Friday, March 29, 2024

Data code will allow farmers to share info

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Farm management software company Farmax is the first cab off the rank getting accredited to a new farm data code of practice.
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The code aimed to lay out standards for organisations storing, handling and moving data on farmers’ behalf and to ensure no privacy conventions or unauthorised uses of that data arose in the process.

Farmax general manager Gavin McEwen said it would have been hypocritical of his Waikato-based company to not be an early mover getting accreditation through the code, given the company’s focus for the past four years had been the centralising, collection and integration of farmers’ data.

“I would hope the first thing to come out of the code’s accreditation process is that it provides a basis for other companies to get together and integrate their data,” he said.

His company had some farmers who were outstanding users of data and computer software but he welcomed other developments in the code process that meant farmers would have to load data only once into multiple databases.

McEwen said apathy by farmers towards data collection had created issues in the past.

Key concerns were about having to enter data multiple times and ease of use.

Lack of a value proposition had hindered uptake of data systems by many farmers, despite having some of the best information technology systems in the world available.

Work by Rezare Systems, also in Hamilton, meant farmers would be able to enter data only once via Data Linker, a programme that knitted together the multiple sources of data farms generated, along with industry databases.

It also enabled data consumers to query the programme for farm information and it would find a matching provider. Data transfer did not happen unless a farmer’s permission was granted.

McEwen said the challenge for companies would be to pick through the megabytes of data such integration was likely to generate.

“The current hype in the IT world is metadata but some companies like LIC have been doing it for decades. It is certainly an interesting opportunity – if we can get good consistent data off farms we can analyse those links.”

Rezare managing director Andrew Cooke said rights to the data use would vary depending on the type of data being sought and who was paying.

A set of farm data standards had also been developed with the code and covered standards for data input across key areas including stock reconciliation, feed, grazing, irrigation and effluent.

The next organisation to follow Farmax and gain accreditation was FarmIQ.

Its chief executive Collier Isaacs said accreditation provided assurance to customers.

“FarmIQ has built integration with devices including Tru-Test, Gallagher, Iconix and Te Pari Products and has also created data links with specialist software Cashmanager Rural for farm finances and feed budgeting with Farmax.”

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