Agricultural frustrations turn into golden innovations

Innovation is imperative to the agriculture industry and is the back bone of the New Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays. The Innovation Centre, powered by the University of Waikato, is the hub of new farming developments at Fieldays and year after year impresses farmers and visitors alike with the diverse and complexity of the inventions.

The winners of the Innovation Competition were announced at the Innovations Awards Breakfast this morning. New Zealanders are known for being the most resourceful and creative in the world and this was prevalent in the competition as the judge’s task to decide on a winner proved very difficult.

Technipharm was victorious at the breakfast, taking out the Golden Standard with their invention Irrisafe™. Irrisafe is an innovative speed control for an effluent irrigator that prevents ponding, increases pasture productivity and is environmentally friendly.

Craig Short was runner up in the Inventions section with the Stockfirm; a simple and inexpensive answer to providing an easily removable cover to keep stock secure in stock crates.

The winner of the Equipment Category was awarded to ADF Milking for their automated teat dipping and cup finishing system. A highly innovative design, the system is entirely new to New Zealand and has significant milking hygiene and productivity benefits.

The runner up of the Equipment section was Andrew Horn for his solution to a longstanding problem on the farm. The RealPro Clamp is a secure and convenient way to transport electric fence reels and standards.

Phillip MacDonald took out the James & Wells Award with his Ride Over Gate. It is a clever redesign enabling vehicles to drive over a fencing line from either direction or around a house as a child proof gate.
A team effort was put into the Premier Feature Award with Stomp Out Stompage by Jonathan White and Sam Ashley. The duo invented an inexpensive electrical movable fence that slowly distributes feed to reduce stompage by stock.

Ben Shannon was awarded the Young Inventor of the Year award with the Concertina Crate. The fold away crate is a great space saving solution on a utility vehicle that can be reconfigured into a smaller stock pen allowing space on the deck for other material.

The Innovation Competition showcases inventions from New Zealand to the world and it also establishes their success in the marketplace by educating the entrants on how to take the next step to achieving commercial success.

The Innovation Centre is proudly supported by the University of Waikato, Straight Furrow, Dairy Automation Limited and James & Wells.

New Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays is currently underway daily through Saturday 18 June at Mystery Creek Events Centre, 10 minutes south of Hamilton. The event is proudly supported by strategic partners - ANZ and the University of Waikato.