Case study: How do growers, advisors and cooperatives work together smartly?
De Hoeksche Boerin, Farmplus and Nedertarwe - Stronger together
with sustainable and smart cultivation.
Sustainable and efficient cultivation requires cooperation; between grower, advisor and chain partner. In this edition of the knowledge series, we show what that cooperation looks like in practice. Based on the story of De Hoeksche Boerin, Farmplus and the Nedertarwe concept, we discover how field data, advisory structure and transparency come together in a joint approach.
How do you ensure that technology remains supportive of the grower's craftsmanship, while meeting the demands of the chain? And how does that work in practice, with potatoes and wheat?
The grower: grip on crop growth and weather conditions
On her plots of potatoes and wheat, De Hoeksche Boerin uses the SmartFarm sensor to monitor weather and field conditions. “I can see exactly when the crop is dry, when leaf wet is occurring or when it’s better to wait a while before tilling,” she says.
Especially in potato cultivation, the system helps respond more quickly to disease risks, such as Phytophthora. “The sensor gives a signal, I look at the situation and can immediately contact my advisor. That gives peace of mind and prevents waste.” Determining the right moment to spray also becomes easier: “I know exactly when the effect is greatest and avoid unnecessary spraying.”
The consultant: standardization as a foundation for advice
At Farmplus, iCrop is used to bring together field data, observations and cropping plans into one system. This makes the work of crop consultants more efficient and consistent. “With standardized recipes per crop and soil type, we can work more focused and there is less noise,” says Wydo van der Lee.
In addition, the central registration helps better guide growers. “We can see exactly what is happening in the field, which makes our advice more appropriate and allows us to make quicker adjustments.”
The cooperative: meeting supply chain and sustainability requirements
Within Nedertar wheat, transparency is key. Growers must demonstrate what they are doing, why and when. With iCrop, that information is readily available, without extra administrative pressure. “We can easily report on substance use and cultivation history, which makes the process towards buyers more reliable and less error-prone.”
For De Hoeksche Boerin, it also means: more control over its operations, with support from the cooperative and advisor in the background.
Next edition
In the next article, we take a closer look at the BOS system for onions. How does this new system help translate observations into substantiated means advice?
Wondering how the same insights can also reduce hidden costs in cultivation?
Download our white paper ‘Investigating hidden costs in arable farming’ and discover how data, collaboration and smart systems contribute to more efficient operations.
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