Offaly company presented with major enterprise award at Ploughing

OFFALY-based company Agri Data Analytics has won a major enterprise award.

Daingean firm Agri Data Analytics won the AgTechUCD Start-Up Award at the 2023 Enterprise Ireland Innovation Arena Awards.

The awards were announced at the National Ploughing in Ratheniska, Co Laois.

Agri Data Analytics, founded by Jack Pilkington and Joseph Alan O'Donovan, is focused on developing devices for reducing methane emissions.

The winners of the Innovation Arena competition, hosted by Enterprise Ireland in association with the National Ploughing Association, were announced at an awards ceremony attended by Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, at the opening day of the National Ploughing.

The Agri Data Analytics Bovine Breathalyser is a non-invasive machine which measures enteric methane emissions from ruminants, identifying high emitters within herds and those producing large amounts of beef/dairy while minimising methane output.

The awards ceremony, which was also attended by Leo Clancy, CEO, Enterprise Ireland, and Anna May McHugh, managing director, National Ploughing Association, saw GrassMax, the world’s first temperate climate grassland management tool, win the overall Established Innovator of the Year Award.

Minister Coveney said: “The Innovation Arena competition is a landmark exhibition platform and competition, as it brings together ambitious agri-innovators every year. Ireland is synonymous with agriculture, and it is our own entrepreneurs who are helping to shape the future of the sector globally. With the ongoing challenges and the need to develop and implement sustainable practises, the work of these Irish innovators has never been more vital.”

Mr Clancy said: “Irish agri-tech companies continue to have an influential impact internationally with their cutting-edge products and services that are helping to bring greater efficiencies across agriculture.

“Enterprise Ireland is committed to supporting innovative companies and entrepreneurs, and the Innovation Arena at the National Ploughing Championships provides a key platform for showcasing the achievements and capabilities of our agritech innovators to both a domestic and international audience.

“I would like to congratulate all the winners of this year’s Innovation Arena Awards for their achievements, and I would also like to thank all the participants and entrepreneurs who entered this year’s competition - these are the products and services which are shaping the future of this industry and are delivering real solutions.”

Anna May McHugh, managing director, National Ploughing Association, said: “The NPA is delighted to host the Enterprise Ireland Innovation Arena again at this year’s National Ploughing Championships, which provides an excellent opportunity for innovators in the agri-tech and agri-engineering space to showcase their products and services at Europe’s largest outdoor event. The standard, once again, was exceptionally high, and I want to congratulate all of today’s winners and wish them all the best for the future on this great achievement.” 

The Innovation Arena will showcase ground-breaking agri-related products and innovations from 50 Irish agri-companies over the course of the National Ploughing Championships, including the finalists of this year’s competition and previous winners from the Innovation Arena Awards.

Companies will also have the opportunity to showcase their products to an international audience, as this year over 40 international buyers from 10 countries will visit the Innovation Arena and Irish companies supported by Enterprise Ireland who are exhibiting at the event.