National Farmers’ Federation develops Australian Farm Data Code

The Australian Farm Data Code aims to promote adoption of digital technology by ensuring that farmers are comfortable in how their data is used, shared and managed.   

Developed and adopted by the National Farmers’ Federation in consultation with industry, the new National Farmer’s Federation Australian Farm Data Code is an easy to understand guide that producers can refer to and share with anyone else who has access to their data. 

The code provides a framework for producers, farmers, technology vendors, service providers, agronomists, researchers, banks and anyone else who wants to access your data.  

The code is useful for referring to when creating your own policies for service providers who manage your own farm data, or data on behalf of your customers/farmers/producers (if you’re a service provider yourself).  

Farmers and producers can also use the code evaluate the policies of providers who have created their own policies and processes.  

Benefits to farmer/producers include:  

•    increased awareness and understanding of the ways in which providers are collecting, using and sharing farm data;  

•    a framework to compare providers and inform negotiations about data policies; and,  

•    improvements to industry-wide data practices over time.   

Benefits for service providers include:  

•    clear and agreed guidance on data policies; and,  

•    a helpful framework to inform discussions with farmers about data.  

Development of the Code   

The Farm Data Code was developed National Farmers’ Federation’s Farm Data Working Group – bringing together farmers, researchers and agricultural technology providers.  

Members of the Farm Data Working Group include:  

•    Andrea Koch, Andrea Koch Agtech (Chair)  

•    Phil Lavers, NSW Farmers  

•    Chris Sounness, Wimmera Development Association  

•    Emma Weston, AgriDigital  

•    Warren Jennings, Telstra  

•    Jay Sanderson, University of the Sunshine Coast  

•    Leanne Wiseman, Griffith University  

•    Leighton Wilksch, AgByte  

•    Mark Pawsey, Proagrica  

•    Nick Bryant, Farmers Edge  

•    Richard Heath, Australian Farm Institute  

•    Tony Murray, Council or Rural Research and Development Corporations  

•    Ben van Delden, KPMG  

View / Download the code as a pdf

Review and Updates to the Code 

Following the initial release in February 2020, the code will be subject to two 6-monthly reviews, before continuing in a biennial review cycle.  

The Working Group is exploring certification or accreditation models to improve the Code’s uptake and impact.  

Provide feedback to the National Farmers Federation on the Code 

The NFF welcomes feedback on the code at any time.

You can do this by going to the Contact Us page on their website, by writing to ‘NFF, Locked Bag 9, Kingston ACT AUSTRALIA 2604, or by phoning (02) 6269 5666. 

If you would like to know more about the code and what it might mean for your business or partner email us or join the AgTech Finder community on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.  

Email us at agtechfinder@foodagility.com  

Go to our Twitter page to follow us and mention @agtechfinder  

Like AgTechFinder.com on Facebook

Leave the professional AgTech community a comment on the AgTech Finder LinkedIn page