3 Reasons “why” growers should certify data

By Farmobile Editorial Team

O.k. So, as an Independent Farm Data Company, Farmobile is already unique by specializing in only one thing — helping farmers, ag retail and other trusted advisors to collect, organize, view and share TRUE real-time agronomic and machine data … across a mixed fleet.

But, did you know that Farmobile’s CERTIFICATION process helps farmers benefit even more from their agronomic data? 

In a 2020 Farmobile Talk, guest host Nathan Otto, vice president of product and customer operations, joined Jason Tatge, CEO, to discuss the incredible value farmers get from certifying their data. 

But, first, what does “certify data” mean?

Twice a year, Farmobile recommends that data subscribers log-in to their Farmobile DataEngine^SM account (post-planting and post-harvest) to certify the accuracy of their data. Farmobile’s online “certification” tool allows subscribers to review agronomic data by field, check it for accuracy, and complete any missing detail. 

Below are the “Top 3” reasons WHY farmers should certify their data:

REASON 1: Gain greater accuracy and market insights 

Certifying data ensures farmers are using complete, accurate quality data. From season-to-season and year-over-year, certified data allows farmers to use the best data set to manage crop performance. It’s just that simple.

The value of quality data goes well beyond certification.  Combined with insights from Farmobile’s new Index plant and harvest benchmarking tool, certified data can provide farmers with even more powerful intelligence and the ability to better forecast outcomes. 

About the Farmoble Index: In 2019, spring floods and the ensuing USDA Crop Progress report highlighted the disconnect between traditional paper-and-pen reporting methods and what farmers were actually seeing in their fields. That’s why Farmobile created the Index. It allows farmers to “crowdsource” state-level, aggregated plant and harvest data to better understand what is happening in their region for better marketplace visibility.

Certifying data is a good best practice. By actively and frequently reviewing data, farmers and their trusted advisors can use quality data all season long to assist the crop in-field. – Nathan Otto, VP of product & customer operations, Farmobile

REASON 2: Learn even more about operational improvements 

Farmers know their farms best, but data can fuel their expertise in crop management.

“We offer tools that widen the ‘happy path’ to quality data,” says Tatge. “So, if you forget to enter a seed variety, field boundary or any of the myriads of things needed to ensure data is complete, our tools give farmers the flexibility to go back in and make adjustments. That’s really what ‘certification’ is all about.”  

Certifying data provides an occasion for farmers to revisit how their fields performed that season — what worked, what didn’t and what to try next year. When farmers compare what they implicitly know versus the data that is laid out in front of them, it becomes much easier to use the information as checks and balances for improving their operations. 

Invariably, the process of certifying data, sharpens observations. “By certifying data, they always learn something more about their farms that they may not have understood before,” adds Tatge.

REASON 3:  Create future revenue opportunities 

Only certified data can be made available for potential monetization opportunities through the Farmobile DataStore^SM exchange. The first-in-industry exchange is optional and allows participating farmers to earn revenue by licensing private single-use copies of their Electronic Field Records (EFRs) to approved third-party buyers.

To participate, data owners must sign a Farmobile DataStore Participation Agreement and annually certify their EFRs. The data licensing process is completely voluntary and, before a transaction can take place, farmers must approve or pass on each licensing opportunity. Revenue is split 50/50 with farmers.

If you forget to enter a seed variety, field boundary or any of the myriads of things need to ensure data is complete, our tools give farmers the flexibility to go back in and make adjustments. That’s really what ‘certification’ is all about. — Jason Tatge, CEO, Farmobile

Certified data is complete data

Farmobile is founded in the belief that data is one of the most valuable things that a farmer produces. The certification process creates confidence in quality data sets that can be used year-over-year by farmers and their trusted advisors to derive insights and optimize value. 

Certified data carries direct on-farm value, whether that is in a deeper understanding of crop performance or a new revenue stream generated through the Farmobile DataStore exchange. Ultimately, it allows customers to gain greater control and secure better outcomes for their operations. 

While certification deadlines are at the end of planting and harvest, Otto recommends farmers certify data as they go — even certifying on a daily or weekly basis.

While the primary focus of this article is plant and harvest, certification is available for every pass of the field.  Certify your application data for fertilizer and crop protection to understand what and how much product was added within zones and throughout the field.  Soon you will also be able to certify tillage data showing the areas worked and what type of tillage occurred. 

“Certifying data is a good best practice,” says Otto. “By actively and frequently reviewing data, farmers and their trusted advisors can use quality data all season long to assist the crop in-field. Plus, certifying data often streamline efficiencies, saves time and, quite simply, improves accuracy.”

For tips, review Farmobile’s complete guide on certification. Here. Get all of your Farmobile news and updates by registering for the monthly Farmobile newsletter.

. . .