(L-R) Bertie Troy, MD of Grasstec pictured with Cathal Ferry, Industry 4.0 Centre
Manager/Academic Support and Andrew Shorten Innovation Boost Project Manager at the
final PMG meeting of the 18-month project in Newtownshandrum
Cork-based Agricultural service company Grasstec Group has successfully completed this 18- month innovation project with the support of InterTradeIreland’s Innovation Boost programme.
A key aspect of the development was integrating the Trimble GPS hardware with the Trimble Ag Software cloud-based solution.
This allows for seamless data transfer between the farm office and a farmer’s tractor regardless of tractor brand.
With growing government regulations around sustainability, traceability, and compliance, this system is designed to help farmers automate auditing and reporting, making it easier to meet the latest Irish agricultural standards.
By reducing manual record-keeping and ensuring regulatory compliance, the solution supports more efficient and sustainable
farming practices.
A key factor in the success of the project was the support provided by NWRC, which played a crucial role in helping Grasstec navigate the software development and system integration process.
NWRC i4.0 Centre Manager Cathal Ferry explained: “NWRC provided access to specialist expertise, technical guidance, and industry insights, ensuring the project was delivered to a high standard.
“The Innovation Boost programme also helped create a valuable employment opportunity, bringing in Andrew Shorten, a talented candidate who was instrumental in driving the project forward.
“His expertise in software localisation, API development, and precision farming technologies allowed Grasstec to overcome technical challenges and successfully bring the solution to market.”
Bertie Troy, Managing Director of Grasstec, highlighted the impact of the project, stating: “This collaboration has allowed us to develop a cutting-edge solution tailored to the specific needs of Irish farmers.
“By integrating precision agriculture tools with compliance automation, we are now in a stronger position to support our customers and future-proof their businesses.”
With the knowledge and capabilities gained from this Innovation Boost project, Grasstec is now well-positioned to expand into precision farming advisory services, providing technology-driven solutions to support efficiency, sustainability and compliance.
The success of this initiative demonstrates the power of industry-academic collaboration, creating long-term benefits for both the company and the wider agricultural community.
Joanne Deighan, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Manager at InterTrade Ireland, said: “We empower businesses to innovate through cross-border collaboration, sharing knowledge, and developing new or improved processes, products and services.
“Innovation is fundamental for every business, and we are delighted to have facilitated this collaboration between NWRC and Grasstec.
“On average, a business taking part in the Innovation Boost programme benefits from over £1million worth of sales or efficiency saving in the three years following the project.
“The Innovation Boost programme is currently open to applications, and I would encourage any small business that may be interested to apply on the InterTrade Ireland website.”
Tags:
