A new world record for the highest number of self-propelled forage harvesters working simultaneously in the same field has been set in Ireland.
Thousands of people gathered near Trim in County Meath, to witness the new record of 104 self-propelled forage harvesters working in the same field for a period of five minutes and 45 seconds.
Along with the 104 foragers there were 113 tractors and trailers entered to haul the silage to the pit as part of the Great Grass Event.
The massive feat was held in a 100-acre field on the O’Sullivan dairy farm near Kiltale and is set to raise thousands of euros for charities.
Weather held fine for most of the day but clouds did appear around 4pm prompting the organisers, Combines 4 Charity, to get the record attempt underway.
In total, the organisers estimated there was over 30million euros (£25million) worth of machinery and 65,000 horsepower working at once in the field.
Irish MEP Mairead McGuinness, who attended the record attempt, said: “People are here from all corners of the island and it’s encouraging to see all this effort in aid of charities.”
Foragers rolled in from distant places such as counties Clare and Cork in the south and counties Londonderry and Antrim in Northern Ireland.
Raphael McCaughey came in from Castleblaney with his 2007 Claas 870 to give his forager a “trial run” before his main silage season starts in the last week of May.
Contractor Gerard Malone, of Westmeath, only took delivery of his 2014 Claas 950 Jaguar the day before the event.
Plus there was one lady forager operator, Ann Hanrahan, of Birr in Co Offaly, driving her New Holland FX58.
The Great Grass Event is supporting a number of charities including Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre, Barnardos and the National Rehabilitation Hospital.
Organisers are currently collecting all the entry fees from all the foragers and tractors as well as the people and will announce the final figure collected in due course.
