LAMMA announces winners of its Innovation Awards 2025 

The awards celebrate new technologies and provide exposure for agricultural manufacturers through nine categories. The Innovation of the Year award will be presented to the best overall winner at the 2025 show.   

The Arable Crop Care Innovation of the Year award has been allocated to Agri Samplers Ltd and Polygenyn Ltd for their DNA Auto Spore Sampler, which has been described as an early warning system for the detection of airborne plant pathogens. 

It captures 200 litres of air per minute, collects fungal spores and bacteria, and analyses their DNA using fluorescence to quantify pathogen-specific markers. Alerts are sent to growers via SMS and the SpraySaver portal, enabling timely intervention. The device monitors within a five-mile radius, protecting multiple crops. 

Currently capable of detecting pathogens like potato late blight, rusts, Septoria and grape powdery mildew, the invention reduces unnecessary spraying, saving £60 per acre per spray and lowering environmental harm.  

A next-generation portable version, PathoScout, under development, will enable on-site pathogen detection within 60 minutes. This system, created in collaboration with Rothamsted Research, bridges the gap in field-based automated spore analysis. It supports ecological sustainability by reducing fungicide use by 5-20% and increasing yields by 1-10%. Additional applications include pollen monitoring, hospital bacteria detection, and forensic analysis. 

The sampler enhances crop protection, research efficiency, and pesticide development, contributing to sustainable farming and environmental balance. Projected sales exceed £3 million within five years, revolutionising agricultural practices and supporting smart farming technologies. 

The silver award was allocated to Ecorobotix’s Plant-by-plant AI Algorithm for Carrots, while the bronze award went to Kuhn Farm Machinery’s Aero 32.1. 

Arable Establishment Innovation 

Kuhn Farm Machinery’s Smart Soil Technology won the Arable Establishment Innovation of the Year title. 

The OPTIMER 6 and 7.5 metre independent disc cultivators have been enhanced with ISOBUS-integrated Smart Soil Technology (SST), delivering greater efficiency, comfort, and productivity, the company confirmed. 

Steady Control Ultimate ensures consistent working depth across uneven terrain by automatically adjusting ground tracking. Pressure and position sensors work with a computer to manage settings without manual intervention, even at high speeds.  

The auto-line function keeps the machine aligned behind the tractor, adapting to slopes, soil types, and depth changes. A central coulter measures drift angles, and hydraulic actuators adjust disc positions to maintain uniform performance. 

The task controller simplifies operation by automating headland turns and enabling depth modulation using preloaded maps. The system also ensures safe transport through automatic folding. These innovations result in uniform stubble ploughing with consistent depth and reduced overlaps, improving soil preparation and enhancing crop germination. 

Smart Soil Technology reduces fuel consumption by avoiding over-deep cultivation, lowering operational costs while maintaining optimal performance. Full in-cab control eliminates the need for manual adjustments, enhancing operator comfort. 

Now in production, this cutting-edge technology addresses the growing focus on soil health, ensuring long-term benefits for sustainable farming while meeting all safety standards, Kuhn added. 

The silver prize was won by Weaving Machinery’s Cast Roller, while Kverneland’s Rotago F won the bronze award. 

British & Irish Manufacturer of the Year  

Weaving Machinery has been announced as the British & Irish Manufacturer of the Year. 

The company said that over the past five years it has revolutionised agricultural equipment through innovative product development and sustainability efforts.  

With a focus on low-disturbance farming, the firm has launched several key products, including the Weaving Sabre Drill (2020), which gained national acclaim, partly due to its regular feature on Clarkson’s Farm. The company’s cultivator range, including the ShortDisc, LD Top-Soiler, and Energiser, has addressed critical issues in British agriculture, enhancing soil health and drainage.  

Weaving Machinery’s sustainability initiatives, such as installing solar panels, upgrading to efficient lighting, and introducing electric vehicles, reflect its dedication to minimising environmental impact.  

The company also supports future talent through collaborations with educational institutions, offering placements and work experience. With a strong focus on innovation, sustainability, and skill development, Weaving Machinery continues to lead in the agricultural machinery sector. 

