Trial site Valthermond

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In short
  • WUR site on peat-colonial loam soil
  • Research on soil, crops and precision farming
  • Close collaboration with regional partners
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Trial site Valthermond is the only Wageningen University & Research trial location on peat-colonial sandy loam. This makes the site uniquely suited for practice-oriented research into soil quality, cropping systems, biodiversity and new technologies. Collaboration with farmers, chain partners and governments is central. 

What can you do at trial site Valthermond?

What can you do here?

The 104-hectare research location is equipped with modern facilities, allowing trials to be carried out efficiently and reliably. Key research themes include variety trials, soil health (nematodes, fungi, bacteria), fertilisation, crop protection and storage research. Crop rotations, the peat-colonial ‘crop plan for the future’, precision farming and crop diversity (including strip cropping) also play an important role. 

The trial fields mainly cultivate potato, sugar beet, cereals and onion. Depending on the research question, other new crops are also grown. For the implementation of the trials, Valthermond has a wide range of machinery, for example for taking soil and crop samples. Analysis equipment is also available for crop processing, as well as GPS-controlled precision farming technologies and irrigation systems. 

Thanks to close collaboration with regional networks, such as Innovation Peat Colonies, research results are directly aligned with practical questions and regional challenges.

Overview of facilities at Valthermond

  • 104 hectares of peat-colonial sandy loam for arable research
  • Reception and meeting rooms with facilities for education and practical training
  • Trial fields with potato, sugar beet, cereals, onion and other new crops
  • Various machines, including trial field sprayers for testing products and (analysis) equipment for taking (soil) samples and processing crops
  • Four potato storage cells
  • GPS and precision farming technologies
  • Irrigation systems 

Who is trial site Valthermond for?

Who for?

Do you want to improve your cultivation or have new varieties tested on sandy loam? Trial Site Valthermond offers farmers, growers, chain parties and breeders the opportunity to conduct practice-oriented research on this specific soil type and crop plan. Educational institutions and students will find an inspiring learning environment to gain practical experience with the opportunities and challenges of this region. Policymakers and researchers will find reliable data and insights here for future agricultural policy.

Why choose this facility?

Why this facility?

We offer:

  • The only WUR trial site on peat-colonial sandy loam
  • Modern facilities for testing, demonstrating and validating products, machinery and crops
  • Strong regional embedding
  • Focus on all opportunities and challenges in the peat-colonial crop plan
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Working together for future-proof agriculture

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Working from the bigger picture towards sustainable arable farming

Developing solutions for healthy and sustainable crop production.

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Questions about this facility?

Contact

For more information, please contact us.

ing. GA (Gerard) Hoekzema

Head of department Trial Site Valthermond