Is That Ag Technology Worth It? Ask These Questions To Be Sure

 How the pieces fit together

New technology fitting these criteria must still make a positive difference on farm. Goals, management, labor and time should all be considered.
“Ultimately, a fit is determined by profit,” Field says. “If it positively affects my break-even, I need to seriously consider it. Admittedly, potential profit is hard to establish early on.”
Next, a technology’s ability to simplify or automate manual labor by simplifying or automating a multi-step paper process or removing repetitive manual data entries could add value.
“Time and frustration levels are major players,” Field says. “If we can complete one step instead of three, it makes my team’s lives better. It’s likely not immediate for return on investment, but there’s something to be said for the value of stress reduction and added efficiency.”
Field recommends producers approach technology providers with three key questions:

• Can you demonstrate that it works?
• Is your technology better than what I’m using now and why?
• Will you outline the increased profitability and improved efficiency timeline?

Once you’re satisfied with the answers, Field suggests looking to trusted sources, including consultants, friends or peers with knowledge, expertise or experience.
Support and usability tied to success
“If it’s not user-friendly, I’m not interested,” Field says. “A program requiring a ton of support or adding a boatload of complexity to an already complex environment isn’t the answer. As Einstein said, ‘Make things as simple as possible but no simpler’.”
Technology also must work without extra hours dedicated to refinement or solving problems.
“The frustrations of busy, time-constrained owners will happen quickly,” he warns. “If I need to invest extra time I don’t have, it won’t be successful.”
Practical concerns
Karl Fox, Iowa custom cattle feeder outlines three honest questions to consider before investing:

• Do I have the cash available?
• Does it make tasks easier?
• Will it help me identify ways to make better decisions?

Fox was one of the original adopters of Performance Beef, a cattle management software. When reviewing available options, he was spending numerous hours per month invoicing up to 20 pens to six different customers.
“I decided on Performance Beef because it helped me do a better job of tracking and managing my numbers, improving my health records, and fine-tuning how I manage my cattle on an individual basis,” Fox says. “As we’re primarily grid sellers, it provides better information to predict harvest dates, maximize revenue per animal and avoid penalties.”
Another key factor was that company’s personnel proactively kickstarted his installation and onboarding process, yielding almost immediate results.
“The right technology will quickly confirm that we can’t afford not to have it,” Fox adds. “Once we discover a technology or practice works with noticeable improvement in a short time, demonstrates a reduction in mistakes and quickly covers costs, it’s an obvious choice.”
Field agrees. Technology’s ability to help reduce or eliminate repetitive and redundant tasks allows people to spend more time on other priorities.
“If it’s accurate, works quickly, reduces labor, demonstrates a verifiable ROI, makes for better decision-making and takes away aggravation, give it serious consideration,” Field says.
The first step in evaluating new technology is talking to peers, researching online or testing a product. Hear from customers or try a digital demo of Performance Beef to learn more.