Working Smarter, Not Harder: Maximizing Efficiency with Digital Agronomy Tools
In today’s competitive agricultural landscape, embracing digital technology is no longer optional — it’s essential for staying ahead. As growers increasingly expect digital solutions, agricultural professionals must adapt to meet these demands while improving their own operational efficiency.
Digital agronomy tools offer numerous benefits, from enhancing customer retention to attracting top talent. By leveraging technologies like digital scouting apps and integrated data systems, agronomists can provide more value to their clients and streamline their workflows. These tools enable businesses to meet growers at their current level of digital sophistication, whether they’re just starting out or are already tech-savvy.
In a recent webinar, “Working Smarter, Not Harder: Maximizing Efficiency with Digital Agronomy Tools,” presented by TELUS Agriculture, speakers Scott Morehead, Strategic Account Manager for North America and Drew Shaw, Product Manager for Agronomy & Compliance Solutions, talked about the value of digital agronomy tools and the importance of choosing the right ones to integrate in your operation.
“If you don’t have digital tools as part of your tool set, your competitors likely do, and you’ve lost an edge to the competition straight out of the gate,” Morehead says. “Another concern that we hear frequently and is probably the biggest pain point in the world of ag tech startups is data fragmentation. The data isn’t in the same format or can’t talk to other data sources that exist in the operation, and we’ll add pen and paper to that equation as well. The time of pen and paper should be long behind us, but it’s still hanging around.”
Reduce Errors and Redundancy
One of the key advantages of digital agronomy is the ability to digitize day-to-day operations. This includes converting recommendations into work orders, facilitating wireless data transfer to machines, and automatically generating completion records. By eliminating manual data entry and reducing the risk of errors, businesses can significantly improve their operational efficiency.
Another crucial aspect is the power of data integration. Many businesses struggle with fragmented data sources and disconnected systems. Digital agronomy platforms can unify these disparate data points, providing valuable insights that drive informed decision-making. This integrated approach allows agronomists to leverage historical data, identify trends and make more accurate predictions and recommendations.
Attract Top Talent
Implementing digital tools also plays a vital role in attracting and retaining top talent. As new graduates enter the workforce with experience in digital agriculture, they expect employers to provide modern tools that enhance their productivity. Digital platforms can help shorten the learning curve for new employees by providing access to standardized procedures and accumulated knowledge.
“We don’t have the luxury of a lot of people trying to get into this area of expertise,” Shaw says. “So, we need to be able to attract those top-tier candidates as we start looking at the talent pools that are out there. How do we do that? A lot of young people who are just coming into the market were born in a time when cell phones already existed and were widely used. They’ve been digital-native people their entire lives. If I put myself in their shoes as an employee, and I’m looking at two different companies, if one is still doing everything with pen and paper, and another one is using a much more streamlined approach with a technology package that talks to multiple different things and it’s going to make my life easier, I know which one I would choose.”
However, adopting digital agronomy tools requires a strategic approach. Businesses should carefully evaluate their needs and choose partners that align with their long-term goals. It’s crucial to consider factors such as data ownership, scalability, and the provider’s focus on agriculture when selecting a technology partner.
TELUS Agriculture has deep roots and growing capabilities in the agribusiness landscape. They are enabling seamless integrations along the supply chain starting with agronomy all the way up into consumer goods by providing its customers the specialty tools that they need.
“TELUS Agronomy is the software many people will consider as the FMIS (Farm Management Information System)” Shaw says. It can be used all season long “from the beginning of the year to the end of the year, whether you’re in row crops or permanent crops, leveraging compliance throughout that ecosystem with it, as well.”
As the agricultural industry continues to evolve, those who embrace digital agronomy tools will be better positioned to meet the challenges of tomorrow. By investing in the right technologies and partnerships today, businesses can work smarter, not harder; maximizing their efficiency and providing greater value to their customers. The key is to have a clear digital strategy, choose the right tools to support that strategy and be ready to adapt to the changing needs of the agricultural landscape.
If you missed the live broadcast of this webinar, “Working Smarter, Not Harder: Maximizing Efficiency with Digital Agronomy Tools” you can view the archived version online here or visit CropLife.com/webinars and check it out today.