Agricultural contractors provide a wide range of services and all carry out their work in a professional and efficient manner.
Cutting silage is one of the main services provided and during the summer months, Irish roads are adorned with tractors and trailers.
The adverse weather conditions in Ireland mean that cutting silage is not a procedure that can be achieved at the same time every year, but when we do get ‘dry spells’, it is essential for agricultural contractors to move quickly.
To do this, they need a modern and efficient fleet of machinery that will stand up to the demands of this hectic period.
For the last 18 years, Paul and Colman McAllen have provided a top quality service to a large customer base as the agricultural contractors built up a reputation for reliability and efficiency.
McAllen Agri Contractors not only concentrates on silage harvesting, but other services include tillage work, slurry, baling, muck spreading, reseeding and plant work which includes site clearance, land reclamation and drainage.
Based in Gort, Co Galway, McAllen Agri Contractors have worked hard to build up their business and Colman McAllen spoke to Irish Tractor about the services that they provide.
“The main aim is to get in and get the job done as quickly as you can. With the weather being so unpredictable, there is only a small window of opportunity to make silage, so it is a case of working 24/7 during that period.
“We have a modern fleet of machinery which is kept up to date and this avoids any unnecessary breakdowns that may occur.
“The machinery has to be in perfect working order during the busy period. There is no room for breakdowns or downtime. Machinery repair costs are expensive. When a job has to be done, it has to be done as quickly as possible.
“We would upgrade the fleet on a regular basis. You have to keep re-investing in your machinery which can be costly, but it is important to do, as the new machinery can be more efficient. We would buy our machinery off the same few dealers we have always dealt with McCarthy’s in Cork, DH Farm Machinery in Gort, Geary’s in Clarecastle, F Jenkinson Ltd in Carlow, Whelan’s in Barefield, Joe Whelan in Kilrush and Tom Shaw Farm Machinery in Offaly.
“Servicing and essential maintenance work is carried out in-house by dealership mechanics and ourselves between November to February ensuring that we are always kept busy. We use local suppliers for diesel, oil, tyres, and machinery parts to support businesses in the local area.”
Colman revealed that many of their customers have been with them years as farmers tend to stick with someone that will get the job done to their satisfaction.
“We would have customers that are with us from the start. They know that they will get a good service from us and it is up to us to ensure that continues. We have staff that are reliable, hardworking and committed, some of whom have been with us a long time and they have the knowledge, skill and experience in operating machinery which helps get the work done efficiently.
“For the silage season, we would run two crews and that sees us get through a lot of work. Time is of the essence when doing silage.”
At present there are six full time employees with McAllen Agri, but this can rise to eight or nine during peak summer season.
“Our Machinery/Plant Equipment is mainly made up of John Deere tractors, Claas Harvester, Krone Big M420, Grain/silage trailers, Pottinger Wagon, John Deere and Deutz Fahr Combines, Hyundai 160 Excavator.”
Colman revealed that they have experienced growth in the business on an annual basis as their services continue to grow.
“We’d be happy enough with the way the business is going. We would have seen growth year on year. You have to be able to diversify and with the wide range of services that we provide, we are kept busy all year round.”
The McAllen brothers farm themselves, so they know what their clients want when they provide their services.
“We grow our own grain and do some dry rolling. We would keep most of the grain for ourselves and we also supply some of the local merchants and farmers.”
Colman concluded with thanks for the customers who have stuck by them over the years.
“Like I said the majority of our customers are there many years and once we keep them happy, then we are happy. Farmers are a loyal breed and once you provide them with the service they want, then they will stick with you.”
“We’d also like to thank family, friends and staff for their support and help in contributing to the growth and success of the business down through the years.”
McAllen Agri Contractors
Ballyaneen,
Gort,
Co Galway
Taken from Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 4 No 8, October 2016
