You can rename  or delete paddocks by selecting ‘Paddock Maps’ from the Home screen. New paddocks are added by mapping them and saving the map.  Ensure you are on the correct farm or grazing block if you have more than one FarmFile on your Grasshopper App.

Grasshopper takes a series of samples across the paddock being surveyed. Each sample is tagged with a date, time (to the second), and it's geo-location. The sample is the compressed height of the grass at the sample point. When reviewing sample data it is possible to review any single sample, a small area, or the paddock as a whole. 

Managing paddock utilisation is up to you as farm manager. Grasshopper will provide your weekly 'wedge', utilising an online service such as Teagasc - 'Pasture Base' or 'Agrinet' is recommended for management purposes.

Yes. Each block is considered a grazing platform in it’s own right. Contact PastureBase or AgriNet to determine how you should treat different grazing platforms if you are using the same herd number or code.

Yes - paddocks are renamed by accessing the paddock to be renamed via ‘Paddock Maps’ from the Home screen.

After each paddock is measured the results will pop up on your screen.  At the end of the walk you have the option to look at the results as a ‘wedge’.

At any time - other than when Grasshopper is in use on a grass walk - you can look at your paddock results by selecting Paddock Maps from the Home screen.

Yes. FarmFiles can be freely transferred between both platforms.

Yes - your tablet should have Bluetooth and WiFi as a minimum.

When you use Grasshopper it creates your ‘Farm File’.  Once you have a FarmFile it can be placed on any number of other user’s phones or tablets.  The results will upload just as they would from the original phone.

The Grasshopper sensor unit can be used with an existing Jenquip plate by adding an adapter clip. The location it is mounted on the Jenquip is defined by the clip moulding. Any variations are elminitaed when the plate meter auto-calibrates on Grasshopper sensor power-up.

Not unless you are registered for VAT.

Walk result files are very compact.  A grass walk of thirty paddocks takes typically 250kb - or less than one third of a normal picture.

Yes, a farm map is required. This can be generated by a supplier or it may be genrated on the farm using Grasshopper. Each paddock needs to be geo-coded so that Grasshopper knows where it is during subsequent surveys.

The Grasshopper app is designed to work without data network coverage.  It does not rely on any external network for mapping.  It does require a network of some kind to upload data to an external database such as PastureBase or AgriNet.

Yes, Grasshopper is pre-approved under TAMS-2.

The live dry-matter measure is a function of the amount of grass, the moisture content at time of measure, and the time of year - or more correctly the stage in the season. After grass volume measurement, the moisture content is by far the most critical of these inputs. The accuracy will largely depend on the accuracy of the moisture figure entered. This input is required at the begining of each survey.

Your paddock list is input during the setup phase for your Grasshopper. A paddock ID is assigned to each paddock and retained in a separate file which is read every time a survey is undertaken.

Paddocks are mapped by selecting the Mapping option in the Grasshopper App and walking the perimeter of each paddock.  You have the opportunity to add, rename or delete paddocks from the main menu later.

Covers are uploaded once the walk is finished and you select either ‘Upload Now’ or ‘Upload Later’. If network data or WiFi is present the walk results will upload in the background. Wait until this is complete before you shutdown the App.  If no network is present when you finish, open the App again when you have coverage to upload automatically.

At least 35 and we recommend 40-45 depending on conditions. Where grass is varying in height across the paddock more, rather than less, drops should be taken.  Include all areas of the paddock in order to get a representative value.

Three farms or blocks may be added to each phone.

Up to 50 paddocks may be added to each grazing block.

An average paddock will require an adequate number of samples - this varies with two factors - the overall paddock area and the uniformity of growth. Sample numbers may be set automatically (the Grasshopper knows which paddock it is in without being told) or manually at the start of the survey. It is recommended to preset the sample number to save time on the survey.

Grasshopper has a smart-charger.  It may be left plugged in when not in use.

All survey files are kept on the smart device. Eventually you will run out of space if the files are not moved on.

The Grasshopper App will function correctly on both Android and IOS. Make sure you have the latest version downloaded from the Google Play store and Apple App store respectively. However the iPhone 4 will not support the latest Android or IOS version Grasshopper. 

-It will work however it may be slow to operate the mapping function.

-It may also be slow to display results.

If you have this phone and are having difficulty with the App, you may be required to upgrade your device in order to achieve perfect functionality. 

Geo-tagging is the attachment of lattitude and longitude information to the sample. This information is unique to every sample and will have an accuracy of 1 - 1.5m depending on location and the GPS constellation at the time the sample was taken. Geo-tagging allows data analysis based on defined ares.

The FarmFile contains all paddock maps and all your Settings.  ‘MyFarmFile’ is the default name Grasshopper gives your farm file once you start Grasshopper following download.  You can change this to a more meaningful name in the Settings menu.  Where more than one FarmFile is in use, the one nearest the beginning of the alphabet will be auto selected when you start the app. 

A fully charged Grasshopper will last 4-5 hours in the field.  Battery re-charge limit is 250 giving a battery life of approximately five years.

At night - you can’t see what you are measuring and a better result is likely once you take enough drops.  If you don’t want to do it at night then be agnostic on where you take the drops. Every 4 or 5 paces is best.