Step 1 - Join PCF training and webinars
Start by following either a live or recorded webinar to familiarize yourself with reporting PCF-related data. Find out more of our training options at Training and Webinars.
Step 2 - Understand the data expected in your role
The next step is to understand the data typically expected from cultivators. This includes the main datasets used to describe cultivation activities and calculate product carbon footprints in CarbonCloud.
See the overview of expected data here: Datasets CarbonCloud Cultivator.
Most of this data should be familiar to the cultivator; however, collecting and compiling all required data and allocating the different datasets to a specific crop might be more unfamiliar.
The sections below explain what each data field means, where the information can usually be found, which units are used in CarbonCloud, and how to align your data with the required format.
Data field: Yield
In this field, you are expected to report your yield over a period of 3 years.
Yield refers to the amount of harvested crop per unit of cultivated area over a defined period. In Farm Activities PCF reporting, yield is used to relate on-farm inputs and emissions (e.g. energy use, fertilizers, irrigation) to the quantity of crop cultivated and is therefore a key determinant of the Product Carbon Footprint.
The yield is automatically calculated as an average of three years to reflect normal production conditions and reduce the influence of annual variability (e.g. weather or pest pressure). The unit for yield reporting is tonnes of crop per hectare per year [t/ha/yr].
Sources:
1. Farm Management Systems (FMS / FMIS)
These are the primary and most reliable sources for yield data on many farms.
Typical systems:
- Farm Management Information Systems (FMIS)
- Crop management or field record systems
What they contain:
- Area cultivated [ha]
- Yield calculations (e.g. t/ha)
- Historical yield data across multiple years
2. Harvest equipment & onboard systems
Yield data can be captured directly during harvest through machinery systems.
Typical systems:
- Combine harvester yield monitors
- Tractor and harvester onboard computers
What they contain:
- Yield per field or harvest operation
- Harvested mass or volume
- Area covered during harvest
These systems often feed data into farm management software or can be exported manually.
3. Precision agriculture & telematics platforms
Used mainly on medium to large scale or highly digitalized farms.
Typical platforms:
- Telematics and precision ag systems
- Yield mapping and GPSbased platforms
What they contain:
- Aggregated yield per field or crop
- Multiyear yield history
These platforms often integrate data from harvest machinery and field boundaries.
4. Farm accounting and sales records
Yield can also be derived from commercial records, especially on smaller farms.
Typical sources:
- Invoices and delivery notes
- Sales contracts or weighbridge tickets
- Cooperative or processor settlement statements
What they contain:
- Total delivered quantity per crop and year
- Sometimes quality adjusted volumes
These records are often used to crosscheck or validate yield figures reported in PCF calculations.
5. Cooperative or buyer systems
Where crops are delivered to a cooperative or processor, yield data may be available externally.
Typical sources:
- Cooperative member portals
What they contain:
- Delivered volumes per producer and season
This data is commonly used when onfarm digital records are limited.
Note! Yield must align with the same crop, area, and time period as reported input data.
Data field: Energy usage
In this section there are three datasets expected from you.
- Diesel usage of machinery [liter/hectare/year]
- Diesel usage for irrigation [liter/hectare/year]
- Electricity usage for irrigation [kWh/hectare/year]
Using other energy types?
If you use other energy types on the farm, they need to be converted according toEnergy Conversion Factors before reported in the CarbonCloud platform.
The platform is continuously improving, and more direct options will be added.
Diesel usage for machinery [L/ha/yr]
Machinery refers to mobile or stationary agricultural equipment used directly in onfarm production activities that consume energy (diesel or electricity) and are required to cultivate, manage, and harvest crops. This includes powered equipment used for field operations, crop establishment, crop care, and harvesting.
Typical examples include tractors, harvesters, selfpropelled sprayers, tillage equipment, seeders, spreaders, and other engine or motordriven machines operated on the farm. Energy use from machinery covers fuel or electricity consumed during active operation as well as relevant idle or standby time associated with these activities.
Machinery does not include buildings, fixed infrastructure, or equipment used exclusively for postfarm processes such as processing, storage, packaging, or transport outside farm activities, unless explicitly defined elsewhere in the platform.
Reference: ISO 14067:2018/ ISO 14040/ASABE Standards (Terminology and definitions for Agricultural Machinery)
Sources
If all purchased diesel is used for one specific crop, the purchase records or invoices will provide the correct number of liters to report in the CarbonCloud platform. If the diesel is consumed for several crops, and/or for other on-farm activities, such as heating of buildings, the amount used for machinery must be measured, estimated or allocated accordingly.
Otherwise, you can use:
- On-farm fuel tank refill logs
- Farm accounting software
You can also find relevant data in:
- Tractor/harvester onboard computers
- Telematics platforms (e.g. JDLink, AFS Connect, MyPLM)
- Precision ag software (e.g. Trimble, Ag Leader)
- Tractor model – Can help you identify Fuel Consumption rate [L/h]
Data available is Liters/hour, Liters per operation and engine load and hours. If you are using gallons, you will need to convert, 1 Gallon = 3.785 Liters.
When records are missing, you will need to allocate your consumption. Se example Calculation example - Diesel usage machinery.
CarbonCloud data input formula:
Diesel usage [L/ha/yr] = Fuel consumption rate [L/h] × Hours of Operation [h] ÷ Hectare [ha]
(where hours of operation must be aggregated to the yearly workload)
Electricity driven tractor
Some electric tractor models provide detailed energy data directly in machine interfaces or connected apps. If this information is not available, electricity use can be estimated by multiplying the stated power consumption in kilowatts by the hours of operation.
