Permissions are key to sharing and benefiting from data

“Sharing data with trusted partners can provide valuable insights for both farmers and the wider industry, but the need for a secure, independent and trusted system to connect and share data is key,” says Alastair Grizzell, Head of Sales at Map of Ag. He is speaking at the forthcoming meeting ‘Planning a resilient on-farm data strategy’ on 15th March 2023.  

Map of Ag is a leading provider of data services connecting farms and the agrifood industry, using enhanced data integration to evidence baseline activities and make positive steps towards sustainable production systems, supporting environmental performance and profitability.

Alastair continues: “We are seeing an increase in collaborative working. Farmers want to be able to bring their data together in one place and to gain actionable insights from combining information and reviewing it at detail. For this to happen they need to be able to share data with the confidence that they remain in control.”

Meeting sustainability ambitions in the value-chain

Map of Ag’s data platform, Pure Farming, allows farmers and growers to coordinate and manage their data, so they can share it with complete confidence.

Alastair continues: “By using our intuitive interface, farmers and growers can accept or deny requests for data, connect their data sources, and review and agree to the data-sharing terms and conditions – all in the knowledge the data is secure, encrypted and approved only for the agreed use.”

Map of Ag is working with agrifood producers to engage their farmers, and work together to meet sustainability objectives. Alastair explains: “About four years ago, Weetabix published its sustainability strategy; this is made up of four pillars, with one pillar focusing on sustainable ingredients. We have been working with the Weetabix Growers Group to meet the target set by the company to be carbon net zero by 2050.”

Measuring Nitrogen use efficiency 

Map of Ag was engaged to gather robust data in relation to Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in wheat production. Following a successful pilot with three growers, Map of Ag then worked with an additional 14 growers – who produce 40% of Weetabix’s protocol wheat – to measure their carbon footprints and NUE.

“After having seen the outcomes from this project, a number of farmers from the Growers Group are going to continue to work with us on measuring emissions and carbon sequestration so they can get a whole-farm picture,” says Alastair. “This shows how data is the key to driving actionable insights for farmers.”

Digitising agriculture

Outside of his work at Map of Ag, Alastair is also a college governor at Hartpury College, and supports their drive on connecting the wider industry with farmers from ‘gate to plate’ as part of broader Agri-Tech Strategy.

“The Hartpury Digital Farm is starting to show how different parts of the industry can engage with farmers and students, focusing on tackling some of the key challenges, such as Net Zero. It’s this coordinated approach which will be key to driving the overall sector forward.”

Emma Kelcher of YAGRO and Alastair Grizzell, Head of Sales at Map of Ag, will be among the speakers at the Agri-TechE event: ‘Planning a resilient on-farm data strategy’ on 15th March 2023 at Rothamsted Research from 12.30 – 17.00.