10 June 2014
New code set to speed up rate of innovation in NZ rural industry
The Farm Data Code of Practice, launched today, is a first for the New Zealand agricultural industry.
The new Code of Practice outlines steps organisations must take to safeguard farmers’ data. Adoption and implementation
of the Farm Data Code of Practice is expected to improve how farm information is shared and used.
Development of the Farm Data Code of Practice was funded by New Zealand dairy farmers through DairyNZ, and also the
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and FarmIQ. It is part of the Transforming the Dairy Value Chain programme, led by DairyNZ and Fonterra, under MPI’s Primary
Growth Partnership.
DairyNZ, CRV Ambreed, FarmIQ, Federated Farmers, Fertiliser Association of NZ, Fonterra, LIC and Te Tumu Paeroa formed
the industry steering committee which oversaw the development of the Farm Data Code of Practice. It is relevant to all
organisations that collect, store or manage farmer data.
DairyNZ CEO, Dr Tim Mackle, said widespread adoption of the Code of Practice will increase the security of information
as well as the speed and ease with which it is shared.
Long-term, he said adoption should encourage a faster rate of innovation in the agricultural sector.
“The reality is that the terminology used by farmers on a daily basis is defined differently by the range of
organisations with which they communicate and share information.
“Organisations adhering to the new Code of Practice commit to use common terminology and dictionaries to make it easier
to share land and animal data in a very secure manner.
“At the moment, farm data is not moving between organisations in the volumes it could - often due to differences in data
definitions, the need for multiple data entry or complex integration software.
“By increasing the rate at which data can securely move between service organisations, the speed of innovation will
surely increase. That’s great news for farmers and New Zealand’s rural sector as a whole,” Dr Mackle explained.
Although development of the Farm Data Code of Practice is a dairy initiative, it is relevant to all New Zealand farmers.
Federated Farmers President, Bruce Wills, said that organisations’ adherence to the new Code of Practice will give
farmers peace-of-mind that their farm data is secure when it’s outside their hands, making it easier for farmers to
manage their data.
“Farmers share a lot of valuable and confidential information every day with everyone from their farm consultant to
their fertiliser company. Organisations adopting the Code of Practice are able to demonstrate their information
management systems are secure, reliable and up to the task.
“There has been a positive reception from both farmers and service organisations. They know initiating a Code of
Practice will bring transparency as organisations demonstrate they have good security processes in place. Another bonus
for farmers is the Code of Practice requires organisations to clearly define who owns the rights to farm data after it’s
been collected,” said Mr Wills.
All organisations collecting, holding or sharing information about primary producers and farming operations are being
strongly encouraged by DairyNZ to adopt the Farm Data Code of Practice.
DairyNZ Strategy and Investment Portfolio Manager, Jenny Jago, chaired the steering committee responsible for overseeing
industry consultation and Code of Practice development. She cautioned that the development of the Code of Practice was
the first of many steps forward for the industry.
“Organisations’ adoption of the Code of Practice is part of a bigger picture, which is all about the industry working
together to improve the management and effective use of farm data.
“Completing the development of the Code of Practice is a major piece of work and a key first step. Now it’s up to the
industry to action it.
“Over the next year, our steering committee will continue to release additional data standards which will add further
benefits to the industry one by one.”
About the Farm Data Code of Practice
Six industry organisations provided the mandate for the establishment of the Farm Data Code of Practice: Beef & Lamb New Zealand, DairyNZ Limited, Dairy Companies Association of NZ, Federated Farmers, Te Tumu Paeroa and NZ
Veterinary Association.
The Farm Data Code of Practice will be administered by DairyNZ through the establishment phase. An independent review
panel will assess applications. The accreditation process involves both a self-assessment and statutory declaration of
compliance to prove processes, policies and systems are up to the highest security standards.
Complying organisations receive an annual licence and certificate from DairyNZ and use of the Farm Data Code of Practice
trademark. Organisations pay a one-off fee of $1400 to register and an annual licence renewal fee of $900.
The Farm Data Code of Practice was developed over a two-year period in consultation with around 60 rural organisations
and 200 industry professionals and farmers. Rezare Systems project-led the Code of Practice development on behalf of
funders.
For more information on the Farm Data Code of Practice, visit www.farmdatacode.org.nz
or phone DairyNZ on 0800 4 DAIRYNZ.
Farm Data Code of Practice: what it IS and what it ISN’T:
What it ISWhat it ISN’TIt is a promise to store land and animal data in a secure manner.
It is a promise to securely share land and animal data to speed up innovation.
It is a commitment to use common, standard terminology for land and animal data.
It is the first step in a wider piece of work, which will see data standards for animals and land being developed and released over the next
year.It is not a large database of farm data.
It will not transfer data without farmer permission.
It will not solve all data sharing issues within the rural sector.
It is not just for the dairy industry; it is relevant to all farmers and all organisations that collect, store or manage farmer data.
ENDS