Ag management app adds staff timesheets and tracks fuel use

MeritAgCheck, a farm management and safety platform, has expanded its product offering to provide worker timesheets, manage fuel usage and stocks, and track full vehicle service history, all through its custom app.

The app was developed to help farmers keep a record of daily vehicle safety checks.

However, after receiving feedback from farmers and contractors over the past five years, it has been able to tailor the product to meet their wider farm management needs.

See also: Agricultural platform launched to monetise on-farm data

Director Jon Stewart said it was originally created as a health and safety app for farmers to conduct machinery management checks, but it has now developed into the UK’s leading farm management app with more than 6,500 users.

He said: “From a regulatory perspective, there is a requirement for all farmers to check their machinery on a daily basis.”

MeritAgCheck operates on a QR code system, with a code attached to each implement which is scanned by a smartphone to carry out the necessary checks.

Workers can then walk around the implement which is being examined and typically carry out the required checks in less than a minute.

Mr Stewart added that the app kept it as simple as possible for operators, and once checks were completed workers could sign it off with a tap on the phone screen.

The platform can also store training records, risks assessments, service history, maintenance and inspection records, plus track mileage and vehicle hours depending on the business needs.

The data captured by the platform is widely used for assurance scheme submissions such as Red Tractor.

Timesheets

The latest feature is a worker timesheet system, which individual members of staff can input into on a daily or weekly basis as required.

These timesheets can then be automatically sent to a payroll service provider, saving time for both farm businesses and staff.

Another recent initiative is the ability to track fuel use for individual machinery and vehicles, and also monitor fuel tank supplies on farm.

Mr Stewart said: “Timesheets is live now, and we have got many users already on the system.

“Everyone we are speaking to is moving from a manual paper-based system and saving time through this.”

He said automated invoicing was another potential product the company was considering.

This follows calls from existing users as it would allow contractors to send invoices straight off to clients based on hours logged on timesheets.