The face and direction of farming is changing. Not only is it simply enough to produce good fruits and vegetables in high quantity, it can be illegal not to keep your records in order. The records that good farmers need to keep can include any of the following: expenses, labor, chemical/pesticide tracking, harvest and yield records, planting records, shipping records, FSMA and Global GAP compliance records, and more. And tools that assist growers at keeping these records in good order will vastly simplify this process, and subsequently improve earnings and make auditing season a breeze.
In addition to the classic paper record keeping, there has been a recent trend for farmers to use digital tools to assist with their record keeping, using spreadsheets or farm management software to manage the extensive data collection they need.
Digital record keeping can range from simple excel spreadsheets and basic calculations to online data management tools.
Another popular trend in farm record keeping is the use of farm record keeping apps, or comprehensive farm management apps that aim to make farm record keeping easier and more reliable using digital recording, with records often stored in the cloud for easy access from anywhere. Farm record keeping apps range in complexity, from simple mobile spreadsheets to fully integrated recording systems stretching from planting to sale.
These apps can vary from simple spray diaries to more complex chemical inventory and application tracking systems. Using these farm record keeping apps, farmers can maintain and store accurate records of harvests, spray and pesticide applications, planting schedules, and other production practices associated with their crops.
What is also important about today’s farm record keeping apps is that they are mobile and can be accessible while in the field and data can be stored in the cloud. Using a cloud based record keeping software means that accessing, and updating, your records can be done remotely, and shared with other members of your team from anywhere.
Mobile support means growers can spend less time in their offices and more time in their fields and orchards. If a team member out in the field inputs information about spray records, crop health, or orchard management, all employees with access have that data at their fingertips instantly. Cloud based records also eliminate the headache of storing, sorting, and retrieving physical records. This frees up office space and makes surprise audits and record requests less daunting.
The successful farmer of the modern era will make use of farm record keeping apps to make the most of their time and stay compliant with ever increasing regulations that require more data every year.
Interested in learning more about Croptracker? Learn more about our Farm Management Software, or book a demonstration to schedule a meeting with our product experts.
And as always, if you're ever stuck, never hesitate to e-mail us at support@croptracker.com or Live Chat with us by clicking the green speech bubble 
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