Leaders across UK food and finance are calling for cross-sector collaboration on farm data collection – seeing it as vital for the industry.
High-quality, consistent and trusted information is the foundation for both resilience and environmental progress, delegates at a roundtable event hosted by data specialists Map of Ag in London last month.
Panellists included NFU president Tom Bradshaw, Sophie Throup of the Myton Food Group, Kate Hosking of Barclays UK, and Arla board director and Arla UK area chairman Arthur Fearnall.
“We need to agree on a set of common metrics and act on them,” said Ms Throup. “We’ve done a lot of measuring, but the real benefit comes when we use that data to inform on-farm decisions and actions.”
Ms Throup said it was vital to make better use of data already available on farms. Technology such as AI could simplify processes, support emissions reduction and reduce the hassle factor for farmers.
She also emphasised the need for a trusted, central and independent place to govern farm data – something that would help build confidence and encourage wider data sharing across the industry.
Mr Bradshaw added: “Data on its own is valueless unless it’s brought together, analysed collectively, and used to inform change. Farmers need to know there is a purpose – and a reward – for contributing their information.”