An efficiency boosting sprayer system has been named as overall winner in the LAMMA Innovation Awards.

Knight Farm Machinery was presented with the LAMMA Founders Trophy for its MAXImizer PRO system, which is now used across its range of mounted, trailed and self-propelled sprayers.

MAXImizer PRO enables the sprayer's low volume plumbing to be primed before spraying begins, for full circulation, automatic agitation and instant nozzle response/switching. The system also means clean water line purging is similarly instant. 

The Founders Trophy is presented to the overall winner of the Innovation Awards, chosen from all five categories – Arable, Livestock, Future Farming, Digital and Environment. A panel of judges for each category awarded gold, silver and bronze awards with a further panel voting to decide the overall winner. 

Paul Harrison, Sales and Marketing Consultant at Knight Farm Machinery, accepted the award at a post-show reception on day one (17^th January), after winning the individual award in the Arable category.

"We are delighted to win for a number of reasons. Firstly, we weren't expecting it as there was strong competition among entrants, and part of the reason for participating was to support the industry through these important awards. A great deal of credit needs to go to Brian Knight, our Managing Director, who was pivotal in creating the MAXImizer PRO. He knows that we can still do more to save our customers chemical, that benefits both their finances and the environment."

Gold winner of the Livestock award was Spread-a-Bale for its Side Throw (ST) option which launched at LAMMA and was presented by Andrew Knowles, Chief Executive of Fram Farmers. "We were impressed by the left/right spreading ability, its minimal use of dust suppressant, and efficient energy usage," he said.

Polaris was presented with the Gold award for the Future Farming category for the Polaris Ranger Kinetic by Steve Constable, President of the Institution of Agricultural Engineers. "This Polaris model's 80-mile range, powered by battery, as well as its impressive box capacity made this very worthy winner of gold," he said.

Digital winner was KRONE for its SmartBale app. Presented by Alastair Tulloch, former deputy CEO of CLAAS UK and former Chairman of the Agricultural Engineers Association Training Committee the app was praised for its simplicity and practicality. He said: "This app will make lives for farmers up and down the country much easier, by being able to not only locate their bales, but more effectively sort bales by their moisture level, reducing spoilage when stored."

Winner of the IAgrE Ivel Environmental category was Kverneland for its PUDAMA which was presented by Charlie Nicklin, Chief Executive of the Institute of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE). "This precise fertiliser spot applicator allows farmers to use less fertiliser whilst maintaining yields, and its these types of solutions the industry needs going forward to benefit both the farmer's finances and the environment."

Chris Rothery chaired the judging which took place at CropTec in November 2023. "We had an interesting mix of entries this year including some with a strong environmental element that will be important in the future.

"I encourage all exhibitors to enter the awards next year – it is free and takes no more than about 20 minutes. Even if you don't win it puts your products in front of more people so is very worthwhile."