By Irishexaminer.com,Rachel Martin

Copyright irishexaminer

AI-driven tools to inform decisions on farms, a solar-powered feeding machine, and low-emission manure management systems were among the cutting-edge solutions which took centre stage in this year’s final.

The ‘Green Impact Award’, which recognises an innovation focused on sustaining the development of food and farming for future generations to come, was won by Galway firm GlasPort Bio, for its science-backed manure management system that cuts emissions while also reducing agitation time for farmers.

Having only started its commercialisation journey in mid-2025, GlasPort Bio is on track to deliver projects that will remove 12,000 tonnes of carbon from EU food production on an annualised basis.  Hibra Design and Slurry Quip were the other finalists in the category.

The ‘2025 Innovation Arena Champion Award’, which honours an established company demonstrating a focus on scaling and innovation, was won by Roscrea-based farm management software firm Herdwatch, for its work developing the first context-aware AI assistant specifically for livestock producers.

The new AI assistant Herdi will help farmers to make faster and informed decisions by interpreting a wide range of data, such as vaccination records and grazing plans, weather forecasts and regulatory guidelines. By integrating both on-farm and external data sources, Herdi provides clear evidence-based insights through chat, voice, or visual formats.

The two other finalists were Cormac Tagging and Pearson Milking Technology.

Beotanics Ltd, Biocel, Bua Terra Limited, CORE Technology, Feedlync, Munster Bovine, Reap Interactive and SpreadPoint were also recognised with a ‘Certificate of Achievement for Innovation’ for their work to develop new agri-technology.

‘Accelerate Sustainable Irish Agri Business’

The focus for this year’s Enterprise Ireland Innovation Arena was ‘Accelerate Sustainable Irish Agri Business’, with the arena showcasing pioneering solutions from Irish agritech innovators to thousands of visitors and international buyers at one of Europe’s largest outdoor events.

There was a strong focus among exhibitors on AI-driven technologies and sustainable innovations, designed to support farmers to make more informed decisions, and to help create more efficient, safer and sustainable practices on farms, as well as optimising operations and helping to create savings in terms of time and costs.

Speaking at the Innovation Arena final, Enterprise Ireland chief executive Jenny Melia said: “Irish agri-innovators are renowned for their quality, excellence and knowledge – agriculture and tech are in our DNA. The companies participating in this year’s competition are the epitome of that, reshaping the future of agriculture internationally, delivering cutting-edge solutions with the power and ability to sustain and futureproof this sector for generations to come.

“Their ambition and drive are not only transforming this sector globally, but the agritech businesses we are celebrating this week are also deeply rooted in sustaining rural communities and economies by creating high-quality jobs and important local expenditure.

“Enterprise Ireland’s ambition is that export-focused companies will become the primary driver of the Irish economy, and these innovation-focused agritech companies are at the heart of that strategy as they embrace new technologies and deliver novel innovations for global challenges.”

Congratulating all the finalists and exhibitors in this year’s Innovation Arena, NPA managing director Anna May McHugh said: “Year after year, the Innovation Arena shines a light on the creativity and ingenuity within Irish agritech. It is inspiring to see so many companies bringing forward solutions that will shape the future of farming, not just here in Ireland but across the world.

“The National Ploughing Association is proud to provide a stage for these innovators, and I warmly congratulate every finalist and exhibitor on their achievements and their contribution to sustaining rural communities and the wider agri-sector.”