How FME Transformed Agri-EPI's Data Workflows
Agricultural Engineering Precision Innovation (Agri-EPI) Centre harnesses advanced technologies like robotics, autonomous systems, and data-driven insight to advance sustainable farming. In partnership with Avineon Tensing, they streamlined data integration using FME, transforming fragmented sources into actionable intelligence.
Did you know…
- Agri-EPI has pioneered precision farming since 2015
- They use drones, sensors, and multispectral imaging
- They apply data and automation to optimise inputs and improve harvest consistency
- Their partners range from farmers to scientists and government bodies
- Their work enables early pest detection and irrigation optimisation
The Challenge – Data Complexity
A key challenge for Agri-EPI was consolidating data from IoT sensors, Farm Management Information Systems, and distributed databases across partner farms. Manual collection and processing proved labour-intensive and prone to error. There was a clear need for automated workflows, centralised storage, and improved data quality assurance.
The solution – The FME Platform
To address the growing complexity of agricultural data, Agri-EPI partnered with Avineon Tensing to design and implement a robust integration solution using Safe Software’s FME Platform. Avineon Tensing developed tailored FME Workspaces for four key data sources. And configured FME Flow to automate and centralise daily data synchronisation into a central PostgreSQL database. Creating a future-ready foundation for informed, data-driven agriculture.
The four key data sources integrated into FME Flow:
- Ritchie Beef Monitor – Cattle weight data extracted from a non-API web dashboard to support livestock management
- Fullwood – Real-time dairy output in CSV format, incrementally loaded into the central database
- UNIFORM Agri – Herd health and treatment records synchronised from a Firebird database
- IrriMAX – Soil moisture, salinity, and temperature data collected via API from 70 sensors across 20 farms.
The result – Tangible Gains Through Automation
FME Flow now automates daily data collection, saving Agri-EPI significant time and effort. Data is centralised, up-to-date, and easily accessible for analysis. The system proved resilient even during server downtime and now forms the backbone of Agri-EPI’s growing data ecosystem.
In short:
- Daily data automation - FME Flow automations now gather thousands of new data points from the four different systems.
- Time savings - This process has saved the team countless hours monthly and eliminated data gaps.
- Scalable framework – Ready for integration of new sources like SQL Server and UAV-collected LiDAR.
- Knowledge transfer – Reusable, self-documenting workspaces empower the internal team
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