Italy-based dairy cow health company, Ozolea, has emerged as the winner of the top prize at the AXA National Dairy Innovation Awards. The awards ceremony took place on the first day of the AXA National Dairy Show at the Green Glens Arena in Millstreet, Co. Cork. Ozolea-Mast, the winning product, is described as the only non-pharmaceutical veterinary product for intra-mammary use. It supports tissue functionality by creating a film barrier in contact with the inner wall of the teat canal, allowing the tissue to regenerate autonomously. The product helps to intervene at early signs, detectable through milk observation at forestrip, reduce chronically high somatic cell count (SCC) values, and implement a selective dry cow procedure. The main benefits of Ozolea-Mast are reduced milk loss, antibiotics use, and occurrence of clinical mastitis cases; increased cow longevity; and more sustainable milk production.
In addition to the overall winner, winners were also announced in various categories such as technology, science, engineering, sustainability, and best start-up. Ozolea also secured first place in the science section, while Precision Microbes came second in the same section for its Liquid Pro Postbiotic for calves, the first product of its kind globally. Precision Microbes’ innovation lies in the ability to have live beneficial micro-organisms in a liquid using acid-adapted technology.
Moonsyst claimed first place in the technology section for its AI4AI (Artificial Intelligence for Artificial Insemination) product, a bolus that sits in the cow’s stomach and detects body temperature, overall activity, and water intake. Through artificial intelligence modelling, it generates a ‘heat alert’ that is sent directly to the farmer’s phone, providing an optimal 10-hour window for insemination. True North Technologies secured second place in the technology category for its E-Gate Grazing Management System, which allows for remote control and monitoring of grazing from anywhere in the world via a smartphone app.
Nesty emerged as the winner in the Engineering section for its Mini Moo milk vending machine, the only Irish-designed innovative solution to the growing demand for direct milk sales in Ireland and worldwide. The machine utilizes world-leading sensors and touch screen technology to facilitate seamless transactions for customers of all ages. Connaught Agri Supplies came in second place in this category for its Solar Hybrid AC/DC combination water boiler, which provides year-round hot water using solar power without the need for an inverter, batteries, or any additional equipment.
DLF, a seed company, was awarded the prize for the sustainability category for its product called Ecotain Environmental Plantain. This innovation combines four modes of action that work together to significantly reduce nitrate leaching from the ruminant urine patch, achieving reductions of up to 89% depending on the sward blend. Spreadit, an attachment retrofitted to a dribble or trailing shoe system used for the application of liquid organic manure, emerged as the winner of the best start-up category.
Agriland is the official media partner for the 2023 AXA National Dairy Show, and you can catch up on all of today’s action – and catch all of tomorrow’s action on the second day of the event – on our YouTube channel.
