Organic dairy cooperative, OMSCo, has joined forces with SUM-IT Computer Systems Ltd to convince farmers of the benefits of Information Technology. It is backing a pilot scheme which will introduce farmers to, and provide training on, new dairy management software.
SUM-IT is supplying 30 free copies of its new DairyMate Dairy Manager Programme, plus a dedicated training session, to OMSCo members in the South West. The aim is to show how computer technology can enhance their businesses and make their lives simpler. As part of the pilot, the company will gain feedback from those who sign up, in order to evaluate the real business benefits of the software to farmers.
The Dairymate programme is simple to use and provides farmers with a single recording system to manage herd records easily and efficiently. The software caters for legislative movement and medicine usage records, notifies BCMS direct for all passport applications and movements, provides up-to-date fertility information and generates a complete summary to help see how the herd is performing. Just ten minutes each week will provide a host of information, including herd fertility charts, milk production forecasts and actuals, herd health analysis and action lists.
Peter Savidge, Technical Manager at OMSCo, comments, "We’re delighted to be working with SUM-IT to help promote IT to our members. Although many farmers are already using dairy management software programmes, there are still those who haven’t introduced this sort of technology into their business and are nervous about taking that first step. This scheme allows them to adopt a cutting edge computer system for free and benefit from a practical training session."
One of the first farmers to sign up to the scheme is Brian Nicholas from Woodhouse Farm in South Molton, Devon. He said, "This is a great risk-free opportunity for me to use new software and get expert tuition on a programme that I believe will offer huge business benefits. I’m looking forward to trying out the technology and seeing the actual difference it makes."
Teresa Sturtivant from Sum-IT, adds, "We know farmers are often reluctant to embrace technology and hope that this pilot will clearly show them the huge benefits to their businesses. As well as offering the software and training we will also help the farmers set up their herd data on the system – the first hurdle to getting up and running!"
Those OMSCo members wishing to sign up to the scheme should contact Gill Crane on 01934 511115 or email gill@omsco.co.uk. Applications will be dealt with on a first come first served basis.
