Article update November 23, 2023 There are only two growing seasons left You’ve probably heard that there are new regulations coming from the EU Commission to Agriculture. It might not be clear that some of the legally binding decisions have already been concluded and impact farms sooner than you think. Many of the regulations are […]
Growing Degree Days: Season start in Europe
As the farming season begins anew in Europe, it’s important for farmers to stay on top of the growth of their crops. One useful tool to help with this is the concept of Growing Degree Days (GDD). GDD is a measure of the accumulated heat energy that plants need to grow and develop and can […]
Digital Farming Vs. Precision Farming – do you need both or either?
Synopsis Understand the similarities and differences between precision farming and digital farming. We stress the importance of understanding digital farming in the context of new regulations around sustainable agriculture and compliance, while offering the CATS framework to help farmers get started with digital farming. Before we jump into the similarities and differences between the two […]
Data is the Old Soil
Synopsis The EU’s new sustainability regulations are in the works, with data collection and monitoring being a key theme. While farmers have valid concerns about the use of their data, it’s critical to adhere to the regulations to maintain compliance. Analogous to the importance of soil in agriculture, data is the foundation of your digital […]
2030: The Litmus Test Year
According to Merriam-Webster, scientists discovered ‘litmus’ in the 14th century. Litmus is a mixture colored organic compounds that turns red in acid solutions and blue in alkaline solutions and, thus, can be used as an acid-base indicator. Here I refer to the more figurative version of a litmus test, to refer to any single factor […]
Who cares about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals?
Discover the UN Sustainable Development Goals for agriculture and learn about the perspectives, challenges, and criticisms around this ambitious plan.
Getting started with digital farming
Synopsis We discuss the challenges farmers face when adopting new technology and offer a framework for getting started with digital farming. The CATS framework suggests farmers Check their options, Assess their farm, Try a small implementation, and Stay informed. We emphasize the importance of user experience design and collecting feedback from farmers to develop technology […]
It’s not easy being a farmer
Synopsis Farming is a challenging profession with various daily struggles and external factors like market fluctuations and climate change. Precision farming and digital technologies can improve productivity and profitability, while government policies and collaboration can help farmers adapt to new regulations and access new markets. I have a confession to make. I am not a […]
Confusing AgTech: Farm Management Software or Data Platform
Last week I read a couple of articles about how Farm Management Software (FMS) has failed to deliver success. The software category has been around for more than a decade, and lots of money has been invested, yet not a single sustainable business has emerged. So, “it’s time to call it”, they say. Naturally, I […]