The photo shows the Ascarda laser weeder combined with an autonomous two-wheel drive AgXeed robot. In addition, visitors to Biovelddag can watch demonstrations on undersowing clover, proper planting techniques for organic cultivation, and innovative onion cultivation systems. During the lectures and themed tours, farmers receive detailed information on a range of topics. Photos: Jan Willem Schouten
The Biovelddag, held on Thursday 3 July in Lelystad, once again attracted numerous visitors this year. They came to marvel at the latest technology in weed control. Visitors saw weeding and hoeing robots, as well as robots operating with electricity. There was also a precision weeder tackling weeds with hot water jets. And this year, there were no fewer than four different robots using laser beams to combat weeds. This is a new development in weed control where the soil is not disturbed.
A first in the Netherlands is the German machine from the startup TiefGrün. This machine targets weeds very precisely in the row using hot water. So far, it is suitable for weed detection in red beet and carrot crops. Through nozzles, water at nearly 100 degrees Celsius is sprayed onto the weeds under high pressure. At the same time, the crop close to the weed is sprayed with cold water to prevent heat damage. The driving speed is 2 kilometres per hour. The machine costs €125,000.The Tor laser weeder from Trabotyx, fitted with components from Fieldworkers. The side covers have been removed to give visitors a better view of the laser technology used to destroy weeds.Kramer in Burgerbrug (N.-H.) imports the British Earth Rover laser weeder, which offers the option to charge its batteries with solar panels. Laser beams destroy weeds from 1 millimetre in size in cabbage, lettuce, carrots, and onions. The capacity is 60 weeds per second. The robot operates both alongside and within the row, as well as across the entire field. The machine weighs only 400 kilograms and has a maximum capacity of 4.5 hours per hectare. The price ranges from €175,000 to €200,000. The investment is often viable for onions or carrots, as labour costs for manual weed control in these crops are very high.The Laserweeder G2 from the American manufacturer Carbon Robotics. This machine tackles weeds using laser beams. Due to its modular construction, the field robot is available in various working widths, ranging from 2.0 up to even 18.3 metres.The Escarda laser weeder is mounted behind the autonomous AgXeed robot and detects weeds from 3 millimetres in sugar beet, onions, tomatoes, lamb’s lettuce, and carrots. Algorithms for leek, spinach, rocket, and asparagus are under development. Homburg imports the Escarda in the Netherlands. The Escarda Duo works at a maximum width of 1.50 metres, but the modular system can be extended up to 2.40 metres. The price of this duo is approximately €100,000.In addition to machine demonstrations, visitors to Biovelddag are also interested in lectures, such as those from Agrifirm, the Louis Bolk Institute, and, as shown in this photo, Skal. The lecture covers organic regulations in practice and the action plan for the growth of organic farming.The Maverick weeding robot from Odd.Bot has been known for some time in the field of autonomous weed removal. This robot pulls weeds from ridges, flat fields, and (raised) beds ranging from 1.50 to 2.25 metres in width. It removes up to two weeds per second per arm and can clear 1 hectare in 16 hours. The starting price for the basic version is €100,000.The E-Vario Weeder is an electrically powered hoe developed by Lauwen Agro Engineering. The hoe is supplied by Mechan. The advantage of the E-Vario Weeder is its light weight and modular concept. Cameras detect the crop and hoe around it, both in and between the rows. Growers control the hoe via a tablet, allowing them to fine-tune the machine’s operation while driving.The autonomous Robot Weeder ARW-606 from Andela Techniek & Innovatie is 4.5 metres wide and has six weeding units. Cameras detect weeds in the row, which are removed by contact with electric probes. The Robot Weeder ARW-606 costs €500,000. Andela also sells wider Robot Weeders with working widths of 6 metres and 12 metres. These are more expensive at €600,000 and €800,000 respectively, but they also offer greater capacity.The Electro Weeder AEW-180 from Andela Techniek & Innovatie is 9 metres wide, but on the left and right sides two sections of 3 metres each are folded up. This tractor-mounted machine heats weeds between the rows using electricity. The base price of the Electro Weeder is €75,000, with various tools available ranging in price from €10,000 to €25,000.Growers observe how innovative machines tackle weeds. In the foreground, the Escarda laser weeder can be seen mounted behind the AgXeed robot.The autonomous HAR-e harrow from Fieldworkers has been developed for vegetable cultivation, mainly onions. The harrow operates 24/7 on solar power (no need to replace batteries) and drives at speeds from 0.5 to 5 kilometres per hour. The HAR-e is available with working widths of 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 metres. The weight is low, at 1,500 kg, resulting in less soil compaction. The sales price is €75,000.De Blije Tuinder has developed a simple, electric, and manoeuvrable hoe, specifically for vegetable growers and small arable farmers. The hoe has been available for purchase since this year. The basic machine costs €17,000. With additional options such as a solar panel or extra hoes, the price approaches €20,000.Two machines from MulchTec. On the left, the MulchTec Planter, a machine for professional vegetable cultivation. This technology allows fresh, ensiled, or dried mulch material to be applied in a single pass during the planting of vegetables. This is possible on both cultivated and uncultivated soil. On the right, the MulchTec RotoSeeder, which enables the sowing of cereals and various green manure crops under mulch and fresh crop residues. The machine combines a reversible rotary tiller with advanced seeding technology. The RotoSeeder processes residual mulch and crop residues, reliably controls weeds by extensively undercutting, and places the seeds beneath the mulch mixture.Arable farmer Frans Koeckhoven has further developed this power harrow from Moreni into a combination of a mulching machine and a flail mower. More rotors and blades have been added to the machine. It can be used behind a tractor, but also operates autonomously.On the square, exhibitors provide information about their machines and/or services to interested visitors. It is possible that some exhibitors also concluded actual business on this sun-drenched field and demonstration day.
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