Technology: Harvest of 3,000 grass variety plots in 16 months

Grass harvesting is a complex operation at the new 50-acre grass and clover variety trials and research site at Waterford set up last summer by DLF, one of Ireland’s largest providers of grass seed.

Grass plots are harvested with a special Haldrup machine which weighs the fresh yield, and measures dry matter content, digestibility, sugar and protein content.

It can measure two forage plots per minute, providing quick and accurate information to help grass breeders identify the top grass varieties of the future.