Geofolia…. Gatekeeper….. or Something Else.

[John Bull]

Looking for crop recording software, currently using spreadsheets but it’s time to upgrade.

We have 10 separate arable customers to keep track of and our own farms in addition and we need to be able to record all costs attributable to each unit including odd ball stuff like field maintenance, grainstore cleaning, drying charges etc etc, is there anything out there that will do it?

Gatekeeper too complicated? Greenlight too Basic? Geofolia unknown to us at the moment.?

Thanks.

 

[Rookie]

Been on gatekeeper for quite a few years but always struggled as found it too complicated for my needs.
A couple of months ago when my annual support payment was due I decided to change to Geofolia.
Geofolia seems more user friendly and you get mapping included in package. Still early days but worth looking at.
I think gatekeeper work plans were better as they have more info on them as sentinel linked leraps, mapp no.'s etc on plans.
If you are an NFU member you can get a discount on geofolia.

 

[Wheatland]

I’m on Geofolia which is very easy to use. It’s got a full desktop version and an app for in field recording. It’s not perfect but very useful. Having 10+ stock centres will be quite expensive I guess

 

[l'ordinary bonville]

I'm on Greenlight.

Until i find something better.....

 

[David.]

What do these programmes cost?

 

[DrWazzock]

I’m looking at Gatekeeper basic or whatever it’s called, cloud based. Not interested in desktop based systems anymore. My agronomist uses gatekeeper so my options are limited. There is so much on spray record nowadays such as a list of all the actives that it has become too much of an effort and waste of time retyping it all into excel.

 

[DRC]

I’m looking at Gatekeeper basic or whatever it’s called, cloud based. Not interested in desktop based systems anymore. My agronomist uses gatekeeper so my options are limited. There is so much on spray record nowadays such as a list of all the actives that it has become too much of an effort and waste of time retyping it all into excel.

Why would you need to do all that ?
my agronomist emails a recommendation, I print it off, fill in the date, time etc of when I sprayed and stick it in a file .
When has it been a requirement to re type actives

 

[DrWazzock]

Why would you need to do all that ?
my agronomist emails a recommendation, I print it off, fill in the date, time etc of when I sprayed and stick it in a file .
When has it been a requirement to re type actives

My RT inpectors would never accept signed recommendations shoved in a file. Spray records have to be in “field records” here. And they want to see the actives in the field records. I tried arguing it but it’s a non conformance if you don’t have “field records” listing applications.

 

[DrWazzock]

I believe also DEFRA want field by field records of actives applied kept for so many years.
Ironically nobody other than RT inspectors have ever asked to see them in 40 years of farming, which does rather make it all quite a waste of time and effort.
I suppose “tenantright” at annual valuation is easier to work out with decent field records although you could just tot up totals applied across all crops at a basic level.

 

[DrWazzock]

I’d go cloud based every time now as there is a big danger of my desk top falling over at any time and also handier if I can access records from my phone on the go. Can also allow access to others remotely.

 

[DRC]

My RT inpectors would never accept signed recommendations shoved in a file. Spray records have to be in “field records” here. And they want to see the actives in the field records. I tried arguing it but it’s a non conformance if you don’t have “field records” listing applications.

I’m RT and never had a problem . The actives are on the recommendation .
Don't over complicate stuff . My fertiliser applications are only written down in a big ledger. Page for each field and written as cwt/ acre . Date/ product / application rate . If they dont like it, they can lump it .

 

[DRC]

I’d go cloud based every time now as there is a big danger of my desk top falling over at any time and also handier if I can access records from my phone on the go. Can also allow access to others remotely.

No disrespect . But why do you need that on a 200 acre farm . When do you have to access records on the go for instance , or who would need to remotely access your spray recs.

 

[DrWazzock]

No disrespect . But why do you need that on a 200 acre farm . When do you have to access records on the go for instance , or who would need to remotely access your spray recs.

