Teagasc to redevelop IT infrastructure
Teagasc head of advisory services Pat Boyle told the Teagasc IT conference in Kildalton College that Teagasc is fully committed to improving IT-based services for its customers and in particular its farmer clients.
Teagasc, he said, had secured funding to re-develop its IT infrastructure so that all staff would be trained to deliver e-services.
The Information Society Fund had already financed existing on-line services such as the Dairy Herd Monitor, e-Profit Monitor and Food Assurance on-line.
“We are presently developing automatic texting services to clients, soil analysis results on-line, and a new database-managed website, all of which will contribute to more interactive services. IT is going to be the means of accessing the right information as it is needed, when it is needed,” said Mr Boyle.
“The future for commercial farmers, whether they are full or part-time, is going to be more dependent on automation and IT.
“For part-time farmers IT will be even more valuable in providing instant access to information through PC, laptop or mobile phone devices 24-7. These technologies make it possible to manage your farm from the workplace, home or any other location.”
Teagasc farm management and technology services programme manager Tom Kelly said that of 40% of farm households with PCs, only 15% used them for the farm and the internet.
He said that of those using computers for their farm enterprise, most were in dairying and tillage.