The silver prize was allocated to SlurryKat LTD, while bronze went to CNH Basildon Tractor Plant. 

Dairy Innovation of the Year 

SmaXtec’s Digital Assistant has been announced as the Dairy Innovation of the Year. 

The smaXtec Digital Assistant revolutionises dairy herd health management through AI-driven insights and bolus technology, offering unparalleled precision by collecting data from inside the cow’s reticulum.  

This system enables proactive, efficient, and transparent health management for dairy farmers. 

Acting as a virtual farm employee, the Digital Assistant generates automated management lists and customised reports, simplifying daily tasks. It helps farmers act early by providing health alerts and disease notifications, like ketosis or mastitis, through its AI-powered TruAdvice™ system. Farmers save time with automatically categorised data and easy-to-read action plans, viewable on smartphones or PCs, the company explained. 

The system streamlines workflows, optimises staff management, and ensures even less experienced employees can follow clear, actionable steps. It supports decision-making by guiding farmers on where to focus efforts for each animal.  

The silver award went to Teemore Engineering’s Magellan Rubber Flooring, while the bronze prize was awarded to Hanskamp AgroTech BV’s FeedStation Mobile. 

Digital Technology Innovation of the Year  

Raindancer Sector Control, created by RST Irrigation Ltd, has won the Digital Technology Innovation of the Year title. 

Raindancer is a GPS-enabled, solar-powered irrigation monitoring system designed to maximise water efficiency for farmers. Its Sector Control technology ensures irrigation is applied only within field boundaries, avoiding wooded areas and other non-crop zones.  

By providing even water distribution across the crop and addressing typically under-irrigated areas, Raindancer optimises irrigation performance. 

Developed over four years, including two years of in-field software and app refinement, the system delivers precise insights on irrigation runs. It tracks how much water has been applied and alerts users to faults, ensuring smooth operations.  

Manufactured in Berlin and exclusively imported to the UK, Raindancer integrates seamlessly with the accompanying gun sector for enhanced performance, the company confirmed. 

The silver prize went to Fastview 360’s Tractor Safety System, while bronze was awarded to Kverneland’s Kverneland Sync & Service Centre. 

Future Innovation for Environmental Benefit of the Year  

Knight Farm Machinery’s Smart-Inject has been named the Future Innovation for Environmental Benefit of the Year. 

The company said that Smart-Inject is a groundbreaking chemical injection system designed to revolutionise agricultural spraying by enhancing precision and reducing environmental impact. 

Unlike traditional systems, Smart-Inject integrates directly between a sprayer’s nozzle body and air-stop/PWM valve, allowing retrofitting to most existing sprayers. This innovation delivers concentrated chemicals via independent micro-pipework, separate from the main spray tank, enabling precise spot spraying without interfering with the base application. 

When an area requiring treatment is detected, Smart-Inject injects the chemical directly into the diluted spray stream at the nozzle, ensuring immediate and accurate application. This approach minimises chemical usage, lowers costs, and significantly reduces the environmental impact of plant protection products. 

Developed to support growers transitioning from broadacre methods to optical weed recognition and targeted spraying, Smart-Inject aligns with both environmental and financial goals. Its patent-pending design is the first to inject chemicals directly at the nozzle, ensuring unparalleled precision and efficiency.  

Tama UK’s EZ Web won the silver award, while Tehnos’ MU 300 E: an electric leap into the future of farming was awarded the bronze prize. 

Grassland Innovation of the Year  

Kverneland’s Kverneland Curve Pilot has won the Grassland Innovation of the Year award. 

The Kverneland Curve Pilot is an innovative feature integrated into the Kverneland ISOBUS triple mower conditioner, the 55100MT. This advanced technology enhances efficiency and cutting precision by automatically controlling the side shift of the rear mowing units to minimise gaps between the front and rear cutting units when navigating curves, the company said. 

The system utilises a gyroscope mounted on the mower’s headstock to detect steering angles. Based on this input, it adjusts the rear cutting units by up to 400mm, ensuring optimal alignment and maximising the mower’s full working width. This reduces the need for manual operator adjustments, allowing for higher work rates and improved productivity. 

