Looking back on 2023 with Herdwatch
As 2023 comes to an end, we took the opportunity to look back at what a big year it has been for Herdwatch and our members. This year brought a lot of changes and difficulties in farming around the world but even with all that, we had another year full of innovation, growth, new innovative solutions and having lots of good things to be excited for the future. Let’s talk about some of the important things that happened for us this year!!
Check out our year in review video for the highlights.
More Awards!
Herdwatch had another exceptional year where we stood out in the agricultural technology landscape by not only being shortlisted but also clinching several prestigious farm technology awards. Our innovative solutions and dedication to advancing farming practices have earned recognition. Let’s have a look at some of the big ones!
We started off the year on a high after picking up the Bronze Digital Innovation Award at LAMMA in January. Followed on from this, our new ‘Grass & Crops’ solution picked up two awards. Firstly, at the National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska where we picked up the Best Agritech Software award and we also won the Farm Software award at the Better Farming Awards. Winning multiple awards throughout the year is a testament to Herdwatch’s commitment to innovation, excellence and the positive impact software solutions can make for farmers and the agricultural industry.
2023 was a year of tremendous growth for Herdwatch and resulted in the acquisition and partnership of two successful farm management softwares in Ireland and the UK. Herdwatch and Farmplan, founded in 1972 and part of Proagrica, announced a new partnership that saw all Farmplan livestock software customers upgrading to the Herdwatch platform in June. Not long after this, we made the announcement that we had acquired Kingswood which would strengthen our position as the #1 Farm Software in Ireland and the UK.
Fun Fact! The acquisition of our new customer base means that more than a third of Irish dairy farms will now be on its platform!!
In 2023 we attended 30 shows spanning from Balmoral in Northern Ireland to Dairy Day in Cork! We also ventured across the ponds to the UK and North America where we met new & existing members in places we had never visited before! Take a look at the highlights below!!
Going Global
In June of 2023, Herdwatch went global! We released our Sheep & Goats solution across the world to over 170 countries and it is now being used in over 110 countries including the US, Canada, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan and Ukraine. This means we are entering new markets with new members and learning about the different farming practices and trends around the world! Later in the year, we also launched both our new Grass & Crops solution and a new global version of our Cattle & Dairy solution to almost every country in the World too!!
Charity Team Fundraiser
For the second year, we organised a fundraiser for worthy causes close to our heart. We raised over €11,000 for two very deserving charities, one in Ukraine and Aware here in Ireland. Some members of the Herdwatch team are based near Kherson in Ukraine and the wider personnel were keen to ensure that the funding helped provide some assistance on the ground in that part of the war-torn country. As part of this fundraiser, the Herdwatch Team took on the famous Devil’s Bit mountain in Co. Tipperary on 21st July 2023, where an Ice Bucket Challenge will take place at the top!!! Thank you to everyone who donated funds so generously.
Grass & Crop launch
Our brand new Land Management Software Grass & Crops was launched in September to help farmers maintain digital field records, help with grass planning and crop management in the UK & Ireland. This then went global in November allowing more farmers and producers to put some focus on their land management.
Ploughing 2023
This September brought the return of the National Ploughing Championships where we attended the three days with a massive herd from the office! The weather didn’t damper our spirits and we were delighted to meet new & existing members. A team of over 15 staff members attended each day in Ratheniska & we also had special appearances from Farmer Phil and Cammy from The Sheep Game!
Wising you and yours a very Happy Christmas & prosperous New Year!
We hope you will all take some time to relax over the Christmas period but we also know how hardworking our members are therefore we will have limited Christmas open hours over the break to ensure we are available to answer your important queries, you can find our Christmas opening hours below!
If you didn’t get a chance to meet us this year, I’m sure we will see you all in 2024. We hope you have a happy and safe Christmas, and we will talk to you all in the new year!
The Herdwatch Team
