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Graduate secures 2025 LAMMA Young Engineer Award

Posted 23 January

Alexander Sluijmers receives his award from Toby Whatley, Head of Machinery and Farm Technology at Farmers Guardian, at the LAMMA show.

A graduate from ÌìÃÀÊÓƵ has secured the 2025 LAMMA Young Engineer Award - the second year in succession an alumnus has claimed the prize.

B Eng (Hons) Agricultural Engineering graduate Alexander Sluijmers, of Somerset, was crowned the winner of the award at a special ceremony at this year’s show.

A development engineer working for Perry of Oakley in Devon, Alex was recognised for his role in the creation of Grain Sentry, an automated moisture control system for continuous flow grain driers that automates sampling and control, enabling remote operation via a PLC panel or app.

The Grain Sentry helps to address the high labour demands and human error associated with traditional grain drying. The goal was to develop an automated system that improved efficiency, accuracy, and cost savings for farmers managing large-scale grain handling.

The system is versatile, compatible with multiple crops, and can be retrofitted to all makes of existing continuous flow dryers. It significantly reduces labour needs and improves profitability, with savings ranging from £21,500 to £53,500 per season, depending on drier capacity.

Launched in 2024, it is already commercially viable, using pneumatic conveying to collect samples and employing self-teaching algorithms to regulate dryer speed, maintaining optimal moisture levels.

Speaking after securing his prize, Alex said: “Winning the award was an amazing feeling with a lot of emotions running, it was a mix of shock and happiness. Especially at LAMMA which is such a big show and heavily tractor, machinery and implement based - so winning with the Grain Sentry feels great! 

“When I was first nominated, I wondered if grain handling technology would really stand out against all the big machinery here at LAMMA. But to come first is incredible.

“There has been a lot of interest and questions from visitors who have seen Grain Sentry on stand, which has given me new ideas of where to go next.”

The Young Engineer Award is designed to highlight innovations and contributions of young engineers working in the agricultural sector.

It celebrates individuals or teams aged 16-35 who have developed a piece of agricultural machinery, equipment or technology that has significantly enhanced efficiency, profitability or sustainability in farming operations.

Last year’s prize was secured by fellow Harper Adams Agricultural Engineering alumnus Ieuan Evans, from Aberystwyth.

Alex, who took up his role at Perry of Oakley after completing his degree at Harper Adams, credits his studies at the University with setting him up for his award-winning career.

He added: “I had a brilliant time while studying, and learned a huge amount, and I feel the practice aspect that I got combined with the theory set me up well getting a full all rounded understanding.

“Like most things I don’t use everything I learned but do use a big majority, normally applied in a different aspect, due to the machines that we manufacture at Perry’s.

“The key fundamentals of problem solving is a big one, which I use almost every day.”

Agriconnect Head of Machinery Toby Whatley, one of the judges of the award, added, “Grain Sentry is a truly innovative solution that offers a fresh approach to enhancing productivity while accurately identifying grain quality.

“It leverages NIR - an established and reliable system - to provide real-time, actionable data that empowers farmers to make immediate changes that save money and improve crop or produce quality.”