Much expected from grass data centralisation

The merger of PastureBase Ireland and AgriNet is being hailed as an important step in centralisation of grass-growing data, which could deliver similar gains for farmers as those achieved by centralising bovine data in the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation.

The grass gains are expected in grass breeding and evaluation of new grass varieties, as well as management of grassland by farmers.

At the 2016 merger launch, Teagasc Director Professor Gerry Boyle said: “Ireland as a nation is well ahead of our international competitors in this area, and this merger will continue the focus on exploiting this advantage.” Teagasc launched the PastureBase Ireland database in 2013, and AgriNet, part of the Progressive Genetics Group, was launched at the same time, becoming very popular with farmers in Ireland and internationally.