Agri-Spread International, the Mayo-based manufacturer of fertiliser and lime bulk spreaders, has won the overall award at this year’s Innovation Arena, which is run by Enterprise Ireland in conjunction with the Irish Farmers Journal and the National Ploughing Association.

Agri-Spread won the award for its latest product – a new purpose built spreader developed by the company called Section Control, which allows for even distribution and precise application rates of fertiliser, lime and bulk products.

As overall winner at the 2018 Innovation Arena, Agri-Spread will receive a prize worth €15,000 from Enterprise Ireland and the Irish Farmers Journal, which includes advertising and PR support, mentoring and a cash prize of €5,000.

Section Control

The Section Control system uses GPS controls to ensure the uniform application of exact target amounts of product, which results in reduced input costs, increased crop yields, as well as minimising crop damage and any environmental impact.

Agri-Spread sat the potential fertiliser savings vary from 5% to 20% depending on the field size, shape and obstacles in the field. The system is designed to eliminate spreading outside of field boundaries, saving both fertiliser and overall input costs per acre. Variable rate application and auto shut off spreading are also possible with the section control spreader

The uniform spread pattern across a crop, therefore avoiding under and over application, which will help increase average yields, while a record of the fertiliser/product application rate is logged, stored for full traceability and farm regulatory compliance. The new GPS system will be available on a range of Agri-Spread models, from its 6 tonne to 25 tonne single or tandem axle spreaders.

Other winners

While Agri-spread took home the overall award at this year’s Innovation Arena, there were 10 other awards handed out to different companies for various new products and innovations developed over the last year.

Category winners included:

Agri Environmental winner: Harp renewables

Agri-Engineering winners

Best start-up winner: Dairy Geyser

Best established company winner: Agri-Spread International

Agri-technology winners

Best start-up winner: Fresh Graze

Best established company winner: JFC Agri

Best research from third level: E-Seed (Trinity College Dublin)

Best Product for Safety: Machine Eye

Young Innovator of the Year: Warren Stevely of Acidose 1

Best international company: Serket-Tech (Netherlands)