‘Grassometer’ takes guesswork out of farming as developers get €1m

A tech company that is taking the guesswork out of farming has received an investment of €1m from Kernel Capital, Bank of Ireland and Glanbia.

Wicklow/Mayo-based Monford Ag Systems has developed a ‘grassometer’ which can accurately measure the height and density of grass to facilitate improved pasture management and farm output which they hope to launch later this year.

The grassometer uses ultrasound to measure grass as the farmer walks around a field with an ultrasonic sensor mounted to his boot. The measurements are triggered by an accelerometer, mapped with GPS, and sent to the farmer’s smartphone using Bluetooth, where an app will do all the calculations. Monford’s innovative solution is faster, more cost-effective, and more user-friendly than traditional methods.

The grassometer’s designer, Jerry Manock, said the key to getting the device correct was trials.

“The secret to good design is iteration. Testing out the devices, watching how farmers use it and fixing it each time,” said Mr Manock, who also designed the original Apple Mac.

The device has been on trial with farmers on 20 farms in Ireland, New Zealand, America, and the UK.

Mr Manock said Glanbia had expressed an interest in using the technology on Irish farms to help prepare the dairy industry for the end of milk quotas by accurately predicting the amount of yield per hectare allowing farmers to order fodder accurately.

Teagasc, the Irish agriculture and food development authority, estimates good grass management is worth approximately €120 per cow and can double the amount of grass grown per hectare.

Kernel Capital partner Ger Goold said the product is a great example of convergence and innovation.

“Kernel Capital is delighted to support innovative Irish companies like Monford whose solution is a great example of innovation at the convergence of two growth disciplines, IT and agriculture,” he said.