Aggregate Reporting
Perhaps the greatest tool available through the NLMD is the ability to create aggregate reports for farmers against other farmers in a producer group, postcode area or region.
Aggregate reports have the ability to create an overall picture based upon the criteria selected. For example, using aggregate reporting, it is possible for a farmer in a particular region to identify how their animals lambing/calving percentage compares against other farmers in the group/region.
With aggregate reporting, the farmer can identify trends in their data, and be able to identify which animals are producing the best return for a particular forage area or treatment regime, and therefore can adjust their methods accordingly. Over time, this analysis of the farm data will enable the farmer to tailor their farming methods to get the best income from both their stock and their overall business.
The NLMD encourages farmers using the backup facility to sign up to a particular group when registering. The groups we use are identified when one or more farmers request their holding data be included with others, for example the BLADE group or members of the South West Livestock Pilot (SWLP). New groups can be created, please contact one of our support team to discuss adding a new group to the system. By default, each holding will be included in a UK wide group for aggreagate reporting against all holding data in the UK.
Can anyone use my data?
No. Simply put, the data you send to us can be used in two ways, as part of an aggregate report (where we hide any identifiable information such as tag number, holding or names) or in reports that are accessible only to the farmer (who owns the data). The NLMD doesn't give your data to anyone else, any government organisation or any other organisation unless you have specifically said we may.