Safety/labour saving competition: One man makes fencing easier

14 April 07 : Simple changes to a post driver helped make fencing a one-man operation for Ger Lynch in Cavan. Ger, a dairy farmer, welded two pieces of pipe on each leg of the post driver to serve a number of purposes. The first reason is that it allowed it to carry posts out to the field where they can be quickly laid out.

The second is that he can put a role of sheep wire on the pole and drive along the fence letting it easily role out. This can also be done with barbed wire or electricity wire.

The final reason is that, when the wire is rolled out, it allows him to put a small amount of tension on the wire. He can then go back along and tack it to the posts before he puts the final tension on it by hand.

Ger gets the €100 weekly prize for his idea that many farmers can easily put into practice. Do you have an idea? Send in a photo with a description and your name and address to Peter Young, Irish Farmers Journal, Bluebell Dublin 12 or email to pyoung@farmers journal.ie.

Calling all FRS operators

Farm Relief Services have come on board for the safety/labour saving competition.

They are offering a prize fund of €1,000 to their FRS operators who come across good ideas to save labour or increase efficiency on the farm that they work on.

Of course it could be a great idea that the FRS operator came up with himself /herself to make farming easier.

I am sure plenty of FRS fencers have come up with ideas as good or better than Ger Lynch's one that won this week.

The entries are also eligible to win the €100 weekly prize.

On top of that they could win the first prize of €500 or one of two runner up prizes of €250 - all sponsored by FRS. The FRS will be writing out to all their operators about the competition. But the earlier you get them in the more chances you have to win. So send them in today to the address above.