Mastek will be launching three new products at the Ploughing. “After the massive success of our professional universal dribble bar (PUDB) of which we had sales of over 150 units so far in 2018, Mastek is launching a new standard model of our universal dribble bar,” according to Mastek managing director Paul Quinn.

He said this dribble bar is available in widths of 6.5m and 7.5m. “This is a very strong and robust machine, but it does not have the break-away arm system or the independent gate valve feed,” explained Paul.

“However, each arm is in a butterfly position, which gives it better ground clearance on the outside,” he said. It also includes Mastek’s Supercut macerator, which can handle all types of slurry with ease, according to Quinn.

He said the dribble bar is a simple design that is aimed towards nitrates derogation farmers who require multiple dribble bars for tankers they already own. “Like the PUDB, it can be retrofitted on to all tankers without welding or fabricating on the customer’s farm,” he explained. “It is also eligible for 40% or 60% funding under TAMS II. The 7.5m model will be available for approximately €8,500 excluding VAT,” according to Quinn.

Bauer separators

Mastek has partnered with Bauer for the last 10 years. Quinn said Bauer has been the world leader in slurry separation and irrigation equipment since 1930. “We are proud to announce that Mastek will exhibit Bauer separators and irrigation systems at this year’s National Ploughing Championships,” said Quinn.

“This year, we are introducing the Bauer S300 Separator. This is a small single-phase separator that is suitable for 200 to 250 cattle. This machine has an output of 16m3 per hour with dry matter content of up to 32%. We believe that this will be the perfect introductory separator for the smaller farms in Ireland,” he explained.

“We are also introducing the Bauer S855GB green bedding separator. This is one of Bauer’s most innovative products to date. The dry matter content from this machine is 36%, which makes it usable for bedding animals, including dairy cows,” said Paul.

He claimed that this concept is well-known all over the world and when the high cost of straw and other bedding materials is considered, the investment cost of the machine will pay for itself in three to five years. “It also reduces the slurry volume by up to 20% on the farm,” he added. “We are convinced that this is the future technology in farm slurry management, and like our slurry applicators, we intend to become the market leaders in this sector,” Paul said.

The separators are priced from €10,000 to €40,000 excluding VAT, depending on the model.

Irrigation

For the last few years, Paul said that Mastek has considered introducing Bauer’s irrigation range to Ireland, but because of the drier summer this year, the company had a lot of enquiries from potato and vegetable farmers for this.

This year, Mastek will exhibit the Bauer Rainstar T irrigation system. This system is a highly advanced computerised automatic irrigation system that can travel up to 450m.

The stand will also have a Bauer water pump to service the irrigation system on display.

“Because of the continuously drier summers, we think this is perfect timing to introduce this high-quality product into the Irish market,” said Paul.

Mastek will have a professional sales engineer from Bauer at its stand at the Ploughing to explain this new product.

“We will also be taking orders for irrigation equipment for 2019 delivery,” he said.