Do you operate an exceptional piece of kit? Or perhaps you’ve manufactured one? Either way, if you think a machine deserves industry-wide recognition, why not nominate it for the International Machinery Manufacturers’ Awards?
The 2015 competition is now open for nominations from manufacturers, dealers or farmers with first-hand experience of the machine they wish to put forward. The IMMAs, launched by Cereals Event organizer Haymarket Exhibitions in 2014 to recognize machines that deliver a mix of innovation, cost-effectiveness and value, are aimed specifically at machines sold in the UK, regardless of where they were made, to help recognize and encourage the uptake of novel, practical technologies.
The four categories cover cultivation equipment, harvest machinery, sprayers and tractors, and attracted entries from 28 companies in its first year. These ranged from combines, power harrows, self-propelled sprayers and a variable transmission system, as well as simpler but effective technologies such as drain cleaners, spray nozzles and spray can rinsers.
This year’s line-up of judges brings a wealth of experience from all areas of the agricultural machinery industry. The panel includes: Peter Redman representing IAgrE; Prof. Dick Godwin, Harper Adams University (soils and cultivation); Prof. Toby Mottram, Royal Agricultural University (robotics); Prof. Paul Miller, NIAB (spray application expert); Phillip Clappison, Farmers Weekly Contractor of the Year 2013; and David Cousins, machinery editor, Farmers Weekly.
Peter Redman, chair of the judging panel, said, “Selecting the most appropriate machine or form of technology is increasingly key to the success of farming businesses. These awards guide buyers in their selection process with the benefit of the judgement of independent experts and they both encourage and show case innovation that is essential to the development and competitiveness of the industry.
“The judges are looking forward to reviewing entries offering combinations of features to improve soil care, reduce inputs and raise efficiency and provide more advanced information and control systems to support operators and improve management decisions.”
Nominations are open until April 17, 2015. Entry forms can be found on the Cereals 2015 website (www.cerealsevent.co.uk/machineryawards ). Prizes will be awarded on the first day of Cereals 2015 (Wednesday, June 10) and the winning machines will be on show at the event.
Last year’s winners were:
Cultivation equipment: Cousins of Emneth’s surface seedbed cultivator is designed to improve weed control while maintaining soils structure to allow improved field access later in the autumn drilling window.
Sprayers: Garford’s Robocrop weed-imaging spot sprayer identifies and targets weeds for treatment with a jet of weedkiller while avoiding contact with the crop. This allows extremely low herbicide rates chemical usage is often less than 1% of the normal overall rate.
Tractors: John Deere’s Direct Drive transmission employs Formula 1 technology on its 6R tractor range to combine the handling comfort of an infinitely variable shift transmission with exceptional efficiency. It is designed to deliver maximum productivity and fuel efficiency for tasks that need continuous power.
Harvest machinery: McHale’s Fusion 3 Plus baler-wrapper applies film to the barrel of the bale in the bale chamber. This binds the bale together as it passes from the baler to the bale wrapper, eliminating the need for string or net wrap.
