The Falcon Forwarder, the only Irish-built forestry forwarder, developed by Marcia Franklin and Darragh Hand from Oldcastle, Co Meath, was the overall award winner in the Innovation Arena at the Ploughing Championships.
The machine was developed for extracting lightweight timber thinnings in a cost-effective and ecologically sensitive manner, with minimum soil surface disturbance. The award provides Falcon with financial support to attend the LAMMA Show in England in January 2015, along with Enterprise Ireland mentoring.
The awards were sponsored by the Irish Farmers Journal advertising website www.toplink.ie, Enterprise Ireland and the National Ploughing Association (NPA). The overall award, along with a series of category awards, was presented by Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton.
Minister Bruton congratulated all the winners and recognised the level of innovation in the agricultural sector. “My department, through Enterprise Ireland, is fully committed to providing all the resources necessary to encourage more startups in the agri-tech sector.”
Justin McCarthy, editor and chief executive of the Irish Farmers Journal, said: “Innovation is the key to securing the future of any business and agriculture is no different in this regard. We must continue to be innovative in how we use the latest technology to reduce labour, increase productivity and develop market share in an increasingly competitive global market.”
Anna May McHugh, managing director of the NPA said: “We are delighted to work with Toplink.ie and Enterprise Ireland on the Innovation Arena. This timely initiative is a fantastic addition to the annual Ploughing Championships and we hope that it becomes an annual event.”
Denis Duggan, regional executive with Enterprise Ireland, said: “We are delighted to be associated with these awards. Enterprise Ireland looks forward to working with all the winners in developing their international business.”
Slurrysafe – safety. Dairymaster – animal health (established company). BovAlert (DIT Hothouse) – animal health (startup). Falcon Forwarder – agri-engineering (startup). Denis Doyle Engineering – agri-engineering (established company). Herdwatch – software (established company). Farmflo – software (startup). Emarts Daily, promoted by Marie Costello – young Innovator.
The Falcon Forwarder, the only Irish-built forestry forwarder, developed by Marcia Franklin and Darragh Hand from Oldcastle, Co Meath, was the overall award winner in the Innovation Arena at the Ploughing Championships.
The machine was developed for extracting lightweight timber thinnings in a cost-effective and ecologically sensitive manner, with minimum soil surface disturbance. The award provides Falcon with financial support to attend the LAMMA Show in England in January 2015, along with Enterprise Ireland mentoring.
The awards were sponsored by the Irish Farmers Journal advertising website www.toplink.ie, Enterprise Ireland and the National Ploughing Association (NPA). The overall award, along with a series of category awards, was presented by Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton.
Minister Bruton congratulated all the winners and recognised the level of innovation in the agricultural sector. “My department, through Enterprise Ireland, is fully committed to providing all the resources necessary to encourage more startups in the agri-tech sector.”
Justin McCarthy, editor and chief executive of the Irish Farmers Journal, said: “Innovation is the key to securing the future of any business and agriculture is no different in this regard. We must continue to be innovative in how we use the latest technology to reduce labour, increase productivity and develop market share in an increasingly competitive global market.”
Anna May McHugh, managing director of the NPA said: “We are delighted to work with Toplink.ie and Enterprise Ireland on the Innovation Arena. This timely initiative is a fantastic addition to the annual Ploughing Championships and we hope that it becomes an annual event.”
Denis Duggan, regional executive with Enterprise Ireland, said: “We are delighted to be associated with these awards. Enterprise Ireland looks forward to working with all the winners in developing their international business.”
Slurrysafe – safety. Dairymaster – animal health (established company). BovAlert (DIT Hothouse) – animal health (startup). Falcon Forwarder – agri-engineering (startup). Denis Doyle Engineering – agri-engineering (established company). Herdwatch – software (established company). Farmflo – software (startup). Emarts Daily, promoted by Marie Costello – young Innovator. 
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: