Up to £50,000 of investment is on offer from Blaney Group to help farmers, landowners, contractors and anyone else working across the agricultural industry bring a smart idea, or even just a real frustration, to life.

For the second year, the Northern Ireland business – which encompasses farm implement maker Blaney Agri and ATV kit manufacturer Quad-X – wants ideas for new or improved equipment, or even an on-farm issue that needs a practical solution.

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Blaney engineers are already working on some suggestions put forward last year, notes Sean Blaney, founder and chief engineer.

“A lot of our best machines have started with a ‘Would it be possible to…’ conversation,” he adds.

“There’s a huge amount of practical thinking out there, we see it every day, and our Innovator Programme gives the farming community a place to take it.”

An initial application, made online at blaneyagri.com/innovator by the end of June, would lead to a request for more detailed information on the idea, frustration or machine concept if chosen to be shortlisted by the company’s judging panel.