Ken McNeal, a dairy farmer from Lisboduff in Co. Cavan, was the winner of AgriLand’s Farm Free Competition in 2016.

As part of the prize, McNeal won a Massey Ferguson MFDM246 disc mower. The Cavan-based dairy farmer has already put the mower to work while saving silage for his 40-cow herd.

“We have mowed 22ac of silage and think it’s a brilliant little mower. It’s very sweet, light and handy. The mower is easy to drive and we are well pleased with it,” he said.

McNeal’s sons, Edward and John, have carried out most of the work with the Massey Ferguson machine so far and McNeal added it will be used to cut approximately 50ac of silage this year.

“We will also be using the mower to top the paddocks on the grazing platform to ensure the cows are provided with quality grass,” he added.

On winning the Farm Free competition, McNeal said: “I still find it hard to believe. I look at the mower every time I pass it in the yard and can’t believe somebody gave it to me for free.”

Colin Gleeson, area sales manager for Massey Ferguson in Ireland, said: “We at Massey Ferguson are delighted to have partnered with AgriLand and its Farm Free Competition by supplying a Massey Ferguson MFDM246 disc mower”.

“Congratulations to the winner, Ken McNeal, and we wish him many acres of mowing and topping with his new mower.”

The mower was supplied by Martin’s Garage in Bailieborough in Co. Cavan, who along with Massey Ferguson, offers after-sales backup.

Colin Gleeson (Massey Ferguson) and Ronnie Martin (Martin’s Garage) are pictured with the AgriLand Farm Free competition winner Ken McNeal