NSW farmers win national Technology Award

PHIL and Lynda Snowden from Tocumwal in NSW have won the prestigious New Technology Award under the National Farmers’ Federation’s (NFF) 2010 Innovation in Agriculture Awards, announced last night at a gala ceremony at the Grand Hyatt in Melbourne attended by over 200 guests. The aim of the New Technology Award is to recognise those farmers that have instigated, adapted or seized upon technological advances and employed them with great effect on-farm. Phil and Lynda Snowden’s 330 hectare hay and cattle property is the birthplace of Hay Caps – a revolutionary invention for safely and efficiently storing hay. Haystacks are typically high and dangerous to cover using traditional tarpaulins. Enter Hay Caps! Fitted safely atop hay bales at ground level covers are placed on bales and secured with pegs. The tractor picks up and stacks the bales, ensuring the covered bale is on top. As the haystack is built, the folds of the Hay Caps fold together creating a roof, ensuring no gaps between the bales and full coverage even if the stacking is a bit rough. The cover is made of food grade, recycled plastic. It is flexible, vermin-proof and durable to 10 years of use… unlike tarpaulins that have to be replaced after one or two seasons. The Snowden’s succeeded in their object to make a system of covering large square bales of hay safe, quick, economical and reusable. “Necessity is the mother of invention and Phil and Lynda have succeeded in producing one of those simple yet clever inventions that makes us ask, ‘why didn’t we think of it before?’,” NFF President David Crombie said. For more information visit http://www.haycap.com.au/[Hay Caps] [ENDS] Photos are available below.