IRISH FARMER WINS YEAR'S USE

PICTURED ABOVE: The winning Guinan Family - L:R, Concepta, Michael and Kevin Guinan

Irish dairy farmer, Michael Guinan has won the use of a Merlo Multifarmer telescopic handler for an entire year - thanks to a prize draw he entered on a whim after spotting it on the Agriland website last September.

The competition, launched in partnership with Merlo during the National Ploughing Championships last September, was open to farmers across the Republic of Ireland. Running from September through November, it attracted over 30,000 entries with Michael’s name drawn at random at the end of last year. The prize offers a full year’s use - or up to 1,000 operating hours - of the machine. 

Michael farms in County Offaly alongside his wife, Concepta and son, Kevin, continuing a proud Guinan family tradition that spans four generations. He says he plans to put the machine through its paces almost immediately, with the first big job being to power harrow in preparation for maize drilling at the end of April.

The machine was supplied by new Merlo Ireland dealer, FJS Plant Hire of Co. Kildare. The manufacturer's dedicated dealer network was launched last year following the establishment of their new subsidiary in Ireland. The dealer network ensures that customers across Ireland receive the highest level of local support for all sales, parts, and service requirements