New platform gives growers more control over data

• Helps to make better farm decisions

• Easier to generate additional income

• More secure farm data management

Giving growers more control over their farm data will make it easier for farmers to generate additional revenue, says an expert.

The advice follows the development of a new data management platform for farmers. The Fix platform is being put together by Team Ag UK in collaboration with the Association of Independent Crop Consultants.

Farmers in the UK face what are known as asymmetrical markets, says Team Ag UK co-founder and chief executive Kiryon Skippen. This means many smaller growers and family farm businesses are often unable to obtain the same access to data and information as larger corporations.

The situation can leave farmers at a disadvantage – especially when it comes to agronomic decision making, input purchasing and crop marketing. It also makes it harder to generate revenue from environmental schemes or selling carbon.

Digital tools

In addition, existing digital tools used by farmers – including farm management software – often require sensitive data to be shared with the application owner, says Mr Skippen.

Tean Ag launched a legal review of terms and conditions of current platforms that generate and hold farm data, he adds.

This revealed that many clauses are unfavourable to farmers.

“It’s a two-way relationship and farmers should be issuing their own terms and conditions on how and where their information or data is used,” Mr Skippen told last month’s AICC technical conference.

Team Ag’s Fix platform aims to address these problems by developing a farmer-owned, independent and future-proof platform for managing farm data, conference delegates were told at Whittlebury Hall, Towcester.

In addition to its overarching data management capability, the firm will offer a range of digital tools to support best practice on farm. This will create an independent alternative to complement the limited existing range of tools available to UK growers.

Three core principles will be applied by Team Ag UK to its data management and FMIS software, said Mr Skippen. First, farmers will decide who has access to their data and receive a fair share of the value created by sharing it, he said.

Secondly, Fix will promote unbiased, scientifically verified best practice, from an industry neutral perspective. This will encourage trust in the data from farmers, processors and the wider public.

Finally, the platform will facilitate collaboration between the science, agronomy and farming communities and create opportunities for farmers to accelerate innovation in their own interests by working together.

Future proof

Design of the platform has been influenced by AICC focus group agronomists – who advise on almost 50% of the UK arable area – and investor farmers, to ensure it is meeting the needs of future users.

The first iteration of Fix will be launched in the second half of 2025. This will allow for extensive consultation with users on the initial features. Farmers and agronomists will have a key role in this.

AICC chief executive Sarah Cowlrick said the opportunity to support and co-design the platform has been welcome, particularly as the principles of Fix align with the AICC ethos.

“The focus is on being an independent resource that’s not linked to product sales and the safety of farmers’ data is paramount. We’re delighted to have launched this new platform to members at this year’s AICC conference,” she added.

Essex-based agronomist and AICC chairman Andrew Blazey has 30 years’ experience as an agronomist. Like other AICC members,he  has plenty of experience of using farm management information systems with clients.

“I believe our sector of the industry is in need of a robust and future proof independent system and I’m confident Fix can deliver that – and I look forward to working closely with them on further development this year.”