Live Lely Splendimo mower production cell at the Ploughing in 2015

In another first from Lely, visitors to this year’s Ploughing will not only have the Live milking exhibition to enjoy but also a live demonstration of how Lely produce and assemble their unique mower bed by replicating a mini version of their Splendimo mower production cell from their production facility in the Netherland’s.

Save a litre of fuel per hectare

In what is sure to be a huge attraction at this year’s event farmers and contractors will have the opportunity of experiencing at first-hand how a Lely Splendimo modular mower bed is assembled. This will help the spectator understand why Lely mowers have the lowest HP requirement and fuel consumption rates in today’s market place. It has been well proven worldwide and in independent trials that a Lely Splendimo mower requires 20% less HP than other brands leading to a fuel saving of a least a litre of diesel per hectare mown.

Explaining the concept Joe Roche from Lely said that it was during our Irish dealer trip to the Lely factory in the Netherlands last December that the idea came about. Our new dealers were really impressed with the modular cutterbar production cell and one of them suggested that we should consider doing it at the Ploughing. I didn’t take it seriously at the time but a seed was sown and this spring we gave it some more consideration. Our experience with the live milking stand over the past 2 years gave us the confidence to design and plan the event and what better way is there to show it to farmers than to replicate a mini version of the Splendimo production line in Maassluis in the Netherlands at this year’s Ploughing.

A unique modular cutterbar

He went on to explain that Lely design and manufacture their own unique modular cutter bar which is fitted to all Splendimo disc mowers. This Lely invention is made up of universal mowing units, which are directly driven by a flexible hexagonal shaft. Consequently, this cutter bar contains far fewer gears than any other cutter bar, which results in outstanding output. It also ensures that in the event of damage to the bed from contact with a foreign object it can be quickly and easily repaired. There is no need to take the whole bed apart as each disc unit can be removed individually, repaired and quickly reinstalled saving time and ensuring low maintenance costs. This will be demonstrated on site by 2 Lely employees from our production line in the Netherlands.

Free use of a Splendimo 280M 9ft mounted mower

We are also part of the free farming for a year competition in association with our media partner agriland. After seeing our Splendimo production cell and how our mowers are assembled one lucky farmer will win the free use of a high spec 9ft Lely 280 M Splendimo mower for the 2016 grassland season. People can enter on line at agriland.ie or on our stand at the show.

About the Lely Group

Lely, founded in 1948, directs all its efforts towards creating a sustainable, profitable and enjoyable future in farming for its customers. Lely is the only company worldwide to supply the agricultural sector with a complete portfolio of products and services ranging from forage harvesting to automated feeding systems, barn cleaners and milking robots. Lely is also working on business concepts to ensure energy-neutral operations in the dairy sector. For many years Lely has been leading in automated milking systems. The company has a strong position in forage harvesting products, with over 65 years of acquired knowledge of the agricultural cycle. The Lely Group is active in more than 60 countries and employs around 2,000 people.

Macra Shake Things Up At Ploughing

Macra na Feirme are shaking things up at the Ploughing this year. Macra have worked with the NPA to provide a youth zone at the Ploughing for the 17-35 year olds attending. Located at Row 23, Stand 401, Block 3, there will be a chill out area for Macra members, a DJ and other entertainment, farm safety demonstrations and lots more. Macra will be able to sign up members on the spot and will have special offers for new members. The affiliation fee is €25 so make sure to keep aside the best money you’ll spend. There will be exclusive services like free wifi for Macra members so remember to bring along your membership card.

On the Tuesday of Ploughing, the 22nd September, Macra will launch their calendar highlighting Positive Mental Health. Created in partnership with St Patricks Mental Health Services ‘Walk in my Shoes’ campaign, the calendar is a tongue-in-cheek look at Macra and young farmers but will raise the serious issue of protecting your mental health. The limited edition calendar will be on sale at the Ploughing for €10 and stocks are expecting to sell quickly. The Macra models will be on hand selling the calendars at the Macra stand so go along and say hello. The calendars will also be available from the Irish Farmers Journal stand and the Walk in my Shoes/ St Patricks Mental Health Services stand in the Health & Wellness area.

As usual, Macra staff will be on hand to talk young farmers and rural youth issues. Why not pop along for a chat and cup of tea?

Macra will again host their annual “Macra Ploughing Class” in association with the National Ploughing Association. County rounds have been taking place throughout the country for the last few months and those winners will be going through to the final taking place at the prestigious NPA Championships.

So go along and visit them at Row 23, Stand 401, Block 3!

Dovea Genetics

The project will begin in Spring 2015 when Dovea Genetics will purchase six young calves (six different breeds).  There will be one calf given to each of the six agricultural colleges who will monitor and feed the calf up until the 2016 National Ploughing Championships.  The calves will be present on the Dovea Genetics trade stand at the 2015 National Ploughing Championships and from this will go for a charity auction on the Wednesday afternoon of the 2016 Ploughing Championships.  The calves will be auctioned by a well known personality with all of the proceeds will go to the BOTHAR charity organisation.

Science Foundation Ireland

SFI will run a variety of interactive science shows and workshops for event goers of all age groups for example Science magic shows, microscope workshops etc.  These exciting shows an workshops are currently being developed by researchers in SFI Funded Research Centres and will include walk in and bookable events.

In addition to this we will  be promoting  the range of programmes that Science Foundation Ireland offer including:

Smart Futures (www.smartfutures.ie)  

Smart Futures is a collaborative Government-Industry-Education programme promoting STEM careers to students in Ireland. It provides access to careers information and role

models to students, parents, guidance councillors and teachers. It aims to improve the strategic coordination and alignment of industry outreach resources and drive the uptake of students selecting STEM subjects at post -primary and third level.

Science Week

Science Week is Ireland’s biggest annual promotion of science to the general public. The week-long programme of events across Ireland each November aims to make science more interesting and accessible to children and adults alike.(www.scienceweek.ie)       

Discover Primary Science and Maths

Discover Primary Science and Maths (DPSM) is the national programme, run by Science Foundation Ireland, to foster interest in science, technology engineering and maths amongst children in primary schools. The programme supports schools to deliver the science and maths curriculum in schools and to make it more interesting, relevant and visual for their students. Since 2010 the programme has been run in conjunction with the European Space Education Resource Office (ESERO) Ireland which uses space to inspire and engage young people in science and technology in the world around them. (www.primaryscience.ie)