Founder and managing director Tim Ford said farmers wanted to cut out the middle man and deal directly but faced difficulties in reaching a wide market with secure payments.
“That’s where LocalAg will fit in as a direct connection between buyers and sellers,” Tim 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 partners with safe and secure payment systems and will feature a navigation structure led by AI team member ‘Kev’.
It launched with five categories — hay, grain, seed, fertiliser and machinery — with more categories launching in the following weeks.
While LocalAg brings together farmers and agricultural suppliers from across Australia, it also features a localised map so farmers can see what is available in their area.
Tim 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,” Tim 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,” Tim 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
