ICT for Farming
Farms today have a broad choice of ICT (Information Communications Technology) solutions available to assist with day to day activities whether in the farm office or while working out and about.
Below you will find a selection of these solutions together with local case studies and links to further information.
Farming Software
A good range of farming software is available to suit most farming activities enabling a farm to record, retrieve and save farm records on their office computer.
Livestock:
• Record animal breeding, medical, movement and other history
• Highlight animals in need of attention – movements/calving dates/veterinary needs
• Report information such as BCMS directly to DEFRA via your internet connection
• Receive data electronically such as milk reports
• Analysis of individual and group performance
Arable:
• Record field information – cultivation/treatments/soil tests
• Field Mapping
• Report and analyse
• Receive data electronically such as agronomist recommendations
General:
A farm is like any other business in many respects and you are likely to find that things like accounts and stock can be better managed using software such as Excel or specific accounts software.
• Financial management and record keeping with accounts software
• Use of Database systems for customer and product management
• Reduce costs of third party services – eg. your accountant
• Improve cash flow and identify trends, changes and improvements
• Utilise data for management, forecasting & marketing
Farming Useful Links - Software Providers
Advice : Keeping track of customers
Handheld Technology
Using handheld devices with farming software can save time recording information and provide valuable information while you are ‘out and about’ away from the farm office.
• View animal/field records
• Generate action lists for animals/fields
• Record actions/results
• Upload and download information from the office computer
• Diary, Contacts, Email and Internet functionality
• Link to Electronic Tagging systems
Trebullett Farm – Software sorts the paper chase - Article by Mick Roberts
Farming Useful Links - Software Providers
GPS Guidance
With a GPS receiver and a display either fixed in the tractor or handheld, GPS positioning is used to provide guidance in the field and record information
• Guidance improving accuracy of passes reducing overlapping/time/cost
• Set and record jobs
• Record boundaries and features on the farm through mapping
• Export information to office software for traceability and analysis
• GPS guidance assists in difficult weather conditions and poor light, increasing flexibility and productivity
Farming Useful Links - GPS Providers
Case Study : Marsh Farm - GPS Guidance
Farmers Weekly Report - GPS Test
Websites
Many farms have diversified their businesses into areas such as direct sales of produce, contracting, tourism and many more.
• Marketing of your business
• Online sales of produce / online booking
• Provision of information to prospective and existing customers
• Use of Directory sites to advertise your business
• Use of auction sites to sell your products
Case Study : Vicarage Farm have their own Farm shop and website
Advice : Developing a website
Advice : Trading Online
Wireless
Broadband can be accessed wirelessly through the use of a wireless router, giving internet access to your handheld device, or laptop around your home.
Wireless can also be made available outside, to the parlour office, for example, giving internet access in multiple locations.
• Access broadband in multiple locations
• Make broadband accessible across the farm such as external offices, packing houses, in the yard
• Offer broadband to guests in your holiday lets
• Enable multiple simultaneous users on one broadband connection
Case study : Smeaton Farm have wireless access giving themselves and guests access to broadband.
• Communicate with work contacts at times when it is convenient
• Communicate with friends and family
• Receive reports – ie Milk Results/Agronomist recommendations
• Receive newsletters and market information
Internet
• Report online eg. BCMS and Holstein registrations
• Check weather reports and news
• Check market prices
• Download and Access DEFRA forms and guides
• Research and information
• Purchasing – animals/parts/machinery - either online or for checking prices before buying locally
• Machinery and equipment hire
• Sales – direct sales of produce
• Access local information – ie market information/auction catalogues
• Online Banking
• Informative sites such as Farmers Weekly, www.fwi.co.uk , which also have very active chatrooms where any farming related issue can be discussed
• VoIP – Free telephony over broadband
Advice – How to use your broadband connection as a telephone
