Interactive dashboards that allow farmers to measure key performance indicators (KPIs) will be unveiled at this year’s Cereals event by Ceres Research, in recognition of the financial pressures weighing heavily on the arable sector.

Visitors to the event will be able to give the new development a “test drive”, using information from their own farm to get a headline view of how their farm is performing against key metrics.

The tool was initially developed for use with combinable crops and will become part of a wider subscription-based Ceres Research membership offer, to help farm businesses assess performance.

See also: Cereals 25 host Andrew Ward reflects on farming changes

The tool aims to highlight areas where users are falling short and need to consider corrective action.

As Tim Isaac of Ceres Research explains, having an easy-to-use business intelligence tool simplifies the understanding of the current position of the farm business, as well as highlighting where further investigation is required.

“In just five minutes, it gives a headline check of the health of the business from data which is readily available in the farm office, with the findings presented in a dashboard format,” he says.

“This is an interactive tool that helps analyse and present business data,” he adds. “It is not intended to be a full benchmarking service, but it does give the chance to look at physical performance and provides commentary on how to improve.”

Against a background of falling government support for farming and an ongoing farm profitability review, the use of key metrics is seen as the best way of making informed decisions and efficiency improvements.

“We will be adding to its functionality over time. Our immediate priority has been physical performance metrics, such as yield, fuel use and cropped area per arable labour unit, to help get a clearer picture of current challenges,” Tim says.

Arable key metrics

• Cropped hectares per arable labour unit
• Litres of diesel per cropped hectare
• Horsepower per cropped hectare
• Cropped hectares per metre of spray boom
• Drilled hectares per metre of drill
• Combined hectares per metre of cutter bar.

These six metrics will help to provide focus and identify where action on physical efficiency is required, continues Tim. Yield data will also be included, with regional analysis allowing greater scrutiny.

“For example, if the number of cropped hectares per arable labour unit is low, there may be potential to contract out some of the labour resource or use it to help develop a new diversification enterprise.

“Likewise, if diesel use is high, cultivations intensity and road travel may need addressing. Similarly, where machinery is over capacity, there may be discussions around downsizing, contract work or machinery sharing to be had.”

The interactive zone will be available to Ceres Research members only, but anyone interested in what it has to offer can try it out free of charge by visiting Ceres Rural at Cereals 25 on stand 219.