Labelled as a first-of-its-kind invention, the rotational moulded sheep dipping unit from Beragh-based Oran Oak Engineering has gotten to the final stages of the INVENT 2016 awards.
At the INVENT 2016 awards semi-final were agri-science category finalists the Kelly family from Oran Oak with Sinead Dillon from category sponsor Fujitsu, and Paul Watts from Purple Magic.
The Northern Ireland Science Park (NISP) INVENT 2016 awards reward Northern Ireland’s most innovative inventions. Twelve innovative inventors have been selected to go through to the finals on 29 September in Belfast, including two agri-science inventions – a first-of-its-kind rotational moulded sheep-dipping unit by Oran Oak Engineering, and Purple Magic, a coloured flesh potato variety with high levels of anthocyanins, by Paul Watts.
Oran Oak Engineering is run by Mark, Patrick, Aidan and Colm Kelly, Beragh, Co Tyrone. Having worked closely with the Innotech Centre at SouthWestCollege and Clarehill Plastics on its design, the uniquely moulded plastic sheep dipping unit protects the welfare of the animal and the environment, while also safeguarding the operator, who won’t come into contact with livestock or chemicals.
Next week, the Kelly family will be travelling to one of the UK’s biggest farming, food and agriculture events, the Royal Highland Show, to launch the invention and highlight its economic and labour-saving benefits to consumers.
Paul Watts, Lurgan, Co Armagh, is also a finalist in the awards, aiming to impress the judges with his invention Purple Magic, a coloured flesh potato variety with high levels of anthocyanins, which research indicates has a beneficial impact on health.
The awards is supported by leading Japanese information and communication technology company Fujitsu. Stressing the importance of innovation in agri-food, Fujitsu’s managing director Greg McDaid said: “As Northern Ireland celebrates the Year of Food and Drink 2016, it seems all the more fitting to nurture and reward the cream of the crop in agri innovation.
“As well as providing inventors with the a platform to showcase their inventions and the opportunity to attract investors and partners, the NISP INVENT awards offers entrants additional commercial and business acumen through mentoring and advice throughout the award process.
“Innovation, including the utilisation of ICT, is of paramount importance to the continued success of the agri-food industry, both here and globally, as food supply and security issues continue to grow. Fujitsu’s own advancements in the sector across the world have already helped deliver significant efficiencies in livestock husbandry and crop cultivation, so we have been excited to hear the finalist’s creative ideas.”
Last year’s winner
Last year, NextGen Biopesticides, a company that uses selective breeding approaches to develop effective and safe biopesticides for the control of crop pest insects, was crowned the Agri-Science Invention of the Year award winner.
The INVENT awards, sponsored by the Bank of Ireland, aims to find inventions with the greatest commercial potential. Entrants are competing for a share of the £33,000 prize fund and a place on the Northern Ireland Tech Mission to pitch to investors and partners in California.
(Source – Irish Farmers Journal – Aine Hennessy – 14/06/2016)