From bales of maize to barrels of oil

Forage maize as a crop is a great feed for cows and cattle. Some farmers grow their own, some buy the crop standing for pitting and some buy bales of it.

We speak to one farmer who grows and bales maize using a not-so-widely recognised round baler form southern Germany.

Unlike other round balers, this machine is stationary and the crop is brought to the machine.

Using film-on-film technology to wrap them, the bales are sold all across Ireland, with demand particularly high because of the prospect of a forage shortage this year.

Every tractor, loader, combine and combustion engine-powered vehicle on Irish farms uses this product – oil. We speak to an Irish oil company that not only survived the recession but grew its business in the downturn selling for a French oil giant.

Wear and tear

As an added-value service they can even test used oil for signs of component wear and tear to highlight potential problems before they arise.

In the past few years, more companies are producing electric and hybrid cars. They have become more popular as an option as drivers look at alternatives to the usual petrol and diesel powered vehicles. Alistair Chambers gives the pros and cons of the different choices that are available to those living in the Irish countryside.