A HEREFORD heating engineer has been announced as a finalist in a top industry awards category.

Connor Wise has developed a solution to streamline the process of loading a biomass boiler by removing the need for manual filling, raw materials, and pre-warming.

He believes that the system could provide benefits for anyone who currently uses a biomass boiler system to heat their farm buildings.

The winner of the Young Engineer Award at the Lincolnshire Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers Association (LAMMA) 2023 awards will be selected based on a combination of judges’ scores and public votes.

The category is run in collaboration with The Institution of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE) to showcase the next generation of agricultural engineers and celebrates their passion for innovation and sustainability.

Having received a number of outstanding entries, an independent panel of judges selected this year’s three finalists: Christopher Chavasse from London, Connor Wise from Hereford, and Daniel Broderick from Omagh.

Public voting for the Young Engineer Award closes on January 4 – choose your favourite by visiting the LAMMA website – and the winner will be announced on day two.

IAgrE chief executive Charlie Nicklin, who is one of the award judges, said: “We recognise agricultural engineering can reduce the environmental footprint of farming through reducing carbon emissions and better fuel efficiency.

"By partnering with LAMMA for this award, IAgrE can recognise and reward practical, environmentally efficient and sustainable agricultural engineering solutions.

“We also have aspirations that this competition will provide inspiration for young people considering careers in agricultural engineering and help raise the profile of the industry confirming that a career in agricultural engineering is one of vibrancy and fulfilment.”

The Young Engineer Award is sponsored by DF Capital, a specialist personal savings and commercial lending bank that provides award-winning inventory finance solutions to agricultural equipment dealers and manufacturing businesses across the country.

“We are delighted to sponsor the LAMMA Young Engineer Award, which recognises individuals who are pushing the boundaries of modern engineering and creating genuinely new economic opportunities to benefit farms and the environment,” said Daniel Savage, commercial managing director.

“Sustainability is a key part of DF Capital’s ethos, so it is a privilege to be involved with this initiative.

"As a long-time supporter of the next generation of talent in a workplace, we applaud the innovative thinking, hard work and skills of the young engineers who enter this award. The finalists are fantastic role models for any young person considering joining the engineering or farming profession."

Nicola Bell, head of events at Agriconnect, said: "With a number of strong applications this year, the three finalists represent some of the brightest young talent in agricultural engineering.

"Each of their products has the potential to offer substantial to British farmers, and we are very proud to showcase them as part of LAMMA 2023.”