One of the highlights of the Royal Highland Show, especially for machinery buffs, is the official recognition of technical innovation.
Many of the machines and devices, large and
small, which have made an impact on Scottish agriculture
first came to public attention thanks to this
award scheme – and this year was no exception.
The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) has awarded one gold medal, four silver medals and one certificate of commendation.
The gold award, which is presented for continuous outstanding merit to a previous silver medal winner, has gone to Bryce Suma Post Drivers in Kelso with the Bryce Suma Post Driver & Powershift HD180 model.
Invented and manufactured byJock Bryce, the product is a revolutionary, compact and versatile one-man tracked fencing machine which is claimed to combine stability, safety and high performance, thus saving time, fuel and labour.
A silver medal award goes to Kverneland Group, Merseyside, for its Vicon iXclean Pro.
This is a fully automatic rinsing system which
ensures that crop sprayers are thoroughly rinsed when changing chemicals. It is available on Vicon
sprayers and front tanks fitted with ISOBUS control
systems.
The Kverneland Group has also been awarded a silver medal for its Exacta TL GEO fertiliser spreader which is claimed to bring new levels of accuracy and savings for disc spreaders by changing the position of the point at which the fertiliser is presented to the spreading vanes.
The effective spread pattern can be adjusted whilst maintaining disc rpm to ensure an accurate spread patterns and dosing at the headlands.
Irish manufacturers McHale have been awarded a silver medal for their Fusion 3 Plus baler.
This machine applies ‘film on film technology’ to the application of film wrap to the barrel of the bale while it is in the bale chamber.
The McHale patent film application system has been designed to ensure consistent film stretch, reliable film application while delivering optimum bale shape and bale density, the company says.
Should an operator wish to use net wrap for hay orstraw, this can be done with a simple adjustment.
The final silver award is to Roxan Developments Ltd, Selkirk, for their Tag-Faster PRO.
This is a motorisedsheep-tagging applicator which relieves the task of tagging, medicates the ear wound and counts and records individual sheep details as the electronic tag is fitted.
To give the machine a dual use it can also be used as a ‘stick’ reader to read electronic tags.
Lastly, a certificate of commendation has been awarded to McDonald Agri Ltd, Redford, Angus, for the company’s Profill Mixer Bowser.
This is a fully integrated sprayer-support vehicle. The heart of the system is a large induction hopper with multiple wash functions.
The bowsers have a tank for pre-mixing for rapid sprayer turn-around, and often additional water for multiple sprayer fills.
The awards, sponsored by the Hillhouse Quarry Group Ltd, attracted a high number of entries according to RHASS.
With a remit to reward innovation in the design and manufacture of machines, equipment and appliances, the awards are the oldest presented by the society, which gave its first “premium” for an implement in 1793 to a “new-invented plough of an improved construction adapted for the culture of Highland farms”.
Commenting on the quality of the entries, chief steward John Mackie said: “These award winners have demonstrated significant innovation in the effective and efficient practice of either agriculture, horticulture, equestrian, forestry or estates services.
“The society is pleased to be in a position to recognise such advancement which support’s our charitable remit.”
Panel members were J G Dunlop, W L Gill, A M Howie, R J Maitland, C J Shephard and A C Stewart.