MACHINERY LARGE and small has been rewarded by the RH and AS for their contribution in making practical farming more efficient.

A total of five silver medals and three certificates of commendation have been awarded by the society under its Technical Innovation Awards Scheme for 2011.

Silver medals have been awarded to a lamb weigher, a bale wrapper, a chemical filling system for crop sprayers, an electronic tag applicator and a range of products manufactured from re-cycled plastic.

The awards – sponsored by the Hillhouse Quarry Group – encourage and recognise innovation in the design and manufacture of machines, equipment and appliances which advance the effective and efficient practice of agriculture, horticulture, equestrian, forestry and estates services.

RH and AS director, John Mackie, Dalfibble, Parkgate, Dumfries, who chairs the assessment panel, said: "Once again we have been impressed with the innovative approach of the product manufacturers. In these cost conscious times for both livestock and arable producers, efficiency is all important and each of the award-winning products will deliver tangible benefits."

The awards panel members were RH and AS directors Douglas Fowlie, Millhill, Longside, Peterhead; Hugh Fraser, Kinchyle, Scaniport, Inverness; William Gray, Rosemains, Pathhead; Angus Howie, Millhouse, Dunning; Colin Lowrie, Blegbie, Humbie; and Andrew Reid, The Hillock Farm, Drumsturdy Road, Kingennie.

Silver Medals to:

NT4 BIBBB Squeasy Lambweigher, from BIBBB Equipment, Whauphill, Strichen, Fraserburgh.

Front Machinery's front-mounted Wrapide bale wrapper, from Branxton Farm, Leven, Fife.

The ProFill safe sprayer filling system from Vegcraft, Crofts, Redford, Arbroath

TagFaster a new EID applicator from Roxan ID, Pheasant Mill, Selkirk.

Solway Recycling's range of agricultural products, from Rigghead, Shawhead, Dumfries.

Commended to:

Dromore Engineering's hitch system, from Oldcastle Co Meath.

Pottinger's Novacat trailed mower, from Ivybridge, Devon.

Graintek's transportable elevator dryer, from Cornhill, Banff.

(See more in The Scottish Farmer issue of June 18, 2011).