Massey Ferguson claims that its 5700 SL tractor range combines “an ideal power-to-weight ratio with great manoeuvrability”.
The manufacturer says that the same words could well have been used at last week’s National Ploughing Championships to describe its new ‘Massey Ferguson Ambassador’ – Leinster and Ireland rugby player Sean O’Brien.
Alongside representing Ireland, O’Brien has also represented the British and Irish Lions. Massey Ferguson notes that some pundits, coaches and fans have touted him as “one of the best players in the world of his generation”, having been one of Leinster and Ireland’s “most consistent stand-out performers over the past number of years”.
Not surprisingly, this is how Massey Ferguson also describes its 6700 Series tractors. O’Brien was presented with the keys to a new 6713 S – supplied by Kehoe Bros of Enniscorthy, through its Tullow depot – during last week’s sprawling event in Tullamore. The O’Brien family apparently has a long-standing relationship with Kehoe Bros.
Massey Ferguson’s William Judge (left) pictured with rugby player Sean O’Brien
Part of O’Brien’s role as ‘MF Ambassador’ at last week’s ‘Ploughing’ was to welcome his and Massey Ferguson’s chosen charity for the year, St Francis Farm, to the stand. This charity is a working farm near Tullow in Co. Carlow. But it is also a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre offering 14-week, fully supervised, residential programmes.
This involves providing a blend of individual and group therapy, alongside education and practical skills therapy in a rural farm setting – with “farming at the core of the rehabilitation”.
O’Brien’s family has farmed not far away from the St Francis facility for many years and he cannot remember a time when there wasn’t at least one Massey Ferguson tractor doing the hard graft on the family farm.
“Being a beef farm, there was nearly always one on the go – they’re reliable, accessible and economical – neat and tidy, really,” he claims.
As MF’s ‘Ambassador’, he says he’s delighted to be working with St Francis Farm.
“They get on with their good work quietly and behind the scenes,” he explained. “They’re very local to me and they do a very worthwhile job.”
“Sean is a great advocate for both agriculture and for Ireland,” added Lindsay Haddon, Advertising and Sales Promotion Manager for Massey Ferguson. “We are very much looking forward to working with him on some very exciting projects in the future.”
