INNOVATION AWARD 2011 - ENTRY FORM
Dairy farmers are inventive and resourceful; often quick to come up with ideas to solve problems around
the farm. With kind sponsorship from the Ulster Bank, United will make a Farm Innovation Award at this
year’s Balmoral Show. We are looking for the best ideas that have either reduced cost, simplified
management or led to other improvements on your farm.
The ideas may be to do with farm equipment, infrastructure, or machinery; or a management idea; or may
be something different altogether. The idea need not be expensive or sophisticated - it could be something
quite simple. One of the main judging criteria will be that the idea could be of help on other dairy farms –
so a willingness to share the idea with others is important.
Prizes
Prizes will be awarded at the 2011 Balmoral Show. Thanks to the sponsorship from the Ulster Bank, the
prizes will be:
Winner:
£ 500
Runner up:
£ 250
Highly Commended £100
In addition the winner of the Innovation Award will also get the opportunity to travel to the European
Dairy Farmers’ Congress in Stoneleigh, Warwickshire from 30 June to 2 July.
Entry Criteria
Open to all United members, including the sons/daughters of United members, but excluding United
Directors and those who work on their farms, on-farm milk processors, and those who have received first
prize in United’s Balmoral Show Awards in the past 4 years.
Key Judging Criteria
We are looking for an on-farm innovation that either;

Simplifies management or saves time

Reduces cost or improves the performance of the farm
And that you are willing to share with other farmers.
Judging
Judging will initially be based on the answers given on the completed entry forms and, taking account of
the criteria above, a short list of entries will be selected. Those shortlisted will be visited on their farms by
the panel of Judges who, again taking account of the criteria above, will select the award winners. The
panel of judges are: Bob Barbour – Northern Ireland Centre for Competitiveness; Cormac McKervey –
Ulster Bank; and Brian Hunter – United Dairy Farmers.
Entry Form
The entry form is attached, and copies are also available from United Dairy Farmers (Tel 028 9037 2093)
and on the United Web site www.utdni.co.uk. Entries should be returned to The Secretary, United
Dairy Farmers, Dale Farm House, 15 Dargan Road, Belfast BT3 9LS. The closing date for entries is
Friday 15 April 2011.
Farm Innovation Competition 2011
ENTRY FORM
Entrant’s Name
……………………………………………………………………………………
Entrant’s Address
…………………………………………………………………………………….
Phone Number
……………..……………..
Email Address
………………………………………………………….………….……..….....…
Mobile Number ……………….………….……..
With reference to the competition criteria, please explain in the spaces below the reasons why you think
you should win the Farm Innovation Award.
1.
Tell us about your farm innovation?
2.
What major changes have you introduced to your farm business in the past five years?
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2.
Are there any additional costs associated with this innovation? If so, what are they ?
3.
Explain the benefit of this innovation for you – whether in money saved, time saved,
performance improvement, or some other benefit
4. Have you any patent pending, or taken any other steps to protect or benefit from your
innovation? If so please provide details below?
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Declaration
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I confirm that all of the particulars provided on this form are correct to the best of my
knowledge and belief.
I confirm that I am eligible to enter the competition
I agree that United may publicise the detail of my innovation in any manner that United
chooses.
I agree to abide by the Rules of the competition as stated below.
Signed
…………………………………………………………
Rules of the Competition
1. Open to United members or the sons, daughters, nephews or nieces of United members who
are working on the farm of a United member.
2. Those involved on the farms of United Directors, United employees, on-farm milk processors,
and those who have received first prize in United’s Balmoral Show Awards in the past 4
years are ineligible.
3. All entries must be on the official Entry Form. The closing date for entries is 15 April 2011.
4. Preliminary selection will be made using the information supplied by the entrant. A short list
of selected entrants will then be visited by the judges and a photographer.
5. The final result of the competition will be announced at the 2011 Balmoral Show.
6. The verdict of the Judging Panel will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
The completed application form should be returned to The Secretary, United Dairy Farmers,
Dale Farm House, 15 Dargan Road, Belfast BT3 9LS by Friday 15 April 2011.