'Investing in data quickly pays for itself'

You get a lot of data, which is always and everywhere available. Arable farmer and flower bulb grower Wilbert Mans has no doubts about the added value of Boer&Bunder. The data platform provides important information, especially in his recurrent search for rental plots.

Wilbert Mans grows flower bulbs and arable crops in Weert, Limburg. Two thirds of the cropping plan consists of lilies and marigolds and one third of salsify, carrots, beans and barley as green manure. 80% of the crops are on rented land and that is exactly where Boer&Bunder offers a solution, according to Mans. "Then you always want to know which crops have been on a plot before."

Fast payback
Ever since the launch of Farmer&Bunder in 2015 Mans is an enthusiastic user. "In the beginning, the application was still free," says the entrepreneur. "Now we have a subscription and there are costs associated with it, but in fact that is a pittance. You get a lot of information for relatively little money. That pays for itself quickly."

He mentions one of his leased land as an example. Information on Boer&Bunder learned that in the past this plot consisted of three different plots with ditches as a separation between them. "We measured the entire plot again and dug trenches where there were previously ditches. The land was flooded in those places later. Fortunately, we didn't have any crops there now."

Frequent use of elevation maps
With his subscription, Mans can view the history of a plot up to at least 9 years ago and thus gain insight into which crops were on it. "Unfortunately, only parcels that have not been specified in the Combined Statement are missing. In the past, carrots and salsify were classified under the general heading of vegetables, but fortunately that is no longer the case. This is valuable information for us."

Furthermore, the entrepreneur makes extensive use of the elevation maps that Boer&Bunder offers. "Differences in height in a plot can be a reason not to rent a plot or to take certain measures," says Mans. "We also use the cadastral data of parcels, for example for the water board. I don't really do anything with the satellite images yet."

Craftsmanship
"It remains important to observe with your own eyes for growth development," continues Mans. Nevertheless, he does not rule out the possibility that data in this area will play a supporting role in the future. "Precision farming is being applied more and more widely. We have, of course, been driving with GPS on our tractors for a long time and the developments go further than that. Although it will never be the case that as a grower you control completely from your screen. The piece of craftsmanship will always remain."

Mans notes that many colleagues with whom he exchanges land also use Boer&Bunder. "If you only farm on your own land, it may be less interesting, but otherwise the data platform is very valuable. Especially at this time of year when looking for rental plots, I often consult Boer&Bunder several times a day. On the computer or on my mobile. If I'm on a plot and in doubt about something, I look it up. At the moment it is still done via the browser. An app would be a nice extension in the future."