“Farmers have more control over their data with JoinData”
Rik Vlemminx is project leader and advisor at ZLTO and focuses on an integral and digital view of dairy farming. He had been working with data links via EDI Circle for some time, but started using JoinData two years ago. “The permissions portal is a really nice step forward. That’s the main difference with EDI Circle. We can now also create authorization requests. What was not transparent before is now transparent for farmers. That improves the farmer’s position.”
In his work, he compares the data of dairy farms in terms of mineral cycles, dairy or slaughter dates. He benchmarks and compares farms. “Our work has also become easier with JoinData. We have an overview of who can access what data.”
Vlemminx is happy with the steps that have been taken so far within JoinData. But he does think there is room for improvement. “More data providers should be allowed to join. That way, more data is made available in a managed way, with the farmer being in control. This offers more chance for new insights, as different data streams can be combined with each other. Here, data is sort of like a commodity, like electricity. The more transparent, the better.”
Vlemminx also calls on farmers to join. Where he also indicates that working with JoinData should not be the goal in itself. “It’s a means to ultimately work more efficiently and effectively. And as a farmer, you really have more control over your data.”
