North Kerry Agricultural Contractors Ltd has been and continues to be a leader in agricultural contracting throughout Limerick and the north Kerry region. Managing Director Michael O’Keeffe explained to Irish Tractor what services his company provide, along with what else they do outside the farming market.
These are busy times for the agricultural contractors throughout Ireland and Michael O’Keeffe is no different. This time of year sees him employ twice as many workers to keep up with the demand from his customers, which he is more than happy to do in order to maintain the workload.
When Michael first started out, which is 35 years ago now, he had a limited customer base. However, through the high calibre of his work and the reliability of his service that list has grown and as a result he is kept very busy all year round, which is the way he likes it.
Some may still call the business ‘O’Keeffe Agri’, but he’s quick to point out that it’s actually named after the region where they do most of their work
‘’My company is North Kerry Agricultural Contractors Ltd,’’ he explained. “I am based in Upper Athea, Co. Limerick and I carry out work mainly in the North Kerry area, of which I am a native, and also in West Limerick.
Michael continued: ‘’We have been operating since 1980. We have six to seven lads working for us all year round and in the summer time we employ extra workers to cope with the busy harvest period. Also included in my staff are my two sons David and Gary, who work with me full time along with my wife Helen who takes care of the clerical/admin side of the business, so it is very much a family run operation.’’
It’s safe to say that family and farming go together hand in hand in this country and the O’Keeffes are certainly keeping up with that tradition down in Upper Athea.
Michael has endeavoured down through the years to ensure that he provides his customers with what they need by building up his agri machinery and heavy plant base, which has now turned into somewhat of a repertoire when you ask him what he can do for you.
“First and foremost is silage cutting, but North Kerry Agri is about much more than that,’’ he explained.
“Primarily we do silage cutting. We have two forage harvesters that run concurrently for three to four weeks straight every year. We also carry out road construction through forestry and farm land. In addition to that we do ploughing, tilling, seeding, land drainage, which includes deep drainage.
“We have a large selection of equipment and plant and because we carry out so many different types of work, we are able to employ our men all year round. Most of the repairs are carried out in my workshop in Upper Athea.
“I’ve some land of my own on which I grow a silage crop and I then sell that on to my customers. The summer months are all about getting as much work done as possible for the farmers. However, the weather has played its part once again this year in slowing up the whole process, and with silage cutting there is a very short time-frame in which to get things done.”
Ensuring that the job gets done and on time, Michael has put his faith in the John Deere brand , all along with his 12 tractors which makes up part of his extensive fleet. He ensures that all his machinery is always maintained to a very high standard.
“I’ve all John Deere tractors, which comprise of 6820’s, 6920’s and 7810’s. In addition to that I have two forage harvesters, one Claas and one John Deere, also I own a Krone Big M2 mower and a Claas butterfly which are used for mowing grass. I have 2 loading shovels, one Komatsu and one New Holland 170C. I have 10 silage trailers, including two Smiths, which I bought new in 2014.
He continued: “I’m with John Deere for years. I started with them when I was very young and I’ve remained loyal to the John Deere brand since as I’ve always found them very reliable.”
The forestry end of the business adds another dynamic to the company and sees Michael secure contracts from the various different forestry companies, which require various works to be carried out such as forestry mounding, firelines, drainage, forest road construction and maintenance.
North Kerry Agri supply other companies with the machinery necessary to carry out different tasks such as tracked excavators 13 to 37 tonne (including rock breakers), Volvo dumpers, dozers, and tipper trucks.
“We can handle anything that has to do with rock and soil- that includes heavy muck shift and rock breaking,” explained Michael.
So if you’re looking for services in agricultural contracting and more, look no further than Michael O’Keeffe and North Kerry agricultural Contractors Ltd.
North Kerry Agri Contractors Ltd,
Upper Athea, Co. Limerick
Tel: 068 42157
Mob: 087 2599505
E-mail: [email protected]
Taken from Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 3 No 9, October 2015
