A 16-year-old entrepreneur from County Down, Ben O'Connor, has developed an app called FarmFlow, which is now undergoing trials on farms across the UK and Ireland. The app aims to streamline farm management, particularly the burden of paperwork, with the goal of providing farmers with more family time.
O'Connor was inspired to create FarmFlow after observing the increased hours and rigid routines faced by his father and brother when their family farm near Castlewellan transitioned from beef to dairy farming two years ago. He noted the significant amount of paperwork and compliance involved in dairy operations.
Farmers like Jude McClements, who runs a 320-strong dairy herd, are testing the app. McClements stated that FarmFlow allows him to complete medicine records on the move and track tasks, helping with efficiency and preparing for inspections. O'Connor hopes to roll out the app fully alongside his studies.