SoilMania Soil Sensors help Herenboeren grow healthy crops
The Herenboeren Netherlands Foundation stands for producing sustainable food, together. Each “Herenboerderij” (farm) consists of a group of approximately 200 households that invest in their own farm. They lease about 20 hectares of land and employ a farmer who produces the food that the members want to eat. In this way Herenboeren gives its members access to fair, traceable, safe and sustainably produced food. However, Herenboeren De Groote Heide in Cranendonck discovered through measurements in their crops that their plot contains a slightly elevated level of cadmium. As a result of this analysis, Herenboeren Netherlands and quality manager Marjon Wijdeven contacted Gino Smeulders from SoilMania, who came to place soil sensors and give advice on how to reduce the absorption of cadmium by the crops.
The Herenboeren Netherlands Foundation stands for producing sustainable food, together. Each “Herenboerderij” (farm) consists of a group of approximately 200 households that invest in their own farm. They lease about 20 hectares of land and employ a farmer who produces the food that the members want to eat. In this way Herenboeren gives its members access to fair, traceable, safe and sustainably produced food. However, Herenboeren De Groote Heide in Cranendonck discovered through measurements in their crops that their plot contains a slightly elevated level of cadmium. As a result of this analysis, Herenboeren Netherlands and quality manager Marjon Wijdeven contacted Gino Smeulders from SoilMania, who came to place soil sensors and give advice on how to reduce the absorption of cadmium by the crops.
“As the owner of Vital Food Management, I help starting, innovative organizations that want to produce food in a sustainable and healthy way. In short, companies that are engaged in regenerative agriculture and food production. Based on this expertise, I am hired by Herenboeren to guarantee the quality of the crops, among other things," explains Marjon briefly. Marjon works together with knowledge partners, including SoilMania, to achieve the best possible result for its customers. “Although the increased amounts of metals were just above the permitted standard, it was still desirable to be able to control this better. SoilMania's soil sensors are an effective and reliable tool for this.”
Soil sensors provide 24/7 insight into the current pH value of the soil
“The SoilMania soil sensors measure, among other things, the pH value in the soil,” explains Marjon. “Measuring the pH values in the soil is important for Herenboeren, because cadmium is more easily taken up by crops at a low pH. So, we have to make sure that the pH level stays high.”
“Gino from SoilMania advised Herenboeren to first apply compost to the entire plot in order to increase the organic matter content. This results in a lower absorption of cadmium by the crops. As a second measure, a soil sensor was placed on the plot so that the pH value can be monitored continuously. At a pH lower than 6, the Herenboeren must make adjustments. Gino explained to two Herenboeren committee members how they can analyse and interpret the data from the sensors. He also explained the absorption capacity of cadmium per crop, focusing specifically on crops that can absorb a lot of cadmium, such as celery root, carrots and lettuce. Finally, he gave concrete advice about the actions to be taken when the pH value falls below 6, namely the application of lime or compost," says Marjon.
The course of the pH values in the soil is variable and is partly determined by the weather conditions. For example, if there is a lot of rain, the pH value in the soil will increase. SoilMania's sensors provide 24/7 insight into this process.
“If the pH value and the proportion of organic matter are right, we know that cadmium is absorbed much less by the crops and that this benefits the quality and safety of the food. Thanks to the expert advice, the soil sensors and the analyses of the end product, Herenboeren can now actively steer towards an optimal pH value and ensure that the crops they grow remain within the desired MRL values. Despite the fact that there is cadmium in the soil, Herenboeren have regained their confidence in growing healthy crops. That is very reassuring,” says Marjon.
Soil sensors measure more than just the pH value
“In the future, we may be deploying the soil sensors even more widely, for example for EC measurements of salt concentrations in the soil and at the oxygen level,” explains Marjon. “The soil sensors also provide insight into many other parameters than just the pH value. Six soil conditions can be highlighted, namely soil environment, soil life, toxic elements, nutrients available to plants, cycle and nutrient stock. With Bodeminzicht (Soil Insight) 2.0 analyses, you gain insight into the total vitality and fertility of the soil.”
“We share the knowledge that we gain at Herenboeren De Groote Heide with other Herenboeren. Heavy metals are not only found in North Brabant and Limburg soil,” says Marjon. “By sharing our experiences with SoilMania's soil sensors with others who are actively involved in restoring the soil and developing soil life, they too can better manage healthy crops and safe cultivation. In my opinion, the soil sensors can also be very valuable in the development of regenerative or restorative agriculture. It is interesting to investigate how we can restore soil life. The measurements, analyses and reports from the soil sensors can help us with this and hopefully lead us to the next step in the right direction in the field of restorative agriculture.”