Farmers Edge, a digital agriculture company, and Farmers National Company, the nation’s largest landowner services company, have partnered with the goal of equipping landowners and operators with access to a wealth of digital and agronomic resources designed to support daily operations, improve sustainability, and create a seamless digital connection between stakeholders. The end result could be higher crop production and profitability.
In October, FNC reported land is selling at near-record levels; the company and its agents actively marketed and sold farmland worth $2 billion over the last five years. This increase in prices and competition has put more pressure on landowners, operators, and investors to ensure quality conservation and management for current income and future economic value. Farmers Edge helps to bridge the gap between stakeholders to establish more transparency and trust. The company’s high-tech tools are powered by field-centric data sets and Artificial Intelligence to help collect, curate, and execute on-farm data quickly, resulting in better control of disease, improved soil fertility, and increased yields. Stakeholders gain an acute view of field activities, crop performance, and management practices verifying sustainability commitments and conservation measures on the farm.
“Leasing land is a high-stakes investment for everyone involved,” says Wade Barnes, Farmers Edge CEO and co-founder. “Landowners want to ensure their assets are protected for generations to come, and operators need to be able to demonstrate their commitment to the land while also turning a profit. By working together with FNC, we’re equipping their clients with innovative solutions that improve land value while also bringing a new level of connectivity and decision-support for sustainable crop production. Digital agriculture is reshaping the industry, and farm real estate is no exception; I predict we will see a significant shift in the importance it plays in operator selection, conservation requirements, and land prices in years to come.”
