What Happens When Farmers Dig Into Data?

Earlier this month, we welcomed a group of Midlands-based farming customers to YAGRO HQ for one of our free Farm Discussion Groups - an optional space for like-minded growers using the YAGRO Platform to come together, swap ideas, and dive into real-world data in a no-pressure environment. 

This time, we hosted the Midlands Farms Discussion Group, with attendees representing a variety of enterprises around Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire—from arable-only setups to mixed farms including dairy, woodland, and other diversifications. 

In attendance on the day:  

• Jon Sweet – A J Hazard Farms LLP 

• Grant Page – Page Farming Ltd 

• Frazer Jolly – Saltby Farms 

• Richard Cross – Oxton Estate 

Over coffee and breakfast, we viewed crop specific insights from the group’s own farm data to spark discussion. No judgement, no sales pitch - just a space to reflect, compare, and learn from each other.  

At YAGRO, we specialise in utilising farm data and records. Our platform presents these in a way that is easy to understand and truly comparable - as well as visualising costs of production at the crop, variety and field level. This meeting was an opportunity for our farming customers to discuss their learnings in person and benchmark with one another. 

Winter Crops, Tough Decisions, and the Power of Reflection 

We kicked off with winter wheat. Across the group, nine varieties were grown, with some farmers opting for three or more to help spread risk. That approach set the tone for the morning - everyone does things differently, and the magic happens when we understand why. 

From fertiliser timing to seed rates, the discussion dug into the nitty gritty of decision-making. One farm manager reflected on the shift in his input strategy after last season: “I went in high, spent big… but the crops didn’t deliver. This year, I’ve held back.” Others talked about managing seed orders, home-saving, and how they tweak their drill rates depending on drilling date or land type. 

The analysis moved onto winter barley, as we presented different visuals for each crop and input as the conversation flowed. The weather continues to dominate farm decision-making, especially the unpredictability of seasonal rainfall, and the pros and cons of winter vs spring drilling were weighed by the farmers in the room.  

More Than Just Numbers: Strategy and the Long Game 

Chemical spend and cover crop use opened up deeper questions - how do we balance spending with expected return? When is it worth letting a crop go? And what’s the long-term payoff of decisions that don’t show in this year’s yield? 

It was a moment of shared understanding to hear one farmer explain: “It’s not all about the profit on one field. If I lose a bit on spring barley but it helps tackle blackgrass, that helps the next wheat, so I win overall.” That kind of joined-up thinking is exactly what these sessions are about. 

From Headline Data to Whole-Farm Thinking 

We moved through winter barley, fertiliser applications, and establishment costs. The recurring theme? Context matters. What works on one farm, or in one field, may not work elsewhere - and that’s where shared discussion and whole-farm analysis become so powerful. 

We also previewed YAGRO’s upcoming Operations feature, which allows farmers to incorporate operational costs into their analytics - enabling true net margin analysis at a crop, variety and field level.  Due for early access release in June, moving the conversation to Net Margin will allow  group conversations like this to develop further as we explore sales and machinery use in greater detail.  

Could Your Farm Benefit? 

Whether it was challenging assumptions about seed rates, or sharing frustrations around SFI paperwork, the most valuable aspect of the day wasn’t just the data - it was the shared experience. A room of farmers openly discussing what worked, what didn’t, and what they’re trying next. 

If you’re interested in exploring your own farm operation in more clarity, and seeking to boost your decision-making – you can schedule a free meeting with my colleague James, who will walk you through our tools and how they can help your farm – no obligations.