Frequently Asked Questions

Trace & Save works to make farming more sustainable by helping farmers measure and improve how their practices affect the environment. We collect data on soil health, water use and quality, greenhouse gas emissions (atmosphere), and nutrient use to create a clear picture of how each farm operates. Using this data, we guide farmers to reduce waste, use inputs more efficiently, and protect natural resources — all while maintaining profitable production. The result is data-driven sustainability that benefits farmers, buyers, consumers, and the planet.

Our services are designed for anyone involved in agricultural production and supply chains.

• Farmers use Trace & Save to measure and improve sustainability on their farms, positioning themselves to access sustainability incentives such as carbon credits.
• Agribusinesses and retailers partner with us to source from environmentally responsible farms and verify claims.
• Researchers and industry partners collaborate with us to analyse data and develop new sustainability insights.

Whether you’re managing a single dairy farm or coordinating a large supply network, our system adapts to your needs.

‍

Getting started is simple:

1. Contact us on info@traceandsave.com to express your interest.
2. Schedule an introductory discussion to clarify your goals.
3. We assist you in collecting and collating the necessary farm data for the initial assessments.
4. Receive your baseline report and recommendations.
5. Begin your sustainability improvement journey with ongoing support from our team.

We guide you every step of the way — from data collection to actionable insights.

‍

The SWAN system is Trace & Save’s sustainability framework. It stands for Soil, Water, Atmosphere, and Nutrients — the four key areas we measure and manage on farms.

• Soil: health, life, fertility, structure and carbon storage
• Water: usage efficiency, quality and footprint
• Atmosphere: greenhouse gas emissions, carbon footprint and carbon neutrality
• Nutrients: fertiliser efficiency and nutrient balance

By monitoring these areas, farmers can make informed decisions that boost productivity while reducing environmental impact by utilising resources more effectively.

‍

Understanding your farm’s environmental impact can help you make better business decisions. Measuring key factors like soil health, water use, and nutrient efficiency allows you to:

• Identify where inputs can be reduced to save costs.
• Improve yields through more efficient resource use.
• Demonstrate sustainability to buyers and consumers and keep a record.
• Contribute to long-term soil and ecosystem health.
• Track the impact of your practices over time and learn from your own farm.
• Put yourself in a strong position to access sustainability incentives, including carbon credits. 

Data-driven insights turn sustainability into a competitive advantage — both economically and environmentally.

To provide accurate insights, Trace & Save collects both farm-level and management data. This typically includes:

• Soil and water test results -we can take the samples or use results you already have. 
• Fertiliser and feed usage
• Crop or pasture management details
• Animal numbers and meat or milk production data (for dairy and livestock farms)
• Energy and fuel consumption records

We help farmers gather this information efficiently and securely. The more complete the data, the more precise and valuable the sustainability insights will be. For more precise information, please contact us as at info@traceandsave.com and we would love to provide you with more details.

You’ll see initial results within the first reporting cycle after the soil samples are taken. Improvements in soil, nutrient balance, and water efficiency become clearer over 12–24 months, depending on management changes and seasonal factors. Sustainability is a long-term journey, but we make sure every step delivers measurable progress.

Trace & Save provides user-friendly, data-driven reports that show how farms are performing across the SWAN system indicators.
Reports include:

• Baseline assessments of environmental performance
• Actionable recommendations for improvement
• Comparative trends to track progress over time
• Visual dashboards for easy interpretation

With certain agreements, buyers and retailers can access summaries that demonstrate environmental improvements and traceability throughout their supply chains.

‍

Yes. Trace & Save’s data can integrate with existing farm-management platforms and record-keeping tools, including our own SPS (Sustainable Precision System) app. This allows farmers to manage data in one place and avoid duplication. We also offer support to help align Trace & Save reporting with your current systems for seamless workflow and data consistency. Systems that already offer integration are: Fourth Q, Pasture Monitor and ATOM.

Your data belongs to you. Trace & Save treats all farm data as confidential and only shares it with your consent. Aggregated, anonymous data may be used for research and benchmarking — never to identify individual farms without permission.

