The Royal Dairy Innovation Award is for research and development in the field of dairy farming and will be awarded for the most practical, relevant product or service which is, or likely to be, the most significant innovation for the future of dairying from a company exhibiting at Dairy-Tech 2023. 

The award continues to be proudly sponsored by the Centre for Innovation Excellence in Livestock.

Lyndsay Chapman, CIEL Chief Executive explains:

CIEL provides a front door for the dairy sector looking for science-based solutions.  The UK dairy sector has a great track record of innovation and we’re really pleased to be supporting future dairy innovators in collaboration with the RABDF”.

The Award will initially be judged on an on-line submission made to the RABDF office to include a written description, supporting literature, online demonstrations etc. 

A shortlist of 3 finalists will be selected and will be expected to give a presentation/demonstration on the Innovation Hub to the judges and the wider audience at Dairy-Tech.  Each of the finalists will receive a Finalist Certificate to display on their stand at the show.

The winner will be announced at the end of the Innovation Hub programme shortly before 4pm on the day of Dairy-Tech. Representatives from the winning company will be invited to Buckingham Palace in April 2023 to receive a signed framed certificate and trophy from the Princess Royal. They will also receive a 10% discount (maximum of £300) on their stand booking for Dairy-Tech 2024. 

Application form

Closing date for entries is Friday 9th December 2022

By submitting this form, I confirm that I wish to enter the above product/service for the Royal Dairy Innovation Award 2023, subject to the conditions, a copy of which I have read and understood.  I further undertake to ensure that this entry form is returned to the RABDF by 9th December 2022 and it is accompanied by a description of the product/service and supporting documentation/evidence.  I accept that the decision of the judges shall be final.

Conditions of entry

The competition is open to any individual, research centre, educational establishment, agricultural organisation or trade exhibitors staging a specific demonstration/exhibit at Dairy-Tech 2023 (provided their entry complies with the conditions of the competition)

Entries making a claim for a new development/product must produce, with their entry, evidence/trial results for the judges to evaluate.

A company/individual may only make a single entry which must be displayed at Dairy-Tech 2023.

Information on all products/services must be submitted to RABDF for confirmation of eligibility.

The selected finalists will be judged at Dairy-Tech and will be expected to give a presentation/demonstration in the Innovation Hub at an allocated time.  The results will be announced at Dairy-Tech.

Entries, for which no fee is payable, must be submitted on the official entry form and signed by a senior representative of the organisation concerned.

Each entry must be accompanied by a detailed description of the exhibit along with supporting literature, links to on-line demonstrations etc.

The judges, appointed by the RABDF, will have a spread of expertise and knowledge covering both practical farming, research and development work, education and the commercial application and presentation of products.  They will not be in anyway associated with the award entrants.

The judges will award points as follows:

Contents of the product/service insofar as it promotes sound agricultural practice or technique in any aspect of dairy farming:  40 points

Innovatory aspects of the exhibit (introductions of new ideas, systems or principles):  40 points

Effectiveness of presentation in attracting attention and communicating the principle, practice or system being promoted:  10 points

Effectiveness of supporting literature or materials:  10 points

Total 100 points