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The Fieldays Innovation Awards is set to be a beacon for the future of agricultural technology, with this year’s competition drawing a diverse and impressive range of innovations from across the primary industries. The growing significance of technology in farming is underscored by the 63 applications that have met the stringent entrant criteria, each offering a unique solution to on-farm challenges.
This year’s participants are poised to showcase a blend of automation, robotics, and AI innovations, alongside practical devices designed to boost on-farm efficiency. “What stands out this year is the breadth of areas the entries come from,” said Fieldays programme manager Steve Chappell. “Innovation is thriving as groundbreaking ideas redefine sustainability, automation, and efficiency.”
The innovations span a wide range of categories, with 23 participants in the Prototype category, 32 in Early Stage, and eight in the Growth & Scale category. Notably, five participants are also contending for the Young Innovator of the Year award, reserved for those aged 19 and under. This highlights the increasing involvement of younger generations in shaping the future of agriculture.
Among the entries are autonomous systems such as Gallagher Animal Management’s precision beef management platform and MAKI’s water-monitoring drone. These technologies promise to revolutionize livestock management and resource monitoring, respectively. Additionally, methane-reduction technologies like Ruminant Biotech’s Emitless bolus and Agricultural Sciences’ Agriboost are set to address critical environmental concerns.
Innovations that turn waste into valuable resources are also taking center stage. KiwiLeather Innovations is creating vegan leather from kiwifruit waste, while Tertiary Extracts Otautahi is producing a protein ingredient from sheepskin offcuts. These entries not only promote sustainability but also open new revenue streams for farmers.
The participants will display their entries at Fieldays in the Fieldays Innovation Hub or on their own sites around the event, forming part of the Fieldays Innovation Trail. They will compete for a share of a substantial prize package worth over $75,000, comprising cash, services, and products aimed at launching or accelerating their new products.
A panel of 18 sector experts, including new judges Emma Poole, Michelle Good, Justin White, and Oliver McDermott, will evaluate the entries. Five finalists in each category will be selected and announced by late May. The popular People’s Choice Award will also return, allowing visitors to vote for their favourite innovation.
The implications of this year’s Fieldays Innovation Awards are far-reaching. The technologies and innovations on display have the potential to significantly enhance farming efficiency, sustainability, and profitability. They also highlight the growing role of young innovators in driving agricultural progress. As these technologies are adopted and scaled, they could redefine the landscape of modern farming, making it more precise, sustainable, and resilient.
For more information and to view the full list of participants, visit fieldays.co.nz.