Claas Balers Turn 30
Claas built its first variable chamber round baler - the Variant 100 - in 1996, so 2026 marks 30 years and the fifth generation of the Variant name, recently complemented by the new Cerex Series introduced in 2025.
The call for entries is now open, inviting participation by innovators from the primary sector in areas such as dairy, meat, wool, forestry, horticulture - including viticulture, seafood, aquaculture, fishing, arable farming, alongside agri-tech -including food and green tech, and supporting activities like machinery, processing, and manufacturing.
With over $75,000 in cash, support, and promotion—including expert advice, product design, development, and marketing and media support—these awards aim to help grow and develop the winners’ products and services and provide solutions for the industry.
A diverse judging panel from across the industry includes the new members Emma Poole, Michelle Good, Justin White and Oliver McDermott, who will start judging starting at the end of April when applications close. The awards will be presented during an exclusive evening event at Fieldays.
Fieldays programme manager Steve Chappell said, “We are so lucky to have this calibre of judges year after year, and these new judges will only add to that skill set. Wool and natural fibres were highlighted at the 2024 Awards, and it is exciting to see which trends we’ll see in 2025 for entries and winners”.
On-farm solutions continue to gain recognition, including 2024 winner Penny Ranger, who won the Young Innovator Award for her invention, Mark-It. Competing in the Early-Stage category, the St. Peter’s School student developed a drench gun attachment that marks sheep to easily see which animals have been treated.
In 2024, the competition saw the highest number of entries in a decade, a reflection of the growing demand for innovation in the market, particularly in precision farming techniques and robotics.
Offering three entry categories, Prototype is suitable for yet-forsale NZ-based innovations, Early- Stage highlights innovations that have moved beyond the conceptual phase and have launched commercially within the last year, and the Growth & Scale category must have achieved market entry with a product or service in New Zealand and at least one other country within the last four years. The popular People’s Choice Award will also return in 2025, allowing visitors to select their favourite entry.
The Fieldays Innovation Awards are supported by sponsors Map of Ag, Gait International, King St. Advertising, NZME, Sprout Agritech, and Blender Design. Details including entry criteria can be viewed on the Fieldays website at fieldays.co.nz/ innovation.
