Combines charity aims to recapture world record

After successfully harvesting the first crop at their open farm last year, the Combines 4 Charity farmers were back working the land last week as they ploughed and then sowed 110 acres of oats. The charity committee entered a 10-year share farming agreement with the owner of the farm at Rathfeigh, and farm the land on a voluntary basis, with any profits going directly to charity. A total of ten farmers volunteered their time and machinery to get the crop in, with ploughing and tilling taking place on Saturday of last week and the sowing of the crop on Tuesday. The oats will be ready for harvesting in September. Kildalkey farmer Tony Brady who is on the Combines 4 Charity committee wishes to thank everybody who helped this year in ploughing and sowing the crops. He also thanked those who donated seed and fertiliser for the venture. Mr Brady said there is a meeting room at the farm and it is open for visitors. "Any school children who want to do a project on agriculture science are welcome to come along and have a look," he said. Combines 4 Charity was founded in 2009 when a group of ten cereal farmers came together to set a new world record for the most combine harvesters at work simulataneously in a field. They smashed the previous record by having 186 combines working at once at a field at Platin, near Duleek. As well as breaking the world record, they also raised €300,000 for four charities - Barnardos, Self-Help Africa, the National Rehabilitation Trust and the Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre. Following from this success, the committee went on to acquire the open farm with all proceeds going to charity. However, their world record was broken when 200 combines worked together in Canada, just a year after the Irish record was set and Mr Brady is determined to reclaim the record for Ireland. A new world record attempt will take place, again at Platin, on 21st July and Mr Brady said they are hoping to have 300 combines on the day. "It is a matter of national pride and farmers pride that we get the record back," he said. "We need to set the goalposts high enough that they won't get over it again," he added. Gerry Curran's field at Platin wil be the location for the record breaking attempt where 150 acres of winter wheat will be ready for harvesting. Mr Brady said the last time they asked all the farmers taking part in the record attempt to raise €1,000 but that they would not be doing that this time. He pointed out that already it would cost the farmers an average of €200 in diesel to come over and back. He said that even though there is not a fixed fee, some of those taking part have said they would still like to raise money. As well as the four charities that previously benefitted, one fifth of any monies raised will be donated to local Meath charities. There is already a lot of interest in the record attempt with combine owners from Kerry, Wexford, Carlow and Kildare as well as 14 from Northern Ireland committing to the event. Mr Brady said they are hoping to have combines from every county Ireland on the day. Those interested in taking part can contact Tony Brady on (086) 822 9620, Information is also available on www.combines4charity.com.