The agronomist likes to know what’s been done and what hasn’t and how much chemical is left in stock.
For fertiliser I know what I need off the top of my head but for the NVZ we need to go through the rigmarole of off takes/yields, SNS, and several other things too tedious to remember. It would be nice to have it stored in a “standard” format rather than having to root round for it either through paper files or through my computer directories.
I did set up excel for the NVZ planning and recording but it became seriously complicated and difficult to maintain particularly with organic manure applications, ploughed out grass leys etc.

 

[DrWazzock]

Dunno if gatekeeper or geofolio will be any better than my spreadsheet though TBH.

 

[Hindsight]

Why would you need to do all that ?
my agronomist emails a recommendation, I print it off, fill in the date, time etc of when I sprayed and stick it in a file .
When has it been a requirement to re type actives

My RT inpectors would never accept signed recommendations shoved in a file. Spray records have to be in “field records” here. And they want to see the actives in the field records. I tried arguing it but it’s a non conformance if you don’t have “field records” listing applications.

I work for a number of farmers. I use Gatekeeper. Some I print off a recommendation sheet with the individual field data entry template. Farmer completes date applied, time, weather, PPE used etc. Places paper copy in a folder. Always been accepted as far as I am aware by inspectors from Assurance schemes and RPA. My sheets have been pulled up a few times by inspectors - usually when a new standard been adopted by Assurance but not led to any non conformance. Just advice to change method. One of those a few years ago was requirement to have active ingredient on recommendation sheet.

Stock control - I take a look in spray store when on farm!?

 

[DRC]

The agronomist likes to know what’s been done and what hasn’t and how much chemical is left in stock.
For fertiliser I know what I need off the top of my head but for the NVZ we need to go through the rigmarole of off takes/yields, SNS, and several other things too tedious to remember. It would be nice to have it stored in a “standard” format rather than having to root round for it either through paper files or through my computer directories.
I did set up excel for the NVZ planning and recording but it became seriously complicated and difficult to maintain particularly with organic manure applications, ploughed out grass leys etc.

You do way more than I’ve ever done or intend to do.

 

[DRC]

I work for a number of farmers. I use Gatekeeper. Some I print off a recommendation sheet with the individual field data entry template. Farmer completes date applied, time, weather, PPE used etc. Places paper copy in a folder. Always been accepted as far as I am aware by inspectors from Assurance schemes and RPA. My sheets have been pulled up a few times by inspectors - usually when a new standard been adopted by Assurance but not led to any non conformance. Just advice to change method. One of those a few years ago was requirement to have active ingredient on recommendation sheet.

Stock control - I take a look in spray store when on farm!?

My agronomist is very good at tailoring what’s needed to exact cans or bottles . When RT comes round. Struggle to find any in stock chemicals to show them . Keep everything as simple as possible , which I realise isn’t possible on big farms/ estates .

 

[Hindsight]

My agronomist is very good at tailoring what’s needed to exact cans or bottles . When RT comes round. Struggle to find any in stock chemicals to show them . Keep everything as simple as possible , which I realise isn’t possible on big farms/ estates .

I work with farms of all sizes and approaches. Gatekeeper is a Ferrari! It can be used to potter to the village shop - ie just as a tool to produce a recommendation sheet. Or to race Rockingham Raceway with full traceability and financial reporting. Just it is a bit clunky for the village shop scenario. I still write out a few handwritten recommendation sheets! Each to their own.

Cannot beat saying - just pop that can and the other part one - it will fit the job!

 

[Clive]

i’ve used Gatekeeper for many years - still hate it ! awful and dated bit of software, not even cloud based ……. its 2021 !

i had a Geofolia demo a few months ago and think we will give it a go - looks much better

 

[Hjwise]

Greenlight is for people who need to record/have access to the essentials (self employed/owner operators), Gatekeeper is for those who need to make themselves look busy. (Employed managers/middle managers). I’ll take a look at Geofolia and give you my wise opinion later.