Fieldlabs

Knowledge, innovation and collaboration within Fieldlabs

The VDBorne Campus is the hub for innovation in precision agriculture. The fields surrounding the VDBorne Campus (in Reusel and the surrounding area, and further afield in the Kempen region) are home to various test plots for a wide range of research. In collaboration with businesses, schools, government agencies, (research) institutions, suppliers, and other agricultural entrepreneurs, a wide range of precision agriculture research projects are initiated and conducted here.

The VDBorne campus collects and analyzes all possible data points throughout the entire growing season. These are divided into three categories: Precision Agriculture , Machine Data , and Soil, Water & Energy .
The data is used to substantiate the effectiveness of new or updated products and methods. The trials are conducted at the arable farm level, so that—if the results are positive—the technology can be further innovated, optimized, and applied in practice.

What do we offer and what is possible? Discover it below per field lab!

Precision Agriculture (PA)

The VDBorne Campus facilitates trials related to tools, methods, and machines. We collect data on soil, crop growth, and possibly labor throughout the entire growing season. The field labs that fall under this category are primarily those where data can be collected, such as with drones and (soil) sensing. From the collected data, we create a database with statistics for partners, allowing them to perform their own data science.

In addition, the campus itself conducts multiple trials each growing season. These trials are ultimately accompanied by a comprehensive data report, where the differences in approach and results can be supported by the collected and available data.

FIELDLAB Soil

To achieve potential crop yields, mapping soil potential is an important step in precision agriculture.

More information

FIELDLAB DRONES

To monitor crop trials and crops from above to collect data on actual crop growth on a plot, various drones can be used.

More information

ASSETS

Nieuws en bijeenkomsten die je slimmer maken.

Machine Data (MD)

The campus receives many questions about data and data systems. For example, how do you store data and how can you present data clearly? To answer this question, we have developed a dashboard to systematically store data. This dashboard is also used to facilitate trials.

In addition, we provide our data as input to suppliers who develop data storage systems. This input has been provided by testing, evaluating, and further developing the systems from sensor suppliers in practice where necessary. Certain storage systems are still available to the campus for use in trials.

The technology of machines is also on the rise. For instance, the first robots have been developed, and techniques are continuously being optimized. At our campus, you have the opportunity to test automation and new technology in practice.

FIELDLAB SOFTWARE

Data ultimately has to be collected somewhere, for this there are multiple platforms, apps and vendors, that can offer this.

More information

FIELDLAB ROBOTS

In recent years, the first robots have been introduced as prototypes and deployed in precision agriculture.

More information

Soil, Water & Energy (SW&E)

The components of Precision Agriculture and Machine Data primarily include tools for testing, demonstrating, or trial opportunities. With these, you collect data and store it in various ways, such as in platforms, apps, or dashboards. These are often the investments of growers, suppliers, and government bodies.

Field growers, arable farmers, and fruit growers face multiple influences, such as soil and available water. At the campus, you will also find many activities related to these influences, often in collaboration with the government, water authorities, and nature management. However, we also involve growers and suppliers. These activities come together in the component Soil, Water & Energy.

FIELDLAB RAIN

Irrigating crops on dry sensitive soils or dry sensitive areas is necessary.

More information

FIELDLAB STRIP FARMING

Within the Practice Center, it is possible to apply strip cultivation containing different crops and flower strips.

More information

FIELDLAB MAKING-SENSE

Within the Making-sense project, the mission is to correctly translate crop and soil sensor data into an ultimately automated crop measure.

More information

FIELDLAB CIRCULARITY

Sustainability and circularity is becoming an increasingly important concept in the industry. As a result, the Practice Center has taken several measures that can benefit sustainability.

More information

FIELDLAB SENSORS

Soil and crop sensors can be used to collect relevant data on the condition of the soil or on the state and growth of the crop on a particular plot.

More information

FIELDLAB BIODIVERSITY

Good and diverse biodiversity, can make for more resilient soil and plants. For example, more natural enemies can be attracted against certain harmful insects.

More information