Michael Keily runs a successful agri-contracting business located in the heart of Ireland at Grangecon, Moone, Co. Kildare.
The business was started back in 1969 by Michael’s father, who initially began his contracting career with a small square baler – working for his neighbours. Over time, the business grew into what it is today. This was helped by Michael who joined the team full-time in 2007.
As well as contracting, the duo are responsible for milking 210 cows and rearing 450 cattle on the home farm, which is a considerable undertaking in itself.
Michael covers an area that stretches 30 miles from his base, offering his customers services that include dung and slurry spreading; hedge-cutting; wagon silage (including mowing, tedding and raking); baled silage; and hay and straw baling.
The business employs one additional full-time member of staff, who works with Michael all year-round. This swells to three additional employees during peak seasons. Michael’s father is also always on hand to help out when necessary.
Speaking to AgriLand this week, Michael gave us an insight into the contracting business.
How loyal are you to particular brands?
We are loyal to price; to a big extent it comes down to the best deal on the day. We have our main few brands that we use and know, but have no undying loyalty to one above the other.
For example, we run Valtra tractors here, as well as Deutz-Fahr, Claas and Case IH. When we changed the last tractor for a new one, we opted for Claas simply because it was €15,000 cheaper than Valtra at the time. Both tractors will do the same work, so why not keep the money in my pocket?
Who is your preferred dealer?
We use Kellys of Borris, Alan Douglas, JH Fitzpatrick and Gordon Hegarty for our machinery needs. I have to say that we honestly find Hegarty the best. The company is a pleasure to deal with and can always reached on the end of the phone, which means a lot to us. It’s fair to say that we have developed a good working relationship with the team over the years; we cannot fault their back-up service.
What is the best tractor you ever had?
Without a doubt it was a 2003 Case IH CS150, which we bought new and kept up until 16,000 hours, eventually changing it for a Claas. Over its life with us, it gave no major mechanical problems – a few small things – and the brakes and gearbox, for example, were all untouched.
It was such a good tractor that we bought another one second-hand, which we still use today.
What is the worst tractor you ever had?
A Deutz-Fahr Agrotron 6.15 that we bought new in 1997. It was just a bad model and was always breaking down; there was no reliability with it so it just had to go. Although we did replace it with another Deutz, which gave us no problems.
What is your favourite piece of machinery?
It has to be the Malone [silage] wagons, which we have three of. They are a super machine, built in Ireland for our conditions. We used to run Strautmann wagons but kept breaking shafts and other things. That’s why we decided to change to Malone – because of build quality and simplicity.
It is value-for-money. What’s important to us is that, if we call the factory with an issue, we can get direct to who we need to talk to – including the owner, Michael Malone himself.
What is your least favourite piece of machinery?
The Strautmann wagons, which we had before the Malone machines; they just weren’t heavy-duty enough for what we expected of them.
What is your latest purchase?
We bought a new Claas Liner 2700 rake this year, which ideally suits us for what we are doing. Because of its telescopic vari-width, we can close it into 20ft swaths for the wagons or in heavy crops, or extend it out to 30ft for lighter crops and the balers – the option is there.
Oldest machine still in use today?
We have two 1990 Volvo loading shovels (neither of which is the machine pictured below; it is a newer unit) that we use for feeding cattle during the winter. In the spring and summer, they are busy loading dung, cleaning out sheds and stacking bales. They are super machines; we would be lost without them.
How long do you keep tractors and machinery?
We keep the machines until they are essentially worn-out, or if they start to give major trouble and start costing big money to repair – then they have to go.
Do you buy new or second-hand?
We buy a combination of both new and second-hand, depending on the value at the time. If a machine is available that will do the job for us at the right money we go for it – be it new or used. It doesn’t matter.
Best bargain you’ve ever gotten?
There is no such thing as a bargain in the machinery game. If something is too good to be true it normally is; we’ve learnt that from experience.
Most embarrassing machinery mistake?
One of the most memorable moments I can think of off-hand was the day that the Volvo loading shovel got badly stuck in a bog hole. The entire machine sunk to the floor level of the cab; you could literally walk from the ground into the driver’s seat.
It took two days, two track machines and a trusty Ford County with a winch to get it out – with thankfully no damage.
Most costly repair job?
We had a 2009 Valtra T151 that the gearbox went in. The repair cost emptied the bank account to the tune of €7,000 – not a good day in the office.
Do you buy genuine or spurious (generic) parts?
Again, it’s a combination of both depending on value and availability. Best practice is to buy genuine, but if you’re under pressure and only spurious parts are in stock, then you do what you have to do to get going.
Most useful item in the farm workshop?
Definitely the welder and sledge; every workshop must have them. There is literally no job that doesn’t require at least one of the two when working with heavy machinery.
Any home-built inventions or changes to your set-up that stand out?
We built a cubicle bedder, which was based on a small Holden tractor. It could sweep the cubicle clean with a front-mounted unit before bedding it at the rear. It saved a lot of labour and time.
What is your favourite machinery job?
It has to be the wagon silage because I get out and about. As well, to be honest, it’s one of the only things that we can actually make good money at. But it’s hard work and long hours; you do what you have to do to make a living.
What is your least favourite machinery job?
It has to be collecting money; it’s not a nice job but unfortunately it has to be done. It’s very hard to get the time to actually do it, but we are surviving as best we can.
What classic tractor should still be in production?
To be honest I don’t think any should be. Because of the way modern contracting has gone, everything needs to be bigger and faster to get more work done in a smaller amount of time.
You need relative comfort when you are doing up to 20 hours a day on a machine non-stop, and for what can often be three-to-four weeks straight. Classic tractors are dated by today’s standards. What’s more; it’s hard enough to get drivers for new machinery, let alone older stuff.
What is the next planned purchase?
We don’t have any at the moment. The plan is to operate as we are or even cut back to become more efficient and profitable. It takes a lot of manpower and time to run a dairy herd of 210 cows, as well as the contracting. It will be a matter of focusing on one or the other in the future I think.
What would you buy if you won the lottery?
If money was no object, as far as machinery goes, I would buy a Fendt tractor – just for the novelty and to see what all the fuss is about. It would be nice to know for myself if they justify the premium price they command.
Thoughts for the future?
My thoughts change everyday; sometimes even twice a day. I have two sons coming along; one in particular is mad into machinery. He tells me he is going to buy a McHale Fusion – after I changed ours back to a Welger baler and separate wrapper due to having more straw and hay than silage.
I want to give them the opportunity to come into the business or go their own way. It’s up to themselves, but at least it’ll give them the option.
