The trial is aimed at creating improved agronomy outcomes for our farmers through better data sharing, collaboration and planning.
So far, 30 TSRs and 340 farms have taken part in the trial using Trimble Ag Software, a comprehensive agronomy program that helps farmers digitise the way they plan, monitor, and harvest crops.
Canterbury-based Technical Ag Specialist Russell Hamilton says Trimble has been a game changer for how TSRs and farmers collaborate.
"We had been using a paper-based system and were eager to move to a digital landscape to report back to farmers on their agronomy. We trialled half a dozen software packages and landed on Trimble as we could scale and customise for how we wanted to use it with our customers, and one that could integrate with other packages," he says.
"Trimble uses a map of the farm to collect information and build a history of the paddocks and crops. We now have around 14,000 paddocks logged in the system. Both the TSR and the farmer have the exact same information at their fingertips via the Trimble app and can share the information."
TSRs and farmers involved in the trial have reported their administration time has sped up dramatically.
"Our TSRs now say they wouldn't want to do their job without it. They can walk the paddock with the farmer and log all the crop information at the same time and come up with recommendations using real-time data. There are proof points every step of the way. When a TSR or farmer commit to grow a certain crop, we can see the data from the visit, record when the crop was planted and our chemical recommendations, and help the farmer report back to us," Russell says.
"The farmers involved have found the whole trial very exciting because they suddenly have information at their disposal with instant recommendations and results. They say it has made their compliance reporting very easy," says Russell.
"They're able to open the app and pull up the inventory and chemical sheet, show the list of actions that have happened on a particular paddock, the results of a particular fertiliser, and the cost per hectare of growing a particular crop."
Farm Source's TSRs provide the software to the farmers at no cost and there are no subscription fees.
"It's just part of our service. It's allowed them to see the benefit of having the technology without having to outlay the money on something they're not familiar with. Some have seen the financial and sustainable insights they've got on their crops from Trimble, and taken it further by buying the Trimble displays that run within farm vehicles and equipment and connect to the software," Russell says.
"Our goal is to bring everything on a digital platform. We're bringing tools to farmers to help them navigate this new world of sustainability and record keeping. We've found Trimble to be a great tool to help farmers."
Visit your Farm Source store or contact your local TSR to find out more.