How to monetise your farming data

Every day, farms and produce businesses are collecting huge amounts of data. Data is then stored across different systems, platforms and cloud locations, and is accessed as and when required – for accreditations like Red Tractor and BRC, for example.

The big questions are: can all the data you’ve collected be monetised? Can it improve efficiency? Can it reduce your costs? Can it improve output? The simple answer is yes. 

As we move towards fully app-based farm and produce management systems, evidence shows there is huge return on investment potential if you use the data you’re collecting effectively. This can deliver critical commercial advantages over key competitors. 

Let’s start with a simple example. Red Tractor and BRC require evidence of various checks and inspection records across machinery and buildings. Within an app-based system, all this data is already being captured by operators, so why not utilise an automated report that extracts this in a format where it can be directly uploaded to Red Tractor or BRC? This can save weeks of administrative time for a business with multiple accreditations to complete over the course of the year. 

Imagine having instant reports on fuel usage across your machinery and activities, and being able to see how much fuel each tractor or implement uses per hectare. Utilising data now starts to save costs and improve your yields. All at the click of a button. 

Automating your own data brings proactivity. An app-based system will remind you when a service on your tractor is due; it will tell you when an operator’s telehandler ticket is due for renewal; and it notifies the relevant technicians as soon as a defect is found, and a repair is needed. Now the app is optimising your uptime as a business and increasing your output and productivity. It’s a massive win.  

The future of farm management isn’t just about using an app to collect data and evidence; it’s about monetising that data to reduce your cost base, save time and optimise your operational efficiency. The bonus with all of this is that you’re creating a workplace and culture that is safe and secure for your employees, which brings added benefits relating to wellbeing and staff retention. 

MeritAgCheck is a farm management app that has been developed in partnership with the produce and farm community. It has evolved to become an end-to-end farm management app with functionality ranging from staff timesheets to machinery management, right through to assurance scheme submissions. Find out more on the MeritAgCheck website.