Inventive smallholders sought for Royal Welsh competition
Some of the most labour-saving machinery and equipment used on farms in Wales has been developed from ideas and inventions devised by farmers themselves and the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society is now encouraging smallholders to be equally as innovative by coming up with original machinery or gadgets that will make life easier for those farming small acreages.
The Royal Welsh-Smallholder Magazine Inventions Competition was introduced at last year’s Smallholder and Garden Festival. It was won by a Carmarthenshire smallholder for his invention of a dual wheel carrier, a specially-designed trailer for transporting extra wheels for stabilising a tractor while working on steep slopes.
This year the competition will have two categories with entries divided into simple or complex inventions.
“This is because we would like to build on the sheer variety of ideas exhibited last year and encourage entries from smallholders who previously might have felt their ideas were too small or not complex enough,” said Ms Helen Barnes, chair of the Festival Competitions Sub-Group Committee. “We realise it is difficult to define whether an invention is viewed as simple or complex but smallholders should send their entries in and we will allocate it to the category we think is most appropriate.”
Examples of a simple invention could include an innovative recycling idea such as turning plastic water bottles into water drinkers for poultry while a complex invention could be an entry on the scale of last year’s winner.
Inventions can be for inside or outdoor use, include anything from an old item adapted for a new purpose, to a unique labour-saving gadget, or a completely new piece of machinery for use on one of the main jobs on the holding. The ultimate aim is that it should demonstrably save time or effort for the smallholder.
The winning competitor will receive the Gold Award of £150 and gold prize card. The second prize Silver Award winner will receive £100 and a silver card and the third prize winner £50 and a bronze prize card. A special award of £25 and a purple prize card may also be given at the discretion of the judges.
Entrants must send to the RWAS photographs, or a video or DVD, or drawings of their invention together with a comprehensive written description and brief explanation of how it should be used. No previously entered invention is eligible for this year’s competition and improved or modified inventions will not be accepted.