The Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS), opens entries today to its historic and prestigious Technical Innovations Awards sponsored by Hillhouse Quarry Group.

The longest standing RHASS competition encourages innovation in the design and manufacture of machines, equipment and appliances which advance agricultural practice and celebrates significant steps forward being made in all kinds of agri innovation – from apps that monitor herds and crop-monitoring drone software to the latest tractor technology and livestock equipment.

Winners of the awards are offered a platform at the 2024 Royal Highland Show in the Agri-Innovation Arena – a new area to the Show as of 2023.  The Arena acts as a platform for showcasing and demonstrating innovative machinery and technology that is shaping the future of agriculture and forms a busy business hub in the Show’s agri zone.

In 2023 Gold was awarded to two innovations, Murray Machinery for their Gravel Road Grader and Lely’s Discovery Collector for their app managed robot manure scraper.  Additionally 4 Silvers were awarded including carbon mapping technology TerraMap that helps growers obtain accurate carbon baseline measurements.

As RHASS celebrates its 240^th anniversary year, the charity reflects on innovations supported by the Society throughout its history.  This award is the oldest on record, the first iteration being from 1793 where Rev. Alexander Campbell was awarded a premium for the invention of a new plough. Since then, RHASS has continued to support innovations at the forefront of Scottish Agriculture.

Convener of Judges, Andrew Rennie said: “Innovation is a major focus for the Society and for the 2024 Royal Highland Show. 

We’re looking for innovative excellence and are particularly interested in investing in more sustainable and climate focused initiatives as well as data platforms and app-based technologies which increase productivity and sustainability. We welcome all applications across the sector and look forward to seeing entries from businesses who are leading the pack in innovative design and thinking.”

The judging format will be a hybrid of in-person demonstrations, user evaluation and electronic submissions. The entry deadline is Friday 29^th  March and entries can be made via the Royal Highland Show website: royalhighlandshow.org

Award sponsors Hillhouse Quarry Group added “We are delighted to be continuing support for the RHASS Technical Innovation Awards.   Sectoral innovation is key to efficiency, development and furtherment of the industry.   We look forward to seeing the diverse mix of inventions and innovations entered this year.”

Applications open on Monday 26 February at 10am – and can be made at https://www.royalhighlandshow.org/