Tonight The Science Squad on RTE will feature innovative grass and satellite research from Teagasc.
Stuart Green, a remote sensing specialist at Teagasc’s Spatial Analysis Unit in Ashtown, tells presenter RTE Kathriona Devereux how Ireland is now using NASA and the European Satellite Agency’s satellite technology to monitor grass growth using infra-red technology tonight.
Stuart Green describes the work that Teagasc, in collaboration with colleague Dr Fiona Cawkell in University College Cork, is doing in this area.
“It’s hoped that within a short time we will be able to offer farmers estimates of current growing conditions, growth rate predictions and management advice such as when to turn out cattle from winter housing,” he explained. This sort of service is an example of precision agriculture: using technology to help farmers reduce inputs, manage their time and plan for the future.
“Focusing on grass and the delivery of plain, easily used, advice over the mobile phone means that the benefits of this technology will be available to all farmers regardless of size or system,” he added.
The Science Squad will be broadcast on RTÉ 1 tonight at 7.30pm. The promotional video is available here.
