New 2008 UK adverts

4NI.co.uk article from last year:

SOURCE: http://www.4ni.co.uk/northern_ireland_news.asp?id=64669

Wilson Agriculture Expands In Coleraine

Wilson Agriculture (Wilson Agri), a Coleraine based manufacturer of dairy cow comfort products have announced a new £275,000 expansion plan. The expansion, which will increase export sales was announced today by Andrew Wilson, the company’s Managing Director and is being supported by Invest NI. The investment is expected to provide four new jobs by the end of next year and will see the company develop its first range of equine comfort products for a market opportunity it has identified. Mr Wilson, outlining the expansion plan, said: ”We manufacture and supply a range of branded products, including special stalls, mats and pillows, that help farmers to increase milk production by improving comfort and safety for dairy cows. Dairy farmers everywhere are now facing intense pressure on margins and are recognising increasingly that yields rise significantly when their animals are housed in conditions that enable them to lie down safely and prevent potentially very costly conditions such as lameness and mastitis.” Established in 1999, Wilson Agri is a family run business with its headquarters and manufacturing operations in Coleraine and an office in Bristol. Its main products are established brands such as Pasture Mats, Poly Pillow and stall cubicles. It exports over 60 per cent of its cow comfort products to customers in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland. Mr Wilson added: “As a result, demand for the cow pillows and mats that we have developed for farmers over many years is growing steadily. This investment includes substantial expenditure on marketing, assisted by Invest NI that will enable us to take advantage of new business opportunities, particularly in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland. "The investment will also enable us to diversify our portfolio by introducing a new product, Stable Comfort, aimed at the vast equestrian marketplace that builds on our experience in, and knowledge of, the dairy sector. "There are over two million horses in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland, each requiring six mats.” The company currently employs six people.

bbc.co.uk article from last year

SOURCE: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6956875.stm

Pampered cows get good night's sleep

A good night's sleep may be a recipe for happy and healthy life, but an NI company is adopting the same creature comforts for cows.

Frazzled bovines down on the farm can now look forward to taking to their 'cow beds' at the end of a stressful day in the fields.

Wilson Agriculture in Coleraine has been given a government grant to support its production of Pasture Mats and Poly Pillows to ease the lives of cows forced to lie on uncomfortable concrete floors.

The £45 mattresses are said to help the contented cows produce more milk.

Wilson's is also developing stable comfort mattresses for horses and a £21,000 grant from Invest Northern Ireland will be used on research which may ultimately improve the quality of life for farm animals.

The company's Evelyn Wilson said cow mattresses gained favour in northern latitudes, where cattle spend so much time in barns.

It imported mattresses from Canada for 12 years, but has started to make its own.

"If you lie in a comfortable bed all night you'll be in good form all day. It's the same for cows," said Ms Wilson.

"They are like beanbags covered with closely knitted army blankets," she said. "The insides are made of rubber crumbs from old car tyres.

"Cows spend more time inside than they used to. These mattresses stop cows injuring themselves when they go down on their knees. Animals are not stupid. They love them."

However, animal welfare charity Compassion in World Farming cautioned against keeping cattle indoors permanently and not going out to pasture.

"Living indoors too much can increase lameness," said a spokesman.