FarmWizard bought by Duke of Westminster's firm Wheatsheaf Investments

A Belfast-based agricultural software firm, FarmWizard, has been bought by the Duke of Westminster's investment company.

FarmWizard creates software that helps farmers manage and monitor their herds.

It was founded by Belfast man Terry Canning in 2005 and operates from the city's science park.

Wheatsheaf Investments is focused on agricultural and renewable energy investments.

Mr Canning said Wheatsheaf has "a clear vision" of his technology's usefulness.

"Our technology is user-friendly and is already used in thousands of farms in the UK," he said.

"It's all about effective management of farm resources, and of course, traceability, which has never been more important."

The company employs two people and is expected to add more staff over the next couple of years.

The deal is the first buy-out of a company invested in by business angels from Halo, the NI business angel network.

Alan Watts, Director of the Halo programme, based at the Northern Ireland Science Park, said: "I'm particularly delighted by the success of FarmWizard, as it vindicates the angel investing model."