CarbonCloud data input formula:
Electricity usage [kWh/ha/yr] = Power Consumption [kW] × Hours of Operation [h] ÷ Hectare [ha]
(where hours of operation must be aggregated to the yearly workload)
Note! This electricity usage should be added into the data field Electricity Usage for Irrigation (because of ongoing platform development).
Diesel usage for irrigation [L/ha/yr]
This dataset covers fuel used by diesel powered pumps and engines during irrigation.
Irrigation refers to the on-farm application of water to agricultural land or crops during cultivation, using powered systems that consume energy (diesel or electricity). In Farm Activities, irrigation includes all energy use associated with operating irrigation equipment required to extract, lift, convey, pressurize, and distribute water for crop production.
This includes energy used for diesel or electricity powered pumps, motors, and associated mobile or stationary irrigation equipment (e.g. surface pumps, submersible pumps, center pivots, drip and sprinkler systems) during active irrigation operations and relevant standby or idle time.
Irrigation does not include:
- Energy use for water supply or treatment outside the farm gate
- Energy use related to postharvest handling, processing, or storage
- Energy use for drainage systems not intended for crop irrigation
Only irrigation activities directly supporting crop cultivation within the farm boundary are included in Farm Activities energy reporting.
Sources:
If all purchased diesel is used for a specific agricultural product, the purchase records or invoices provide the correct number of liters to report in the CarbonCloud platform. If the diesel is also used for other on-farm activities, such as drainage systems, the amount used for irrigation must be allocated accordingly.
Diesel-powered pumps
- Hours of operation
- Maintenance logs (Machine specifications such as pump motor power kW)
CarbonCloud data input formula:
Diesel usage [L/ha/yr] = Fuel consumption rate [L/h] × Hours of Operation [h] ÷ Hectare [ha]
(where hours of operation must be aggregated to the yearly workload)
Electricity usage for irrigation [kWh/ha/yr]
This dataset covers kWh used by electricity powered pumps and engines during irrigation.
Sources:
Electric powered irrigation [kWh]
- Electricity bills (might need allocation) or smart meters
- Hours of operation
- Maintenance logs (Machine specifications such as pump motor power kW)
CarbonCloud data input formula:
Electricity usage [kWh/ha/yr] = Pump motor Power Consumption [kW] × Hours of Operation [h] ÷ Hectare [ha]
(where hours of operation must be aggregated to the yearly workload)
Note! If you use electricity from on-site solar power, that amount of electricity should not be reported (because of ongoing platform development).
Data field: Fertilizers
In the Fertilizer field you start by choosing either:
a) Enter value per nutrition
or
b) Enter value per substance
Fertilizers refer to nutrient inputs applied to agricultural land or crops during cultivation to support plant growth and productivity. Fertilizers include both mineral (synthetic) and organic nutrient sources applied within the farm boundary.
Fertilizer inputs are reported based on the nutrient content (a) or amount of specific fertilizer product (b), and represent the quantities applied to the cultivated area during the reporting period.
Fertilizer nutrients (a) possible to report in the CarbonCloud platform:
- Mineral Nitrogen
- Organic Nitrogen
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
Alternatively, fertilizers may be reported by type of fertilizer and amount applied (b), allowing the CarbonCloud platform to calculate nutrient totals. Then you choose from a drop-down list of commonly used fertilizer types.
Only fertilizer applications directly related to crop cultivation are included. Fertilizers used outside the cultivation stage or outside the farm boundary are excluded.
Read more here: Fertilizers - How to enter value per nutrition.
Data field: Pesticides
Pesticides refer to plant protection products applied during cultivation to prevent, control, or mitigate pests, diseases, and weeds affecting crops. In Farm Activities PCF reporting, pesticides include all chemical or biological products applied to crops or soil within the farm boundary for crop protection purposes.
Pesticides are reported based on the active substance applied, either by:
a) Enter total amount of active substance
or
b) Enter values per substance, by choosing type of pesticide and state active substance concentration
Pesticide categories include herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, and other plant protection products, regardless of formulation.
Only pesticides applied during cultivation are included. Products used in postharvest handling, storage, or processing are excluded.
Read more here: Pesticides - How to Enter values per substance.
Sources for fertilizers and pesticides
If you’re working with agricultural inputs or products, the most robust source is:
- Farm spray records / treatment logs
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM) records
- Invoices or purchase records for plant protection products
- Crop Management systems/Agri Tech Platforms
These typically list:
- Commercial product name
- Active ingredient
- Quantity applied
- Crop and area treated
- Date of application
Another sources:
- Product safety data sheets (SDS)
- Product labels (they state % or g/L of active substance)
Data field: pH modifiers
pH modifiers refer to soil amendments applied during cultivation to adjust or maintain soil pH in order to support optimal crop growth and nutrient availability. In Farm Activities PCF reporting, pH modifiers include liming and similar soilconditioning materials applied within the farm boundary.
pH modifiers reported in the CarbonCloud platform include:
- Limestone
- Dolomite
pH modifiers are reported based on the amount applied per cultivated area during the reporting year [kg/ha/yr].
Only applications directly related to crop cultivation are included. Materials used outside the cultivation stage or outside the farm boundary are excluded.
Sources
- Farm spray records / treatment logs
- Invoices or purchase records
- Crop Management systems/Agri Tech Platforms
Data field: Carbon removals
In this field, you may report carbon removals in kg CO2e per hectare per year where these are supported by data and aligned with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol requirements.
Read more in the Land Sector and Removals Standard | GHG Protocol
Things to keep in mind
When preparing your data, it is important to use a consistent method and document any assumptions made. This is especially important if data needs to be estimated or allocated. Common issues include leaving out standby or idle fuel use, or mixing calendar-year fuel data with crop-year production data without making a clear allocation. Clear documentation will make your reporting more reliable over time and better aligned with quality assurance and other reporting requirements.
Move on to the next section: Reporting and Follow up