A NEW farm management software package launched into the UK, promises to be compatible with government databases across the UK, to help simplify record-keeping.

The app, AgriWebb’s cloud-based set-up, means that data entered into it automatically syncs with individual farming business’ government account, removing the need to regularly log in, thus reducing time in having to repeat data.

Offering a set of tools to improve livestock management, AgriWebb is a mobile system that can be used both online or offline, on a single farm or across multiple sites. It digitises farm mapping, herd management, tasks and record keeping to allow farmers full control over their record-keeping.

Its easy-to-use desktop and mobile app makes it simple to record farm activities while in the field, aiding operations with GPS-enabled tasks and linking business goals to herds and individual animals. Using farm data, tailored best practice recommendations are provided.

Being cloud-based, if there is no internet coverage on-farm, data recorded to a mobile device is uploaded once internet connection is restored. It also integrates directly with popular hardware such as Tru-Test, allowing farmers to scan EID tags and see the data auto-populated into the app, removing the need to manually update records.

Currently used across four continents, the software aids the management of more than 10m animals across 4000 farms in Australia, before being tested successfully in the UK through an ‘early adopters’ scheme for the last five months.

Adapted to the needs of UK farmers following work with 100 British beef and sheep farmers, should ensure the software more than meets the demands of the UK industry, said AgriWebb.

James Smith, a tenant farmer at Abermangoed Farm, in Carmarthenshire, has used it to manage his farm of 134 acres since November. He said: “I’m using AgriWebb whenever I’m on the farm. Whether I’m working out dosage rates, working out feed rations or keeping movement records, it saved me so much time.

“Before, I would have winged it and overspent, overstocked, and had drugs and medication sitting around that I didn’t need. Recently, with AgriWebb, I knew that I had the exact amount to dose a mob of ewes.

“It saved me going to the vet – I knew I could crack on and do the job – and it was more efficient. I’ve probably saved £200 – £300,” he added.

“One of the biggest benefits is my time with my family in the evening. I’m not sitting around with scraps of paper trying to find information to fill in books. I know I can relax.”

The business was founded in 2015 by Justin Webb, Kevin Baum and John Fargher. Webb and Fargher are fourth and fifth generation livestock farmers, respectively.

Having met in the UK, the trio realised that pen and paper as a record-keeping tool and the time-consuming double entry of records to meet compliance requirements, was a major problem for agriculture.

In 2018, the company acquired Northern Irish agricultural software specialist, FarmWizard, to strengthen its platform.

Key features include:

An interactive farm map making it easy to monitor and update the location of livestock – as well as automatically calculating stocking rate, DSE load and grazing days.

Sight of everything from a farm’s arable area, to auto-calculated grazing days remaining, currently occupying herds and a full history of related records.

Ability to create a customised livestock farming calendar with a full plan of all operations based on regional science that will increase a farm’s productivity and efficiency.