Operating out of Quinagh, Co Carlow, Gilbert Straw Sales services the west of the country. We met up with proprietor Alan Gilbert to take a closer look at this growing operation and found out that quality of product is paramount to him.
Looking for premium quality straw and hay? Look no further than Gilbert Straw Sales.
A one man, one truck operation, Carlow-based Alan Gilbert has been supplying his growing customer base with straw and hay bales in all popular sizes for six years now.
Delivering direct to farms, Alan prides himself on the quality of his products and he is dedicated to customer service and satisfaction. His many loyal customers can attest to his prompt, reliable, and professional service.
“I didn’t realise there was as much business in it when I first started out really,” he admitted to Irish Tractor & Agri Magazine.
“I soon discovered that farmers were interested in what I had to sell and that the demand was out there for someone who could target the right type of straw and, most importantly, someone who could be relied upon to pick up and deliver good straw.”
He continued: “I also realised very quickly that you have to work around peoples days. I worked for years in road haulage and was well used to JIT (‘Just in Time’). And the same thing applies here, you have to try to make sure that the delivery and times suits the farmers.”
Hay is the cheapest source of feed for any livestock enterprise. Ruminant animals depend on grass as a major source of energy and protein as well as vitamins and minerals.
The colour, smell and absence of dust defines a good crop of hay. It should be bright green or yellow and have a sweet smell with no dust.
Straw is normally used for a bedding material and Alan ensures maximum care and attention is given to the straw and hay to ensure that it reaches his customers in perfect condition.
As both are highly individual and specific products, no stone is left unturned to ensure his customers are happy with the end product.
“I get my hay and straw from a number of sources, from north Wexford up to Kildare, and I am able to supply a variety of different straw and bales.
“I think my customers appreciate that I’m trustworthy. I always give an accurate description of the straw, the moisture content and quality. I leave very little to chance and they can be confident of what they get when it’s delivered. There’s no such thing as horse trading on the side of the road.
“I also keep a full invoicing system for farmers and a traceable record of all the straw I supply so they can tell where it came from.”
Distance is no object to Alan when it comes to servicing his clients’ needs and he can distribute nationwide if required.
“I do most of my business in the mid-west, anywhere from Limerick to Galway to Sligo, and also do a little in Cavan and Monaghan. During the fodder crisis in 2013, I was going as far away as Kerry and Cork. I occasionally go up to northern Ireland but it’s hard to break into the trade up there.”
Sales haven’t been as high as Alan would have liked in recent years but he’s adamant that there will always been a demand for his services.
“The last two years have been quiet due to a combination of things. There has been a good crop of hay the last two years so demand hasn’t been as high as I would have liked but I’d be optimistic about the future as I think there will always will be a demand for straw.
“There should be a demand for specialised straw dealers, with specialised trucks and equipment like myself, and the IFA and the whole farming community should be encouraging that.”
Give Alan a call to find out more, he will endeavour to help you in any way he can. Whatever your budget may be, he will do his utmost to provide you with your solution. His large selection and competitive prices are hard to be beat.
He is always on hand to ensure his hay and straw is of the highest quality available.
Gilbert’s Straw Sales
Gilberts’ Orchard
Quinagh
Co Carlow
Mob: 086 859 8940
Taken from Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 4 No 3, March 2016
