Innovation in agricultural advice: how Ten Brinke BV stays ahead with FieldMate

Ten Brinke BV, a progressive consultancy in the Dutch agricultural sector, provides crop guidance in the broadest sense of the word. Led by Rick Veldhuizen, cultivation manager arable farming, the company focuses on sustainable solutions for crop protection, soil management and fertilization. Thanks to their collaboration with AppsforAgri and the implementation of the SmartFarm Sensor, Ten Brinke BV takes an innovative step towards data-driven agriculture.

Challenges in a changing agricultural landscape
The agricultural sector is under pressure due to stricter regulations and the reduction of available crop protection products. For Ten Brinke BV, this meant that traditional methods were no longer sufficient. "Where we used to only look at weeds or diseases, we are now working on preventive solutions," Rick says. "Our toolbox is getting smaller, and that requires a proactive approach."

In addition, the industry faces the need to use less fertilizer and more organic alternatives. Combining soil research with innovative technologies, such as drones and weather stations, offers a solution to this. However, as a relatively small company, Ten Brinke BV sometimes encounters practical limitations, such as time and manpower.

Why choose the SmartFarm Sensor?
The decision to work with the Sensor was not motivated by immediate problems, but rather a desire for improvement. "We saw test plots at manufacturers with similar technologies and were curious," said Rick. "The SmartFarm Sensor offered us a practical and clear interface that was immediately usable in our daily operations."

Using the Sensor has made it possible for Ten Brinke BV to respond more quickly to changes in crop conditions. "The clear dashboard makes it easy to see important data at a glance. That ease of use appealed to us enormously."

Results and added value
After two seasons with the SmartFarm Sensor, the first results are promising. The weather station not only assists in determining optimal spray timing, but also provides valuable insights into disease models and soil moisture. Rick explains: "The spray planner is a real added value. It helps us and our customers optimize planning and save costs."

In addition, data from the SmartFarm Sensor has offered unexpected insights. One example is the prediction of disease pressure, such as Phytophthora. "Although at times we were skeptical about the predictions, in hindsight the Sensor often turned out to be right. Learning to trust this technology is a process," Rick says.

Challenges in adoption
The implementation of new technology always brings challenges. A major bottleneck at Ten Brinke BV is integrating this technology into the daily routine. "It takes time to look into the app by default and interpret notifications," Rick said. "Push notifications can help, but if you get too many, it's counterproductive."

Another issue is technical support. Although AppsforAgri's support department responds quickly, software issues, such as sensors failing, can be frustrating. "Reliable operation is essential to deploy the technology effectively," Rick points out.

Looking ahead: data and precision agriculture
Rick sees a lot of potential in further developing data-driven tools. "We want to move toward a network of weather stations so we can share region-specific insights and make our advice even more targeted," he says. This becomes all the more important as biological agents play a larger role. "For example, if you need to spray a bacteria at a specific soil temperature, the SmartFarm Sensor can help you pinpoint that moment accurately."

Another ambition is to increase usability for both its own team and customers. The idea of offering training and webinars is being considered to further drive adoption.

Recommendation
For companies looking to innovate in agricultural consulting, Rick sees the SmartFarm Sensor as a valuable tool. "It not only provides practical insights, but also helps us to be proactive and better support growers."

With the SmartFarm Sensor, Ten Brinke BV is taking a step toward a sustainable and data-driven future. The combination of traditional knowledge and modern technology makes them a unique player in the agricultural sector.