Knowledge is Power: Updated ADT Core Principles Educate, Inform

Guest Author: Ainsley Peterson, Law Clerk, Janzen Schroeder Ag Law

“Knowledge is power” is a well-known phrase, particularly relevant in the agriculture industry. This phrase is exactly why it is crucial for farmers to access rich, comprehensive data to better understand their operations and make impactful decisions. Agriculture technology providers collect ag data and offer tools to increase productivity and profitability. However, the ag data market is constantly evolving, and data handling varies greatly between providers.

This is why the Ag Data Transparent (ADT) organization updated the Ag Data Core Principles in 2024. The 2024 Ag Data Core Principles include significant changes from the original principles which were established in 2014. The new simple contracts principle, requiring identification of parties, and the new anonymization and aggregation principle are discussed in New Concepts in the Updated Core Principles for Ag Data. However, these are not the only changes.

Farmer Education. This 2024 principle is a revised version of the old “Education” principle. Although not entirely new, the strengthened principle represents the continuous effort that ADT members should make to educate customers on their rights and responsibilities when it comes to ag data. The ADT certification is one of many ways that a provider can help educate farmers.

Collection. In keeping with the theme of transparency that resonates throughout the Core Principles, the “Collection” principle encourages providers to define the specific categories of data that they will collect. By defining the different types of data that will be collected by a provider, farmers will have a clear understanding of exactly what kinds of data the provider will obtain. A provider should not collect data outside of the consent or awareness of the farmer. The principle also discusses the use of on-farm remote devices which should only be used if prior consent from the farmer is obtained.

Disclosure and Sale Limitation. This is another area where differences can be seen between the 2014 and 2024 Core Principles. Generally, this principle holds providers to making a good faith effort to protect farmers’ ag data rights when pursuing business opportunities, including if the provider is sold. Business transactions are bound to happen, so it is important that providers address what happens to ag data when they occur. Providers should handle ag data in a manner consistent with their contract with a farmer.

Data Retention and Deletion. This principle has been changed to push providers to explain what rights farmers have to request deletion of ag data. Over time contracts may terminate, or farmers may decide to no longer use a provider to collect ag data. In such a case, farmers should know whether they can request to have their data deleted.

These changes to the Core Principles, along with many others, keep up with the evolving landscape of precision agriculture and ag data collection. The principles encourage ADT certified companies to address various areas of concern and emerging topics amongst farmers who use companies who deal with ag data. Do you use any of the ADT certified companies to help you collect your ag data?