Measured Agricultural
Sustainability

Working together towards a sustainable future.
Assess. Improve. Save.

about us

Trace & Save was founded by Phillip Terblanche in 2012, driven by his passion for the environment and a commitment to reducing the environmental impact of farming. The name "Trace & Save" reflects the company's mission to trace, track, and measure the environmental impact of agriculture.

This approach helps farmers save on input costs and benefits the environment. Additionally, it empowers consumers, buyers and retailers to make informed choices by purchasing produce from farmers who implement sustainable practices, thus contributing to the protection of the environment from destructive farming methods.

OUR SERVICES

Trace & Save offers a range of services focused on measuring agricultural sustainability. Any single service, combination of services or an aspect of a service can be used. Our goal is to help stakeholders trace, assess and monitor the environmental impact of agriculture. Through these assessments, we identify opportunities for farmers to adopt more sustainable practices.
the swan
system
The SWAN system encompasses indicators of Soil, Water, Atmosphere, and Nutrients representing 4 components of sustainable agriculture. These indicators are measured annually allowing stakeholders and farmers to track progress at farm-level, and to identify opportunities for improvement.
trace & save research database
The Trace & Save research database is a comprehensive repository of agricultural data collected from farms which we have worked with since 2013. The database allows Trace & Save to carry out insightful research and to partner with other stakeholders, such as universities and industry bodies, on research projects, fostering collaboration and innovation in agricultural sustainability.
independant partner
By partnering with Trace & Save, stakeholders can ensure their sustainability efforts are transparent, accountable, and aligned with global standards, thereby fostering greater integrity and consumer confidence and promoting continuous improvement in agricultural practices.
Soil carbon monitoring
Carbon monitoring is a vital aspect of sustainable land management and climate action. It provides essential data that can improve agricultural practices, manage carbon sequestration, and enhance ecosystem resilience. Effective carbon monitoring requires specialized insight and meticulous sampling, which Trace & Save is well-equipped to offer.
Sustainable agriculture research
Trace & Save's research focuses on crucial areas of sustainable agriculture, including soil health, water conservation, climate change and pollution mitigation, farm productivity, and resilience. We assist in designing and executing research projects and collaborate with other researchers on various initiatives. Additionally, Trace & Save offers a variety of workshops and research days for farmers and other stakeholders to share insights on sustainable agriculture developed through our research.
SPS App
Sustainable Precision System (SPS) is a Trace & Save developed mobile app, with the aim to support farmers with day-to-day farm management decisions. Trace & Save is passionate about sustainable agriculture and developed this app as a tool to support farmers towards this goal. Learn more on the SPS website.

clients and projects

Trace & Save collaborates with a diverse array of clients on various projects. We have had the privilege of working on both detailed, intensive projects and those with a broader scope. This experience has provided us with a comprehensive perspective on the opportunities and challenges in sustainable agriculture.

research hub

Research is at the heart of Trace & Save which is why we boast a diverse team of dedicated researchers who share this vision. We strive to collaborate with leading researchers and organizations to produce peer-reviewed literature, and externally published research and case studies. By leveraging the data collected from the farms we partner with, we create insightful, data-backed articles and case studies that benefit farmers and other stakeholders. Additionally, we publish articles that clarify technical concepts and principles related to sustainable agriculture.