A Single Year’s Insights

Benchmarking and analysing your data can seem daunting…

And above all, Do you have the time to analyse your farm performance when you’re already managing the daily demands of farm life?  

These are questions many farms ask our team, and with good reason. But the truth is, taking the leap to analyse just one year’s worth of data can offer more than just numbers—it provides clear, actionable insights that bring real value from day one. 

I recently had the pleasure of working with a farmer who wanted to dip their toe into the world of making use of their farm records, to understand their cost of production. Time was the biggest hurdle for them, so by uploading just a single year of data, we created a platform for the farm. Following the insights gathered from one year, the farm has now imported their historic records to get even more out of a previously untapped resource– their farm data.  

So what do you get with just one year of farm records for analysing your internal performance and benchmarking against others? 

The Instant Value of Analysis: Quick Wins and True Cost of Production 

One of the immediate benefits of data analysis is understanding your true Cost of Production. With one year’s worth of data, you gain clear visibility into your production costs, allowing you to make informed adjustments right away in the current season. 

Benefit: You can determine exactly what it costs to produce each crop - Including  a detailed breakdown of input costs, from fertilisers to seeds and chemical. By having these figures at your fingertips, you gain an immediate understanding of where your money is going and where changes could improve efficiency. 

Impact: Identifying cost ‘hotspots’ highlights if you’re overspending in certain areas. For example, are fertiliser costs particularly high? Is there a larger-than-expected spend on chemicals? This insight allows you to make adjustments that directly impact your profitability. For many farmers, just knowing the true Cost of Production makes benchmarking feel worthwhile. 

Using Data for Optimised Input 

Optimal use of inputs can lead to significant savings and improved yields. Even with one year’s data, you can begin to assess how effectively resources like fertilisers and seeds are being used. This analysis provides actionable insights that help you avoid waste while getting the best from your crops. 

Benefit: A detailed look at input optimisation shows you where adjustments can be made, helping you either invest more to make more or find routes to save money and improve productivity without compromising yield. 

Impact: Making small changes to application rates or adjusting timing based on data can lead to cost savings that add up across the season. It’s a quick win that pays dividends and builds a solid foundation for future decision-making. 

Benchmarking Yields and Quality 

For farmers wanting to know how they measure up, one year’s data provides a strong basis for benchmarking yield. YAGRO’s tools enable you to compare yields against regional averages, revealing how your farm ranks against the wider market and where opportunities for improvement may lie. 

Benefit: This insight isn’t just about competition; it’s about setting realistic targets and understanding where your business excels or needs improvement. 

Impact: By knowing where you stand, you can focus your efforts on areas that matter most. If yields are lagging, this year’s data highlights where attention and resources may need to go next season. 

Reducing Risk with Data-Driven Decisions 

Risk is always part of the equation in farming, but a year of data can uncover trends that help you mitigate it. From identifying reliance on specific inputs to spotting market fluctuations, one year’s data analysis allows you to strategise and diversify where necessary. 

Benefit: By spotting these patterns, you can plan ahead to reduce risk and increase resilience, making decisions grounded in real data rather than speculation. 

Impact: Data-driven risk management helps protect margins and build stability, particularly when selling into a commodity market with commodity driven inputs.  

Creating a Baseline for Future Growth 

Starting with one year of data isn’t just about immediate wins; it’s about building a long-term approach to farm performance. This first year provides a baseline, a starting point that allows you to track future growth and continuously improve. It also highlights those areas of interest where greater analysis could add even more data and therefore where to focus or improve your data collection.  

By viewing data collection as a season-by-season journey, you can make steady improvements without the need for years of history upfront.  

I believe that starting with just one year of data can be the foundation for lasting success, one insightful step at a time. 

Learn how your farm can start with a single season and achieve a world of insights.