Change doesn’t need to be difficult: Growers share their experience of switching to Omnia – Farmers Guide
We asked growers from different types of farming businesses across the country to share their experience of switching to Omnia ...
We asked growers from different types of farming businesses across the country to share their experience of switching to Omnia from their previous farm management software system, how Omnia helps with stock management at busy times of year, data security, and the biggest wins they’ve seen so far from the system.
Meet the panel
Nick Shorter – chief executive, Velcourt
James Griffin – head of a Velcourt-operated contracting business, Fonthill farms, Wiltshire
Libby Fisher – student & farmer, Airdrie Farms, Fife
Graham Innes – farmer, AP Innes, Kelso
Gavin Lane – farmer, Manor Farm, Tittershall, deputy president, CLA
1. How easy was the transition to Omnia?
Nick Shorter:
“We moved 56,000 hectares over from our previous system to Omnia in a single day. It went as expected — operationally very smooth. We’ve worked closely with the Omnia team to align the outputs with the reporting we need as a business.”
James Griffin:
“The transition went really well. The support from the Omnia team was excellent, and moving data from Gatekeeper was streamlined. What’s been impressive is that when I gave feedback, the changes I requested were actually implemented — I can see them live when I log in.”
2. How easy is it to manage stock in Omnia?
Nick Shorter:
“Stock management is key for us. We use balance sheets for inputs, which helps us plan bulk purchasing without affecting the P&L. Omnia, in collaboration with our team, has delivered better functionality and a more streamlined experience than the system we had before.”
Graham Innes:
“The more we use Omnia’s stock function, the better it gets. We place all orders — seed, fertiliser, spray — through the Field Diary’s order section. That lets us track applications, assign costs, and get a clearer financial picture. Inventory accuracy has improved massively.”
Gavin Lane:
“It’s an intuitive platform — more so than anything I’ve used before. I’m still getting to grips with the stock side, but it’s already helped us better understand gross and net margins for specific fields and crops.”
James Griffin:
“Having livestock levels in Omnia is a game-changer. If I have a work plan on my phone, I get a real-time view of what’s in store. That means quicker decisions when reordering. It also makes monthly stocktakes far easier for the team.”
3. How secure is your data in Omnia?
Gavin Lane:
“Data privacy is always a concern, but Omnia has reassured me that I maintain full control of my data. That peace of mind matters.”
Graham Innes:
“We’ve had conversations with both Omnia and Hutchinsons about data security. We’re confident — the data is ours, and if we ever leave the platform, it’s deleted. That’s important.”
4. What are the top three wins since switching?
Gavin Lane:
“Being cloud-based speeds everything up and reduces errors. The visual layout makes navigation easier. The support team is always there when you need them — a major advantage.”
Nick Shorter:
“Going paperless has been transformative. We underestimated how fast we could make the switch. Omnia has improved both our functionality and operational efficiency. Having data visibility across farms and regions means we can compare and combine operations in powerful new ways.”
Libby Fisher:
“Omnia is clearly designed with farmers in mind. It’s easy to use and helps make farm management more sustainable and traceable compliance and traceability at the touch of a button. Having all information in one place is essential for that.”
Thinking of switching to Omnia?
These growers’ experiences show that digital transformation is not just possible — it’s productive.
Whether you’re running thousands of hectares or a single estate, Omnia offers a flexible and future-ready solution. For more information and to hear longer interviews with the growers, go to the website.
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