Hassle-free farm record keeping

Penny White With app & bike 45pc

 

Owaka farmer Penny White is feeling a lot more confident about the next farm audit now that she’s organised recording with new farm software.It has turned something that was always a hassle into something simple – and even fun, she says. 

Penny does the bookwork for Hina Hina farm on the coast close to Jack’s Bay, while her husband Peter does the day-to-day management. 

The Whites run 2500 stock units of sheep and beef for breeding and finishing, on 253 hectares across two blocks about 10 minutes apart.

In March 2017 Penny started using a Starter Pack, which is designed to cover farm assurance requirements and more. It’s helping them work towards their overall goal of running the farm more efficiently, she says.

 

Recording as they go

Penny has an off-farm job, but being able to access the farm information from anywhere using log-in access means she can make the most of any down-time. “I help Peter keep track of what’s happening. I make sure the paperwork gets done, and with this software you don’t have to be home on the computer.”

It has made the recording easy and enjoyable. “We needed a motivation to keep track of everything for farm accreditation. Keeping a paper diary wasn’t working for us, and in the past we would do a mad rush just before an audit to get everything up to date. Now I use the phone app to record as we go, and we will be ready for an audit. I like doing it too – it makes it more interesting.”

 

Great map views

She’s impressed with the interactive farm map. “It’s a proper, correct, up-to-date map. You cover several things with it – paddock names, areas and hazards for example. It really helps with communication. We went through and sorted all the paddock names and that’s been really helpful. I’m planning to give a copy to the digger driver, spray contractor and the transport company who put on the super.”

Also, Peter is planting up riparian areas around wetlands with natives, and Penny has marked them up on the map.

 

Simple health and safety

Because she likes working with the software, Penny says it’s inspiring her to do more. “I like the health and safety aspect – it’s good and simple. I needed to start working on that. The software gave me motivation and the push to get that sorted. I’ve made a start with recording things like near misses and hazards. A crossing on the farm was washed out recently. It was easy to put that on the map – and then I can take it off later when that’s been fixed.”

 

Recording for the future

She believes they’re building up a valuable historical record too. “The long-term plan is to keep track of what’s being done on the farm – for example the super and chemicals going on each paddock. In future, if our kids are on the farm and want to look back, they can see how the farm is run and what has been done.

“Technology is here – embrace it and make it work for you.”

Key points:

  • Easy and enjoyable to use
  • Covers audit requirements
  • Access from anywhere 
  • Good mapping
  • Good health and safety recording

Want to find out more about farm software that gives you hassle-free recording? Click here to find out more