TEKFARM links ag-tech to productivity

Sheep producer JJ Venter draws on his skillset as an environmental scientist and agronomist to guide his focus on building a resilient, efficient and profitable business.

JJ and his wife Karien are co-owners of a mixed farming enterprise, ‘Clear Creek’ at Berthong, NSW.

They joined the Farmers2Founders’ TEKFARM initiative in 2023 – the program is designed to connect producers with emerging ag-tech solutions.

It’s given JJ and Karien tools and knowledge to achieve their goal of harnessing the right ag-tech to ensure Clear Creek can adapt to seasonal variability and maintain long-term productivity – cost-effectively.

“We made the decision to join TEKFARM to gain access to new ideas and practical tools that would work for our business,” JJ said.

“It served as a great way to explore what’s out there without wasting time looking into tech that wasn’t going to serve our production goals.”

Planning with confidence

One of the most valuable roles technology plays at Clear Creek is helping to guide seasonal decisions – particularly around feed budgeting, grazing rotations and stocking rates.

Currently, the couple uses PastureKey, a product developed by Cibo Labs, to monitor pasture biomass and growth rates. 

This helps determine feed on offer, when to move stock and how many animals the land can support at any given time.

“Instead of relying on just your eyes or following a routine, we can look at the numbers and know whether the pasture is meeting animal requirements or if we need to step in with supplements,” JJ said. 

“It’s helped us avoid both overfeeding and underfeeding, which saves money and improves animal performance.”

The same data supports rotational grazing decisions, helping JJ and Karien move sheep strategically to maximise pasture and grazing crop recovery and utilisation. 

It also informs stocking rate adjustments, allowing the team to respond to seasonal changes with confidence.

“We’re no longer guessing how many animals we can run – we’re planning based on actual pasture availability,” JJ said. 

“That’s made a big difference in how we manage risk and optimise productivity.”

Real-time data 

Alongside PastureKey, they also use AgriWebb which allows them to track individual animal treatments and mob performance, monitor paddock usage over time, and maintain a digital record of grazing rotations. 

This level of detail helps JJ identify trends, respond quickly to health issues, and plan more effectively across the enterprise. 

“By streamlining record keeping with AgriWebb, we ensure decisions are backed by reliable, up-to-date information and the time spent on manual data entry is reduced,” he said.

Cost and time savings 

For JJ, the value of ag-tech is measured in time saved, costs avoided and decisions made with confidence.

“Tech doesn’t just give us data, it gives us clarity,” he said. 

“We’ve been able to avoid unnecessary feed costs, reduce labour hours and make grazing decisions that support pasture and crop recovery. 

“That’s a return on investment you can see in your bottom line.”

Having access to timely, visual data has helped improve communication across the team.

“When everyone can see what’s happening in the paddock or in the feed budget, it’s easier to plan together and act quickly – that’s a big win for us,” JJ said.

Tech that complements experience

The Clear Creek team are selective about the platforms they use. 

They believe the right tool should make planning easier, reduce costs and give confidence to act quickly when conditions change.

“When I look at a new tool, I ask whether it’s user-friendly and if it provides useful information that is relevant to our business goals,” JJ said.

“Tech is not a replacement for good stockmanship, it’s not a substitute for knowing your animals and your land and, most importantly, it’s not an investment worth making just for the sake of being up-to-date with modern farming resources.”