Looking for Insights: What Challenges Could Be Solved by Software on UK Farms?

[AdamK]

Hi everyone,

I’m a UK-based software developer exploring the idea of starting my own business, and I’d love to create a product that really solves a meaningful problem in the agriculture sector. I’m particularly interested in understanding the challenges that small-to-medium farms in the UK face.

As someone from outside the industry, I’d really appreciate hearing from you directly. What are the biggest challenges you encounter in your day-to-day operations? Are there any issues you’ve run into where you think, "If only there was a bit of software to help with this"?

Also, if you’re using any software or tech solutions now that just don’t work as well as they should, I’d love to know what’s missing or unreliable about them.

I’d love to get a sense of whether there’s a specific problem that could be tackled with a practical software solution, so your insights would be incredibly valuable. Thanks for any thoughts or ideas you’re willing to share!

 

[spin cycle]

'delete red tractor '

'fix rpa sfi'

' convert stewardship to sfi' (cos defra can't)

 

[Jackov Altraids]

There must be some fabulous software in Formula 1, that calculates the chance of rain, yellow flags, safety cars and the speed differentials due to tyre degradation while simultaneously predicting the actions of all the other teams in order to formulate a best strategy.
I could do with something similar in calculating the best way to 2 weeks work in 3 dry days.

 

[Tarw Coch]

Unfortunately agriculture is a relatively small market with a relatively small budget to spend on tech solutions.
Near on 30 years ago I installed a new milking parlour linked to a computer system that would feed cows to yield, keep track of cow calendar and produce all sorts of usefolists such as cows due to calf, to PD, to serve etc.
Unfortunately the parlour manufacturer pulled out of dealing with it as it was too small and specialist a field.
I then tried a generic program, from a supplier that dealt with several milking machine brands, unfortunately it was unnecessarily complex and pretty much impossible to understand, their back up was pathetic, within the first year I’d had enough, switched it off and reverted to managing without and have done for nigh on 20 years.
Ever since I’ve viewed anyone wanting to sell me anything with technology with suspicion, important points are making things easy to use for those who are not computer geniuses and back up for problems, although I suspect if you get the first part right, making it simple to understand and use, the back up will be needed much less