Fieldays calls for entries to 2026 Innovation Awards
Entries have opened for the 2026 Fieldays Innovation Awards.
Once again, the sharp minds at St Paul’s Collegiate School in Hamilton were the 2023 Young Innovator of the Year Winner at Fieldays.
As part of the curriculum, the winning student group were placed in the top three of the school’s version of the Shark Tank TV series. The St Paul’s 2023 Crocodile Pit sees students put to the test to create a new agri-business product and service and learn the process of pitching innovation and business strategy.
CAPRA Skin, conceived, designed and manufactured by Lucy, Emma, Mackenzie and Lochie, is a specially formulated goat’s milk lip balm. Early in the process, the group realised that the core ingredient offered many natural benefits including vitamin A, fatty acids and moisturising agents, alongside the other main ingredients of kawakawa oil and bee venom which have cell regeneration qualities.
Looking at the broader reasons for developing the lip balm, the team recognised that many teenagers suffer from acne and use medication to clear up the problem. Unfortunately, a major side effect is drying out and eventually cracking of the lips. The youngsters looked at the current lip balm market and couldn’t find a lip balm that was targeted specifically targeted towards teenagers with dry and cracked lips.
From a development perspective and wanting to incorporate New Zealand ingredients, the group have decided to use kawakawa oil which is a native to New Zealand. The ingredient is non-greasy, helps heal skin conditions and seals wounds, while also restoring hydration, and reducing itching and redness.
On the marketing front, they decided to call the product Capra Skin, the name originating from the Latin word for goat, which in turn is a more recently used acronym for the greatest of all time (GOAT), which is the impression they want customers to feel after using the product.
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says a series of rural resilienced set to be rolled out next week will help farmers and growers better prepared for adverse weather events.
The head of Massey University's School of Agriculture and the Environment, Professor Paul Kenyon, says the outlook for the primary sector is positive with record numbers of students enrolling for Massey's range of undergraduate courses in the primary sector.
Palmerston North mayor Grant Smith is a long-time supporter of the CD field days and says the benefits from it flow into his city.
The finalists have been announced for the 2026 Beef + Lamb New Zealand Awards, with 24 finalists across eight categories.
The lower North Island township of Feilding is gearing up for its biggest event of the year - the annual Central Districts Field Days.
Stefan and Rachel Grobecker were named Share Farmers of the Year at last night's 2026 Bay of Plenty Dairy Industry Awards dinner.
OPINION: Expect the Indian free trade deal to feature strongly in the election campaign.
OPINION: One of the world's largest ice cream makers, Nestlé, is going cold on the viability of making the dessert.