Technology Is …  Transforming Data Into Actions

Well-organized and protected farm data can pay dividends

The sheer volume of data collected each year on your farm would probably blow your mind. From yield results to soil sample results to seeding rates, you can quickly be flooded — or drowned — by data insights.

For this reason, you need a plan to collect, analyze and store your farm’s data, says John Fulton, precision agriculture specialist for Ohio State University Extension.

“When creating a farm digital strategy, establish where and how farm data will be stored and organized,” he says. “The longer data sits, the less valuable it becomes to the user.”

Ensuring data can be shared with trusted advisers who can analyze it to develop recommendations will maximize the data’s value, Fulton says. 

INVENTORY AND ORGANIZE

The first steps to develop a digital strategy include documenting what you have, Fulton says. Answer these questions:

• What digital tools are you currently using?
• If not using digital tools, do you plan to use any in the future?
• How do you share data?
• What, person and/or entity, do you plan to share data with?
• What data is required to share?
• What is your objective for the data being collected?
• What tools do you plan to use to meet those objectives?
• What is your internal plan to store, archive and secure data?

STORE AND ANALYZE

Once you do an inventory of your data, develop a storage plan. Fulton provides these tips: 

• Catalogue data first by year, and then by crop, field or farm, as appropriate for your operation. 
• Store an original copy of data both on-farm and off-farm. 
• Hard copies of data should be in a locked, fireproof safe.
• Online data should be password-protected. Use any available cybersecurity features.
• Ensure data can be accessed from a convenient location (the cloud, a phone, computer, etc.). 
• Develop a process to digitize any manually collected or handwritten data. 
   

Technology is … different for every farmer. Find stories, videos and resources below to learn how to make smart technology investments.