ADM unveils farm management platform designed to sustainably boost crop yields

22 Jul 2022 --- ADM is joining forces with Farmers Business Network (FBN) to bring a digital farm business management platform, Gradable, for farmers to have direct access to data that will aid them in boosting their crop yields while decreasing their emissions. 

The businesses will offer 55,000 growers this comprehensive digital solution.

“FBN’s Gradable is not only the major digital innovation farmers need to identify opportunities to drive profitability, but it is also the carbon accounting system upon which a low-carbon ag economy can be built, with the potential to decarbonize the food and fuel supply chains on a gigaton scale,” says Amol Deshpande, CEO, FBN.

“[It is] Like finding money on the ground,” adds Doug James, a farmer from Appleton City (US).

The program will allow farmers to identify areas where they can boost their profitability by including measuring, reporting and verification capabilities.Eye on transparency and sustainability
The program will allow farmers to identify areas where they can boost their profitability by including measuring, reporting and verification capabilities that will enable them to partake in regenerative agriculture programs and access new markets for low-carbon grain.

“ADM is leading in the decarbonization of our industry, meeting the demand for food, beverages and consumer products that are produced sustainably from seed to store shelf,” says Greg Morris, president, ag services and oilseeds business, ADM. 

Morris explains how last year, the company committed to reducing their scope 3 emissions by 25% by 2035. Scope 3 emissions assess the entire value chain, even from assets not controlled by the reporting organization. 

“We’re taking yet another important step by partnering with FBN to expand our digital tools and offer our farmer partners a platform to measure and verify regenerative agriculture practices and help manage their businesses,” he notes.

Program features
The program allows farmers to collect and calculate verifiable production data, including carbon scores – allowing them to monetize the downstream benefits in the market. 

“Farmers using the environmental scoring function of Gradable’s platform who have adopted regenerative practices, such as cover cropping, nitrogen efficiency tools, or no-till farming, have produced grain with carbon intensity footprints 20-30% below average,” according to FBN. 

In addition, the ADM farmers using FBN’s Gradable will be able to access a full digital view of their business, with the “eventual capability to manage contracts, settlements and scale tickets.” 

They will also receive access to education tools and agronomic guidance to maximize environmental market outcomes.

Farmers will be able to verify and maintain records on regenerative farming practices, such as cover cropping, reduced tillage and nutrient management. The program will also grant potential access to lines of capital for regenerative practice adoption.

“Combining ADM’s scale and expertise and FBN’s digital technology with the ability to efficiently, accurately, and consistently calculate and verify regenerative farm practices is powerful and promises to serve as a catalyst for the development of premium markets that reward farmers for sustainable production,” explains Deshpande.

“This level of transparency is then transferred down the line to consumers, supporting demand for sustainable consumption,” he concludes. 

Edited by Marc Cervera