Royal Innovation Award 2025 - Hoofcount

PediVue Lameness Detection Device from Hoofcount was named winner of the Royal Dairy Innovation Award at Dairy-Tech 2025 (5 February).

Hoofcount’s automatic footbath system, which has been installed on a significant number of dairy units throughout the UK and overseas, is helping to reduce and control lameness, particularly digital dermatitis.

2024 saw the official launch of PediVue, a groundbreaking lameness detection device designed to daily visualise changes to hoof health, provide early detection of any potential issues and in turn, enable dairy farmers to make the earliest treatment.

The PediVue device uses a high-speed camera to take footage of the moving hooves each time the cow steps away from the footbath, enabling farmers to easily identify digital dermatitis lesions around three to four weeks before they are visible to either farmer or foot trimmer, ie at the M2 active stage, before they reach the M4 chronic stage.

Early detection combined with prompt effective treatment, is a critical part of managing digital dermatitis on farm; it not only helps cows to quickly recover, but also reduces the risk of further spread since cows with lesions are a major reservoir of new infection.

Head Judge and RABDF Vice Chairman, Tim Downes says: “This year’s winner of the Royal Innovation Award uses novel technology to have a positive impact on animal health and welfare, also leading to multiple benefits to the environment, business profitability and labour efficiency.”

  • 2025 Winner - Hoofcount

  • 2024 Winner - Bimeda UK

  • 2023 Winner- SmaXtec

  • 2022 Winner- CattleEye

  • 2021 Winner- Trident Feeds NovaPro

  • 2020 Winner - Zoetis

  • 2019 Winner - PBD Biotech

  • 2018 Winner - Semex

  • 2016 Winner - FRS Network Developments

  • 2015 Winner - DeLaval

  • 2014 Winner - Genus ABS

  • 2013 Winner - Milkrite

  • 2012 Winner - Ridgeway Science Ltd

  • 2011 Winner - Dairy Spares Ltd

  • 2010 Winner - XL Vets

  • 2009 Winner - GEA Farm Technologies

  • 2008 Winner - Ecolab Ltd

Royal Innovation Award 2026

The Royal Dairy Innovation Award is presented to a company exhibiting at Dairy-Tech with a product or service offering the most significant innovation for the future of dairying.

Applicants must submit a written description of the product or service and describe how it aids dairy producers.

A shortlist will be compiled, and these exhibits will be judged during at Dairy-Tech on 4 February 2026, with the winner announced at the show.   

The winner will also be presented with the award by Her Royal Highness Princess Anne and, alongside a trophy, will receive a 10% discount (maximum of £300) off their stand booking for Dairy-Tech 2027.

More information regarding the Royal Innovation Award will be available soon.