the scheme have been submitted already, but many farmers and contractors are expressing uncertainty about what system is most suitable for their particular operation.

“The TAMS II scheme is encouraging a move towards a more environmentally sound method of slurry application,” explained Martin Walsh from Major Equipment. Martin believes legislation and regulations will eventually prohibit the spreading of slurry by the traditional splash plate method. The slurry information day takes place on Friday 11 December from 2pm to 8pm at the Major Equipment factory on the Charlestown Road in Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo. There will be refreshments and anyone considering moving to a trailing shoe or dribble bar system is urged to attend. For more information, call Major Equipment on 094 9630572 or visit www.major-equipment.com.

Krone at LAMMA

LAMMA 2016 will be the venue for Krone to display its new BiG X 630 and BiG X 770 for the first time in the UK as well as launch its new ActiveMow R 280 rear-mounted mower and the BiG Pack 870 HDP MultiBale. Krone staff will be on hand to explain to growers and contractors the features on the BiG X models such as VariStream, PowerSplit, MaxFlow and VariQuick. Also on show will be the MTU 6R 1500 626hp engine and a MAN D2868 V8 729hp engine on the BiG X 630 and the 770 respectively.

According to Krone, with operator comfort a key focus, climate control in the cab is now standard on the new BiG X and a deeper and wider cab gives more space, while a wide windscreen and high side windows optimise visibility. An ergonomic gearstick gives improved operator comfort and easy to reach buttons and touch screen terminal help reduce tiredness during long days.

Also on display will be a range of EasyCut mowers, all featuring SafeCut disc protection. The models will include an EC R 320 CV rear-mounted, EC F 320 CV front-mounted and EC B 870 CV butterfly mowers launched last year to replace the popular EC 9140 CV mowers. From the range of larger tractor-mounted tedders will be the KW8.82 tedder, the largest being the KW 11.22 with a 10.9 metre working width. Krone will also have a number of other machines on display, including the Bellima and Comprima round balers, and the MX 350 forage wagon tested by the Irish Farmers Journal.

Q8 Oils shows

The 2016 Q8 Oils Cavan and Milstreet farm machinery shows have been launched. The Cavan event will take place at the Cavan Equestrian Centre on 3-4 February. The Milsteet show will take place at the Green Glens Arena on the 20-21 January. Opening hours for both shows will be from noon till 10pm. These popular annual events will once again showcase all the best the farm machinery industry has to offer at a time of year when agri professionals are keen to embrace new technology and purchase items for the busy season ahead. Anyone who would like further information should contact AJS Promotions on 04882252800.