'Weather data is crucial for making the right decisions'

Spraying, combining or choosing the right moment for an operation over the frost. Arable farmer and poultry farmer Leendert Jan Onnes uses the local weather data from AgroExact at his company in Northeast Groningen for all possible work. "Because you can watch with colleagues, there is always a weather station near my plots."

Onnes took over the parental company in the Reiderwolderpolder in Finsterwolde from his father in 2023. On 120 hectares of heavy sea clay, characteristic of Oldambt, he grows winter wheat, sugar beets, rapeseed, field beans and peas. Part of the company is dedicated to agricultural nature management, such as perennial field edges. The company also has a poultry branch with broilers according to the 1 star Better Life concept.

Accurate data per hour
During his first season as an independent agricultural entrepreneur, Leendert Jan immediately had to deal with serious weather extremes. "Our soil may be heavy, but everything grows very well on it. Yet this spring we had to irrigate the peas to ensure even emergence. At such a time you are happy that you have your own weather station. It is central to the company." When carrying out spraying, the arable farmer looks in the AgroExact app as standard. "Everything is included with an hourly overview, both in the short or long term. You don't see that with all providers, and certainly not with the simpler systems. This way I can assess which plots I will spray first. For this I mainly look at the wind speed and direction and the humidity. I know in advance how much time I have."

The company does its own combining and straw pressing. "Certainly when the plots are spread out, a weather station has added value," he knows from experience. "You can view various stations in the app that are close to your plots. What we have been seeing for a long time is that the showers are becoming more and more extreme and falling more locally. It may well be that you cannot get started at home, but in a few kilometers away. Previously, we first had to drive past all the plots to see whether the straw and grain were dry. Now the weather data already gives you a good indication. I am very pleased with the accuracy. In terms of weather forecasts, AgroExact usually has it right. on the right track.”

About the frost
After a difficult grain harvest, with a lot of wheat lying around due to the heavy rainfall at the beginning of August, a changeable autumn came. Leendert Jan would have preferred to carry out the main cultivation on all his plots at the end of November, but that is not the case this year. At the beginning of December, a period of frost ensures that this can still happen. "I also use the weather data. What time will it freeze and how many degrees? Then you know when to set the alarm."

The company's plots are sometimes a kilometer long or more. "It may sound strange, but when the weather changes, I also keep a close eye on the app on the tractor," he says. "It can take half an hour or more before I have completed a round. If it turns out that rain is coming, I would rather wait. Our clay soil is very sticky. Then you don't want to be standing in the middle of the field."

Added value
Onnes calls local weather data crucial for making the right decisions in business operations. "AgroExact has added value, especially for colleagues who have spread their land. I would definitely recommend it."

View more information about the AgroExact solution here