World-first 'digital eyes' to assess pasture cover
Assessing pasture cover has just been become easier, thanks to Artificial Intelligence (AI).
From April 1, the startup’s AI-powered pasture management tool will be partnering with Farm Source.
The app came about in 2021 and was commercialised last year after launching at National Fieldays.
“I just really wanted a tool that was easy to use and that actually gave them [farmers] insights and foresights rather than some plans going forward, some recommendations, and really acted like a true digital assistant rather than a dashboard,” Bryant told Dairy News.
From there, Bryant, a data scientist, dairy farmer, and AIMER Farming’s chief technology officer, built the app, working with farmers to develop it, ensuring that it worked for them.
He says people are very short of time and often resources, with staff shortages, so the app – which he calls a “digital coach” – is able to help and guide them.
“Essentially, the farmers will be entering in the pasture covers, so that might be them doing their farm walks, their farm rides,” Bryant says.
From there, the app itself – “the brains of the operation” as Bryant calls it – takes the measurements and starts to learn about the paddocks, learning as it goes.
“And then it will analyse the current situation and detect all the different sorts of feed ridges and say ‘hey, I’ve seen a shortage here’, and then provide some recommendations.”
Then farmers will be able to use those recommendations to adjust their pasture management.
Shane Laurich, Fonterra procurement specialist, says AIMER is a great tool for those seeking to improve their pasture management.
“We have been watching this technology come through the innovation pipeline with a lot of interest,” he says.
“Jeremy Bryant, creator of the app, has solid experience and expertise as both a farmer and a scientist and that shines through in the quality of AIMER’s technology,” he adds.
Bryant, for his part, says the partnership with Farm Source is significant.
“They’ve got the reach, they’ve got the connections with the farmers via their digital channels or via their stores,” he told Dairy News.
He also says it makes things easier for farmers because if they sign up for the app through Farm Source, the subscription fee will come off their milk cheque.
Through the partnership, farmers will also receive an 8% discount on their monthly AIMER subscription fee.
“So, it’s very easy for the farmers to come on board,” he says.
