Who are Ireland’s agtech innovators?

Ireland’s agtech scene is thriving. Despite the many challenges facing agriculture, our technology companies see this as an opportunity to solve problems and build their businesses with new products and services.

Over the past year, we have seen multiple awards and accelerator programmes for the agtech industry.

In this article, I profile some of the companies that have been successful in these programmes.

Last month, AgTechUCD announced the seven startups that have been selected for its fourth accelerator programme dedicated to early-stage startups in the agtech and agri-food sectors. The 2024 AgTechUCD Accelerator Programme is an intensive 12-week hybrid programme that will take place at the AgTechUCD Innovation Centre at UCD Lyons Farm in Co Kildare.

The programme is tailored to address the particular needs and challenges facing startups in this sector. Programme partners include AIB, Carbery, Enterprise Ireland, Herdwatch, ifac, The Yield Lab and Thrive/SVG Ventures.

The programme is focused on fast-tracking the business development and leadership skills of participants, and competition to secure a place in the programme is tight. Below is a selection of companies chosen to be part of the programme.

Auto Coupler

Based in Co Kilkenny, Auto Coupler allows a tractor/digger loader to attach to any agricultural implement, automatically coupling the loader’s hydraulic circuit to the implement and then locking the implement in place with the loader’s locking system.

Auto Coupler is a two-part system. One part is attached to a tractor loader or digger arm, and the other part is attached to the implement.

Evogen

Dublin-based Evogen is focused on helping dairy farmers maximise profits through smarter genetic selection. Their platform uses data analytics and artificial intelligence to analyse farm-specific environmental factors to take the guesswork out of breeding decisions.

By providing data-driven breeding recommendations, Evogen helps farmers to choose the best bulls for their herds, improving cow performance, milk production and overall profitability.

Zirkulu

Cork-based Zirkulu is developing a platform of bio-based solutions designed for real-world applications. The startup is currently developing a bio-based coating for fertiliser to combat soil degradation which they say is caused by synthetic fertilisers.

Aerial AG Ireland

Dublin-based Aerial AG Ireland specialises in agricultural drone services and products for farmers, offering multispectral imaging, precision aerial crop spraying, seeding and fertilisation to improve crop health and yield, while minimising environmental impact.

The company also offers custom aerial solutions for forestry, pasture management and pest control.

The annual Enterprise Ireland Innovation Arena took place at the National Ploughing Championships once again, showcasing the latest cutting-edge solutions from Irish agtech companies and innovators to thousands of visitors over the course of the three-day event.

This year’s competition features several awards, with a focus on applications from startup companies less than five years old and established companies concentrating on scaling and innovation.

Below are the winners of each category.

Reap Interactive received this award for its product, BovinePlus, which tracks each animal individually, eliminating reliance on herd averages.

This technology uses AI and image analysis to provide real-time data on weight, health and water intake, optimising profitability by pinpointing issues such as under-performing animals and enhancing feed efficiency.

Early health issue detection and verified data trails boost both animal welfare and operational transparency.

Innovation Arena champion award: Samco Agricultural Manufacturing

Samco picked up the champion award with its new application system and mulch film designed around early planting of potatoes and promoting early growth of the crop.

The potato plant establishes an earlier growth pattern due to the microclimate created by the film covering the surface above the plant. This will allow earlier harvesting and entry to the market, where growers will have a greater price premium.

Green impact award: Easyfix

Easyfix scooped the green impact award for its technology which focuses on reducing ammonia and methane emissions in slurry storage systems.

It uses technology that stimulates bacterial growth, which reduces ammonia and methane emissions in storage.

Its new technology system works by delivering a low electrical current that stimulates the growth of bacteria in storage that reduce emissions.

Other notable entries

Cotter Agritech was a runner-up in the startup innovator of the year category with its latest innovation, Automed, an automatic dosing gun that integrates with the company’s existing SmartWorm automatic parasite detection software to deliver precision medication administration for livestock.

Together, these products deliver more than a 70% reduction in medicine usage compared to traditional methods, the company states.

Grassland Agro was a finalist in the green impact award category for its urease inhibitor innovation that protects against nitrogen loss during the volatilisation stage of the nitrogen cycle.

Previously, it was not possible to combine this inhibitor with phosphorus (P)-based fertilisers due to degradation resulting from the acidity of P fertilisers.

The Glaze Extend Blend overcomes this challenge by buffering the NBPT against the acidic effects of the P fertiliser, the company states.

Dairymaster and Mastek were finalists for the Innovation Arena champion award.

Dairymaster has introduced DairyVue 360 for a Herringbone parlour, a digital farm management platform that analyses all aspects of herd performance in the milking parlour, giving the farmer real insights and decision support.

Mastek’s latest innovation is the unique Flexi Shoe applicator, a sustainably focused solution designed to provide low-emission slurry application, especially on uneven land.

The machine delivers the slurry in a band just underneath the grass surface, reducing the loss of ammonia into the atmosphere.

The machine addresses the concerns of farmers who have been struggling with the limitations of traditional trailing shoe applicators.

Bord na Móna Accelerate Green

Bord na Móna recently revealed the nine green entrepreneurs from across Ireland participating in the latest Accelerate Green START programme. This pre-accelerator programme, delivered by Bord na Móna in conjunction with Resolve Partners, is dedicated to supporting early-stage startups leading the response to climate action and sustainability.

The nine companies selected to participate in this year’s Accelerate Green START autumn programme are Anaula Ltd, WindCapture Technologies, Bionua, Volta Robotics Ltd, Reasire, Restore Innovation, Range Therapy, Agri Data Analytics and EcoRoots. Agri Data Analytics is particularly relevant to the agricultural sector.

Agri Data Analytics

Offaly-based company Agri Data Analytics is developing a bovine breathalyser, a device that measures enteric greenhouse gas emissions from livestock.

Co-founders Jack Pilkington and Alan O’Donovan aim to provide agri-focused researchers with data they can use to identify high- and low-emitting ruminants, test methane-reducing supplements, and determine ways of cutting carbon dioxide and methane output through genetic, dietary and supplementary means without compromising dairy and beef yields.