Connecting with those in the same industry at times when it suits you is just one of the aims of the Yacker App.

It's this idea and so many others that brought business partners Emma Ayliffe and Heath McWhirter, of Summit Ag, to the point of creating the 100 per cent agricultural-based application.

As crop consultants they could see a need for better communication with their clients at times when it suited them - not over a text or a social media post.

Together, they designed the free application with farmers and their clients in mind.

It was to be simple-to-use, a positive space and a place where those on the land could go to ask the questions they needed answers for.

Their goal has been achieved and within a year almost 800 people have downloaded the app and connected with one another.

Ayliffe said the app had been created with ease of use in mind and both the want and need to make connecting with people real again.

"It's about creating real connections and going back to the basics of picking up the phone and chatting with someone who might be your neighbour or from across the other side of Australia," Ayliffe said.

"It's having a yack the good old-fashioned way."

Yacker App is downloadable for all in agriculture; from the farmers themselves to consultants and professionals in the game.

It's a tool that can be used to share experience and knowledge, while as a call-to-action for those who might need a bit of help.

Yacker App aims to connect those on the land to their counterparts.

McWhirter said the app had already proven itself in helping to solve problems and by connecting people.

"We've had a number of happy Yacker users," McWhirter said.

"One farmer was after some knowledge around the size pump he should be using on his windmill to make it functional and within a few hours he had spoken to someone in the know and was well on the way to having a solution for his problem."

As technology evolves and changes, the way we communicate can be impacted by this; fewer phone calls and less face-to-face.

Conversing

The aim of Yacker is to break through those changes and go back to where it all began, with conversation in real time.

Both McWhirter and Ayliffe said the application had strong backing from a number of sponsors who were keen to see it developed - giving agriculture something extra in the ever-growing and changing technology space.

"Communication is key and if we can help to bridge the gap between farmers and professionals in all different areas, then we are doing our bit for the sector," Ayliffe said.

Yacker App has the capability of phone calls, posting questions (with or without photographs), connecting to a phonebook of users and the ability to use any time of the day.

"One of the cool features about it is you can look up your interests, or perhaps search the subject of the problem you're trying to solve, say for instance cotton, and connect straight away with others in that industry."

Having identified the problem and made a solution both Ayliffe and McWhirter have found the app to be useful and help them in situations where they may have previously struggled.

"It's all about making that connection with our clients and other farmers from throughout Australia. We've been able to achieve this and we want to continue to push for more farmers and consultants to do the same. We see how vital it is to pick up the phone when necessary and know this to be true for others as well," McWhirter said.

Yacker is moving forward with technology but taking a step back with communications to allow people to reconnect.

The free application has now also been launched in New Zealand, with the aim of going global - because all farmers, no matter where you're from, have the same, if not similar, issues presented at various times.

"It's a project we have 110 percent confidence in and believe it will strongly support agriculture for many years to come. We hope it will connect people, break down barriers, help with the stresses of being lonely at all hours of the day and allow us, as professionals, to also connect when we need to," Ayliffe said.

You can download the Yacker App today on both Android and Apple devices.

 

More information:

https://yacker.com.au