This year’s Enterprise Ireland innovation awards, held in partnership with the National Ploughing Association, will be an online event again this year.

While the Ploughing Championship is still scheduled to go ahead in Ratheniska, Co Laois, this September, the awards ceremony will be online only.

There are 12 award categories in total. Last year there were 60 entries, and the overall winner was Malone Farm Machinery from Co Mayo, with their round bale trailer that has a capacity for 16 bales.

The 12 award categories include best agri-technology start-up, best agri-engineering established company, young innovator of the year, farm safety and sustainable agriculture.

Entries are particularly encouraged for the following categories; dairy and drystock farming, horticulture, information and communication technology, cloud and mobile-based software, animal health and genetics, water and waste management, environment and cleantech, animal and farm management, farm safety and leading research.