Real-time data serves as a system of record to provide a more detailed picture of field activities

Farmobile LLC, Agriculture's Independent Data Company™, today announced that The Fertilizer Institute (TFI), the leading voice of the fertilizer industry, is supporting through outreach the advancement of agronomic and machine-collected data for ag retailers seeking to take advantage of Variable Rate Application technology, 4R practices and sustainable agriculture for growers.

The topic is being explored during the virtual 2020 Sustainable Ag Summit, November 18-19, 2020. Farmobile joins TFI and Luckey Farmers Cooperative to discuss the value of real-time data to benefit farmers, ag retailers and environment during the concurrent technical session.

With the supply chain's growing interest in a more sustainable food, fiber and fuel supply, best practice initiatives like TFI's 4R Nutrient Management (4R) program are focused on increasing production and farmer profitability, enhancing environmental protection and improving overall sustainability. In order to unlock the next generation of agricultural production and enable growers to take advantage of emerging markets, retailers must be able to write fertilizer recommendations faster and provide a system of record to scale variable rate technology (VRT) practices so that the right amount of the right fertilizer hits the right spot in the field, every time.

"At TFI, we're always looking ahead to future opportunities and challenges in the fertilizer industry. Nutrient management is both," said Peyton Harper, senior manager of stewardship and sustainability for The Fertilizer Institute. "Real-time data-collection provides visibility and generates ground-truthed yield maps, which can improve VRT accuracy which is very beneficial in a robust 4R system."

Farmobile's data collection enables growers and ag retailers to capture all of the layered data involved in the growing of a crop, serving as a robust system of record from a crop's planting through its applications and all the way through harvest. Farmobile automatically converts second-by-second raw agronomic and machine data, collected across a mixed fleet of farm and application equipment, into a uniform data set. Available for 24/7 exports or API streaming, the data (permissioned by users) creates a system of record that captures how a field was farmed and fertilizer applied.

"Using Farmobile to enhance the speed and quality of data collection allowed us to expand Variable Rate Application acres which, in turn, is helping us to surpass our 4R goals. Our state (Ohio) had a goal of a minimum of 35 percent of acreage being 4R certified," said Andrew Gladden, IT manager of Luckey Farmers, Inc. "With Farmobile and their ability to track variable rate application, we not only hit 35 percent — we're aiming for 70 percent going forward, and looking forward to the improved profitability that comes with it."

As is the case with Luckey Farmers, Inc., nutrient management mandates are both an opportunity and a challenge for farmers and a strong, comprehensive data backbone is needed to meet these goals effectively, while increasing profitability.

"Farmobile was formed to help growers get the most value from the data they're generating in their operations, and nutrient management is no exception," said Bradford Warner, vice president of business development and sustainability, Farmobile. "Whether growers are trying to get ahead of potential future regulations or looking to provide proof of stewardship to grow their profitability and care for their land, Farmobile's technology collects the right data across machine makes and models at the right time, and processes it into insights to be delivered with the right farm management systems, such as Agworld, with this scenario."

Those interested in learning more about how Farmobile and TFI are working to promote the use of data to serve as a system of record in nutrient management, should attend the joint panel discussion with Luckey Farmers' Andrew Gladden at the virtual Sustainable Ag Summit, November 18-19, 2020.

To learn more about the 4R Nutrient Management Plan and TFI, visit tfi.org. For information on real-time data collection across a mixed fleet, visit Farmobile at farmobile.com.

About Farmobile

Farmobile LLC — Agriculture's Independent Data Company™ — builds foundational technology for the future of agriculture. Farmobile enables farmers and channel partners to collect, share and monetize data.

Agriculture doesn't use a standard data format. Farmobile does. We specialize in collecting second-by-second agronomic and machine data points across mixed fleets. The Farmobile DataEngineSM platform turns raw data into its own unique standardized, visual Electronic Field Records (EFRs) making it easy to gain insights, share with trusted advisors and power decision-making.

Data is among the most valuable commodities a farm produces and farmers should benefit from it. The Farmobile DataStoreSM exchange is the first to digitally connect farmers with data buyers. Based in Leawood, KS, Farmobile proudly resides in the heart of the Midwest.

About The Fertilizer Institute

The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) is the leading voice of the nation's fertilizer industry. Tracing its roots back to 1883, TFI's membership includes fertilizer producers, wholesalers, retailers and trading firms. TFI's full-time staff, based in Washington, D.C., serves its members through legislative, educational, technical, economic information and public communication programs. Find more information about TFI online at tfi.org. Learn more about TFI's nutrient stewardship initiatives at nutrientstewardship.org.

About Luckey Farmers, Inc.

Luckey Farmers, Inc. was established in 1919 and is a grain marketing and farm supply cooperative located in northwest Ohio.

We are 100 percent farmer-owned and currently serve approximately 2000 members with Grain Marketing, Plant Food, Seed, Feed, General Farm Supplies, and Petroleum products. Our seed and feed lines feature Luckey Farmers, Inc. very own brand of products called Gro-Mor.

We are dedicated to providing the highest quality farm products and services for the success of our members, employees, and community. Visit Luckey Farmers at luckeyfarmers.com.