Last updated16:31, May 23 2017

There are 71 entries in this years Innovation Awards at Fieldays including entries in animal science and genetics.

Genetics, animal science and chemical-based innovations are being addedfor the first time to the Fieldays Innovations Awardsthis year.

Competition organisers had expanded the criteriabecause of an increase of focus in thefields,Fieldays Innovations event manager Gail Hendricks said.

As a result, the competition has included two new judges tojudge the science behind theinnovations, she said.

Award organisershave received 71 entriesincluding innovations in fencing, irrigation, pasture management and animal health. Agricultural technology would also be on show, with several app-based innovations entered and a virtual reality innovation.

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The entries are displayed at theFieldays Innovations Centre, which showcases agricultural inventions and new applications with the potential to lead change in the rural sector.

The theme of Fieldaysis 'leading change'.Hendricks said the awards wereat the cutting edge of what was happening in agriculture, and the future of the industry.

"Originally, the Fieldays Innovation Awards was about widgets, gadgets and devices to improve farming, and now, more and more we are seeing how science and technology is impacting agriculture," Hendricks said.

The main entry categories are the Fieldays Prototype Award, Fieldays Launch NZ Award and Fieldays International Award.

Other awards up for grabs include categories for the bestYoung Inventor of the Year, technology innovation, research innovation, agri-innovation, intellectual propertyand commercialisation and intellectual property.

Hendricks said there was always public, business and agricultural industry interest in the innovation awards.

"The Innovations Centre is probably the busiest space at Fieldays and always attracts a lot of attention," said Hendricks. Every year, there is always broad media interest and the television breakfast shows broadcast from the Innovations Centre during Fieldays. The place is just buzzing."

Judges considerinventiveness, design and originality, the process of coming up with the innovation, commercial opportunities, intellectual property protection, technical viability and its benefit to New Zealand agriculture beforedeciding the winners.

The winners will be announced on June 15. Hendricks said they wouldreceive the kudos of winning the awards and any resulting publicity, but also access to expert support and business advice fromcompanies sponsoring each award.

Hendricks said entrants receiveda lot of value from entering the awards, as Fieldays provided access to a large group of potential customers and it gavethem a chance to do valuable market research.

Entrants also have exclusive access to business advisors, legal experts and product development consultants at a dedicated space in the Innovations Centre.

In addition, they have a chance to meet with potential investors at an invitation-only evening, Fieldays Innovations Capitalon June 15.

"The Innovations Centre is an exciting place to be at Fieldays. People visiting will see all sorts of interesting inventions and ideas that have practical and commercial application, to help streamline work on the farm."

-Stuff

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Genetics and animal science added to Fieldays Innovation Awards - Stuff.co.nz