The wildcard entries to the Innovation Arena at this year’s Ploughing are open until 2 July. The online application can be made at www.innovationarena.ie and through the link on the Irish Farmers Journal and Enterprise Ireland webpages. There are 43 applicants qualified to date for entry into the arena, and a number in reserve.

The final decision on the remaining seven places will be made when the judging panel deliberates on the wildcard entries.

Denis Duggan from Enterprise Ireland said he is delighted with the quality of applicants and the range of innovation. The arena has grown slightly, allowing a little more space for visitors to navigate their way through finalists’ display areas. A new element this year is the people’s choice award, where patrons can vote for the product that they feel is the most innovative. It is hoped that this will provide extra feedback for participants in the arena. The awards in the other categories will all be judged by an independent selected panel from the industry.