Fieldays seeking rural innovations

The highly regarded Innovation Competition celebrates New Zealand ingenuity by showcasing the latest innovations at the largest agricultural exhibition in the Southern Hemisphere, New Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays. Organisers are now seeking entrants with backyard inventions and commercial improvements which enhance methods or improve on farm efficiency.

Participants can enter their developments in one of two categories, Invention or Equipment. The Invention section of the competition attracts rural innovations which are not commercially produced but demonstrate ingenious ideas to aid farming processes.

The Equipment section invites professionals and businesses to showcase new or improved rural products. Innovations can already be on the market for up to six months before Fieldays, with businesses treating the Innovation Competition as a platform to firmly launch their product to the industry. A Straight Furrow advertising package will be awarded to the Equipment category winner. Other awards include the Premier Feature Merit Award, Young Inventor of the Year and the ultimate accolade; the prestigious Golden Standard.

For those new to the competition, The Next Step evening, sponsored by Dairy Automation Limited, provides insight for first time entrants. The forum, held by experienced business leaders, addresses start up challenges often faced by entrepreneurs. Adam Reinsfield, Event Coordinator adds, “competitors not only enter for the substantial prizes but also because they have the ability to gauge public perception, gain media coverage and receive invaluable advice from industry professionals.”

Interested candidates are urged to enter their invention today on the Fieldays website www.fieldays.co.nz/InnovationCompetition2012. All inventions are kept confidential until they are unveiled on the first day of Fieldays, 13 June 2012. Entries close 16 May 2012; an initial judging will determine which inventions will be on display in the Innovation Centre.

The Innovation Competition is powered by the University of Waikato and proudly supported by Straight Furrow and Dairy Automation Ltd.

New Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays will be held 13-16 June 2012 at Mystery Creek Events Centre, 10 minutes south of Hamilton. The event is proudly supported by strategic partners - ANZ and the University of Waikato.