Omnia and John Deere integrate to streamline farm data

The upgrades are the latest in ongoing developments to Omnia, which will deliver further efficiency gains for users of both systems through improved workflows, reduced management time, and automated, accurate record keeping. 

Hutchinsons’ head of digital agronomy, Lewis McKerrow, said that while the data exchange between the two systems is now more streamlined, with some fully automated options, users still retain the flexibility to choose how data is used and shared. 

“The transfer of data from Omnia into Operations Center, and back the other way, is now much easier and more closely integrated, yet users of either platform remain fully in control of what they do.” 

Mr McKerrow also highlighted four main aspects of the latest upgrade: 

1. Sharing tasks/work plans 

Digital ‘tasks’ created in Omnia can now be sent directly to the John Deere Operations Center as ‘work plans’, with no duplication of data entry on either side. As well as details of specific tasks, users can allocate them to individual machines and staff, all within Omnia, with further opportunity to review and amend, if required, once in the John Deere system. 

“Once the task has been confirmed and the work plan received, that operator has all the information they need to complete the job,” Mr McKerrow noted. 

 Work plans/tasks can include anything from a simple cultivation task to spray plans, including tank mix details, or variable rate plans for fertiliser and other inputs. 

2. Recording field data 

Once tasks have been completed in the field, data can now be automatically sent from the machine directly back into Omnia (via Operations Center) within one hour to create an ‘as applied’ operation record. 

Users have the option to sync all completed work plans and operations back into Omnia or manually select which to save. For Omnia subscribers, this information automatically adjusts stock records and updates field costings. 

3. Automated yield import 

From summer 2026, an upgrade will be made to automate the import of yield data; this will streamline the data transfer from John Deere combines and forage harvesters to ensure data can be available for users to utilise at peak times. 

4. HarvestLab integration 

The final development is the integration with John Deere’s HarvestLab, allowing a host of additional information to be imported directly from the machine with yield data. HarvestLab currently measures a range of constituents in different crops, such as crude protein, dry matter, sugar and starch content in forage crops, and protein in combinable crops. 

John Deere explained that the integration reflects the growing demand for simpler digital workflows. 

Dennis Schrijver, John Deere precision tech specialist, said: “Farmers want their technology to work quietly in the background, without creating extra admin. This integration with Omnia helps remove duplication, reduces the risk of errors, and gives users faster access to accurate field data. 

“When information flows easily from the office to the machine and back again, it supports better planning, stronger compliance and more confident decision-making. That is exactly what we are aiming to deliver through John Deere Operations Center.” 

Making a real difference 

Scottish Borders farmer Graham Innes, director of A P Innes, added that the new work plan functionality between Omnia and John Deere Operations Center has made a “real difference” to managing records on his farm.   

“The accuracy of our spraying, seeding and fertiliser applications has improved significantly, simply because the information is captured directly as the work is being done. It takes a lot of the manual input out of the process, which helps reduce the chance of small mistakes creeping in when things are busy and makes life easier for everyone involved. 

“We’re also making much better use of technology that’s already built into the machines, which means operators can stay focused on the job itself – keeping everything running efficiently, working to the right level of detail, and planning the day’s logistics. 

“At the same time, it has helped the office side of the business run more smoothly too, with clearer, more reliable records available straight away.” 

Hutchinsons and Omnia said they remain committed to an ongoing programme of development for the system, and details of further integration with other systems are due later this year.

READ MORE: Change doesn’t need to be difficult: Growers share their experience of switching to Omnia

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