Bringing farmers together to discuss farm management software and technology that suits their farming business best was top of the agenda at United Auctions in Stirling.
More than 75 farmers attended the day of discussions and practical demonstrations.
Organised by Monitor Farm Scotland in partnership with the EU-funded Sm@RT project and led by SRUC with contributions from SAC Consulting and Moredun, the event brought a variety of farm software and innovative farm equipment providers under one roof, alongside experts who guided the audience through the decision-making process.
Farmers were able to see and try different software and technologies before deciding which ones would suit their system.
Matt Blyth, an experienced innovator in the sheep and beef industry specialising in data recording and software, stressed the significance of a structured approach.
“The first step is to sit down with a pen and paper and draw three areas that you would like to focus on in your herd or flock.
“Next, determine what data points you need to capture, and finally, consider what resources are available to assist you.
“One of the biggest challenges farmers will encounter is dealing with software and pieces of equipment that are not compatible. I urge farmers to take this into account before making an investment,” said Matt, who encouraged attendees to use a checklist when considering systems on the farm.
For farm management software you should ask yourself these questions:
- Does the farm management software connect to the government gateways?
- Does the software record all the information that keeps me compliant with UK regulations or farm assurance schemes?
- Do I need a map to know where all the animals are on the farm?
- Do I need to and if so, can I record extra information for any environmental schemes?
- Can I upload information, e.g. lifetime animal data, back into the EID technology?
- What reports do I need the software package to generate to achieve my goals, and is the package capable of this?
- How many people need access to the software, and how is the access shared – cloud, backup email to people or downloaded onto a USB memory stick?
- What set-up, training and support will I need and is it provided? And is it free of charge?
Ross Robertson, Agri-Epi Centre, gave an overview of some of the technology being used on its demo and research farms network, solutions that can improve data collection, decision making and livestock handling.
Some examples were Ritchie mobile combi clamp, Tru-Test XR5000 weight indicator, Te Pari revolution dosing gun, and the Ritchie beef monitor.
“Compatibility, price, and ease of use would be my top three criteria to consider if looking to invest in software or equipment.
“Make sure to speak to your peers, try a demonstration yourself, or see the product in practice at a demonstration day.
“This can be a large investment for your business so ensuring you find the product easy to use can enhance the return on investment,” he said.
Technology is widely acknowledged to hold myriad benefits from informing decision-making and increasing efficiencies to lowering costs and carbon footprints.
Having listened to the various different options out there, beef farmer, Crawford Mclaren, from Crieff, commented: “One of the challenges we are facing is incorporating the data from weight recording and medicine use into our current management programme. The event has highlighted the importance of compatibility of software programmes, and we can see some options that are now available.”
Christine Cuthbertson, Monitor Farm West region adviser, said: “The first year of the Monitor Farm Scotland programme highlighted the opportunities for using farm software to assist with on-farm recording and making business decisions easier.
“The feedback from those who attend has been that it has increased their knowledge on what questions they need to ask themselves and providers in order to get the right solutions for their own situation on farm,” she added.
Concluding on the day was Claire Morgan-Davies (SRUC), co-ordinator of Sm@RT, who said: “The event has been very successful and a great opportunity for sharing information and farmers’ needs between our international project and the work done by Monitor Farm Scotland.
“I think the discussions and interactions between the farmers and the companies present have been invaluable, and hopefully helped farmers with their farm management decisions when it comes to technology uptake.”
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