An App For Every Farming Task

Mobile applications make life more convenient for farmers while enabling them to be more productive. Glenneis Kriel reports on a number of apps that are changing the way farms are run.

- Glenneis Kriel

The development of faster computer processing speeds and machine learning is revolutionising farm management by helping producers make quicker and better-informed decisions. This, in turn, is leading to greater efficiency, less wastage, improved traceability, greater sustainability and better animal welfare.

Mobile applications (apps) add extra value to the technology by enabling farmers to conveniently access information and control equipment remotely via their smartphones, tablets or watches, at any time and in any place. Farmers do not have to be glued to their screens to keep track of what is happening, as most modern apps send push notifications, such as updates of important information.

REAL-TIME MONITORING

Many farmers already use remote desktop apps to access and manage irrigation programmes when they are not on the farm. This technology is becoming increasingly refined, however, and within a few years should be able to alert a farmer in real time of the specific location of a problem, such as a broken pump or leak.

A wide range of systems has been designed for virtually all aspects of farm management. For example, FarmRanger, a South African-designed system, enables a farmer to monitor the safety of livestock. A collar hanging around the animal’s neck transmits a signal to a cell phone when the animal moves suddenly and unexpectedly, as it would in the case of theft or a predator attack. The system indicates where the animal is located and allows for rapid reaction.

Another app, FarmTrack, enables a farmer to keep track of vehicles at all times, as well as identify driver errors, monitor spray applications, and keep tabs on other parameters.

OFFLINE ACCESS