We follow strict data security and privacy standards to ensure your information remains protected while helping improve sustainability across the agricultural sector.

Working with Trace & Save gives buyers and retailers verified sustainability insights straight from their supply base. This means:

• Traceability of environmental performance from farm to product
• Credible sustainability claims backed by scientific data
• Risk reduction in meeting environmental or ESG reporting standards

By sourcing from Trace & Save farms, you can confidently communicate your sustainability impact to customers and stakeholders.

Trace & Save offers flexible pricing depending on your needs and scale:

• Individual farm assessments – priced per site or per hectare
• Group or co-op programmes – discounted rates for multiple farms
• Retailer or processor partnerships – custom pricing based on data access and reporting requirements

We always aim to make sustainability measurement affordable and transparent, with no hidden costs. For a detailed quote and cost breakdown please contact info@traceandsave.com.

Trace & Save measures soil carbon through a combination of field sampling, laboratory testing, and data tracking. Soil samples are taken from consistent locations on each farm, analysed for total carbon content, and compared over time. This allows us to quantify carbon sequestration and soil health improvements over time.Our soil sampling and testing protocol is rigorous and has been reviewed by third parties to ensure verity and confidence. To find out more about our soil sampling protocol and testing, please contact us as Info@traceandsave.com.

Yes. Trace & Save’s methods align with international best practices in sustainable agriculture and environmental management. Our indicators are compatible with frameworks such as:

• FAO’s Sustainable Agriculture Guidelines
• IPCC methodologies for carbon accounting

Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) sustainability metricsThis ensures that data from Trace & Save farms meets recognised global standards for credibility and comparability.

Trace & Save currently operates primarily in South Africa, with expanding partnerships in other regions. Our systems are designed to work in diverse climates and production systems, and we support farms of all sizes. If you’re outside our current area, we can assess feasibility and provide remote support or pilot collaboration. To find out if we can service your area please contact info@traceandsave.com.

Sustainable farming is an approach to agriculture that protects natural resources, supports long-term farm profitability, and benefits the surrounding community. It focuses on managing soil, water, nutrients, and biodiversity in ways that avoid long-lasting environmental harm. Importantly, sustainable farming also aims to restore ecosystem health and function where degradation has already occurred, ensuring the land remains productive for future generations.

Farming more sustainably means reducing environmental impact while improving efficiency, resilience, and profitability. This includes adopting practices that enhance soil health, optimise nutrient use, protect water resources, and improve livestock and grazing management.Trace & Save’s SWAN assessments highlight the areas on your farm with the greatest opportunities to lower environmental impact, strengthen productivity, and guide practical, evidence-based improvements.

Reducing a farm’s environmental impact on soil, water, atmosphere, nutrients and biodiversity involves the following key aspects:

• Improving resource-use efficiency (water, nutrients, energy)
• Reducing nutrient losses to waterways, soil, and the atmosphere
• Promoting circularity by recycling manure and organic materials back into the system
• Measuring performance and input use to track progress and identify priority improvements

Trace & Save provides the data needed to understand where these opportunities lie and how they change over time.

‍

Measuring your farm’s environmental impact gives you the information needed to make smarter management decisions. By tracking soil health, nutrient efficiency, water use, and biodiversity, you can:

• Identify where inputs can be reduced, lowering costs without reducing production
• Improve yields and stability by using resources more effectively
• Demonstrate sustainability to buyers, processors, and consumers
• Build a long-term record of your farm’s environmental performance
• Understand how management changes affect outcomes and refine your practices year after year

Data turns sustainability into a practical business tool—helping your farm become more resilient, efficient, and competitive.

‍

Yes. Regenerative practices improve soil structure, organic matter, and biological activity, which naturally enhances nutrient cycling and pest resilience. As soil and ecosystem health improve, farms often become less dependent on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

Trace & Save helps farmers measure input use, monitor nutrient flows, and identify opportunities to reduce chemicals responsibly—without compromising productivity or yields.