The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) is calling for entries for their 2021 Technical Innovation Awards.

Following the success of last year’s awards – which saw the highest number of entries on record – the format will remain the same for 2021; Entry free of charge, the judging completed virtually, and winners announced live as part of the Royal Highland Showcase event in June.

Created to recognise design and innovation across agri-sector machinery and equipment, the awards showcase inventions and innovations that demonstrate a positive impact on agriculture; horticulture; equestrian; forestry; renewable energy; and estate activities.

The awards are open from now, until May 7, 2021, via. the Royal Highland Show website.

Judging will be completed online, with winners announced during the livestreaming of the Royal Highland Showcase in June, and promoted through an extensive PR and digital marketing campaign.

Entry requirements

Entries must relate to machines, appliances, technical components or important ancillary equipment, and should be commercially available or prototypes in development. All entries are judged and benchmarked on individual merit.

Last year two Gold, six Silver and five Certificates of Commendations were awarded.

Gold awards are presented to previous Silver award winners for continuous outstanding merit, and last year the Gold award winners were Lambert & Dyson Ltd. for their Landy PTO Hot Water Pressure Washer, and Limagrain UK for their Winter Wheat Breeding Programme.

RHASS chief steward of technical innovation, Christopher Shepherd, said:

“We are delighted to again be offering free entry to those wishing to enter the Technical Innovation Awards this year, and provide the opportunity to share industry developments and promote new products.

“Following record numbers of entries in 2020, we hope to achieve another great showcase of innovative designs that have been developed over the last year and longer,” he added.

The awards are a highly influential industry accolade, offering a unique and valuable marketing advantage to winners.

“This year even more so, as winners will be livestreamed to a global audience during the Royal Highland Showcase.

“I look forward to seeing the designs and products that are leading the way in developing our industry,” he concluded.