Designed to streamline operations, the Curve Pilot feature supports operators by reducing workload while delivering precise results. Manufactured at Kverneland Group Kerteminde in Denmark, this cutting-edge system represents a significant leap in mower technology. 

Set to launch at Lamma 2025, the Curve Pilot is expected to extend to additional models within the Kverneland range, further enhancing its impact on grassland management. With its ability to improve efficiency and reduce operator effort, this innovation is poised to become a valuable tool for modern farming. 

The silver prize was allocated to Mzuri’s Razorback Blade Rotary Mower, while New Holland’s CropSpeed – Crop Speed Detection and Prevention System for FR Forage Harvesters won the bronze award. 

Livestock Innovation of the Year  

The Revolution Injection Gun, manufactured by Te Pari Products (UK) Ltd, has been called the Livestock Innovation of the Year. 

The Revolution Injection Gun is a cutting-edge device designed for precision livestock treatment, offering calibrated dosing tailored to each animal’s exact weight. This innovation reduces overdosing, which can be costly and environmentally harmful, while preventing underdosing that may lead to treatment resistance, the company said. 

Equipped with a Smart Variable Dose system (patent pending), the device ensures precise administration, whether delivering small or large doses. Unlike traditional applicators, it can adjust piston movement for optimal accuracy, even with varying dose sizes. Compact, lightweight, and fast, it minimises operator fatigue, making it suitable for cattle, sheep, swine, and other livestock. 

Integrated with an RFID reader, the gun links treatment records to individual animals via a connected phone app. This feature enhances quality assurance by providing accurate records of dosing and treatment withholding periods, ensuring compliance and traceability. 

Developed by Te Pari, the new model builds on the original by being faster, more compact, and better suited for smaller doses and high-volume usage. The product is poised for strong adoption across sheep, cattle, and swine markets, positioning it as a long-term solution in livestock management.  

By optimising treatment application, it benefits producers, animals, and the environment, representing a revolutionary leap in livestock care. 

Tornado Wire’s Tornado Pro-Strain System has won the silver award, while T-T Pumps’ HBC Biocell – Pasteurised Hygienic Bedding was awarded the bronze prize. 

Machine of the Year 

Fendt 600 Series has been announced as the Machine of the Year. The Fendt 600 Series redefines the mid-range tractor market with its combination of advanced technology, operator comfort, and efficiency.

Offering four models (164–224hp), it incorporates innovations from larger Fendt tractors, tailored for UK and Irish farmers, where 62% of Fendt sales in 2023 were in the 130–220hp range, the company confirmed. 

At its core is the newly developed Agco Core50 engine, a 5L, 4-cylinder powerhouse delivering higher torque (+30Nm) than the larger 720 model, thanks to Fendt’s reduced RPM strategy. 

Designed for future fuels, it integrates seamlessly with the tractor’s engineering for maximum efficiency. The Dynamic Performance feature provides an extra 15hp for auxiliary tasks, ensuring operators can fully utilise the stated horsepower. 

The TA150 VarioDrive transmission simplifies operation by automatically distributing power between front and rear axles, improving turning, reducing soil damage, and eliminating traditional 4WD controls. Hydraulics are upgraded for versatility, offering up to 205L/min and multiple valve configurations without compromising loader performance. 

The company added that featuring the FendtOne cab, it combines comfort with an intuitive, iPad-style interface, standardising controls across the Fendt lineup. Innovations like VarioGrip tire pressure management enhance productivity, saving diesel and increasing tractive power. Compact yet powerful, the Fendt 600 Series offers unmatched flexibility, making it ideal for farming businesses of all sizes. 

JCB Agriculture’s TM280 Compact Telescopic Wheel Loader won the silver prize, while CaseIH’s AF10 Combine was awarded the bronze prize.  

LAMMA 2025 takes place on Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th January 2025 at the National Exhibition Centre on Pendigo Way, Marston Green, Birmingham B40 1NT. 

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