Feed Central’s LocalAg, which will be launched on January 29, has been built in response to changes in the way farmers trade.
Founder and managing director Tim Ford said farmers want to cut out the middleman and deal directly but face difficulties in reaching a wide market with secure payments.
“That’s where LocalAg will fit in as a direct connection between buyers and sellers,” Mr Ford said.
“It’s like that handshake over the fence that farmers have done for centuries with their neighbour; the only difference is that it’s online with a secure payment method that’s perfect for the 21st century.
“Farmers are building their own brands and LocalAg allows them to do business the way they want, and we are there to support them.”
LocalAg will partner with safe and secure payment systems and will feature a navigation structure led by AI team member ‘Kev’.
It will launch with five categories — hay, grain, seed, fertiliser and machinery — with more categories launching in the following weeks.
While LocalAg will bring together farmers and agricultural suppliers from across Australia, it will also feature a localised map so farmers can see what is available in their area.
Mr Ford said LocalAg would be powered by the experience developed by Feed Central over the past 20 years.
“It’s our biggest project yet and comes from years of planning, strategy, client interaction, investment, coding and trade,” he said.
AI-based agent, ‘Kev’, will help people to navigate the site, make deals and create formal contracts.
“Kev is the mate you ask when you need some help,” Mr Ford said.
“Instead of having to search through every platform to find what you’re looking for, you can ask Kev and he will show the listings available on LocalAg.”
Kev will also participate in conversations between the buyer and seller.
“The platform offers three-way conversations to keep things moving and make sure the contract is right,” Mr Ford said.
The platform is designed for big or small transactions.
LocalAg has been developed by the technical team behind the Feed Central site.
For more information, go to: https://www.localag.com.au
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