Remote system aims to make pasture testing easier
Farmote Systems is trialling a soil and grass system to help farmers keep on top of the chore of testing their pasture.
For decades farmers have had to test their pasture growth and soil conditions, taking time out of their busy days.
Farmote Systems is trialling a soil and grass system to help farmers keep on top of this chore without any extra effort.
Laser technology is used to collect the information through a fixed pole sensor that sticks into the ground, like a fence stake.
These sensors transfer the data to a cellphone app or desktop computer. They can also provide the atmospheric conditions around each sensor.
Christchurch-based Farmote Systems started a year ago and is made up of staff from design, technology and marketing backgrounds.
Web application technical lead Ram Manthry said they’ve had pretty satisfying results from their tests at Lincoln University.
“Primarily the farmers are interested in feeding time.”
Founder Richard Barton started developing the idea a number of years ago and the system is about to be tested on farms. Fifteen have shown interest around the Christchurch and Northland regions.
Solar power means there is no need to charge batteries and the durable device is spring-mounted so it won’t break off easily.
It is designed to help farmers make decisions based on more accurate statistics, hopefully helping them to boost profits.
Souless Yu, who used to work for Sony mobile, is the quality and supply chain manager for Farmote. He says that it’s a great but simple idea.
“It will save lots of time for farmers.”
Catch Farmote Systems at Fieldays site PE45 in the pavilion.
