Farming has evolved over the years and the list of products needed to run a farm on a daily basis is now endless.
Sourcing these products can sometimes be a hassle for farmers as not all agri-stores will stock what they need. However, one business based on the Fermanagh/Tyrone border has become known as a one-stop shop for the farming community in the area.
Situated in Fivemiletown, Bothwell Farm Supplies is owned and operated by husband and wife team Harold and Rosemary Bothwell, along with their daughter Rosanna. Harold has a life-long association with farming as he was a farmer himself, when milking a large dairy herd. However, he gradually started the business by importing second hand sheds and machinery. Then he became the EU dealer for PolyDome calf hutches and other assorted products.
Through his knowledge of farming and the experience he gained through his time as a farmer, Harold knew what his customers wanted and needed and his advice has been invaluable to his ever-increasing customer base.
The PolyDome brand of merchandising has proven very popular amongst Irish farmers both north and south of the border. PolyDome uses polyethylene to manufacture the vast majority of their products. These products are predominantly used for raising farm animals, such as calves, cattle and sheep in huts, shelters, hutches or nurseries. The roto-moulding process uses hollow metal moulds and powdered polyethylene plastic that become liquid under high heat. The moulds with the liquid plastic inside are spun on both vertical and horizontal axis to form a uniform thickness, or skin on the outside walls, thus the name roto-moulding. The mould is removed from heat and allowed to cool under controlled conditions to avoid shrinkage or warpage. The resulting polyethylene plastic product is resistant to impact, most corrosive chemicals and temperature extremes. The smooth surface makes it very easy to clean. Polyethylene is also environmentally friendly because it can be recycled. Most PolyDome products are one-piece with no seams or sharp edges. They are also easily transported.
“We have a wide range of PolyDome products including Animal Foot Baths, Calf Nursery, Mega Hut, Milk Bottles And Teets, Quad Trailers and even Wheelbarrows,” said Harold. “We also have a wide range of animal equipment like AB-LIB Feeders, Animal Bedding Solutions, Calf Equipment, Custom Gates, Cubicles, Crush Gates And Races, Dividing Gates, Drinkers, Feeding Barriers, Locking Yokes and Parlour Mat.
“Steel structures and roofing materials are also available as well as machinery that includes balers and bale wrappers, BVL feeder wagons, fertiliser sowers, forage harvesters, mowers, milking equipment, slurry tankers and other equipment.”
The business now has a full manufacturing line on site with experienced welders and fabricators working away to keep products moving. Bothwell Farm Supplies strive to offer quality and service second to none and they are renowned for selling excellent quality straw and hay which has been sourced from across the UK and Ireland to ensure best value for money and best feed potential. It is available in a range of sizes and large and small quantities can be sourced easily.
“We have a number of contacts where we can source hay and straw, most of which is brought in from the U.K.”
The construction of sheds is another area that Harold and the team at Bothwell Farm Supplies excel at as the buildings are built to the highest specification to ensure safety and peace of mind.
“We build all of our sheds to the customers’ specification provided they comply with any legal standards set out for the UK and Ireland. Our team will guide you through the step by step process of the design, creation and erection of your steel structure. We also supply all types of roofing materials i.e. Landini Fibre Cement, Corrugated Iron and insulated Cladding etc. These can be found here. We can also supply concrete wall panels, cubicle beds, feeding troughs and much more. Once you have your shed up and cubicles beds in we can supply the cubicles, mattresses or mats for the beds and also the slatted rubber for the slats.”
This family run business and staff of five has certainly delivered on offering a high standard and reliable service to its customer base that has spread throughout the UK and Ireland. As stated, Harold’s knowledge and experience in farming has helped him provide products that farmers are in need of on a regular basis and Bothwell Farm Supplies is certainly the place to go for all your farming needs.
Bothwell Farm Supplies,
Fivemiletown,
Co Fermanagh,
BT75 0SR
Phone Number – 02889 521170
Mobile Number – 07545 144480
/ 07889 809193
Email – [email protected]
Taken from Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 4 No 6, July/August 2016
