This year’s Agribusiness Crocodile Pit showcased an impressive standard of innovation. Year 13 students presented their ideas and business plans to a panel of experienced judges, aiming to persuade them of the merits of their creations. Some of the students will take their product to Fieldays to be entered in the innovation competition.
Many of the judges have supported the school’s version of Shark Tank or Dragon’s Den for the past ten years. A special thanks to this year’s judges: Carla Muller, Julia Jones, Steve Chappell, Ross Brown, Bob Weir, and Nick Mannering.
First place: SteelSocks
Martie Devlin, Charlotte Belz and Torz Watson
SteelSocks aims to provide a more sustainable alternative by designing a reusable milk filter sock made from fine stainless-steel mesh. This product will offer dairy farmers a durable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly solution, reducing both waste and recurring expenses.
Second place: KiwiPrune
Madeleine Anderson, Libby Meredith, Casey Purves, and Courtney Malloy
KiwiPrune is a tool called the KiwiPrune which will allow orchard workers to remove the plastic ties and clips that hold the kiwifruit branches onto the wire. This innovative, time-saving tool will improve the efficiency and productivity of kiwifruit orchard maintenance, ensuring optimal plant care and reducing labour costs.
Third place: Fly Flush
Carys Shirlow, Jasmine Davis, and Pravleen Kaur
Fly Flush is an innovative product that is designed to reduce the presence of flies while milking. It is a repellent which is dispersed and diluted with the water, while washing down the shed. This dual-action product feature will reduce the number of flies appearing in the cow shed and pad, allowing the cows to be treated naturally. By integrating fly control with washdown tasks, it saves time and labour, while offering a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides.
Fourth place: Bare Balm
Anika Cowley, Scarlett Munro, Freddie Savill, and Rosie Willson
Bare Balm is designed to help soothe the stomach cramps that women experience during their menstrual cycle. Made with all-natural ingredients it’s designed to calm the cramps and burning feeling when having your period can sometimes cause. Each product is packaged in a stick as it enables our formula to be portable for customers so that they have pain relief accessible on the go.
