Embrace good technology
Just like our rural communities, technology solutions need to rely on each other too.
The New Zealand agritech company supports farmers and contractors with fertiliser and spray application management and job tracking. It has now acquired NuPoint, which already has a presence in both New Zealand and Australia.
Precision Farming chief executive officer, Chloe Walker, says that the biggest benefit is providing connectivity with simple and easy-to-use tools for farmers, that all talk to each other.
Walker says the platform helps reduce paperwork, improves compliance reporting, gives users visibility of vehicles and jobs, and enables cost savings through more efficient operations.
At a time when costs are rising and supply is limited, Precision Farming’s tools support farmers to maximise their fertiliser and spray value, while reducing fuel use, she says.
“We are all about giving farmers and growers options, and the ability to be efficient and connected, no matter what technology they want to use,” she says.
“You choose what hardware to use, what contractor you want to use, what fertiliser or chemical supplier you want to use and which farm management system, and they all talk to each other. This acquisition allows us to really accelerate that trajectory.”
Their platform already connects with major players in the pastoral farming landscape, including brands like John Deere, Trimble and Topcon. Extending that through to the NuPoint platform creates new opportunities, especially in the horticulture and viticulture sectors.
Combined, the platforms integrate to strengthen Precision Farming’s position in vehicle operations management and further enhance digital connectivity between machinery, contractors, farmers and farm systems.
Walker explains that the company has strong growth ambitions, and the acquisition of NuPoint is an expansion of their connected agricultural technology platform.
“This is a great Trans-Tasman story and demonstrates the growth trajectory that we are on,” she says.
“A core part of our vision is enabling a future where every vehicle on every farm can be connected through a flexible digital ecosystem, giving them full visibility of vehicle locations and what went on when and where. It’s all about giving farmers and their partners choice, while ensuring the tools they rely on can work seamlessly together.”
Looking at the future of farming, Walker believes that supply chain transparency will only become more rigorous for exporting nations like New Zealand and Australia. Connected tools, like Precision Farming’s platform, will allow us to stay ahead of the game when it comes to reporting and compliance.
“That’s what we are here to do for farmers and growers, using smart technology and common sense. Our tools need to be simple and connected because we want to support farmers to come on this journey.”
