Working from the bigger picture towards sustainable arable farming

Climate change, stricter environmental standards and reduced use of chemical crop protection products are making it increasingly difficult for arable farmers to maintain good yields. BO Akkerbouw, the Dutch knowledge centre for arable crop chains, supports the sector through research, explains André Hoogendijk, Director of BO Akkerbouw. “We initiate studies that help farmers tackle practical challenges – for example, improving soil health, identifying opportunities for new crops and making the most of precision farming. Farmers and chain partners such as breeders and processors are all involved.”

WUR has been BO Akkerbouw’s key research partner since the organisation was founded, says Hoogendijk. “BO Akkerbouw originated from the former Product Board for Arable Farming, which was dissolved in 2015. The sector already collaborated closely with WUR back then, and we have continued that partnership ever since. WUR combines expertise from every part of the agricultural system – from crop protection, fertilisation, soil and plant microbiology to the technical and financial aspects of a farm business. That complete overview is essential. A farmer not only wants a healthy crop and fertile soil, but also needs a viable business at the end of the day.”

In addition to its expertise, WUR also offers valuable research facilities, Hoogendijk continues. “Innovation requires experimentation, but trying new fertilisation techniques or pest control methods can be risky and costly for farmers. If something goes wrong, the financial damage can be considerable. At WUR’s experimental research farms, we can push boundaries and test what works in practice. The facilities use the same machinery and technology found on real farms, ensuring that the research outcomes are relevant and applicable.”

One such site, WUR’s experimental farm in Vredepeel (Limburg), hosts the project ‘Integrated approach to crop protection in arable farming on sandy soils’. Hoogendijk considers this one of the highlights among the many collaborative projects currently underway. “Stricter environmental standards and climate change have made arable farming on sandy soils increasingly demanding. Nutrients leach out quickly, leading to nitrogen in groundwater. Maintaining soil fertility and staying within environmental limits takes a lot of effort. Sandy soils also face high weed pressure and are extremely vulnerable to drought. Farmers in the south and east of the Netherlands deal with these issues on a daily basis.”

These combined challenges call for the integrated approach that WUR provides, Hoogendijk explains. “With its scientific expertise and technological resources, WUR is one of the world leaders in Integrated Crop Management (ICM). In the Vredepeel project, for example, we look at weed control. Traditionally, this relied on spraying, but from an environmental point of view that’s not always desirable. In some cases, mechanical weeding is a better option – yet it’s important to assess its effects on soil health, costs, CO₂ emissions and potential crop damage. Considering all these factors allows farmers to make informed, well-founded decisions.”

The findings from these research projects are shared widely through BO Akkerbouw’s outreach activities, says Hoogendijk. “We organise field days, winter lectures and knowledge events featuring several studies. These meetings are also valuable for others in the chain, such as advisers, breeders and processors. For example, insights into crop resilience can help breeders develop new varieties, while processors may define quality specifications for crops. We therefore apply an integrated approach not only in research, but also in bringing the results into practice.”

Hoogendijk welcomes the sector’s growing openness to this holistic perspective. “That shift is partly thanks to WUR and the outcomes of our joint projects. For instance, the project on crop protection in sandy soils has shown that farmers can achieve good yields with fewer chemical crop protection products, for example through crop rotation. Such insights are crucial for building trust and offering practical solutions. Sometimes, a project also leads to concrete tools, like the GroenWijzer. Contributing to such developments together with WUR is extremely rewarding.”

Integrated Crop Management (ICM) is a farming system that combines all aspects of production – including plant, soil and animal health – to ensure a profitable, environmentally responsible and resilient enterprise. The aim of ICM is to reduce dependence on chemical crop protection products and artificial fertilisers by better aligning processes within the farm system.