Students showcase farm safety device
FARM safety was at the heart of a trade stand which saw the BT Young Scientist project of two Wicklow students on display at the Tullamore Show recently.
Kilcoole students Jack and Alex Brady won a farm safety prize in last year’s exhibition, the award which this year will once again focus on improving safety on farms.
Students have until Tuesday, September 25, to express their interest in entering the 2019 BT Young Scientist Exhibition.
ABP has announced that it will continue its sponsorship of the special Farm Safety Category at the exhibition in January 2019.
As part of its ongoing campaign to promote and improve safety on farms, ABP’s stand at the Tullamore Show featured a number of farm safety themes. These included an interactive farm safety games hosted by Agri Kids, Ireland’s leading farm safety educational platform for children.
During the event, Jack and Alex, who attend Coláiste Chra- obh Abhann, showcased their winning project, a safety lock designed for livestock trailer gates. If the animal kicks out, the mechanism locks the gate automatically, potentially preventing serious injury for the farmer.
Since the competition the students have developed prototype.
Martin Kane, Managing Director of ABP Ireland, said: ‘Promoting safety on farms is something that is very important to all of us at ABP. Unfortunately, safety continues to be an issue on farms and through our sponsorship of the farm safety prize at the BT Young Scientist we want to encourage young people to become farm safety advocates on their farms, with their families and in their wider communities.’
So far in 2018, 12 people have died as a result of farm accidents according to the Health and Safety Authority. Last year, 24 people were killed in farming accidents. Fourteen of those deaths resulted from tractor and farming vehicle accidents, including quad bikes, a vehicle used by many young farmers.
CATTLE SALE AUGUST 15: A strong improved trade for all sorts. More grass men out looking for quality store heifers and bullocks.
Bullocks: CH 27M 695KG €1,340; LM 26M 595KG €1,260; LM 27M 650KG €1,260; CH 29M 600KG €1,180; CH 15M 440KG €1,000; LM 19M 450KG €1,000; CH 12M 420KG €920.
Heifers: CH 28M 545KG €1,130; CH 29M 492KG €1,010; CH 29M 485KG €1,000; CH 28M 475KG €950; MO 30M 470KG €850; AA 21M 430KG €780; AA 18M 407KG €770.
SHEEP SALE AUGUST 18: Heavy lambs similar to last week. 30kg - 40kg store lambs €1-€2 easier. Lighter stores 22kg - 26kg similar to last week also.
Cast ewes making from €45€115. Brood ewes, Suffolk cross easier by €6-€10/head, making from €115 up to a top price of €165.
2, 3 and 4 year old’s making from €75-€165.
SHEEP SALES REPORT - TUESDAY AUGUST 14: A total of 1,978 sheep on offer. Very good trade for all classes of fat sheep. Steady trade for breeding ewes/ hoggets.
Butcher Lambs €108 to €114 or €58 to €69 over €/kg; Factory Lambs €96 to €108 or €54 to €63 over €/kg; Store Lambs €67 to €92 or €37 to €52 over €/kg; Fat Ewes €108 to €128 per head; Feeding Ewes €67 to €103 per head; Suffolk x Breeding Hoggets €140 to €200 per head; Suffolk x 3&4 y/o Ewes €100 to €135 per head; Suffolk x Ewe Lambs €90 to €130 or €55 to €87 over €/kg
CATTLE SALES REPORT - THURSDAY AUGUST 16: A total of 226 cattle and 15 calves on offer. Similar trade to last week for all classes.
Store Bullocks over 500kgs €650 to €940 over €/kg; Store Bullocks over 400kgs €400 to €580 over €/kg Store Bullocks over 300kgs €320 to €480 over €/kg; Store Heifers over 400kgs €420 to €580 over €/kg Store Heifers over 300Kgs €300 to €435 over €/kg; Beef and Butcher Heifers €500 to €815 over €/kg; Fat Cows €260 to €580 over €/kg; Feeding Cows €/ kg to €250 over €/kg; Cows with calves at foot €1,160 to €1,670 per unit.
Calves: Fr Bulls €85 to €160 per head; HE/AA Bulls €125 to €270 per head; HE/AA Heifers €80 to €180 per head; Continental Bulls €180 to €330 per head; Continental Heifers €140 to €260 per head.
SHEEP SALE - AUGUST 16: A much bigger sale with 2,800 sheep on offer. fat lambs slightly easier by €2 per head with store lambs similar to last week.
Butcher and Factory €95 - €122; Store lambs; Over 35kg €72 - €85; Under 35kg €58 - €77; Ewe lambs €75 - €115; Cull ewes €45 - €110; Hoggett ewes €130 - €170; Older breeding ewes €80 - €130.
CATTLE SALE - SATURDAY AUGUST 18: A bigger sale with 1,060 cattle & 70 on offer. Beef and quality cattle met an improved with strong demand small plainer cattle easier in price.
Prices: Beef & Forward Bullocks €650 – €1,040 over; Cont. Store Bullocks €480 – €910 over; Hd/AA Bullock €200 - €500 over; FR Store Bulloks €70 – €600 over; Beef Heifers €620 – €910 over; Cont Store Hfrs €360 – €810 over; Hd/AA Store Heifrs €180 – €450 over; Beef Cows €380 – €830 over; Store Cows €100 under – €350 over
Calves: Cont. Bulls €170 – €325; Cont. Hfrs €170 – €300; Strong FR Bulls €180 – €280