The Biovelddag, held on Thursday 3 July in Lelystad, once again drew a significant crowd eager to explore the latest advancements in weed control technology. The event showcased a variety of innovative machines designed to tackle weeds more efficiently and sustainably, reflecting the growing emphasis on precision agriculture and automation in the sector.
Among the highlights were several robotic systems equipped with advanced technologies. Visitors witnessed weeding and hoeing robots, as well as those powered by electricity. One notable innovation was the precision weeder that uses hot water jets to target weeds, a method that minimizes soil disturbance. This year, the event featured no fewer than four different robots utilizing laser beams to combat weeds, marking a significant development in non-invasive weed control.
A standout exhibit was the German machine from the startup TiefGrün, a first in the Netherlands. This precision weeder targets weeds in the row using hot water, suitable for red beet and carrot crops. The machine sprays water at nearly 100 degrees Celsius under high pressure onto the weeds, while simultaneously applying cold water to protect the nearby crops from heat damage. Operating at a speed of 2 kilometres per hour, the machine is priced at €125,000.
The Tor laser weeder from Trabotyx, equipped with components from Fieldworkers, was another attraction. This machine, imported by Kramer in Burgerbrug, uses laser beams to destroy weeds as small as 1 millimetre in crops such as cabbage, lettuce, carrots, and onions. Capable of handling 60 weeds per second, the Earth Rover laser weeder operates both within the row and across the entire field. Weighing only 400 kilograms, it can cover 4.5 hectares per hour and is priced between €175,000 and €200,000. The investment is particularly viable for crops like onions or carrots, where manual weeding labour costs are high.
The Laserweeder G2 from American manufacturer Carbon Robotics was also on display. This modular machine tackles weeds using laser beams and is available in various working widths, ranging from 2.0 to 18.3 metres. The Escarda laser weeder, mounted behind the autonomous AgXeed robot, detects weeds from 3 millimetres in crops such as sugar beet, onions, tomatoes, lamb’s lettuce, and carrots. Algorithms for leek, spinach, rocket, and asparagus are under development. The Escarda Duo, imported by Homburg, works at a maximum width of 1.50 metres but can be extended up to 2.40 metres, with a price tag of approximately €100,000.
In addition to machine demonstrations, visitors attended lectures from organizations like Agrifirm, the Louis Bolk Institute, and Skal. These sessions covered topics such as organic regulations in practice and the action plan for the growth of organic farming, providing valuable insights for attendees.
The Maverick weeding robot from Odd.Bot has been known for its autonomous weed removal capabilities. This robot pulls weeds from ridges, flat fields, and (raised) beds ranging from 1.50 to 2.25 metres in width. It removes up to two weeds per second per arm and can clear 1 hectare in 16 hours. The starting price for the basic version is €100,000.
The E-Vario Weeder, an electrically powered hoe developed by Lauwen Agro Engineering and supplied by Mechan, was also showcased. This light-weight, modular hoe detects the crop and hoes around it, both in and between the rows. Growers can control the hoe via a tablet, allowing for fine-tuning of the machine’s operation while driving.
Andela Techniek & Innovatie presented the autonomous Robot Weeder ARW-606, which is 4.5 metres wide and has six weeding units. Cameras detect weeds in the row, which are removed by contact with electric probes. The Robot Weeder ARW-606 costs €500,000. Andela also sells wider Robot Weeders with working widths of 6 metres and 12 metres, priced at €600,000 and €800,000 respectively, offering greater capacity.
The Electro Weeder AEW-180 from Andela Techniek & Innovatie is 9 metres wide, with two sections of 3 metres each that can be folded up. This tractor-mounted machine heats weeds between the rows using electricity. The base price of the Electro Weeder is €75,000, with various tools available ranging in price from €10,000 to €25,000.