It’s a far cry from the milk maid and the three-legged stool
If a cow needs to be diverted out of the milking parlour, a transponder is slipped up onto her tail during milking. Then, as she leaves the milking parlour, this transponder sends a signal which automatically activates a gate which diverts the cow into a holding pen.
It won the 600 for Alfco Engineering Limited, Newtown, Trim, Co Meath.
The second prize of 400 and a special prize went to Joseph Hyland, Portarlington, Co Laois for his Drive-Through Gates and Barriers.
This newly invented mechanism and catch system (no electricity required) will close any gate, and eliminates the need to get in or out of a vehicle to open or close gates or to dismount, in the case of horse or pony riders. it is 100% stock-proof.
The O'Neill Concentrate Feeder entered in the awards by John O'Neill, Bandon, Co Cork is a mobile cattle feeder.
This system can feed up to 50 cattle at once, and comes in three versions from three tonnes to six tonnes capacity.
It can feed ad lib or calibrated. With the calibrated system, 50 cattle can be fed in one minute.
Tony Sheahan, Rathmore, Co Kerry took fourth prize with his Round Bale Unroller.
A double prong on two bearings driven by a hydraulic motor unrolls round bales of silage.
