Owen Doran has won this year’s Institution of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE) Johnson New Holland and the IAgrE Safety Award for his project called ‘Modulating Trailer brake system’.

The Johnson New Holland trophy was created to encourage and recognise innovation by students of subjects related to the application of engineering to the landbased sector.


Owen Doran, right, receiving his award from Andy Newbold

The judging panel commented that Owen tackled the topic very well. The project was well reported with a good description of the systems’ dynamics. Professor Paul Miller, a member of the panel said, “This project addresses a continuing safety problem in the industry in a creative and practical way and could be the basis for future development.”

Owen also received the IAgrE Safety award for the project. This award was established to encourage and recognise innovation in safe design or operation of equipment and processes by students studying agricultural engineering or subjects related to the application of engineering and technology to the landbased sector.

The awards were presented to Owen by Andy Newbold, a previous President of IAgrE and Managing Director of technical events company Farm Smart Events, at the recent LAMMA agricultural show.

Owen, who has completed a Bachelor of Engineering in Agricultural Engineering at the Institute of Technology Tralee, is now studying for a BSc (Honours) in Agricultural Engineering Management at Tralee.

“I chose to study agricultural engineering because from a young age I’ve always had a keen interest in farming. I feel that by completing my studies in Agricultural Engineering it will give me the necessary skills to get a job in the agricultural manufacturing sector. I would like to pursue a career as a technical trainer or be involved in the technical service side,” said Owen.