Colin Hassard, International Trade Adviser
Engineering innovation, world-class animal care and GB & EU market access make Northern Ireland’s Agri-tech solutions more attractive than ever
A rich history
With centuries of tradition in farming and a rich heritage of agricultural innovation, Northern Ireland continues to serve as a proving ground for modern, sustainable farming solutions.
Thanks to our engineering DNA, the region has high levels of food production generating eight times more food than it consumes, according to a recent report from KPMG.*
A long-time leader in developing and testing new innovations, County Down’s own Harry Ferguson patented the three-point hitch system – the technology that changed tractor design and farm management forever. Over a century later, the name Ferguson remains part of the global farming fabric with tractors all over the world bearing his name.
His revolutionary invention, as well as other best-in-class equipment, verified to improve efficiency, is engineered and manufactured all over Northern Ireland. In fact, Northern Ireland produces awarding-winning solutions across the entire Agri-sector. Northern Ireland also has world-renowned expertise in food security and traceability, AI-enabled livestock monitoring systems, specialist sustainable animal feeds and world-class veterinary pharmaceuticals.
Innovative, reliable and easy to access
With 75 per cent of land used for agriculture, farming is our biggest industry and so the region is an excellent testbed for innovation.
The sector is supported by leading research centres including The Institute for Global Food Security at Queen’s University, ranked no.1 in the UK for agriculture in both the Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022 and the Complete University Guide 2023, with some 94 per cent of its research considered ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. In addition, Ulster University’s Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food & Health (NICHE) is the largest centre for nutrition research on the island of Ireland and one of the largest in Europe.
Additionally, given that Belfast is Europe’s leading FDI destination for new software development projects (fDi Markets FT, 2023), it is no surprise that our agri-innovators are leveraging that ICT expertise.
Northern Ireland also has a reputation for delivering high quality, on demand, on time components and equipment around the world. That third-party verified reliability combined with innovation means our Agri-solutions are ever increasingly sought after.
Northern Ireland is also the only place in the world with seamless tariff-free access to GB and EU markets. This makes it easy and cost effective for Agri-businesses to buy our machinery.
EuroTier Exhibitors
Agrihealth offers over 20,000 products to the animal farming industry, across small farm equipment, medication, nutrition and veterinary.
Blaney Agri manufactures innovative tractor machinery for livestock farming and grassland management including bales unrollers, bale shredders, cubicle and poultry bedders, weed wipes, sprayers, aerators and mowers.
CattleEye has harnessed the capabilities of advanced AI in video analytics to deliver the world’s first hardware independent autonomous dairy cow monitoring platform.
Illimex is a producer of air sterilisation products for enclosed indoor environments and has developed a new air sterilisation technology to improve biosecurity on poultry farms.
Jeps Farm Safe has over 30 years of experience in farming and haulage which led to the invention of yard scrapers and innovative farm products designed for tough environments with durability in mind. The company now offers a one-stop shop for a wide collection of farming equipment and tools.
Linton and Robinson Environmental waste management products, slurry solutions and renewable energy resources are in demand across the globe and relied upon by companies including Amazon, Caterpillar and DHL.
Matrix Animal Health is helping farmers reduce antibiotic usage and improve livestock well-being by offering a range of innovative, non-antibiotic products for issues such as mastitis, high somatic cell counts, pre/post calving support, calf scour and calf pneumonia.
Plant Mec Qbed cubicle bedding machine has revolutionised the cow cubicle cleaning and re-bedding process.
Quad-X manufactures over 140 attachments for ATV/UTV for grass care, weed control and livestock care needs.
Teemore Engineering is a livestock housing specialist and leader in innovation and animal comfort.
Unitas Software Poultry Manager provides a unique cloud-based solution which connects the complete Agri supply chain, from vets, grading centres, farms and hatchery, right through to factory kill planning.
Agromek Exhibitors
CattleEye has harnessed the capabilities of advanced AI in video analytics to deliver the world’s first hardware independent autonomous dairy cow monitoring platform.
Fleming Agri hardwearing products include aerators, bale handling equipment, grass toppers, harrows, land rollers, shear grabs, trailers and slurry tankers.
Herbst Machinery manufactures a unique range of screening and crushing equipment for the agricultural, construction and recycling industries, towable behind agricultural tractors with the crushers powered by tractor PTO.
Nugent Engineering is a manufacturer and exporter of livestock trailers, agricultural machinery, bale handling and cattle handling equipment.
SlurryQuip is committed to continuously developing new technologies to meet the evolving needs of farmers and contractors, ensuring efficient and effective slurry-spreading solutions.
Spreadpoint manufactures award-winning and innovative spreading and transport equipment for the agricultural, construction and municipal sectors.
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