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First hydroponic lettuce harvested at B-Four Agro

Marcel Jacobs, CEO at Koninklijke Vezet, opened the 'harvest-party' which was attended by sixty invitees.
Marcel Jacobs, CEO at Koninklijke Vezet, opened the 'harvest-party' which was attended by sixty invitees.
Grower Willem Bas tells how open field cultivation causes some problems. By growing hydroponic climate has much less impact on the cultivation, so the product can be supplied continuous with a stable quality.
Grower Willem Bas tells how open field cultivation causes some problems. By growing hydroponic climate has much less impact on the cultivation, so the product can be supplied continuous with a stable quality.
A peek into the technical room with...
A peek into the technical room with...
...filters to cleanse the water ...
...filters to cleanse the water ...
... a burner system and boiler for converting gas from the biogas plant for heating the greenhouse...
... a burner system and boiler for converting gas from the biogas plant for heating the greenhouse...
... and a extensive stock of fertilizers.
... and a extensive stock of fertilizers.
First step is sowing.
First step is sowing.
Next is germination in a temperature which is a 'company secret'. The racks are temporary, it will all be containers which make the proces even more automated.
Next is germination in a temperature which is a 'company secret'. The racks are temporary, it will all be containers which make the proces even more automated.
The containers just before they go into the vertical propagation chamber.
The containers just before they go into the vertical propagation chamber.
The well-known purple glow.
The well-known purple glow.
Propagation in ten layers.
Propagation in ten layers.
After propagation the youngplants are being planted from 200 per square meter to 20 per square meter.
After propagation the youngplants are being planted from 200 per square meter to 20 per square meter.
Then the floaters can be cleaned.
Then the floaters can be cleaned.
Purple glow peeking through.
Purple glow peeking through.
The floaters being placed in the water automatically...
The floaters being placed in the water automatically...
... to to 'swim' into the greenhouse.
... to to 'swim' into the greenhouse.
Several varieties, various growth speeds, but everything is traceable and will be put in place at the right time on the right place.
Several varieties, various growth speeds, but everything is traceable and will be put in place at the right time on the right place.
Willem Bas explaining.
Willem Bas explaining.
LED providing light when sunlight isn't enough, and a thermal screen and a blackout screen to provide the right growing climate.
LED providing light when sunlight isn't enough, and a thermal screen and a blackout screen to provide the right growing climate.
Because growing lettuce hydroponic is in full development, there will also be a lot of test with several varieties, for example pak choi. Willem Bas: "We have ordered as many seeds as possible to test. The ones that give the best results, will be chosen for cultivation."
Because growing lettuce hydroponic is in full development, there will also be a lot of test with several varieties, for example pak choi. Willem Bas: "We have ordered as many seeds as possible to test. The ones that give the best results, will be chosen for cultivation."
Camera's are installed for remote monitoring.
Camera's are installed for remote monitoring.
The first harvest...
The first harvest...
...arouses a lot of interest.
...arouses a lot of interest.
Erik van Nieuwenhuijzen (Albert Heijn) and Willem Bas (B-Four Agro) showing proudly the first head of lettuce.
Erik van Nieuwenhuijzen (Albert Heijn) and Willem Bas (B-Four Agro) showing proudly the first head of lettuce.
Everyone can view the technique accurately.
Everyone can view the technique accurately.
Luc Burger and Rinus Molenaar (Koninklijke Vezet)
Luc Burger and Rinus Molenaar (Koninklijke Vezet)
Anouk Wissink (Koninklijke Vezet) and Tim Barrance (Sparkegarden)
Anouk Wissink (Koninklijke Vezet) and Tim Barrance (Sparkegarden)
Erwin Duits and Ben de Graaff (Koninklijke Vezet)
Erwin Duits and Ben de Graaff (Koninklijke Vezet)
Sanne Schilder and Joline Zandbergen (Koninklijke Vezet)
Sanne Schilder and Joline Zandbergen (Koninklijke Vezet)
Fred Berkhout (B-Four Agro), Arjan Kok (Bosman Van Zaal), Bob van der Hout and Rob Pronk (Rabobank Alkmaar)
Fred Berkhout (B-Four Agro), Arjan Kok (Bosman Van Zaal), Bob van der Hout and Rob Pronk (Rabobank Alkmaar)
Cock Boots (KaRo) and Peter van Boekel (innovation coach)
Cock Boots (KaRo) and Peter van Boekel (innovation coach)
Gerard Peek and Henk Peek (Bosman Van Zaal)
Gerard Peek and Henk Peek (Bosman Van Zaal)
Bart Bak (B-Four Agro), Danny Rood, Arjan Rood (KaRo), Erna Steenhuis (GreenPort Noord-Holland Noord), John Kunis and Sjon de Lange (Polytechniek)
Bart Bak (B-Four Agro), Danny Rood, Arjan Rood (KaRo), Erna Steenhuis (GreenPort Noord-Holland Noord), John Kunis and Sjon de Lange (Polytechniek)
Jurian Simons (Albert Heijn), Bart Blokhuis (Participatiefonds Duurzame Economie Noord-Holland) and Dwayne van der Klugt (KplusV Organisatieadvies)
Jurian Simons (Albert Heijn), Bart Blokhuis (Participatiefonds Duurzame Economie Noord-Holland) and Dwayne van der Klugt (KplusV Organisatieadvies)
Menno Bes (Bedrijfscontactfunctionaris Gemeente Schagen) and Wim Sijtsma (Rabobank Alkmaar)
Menno Bes (Bedrijfscontactfunctionaris Gemeente Schagen) and Wim Sijtsma (Rabobank Alkmaar)
Fedde Jonker (Koninklijke Vezet), Elise Bomhof (Koninklijke Vezet), Anique Breijer (Albert Heijn) and Ingrid Lamme (GKZ Kramer Beheer B.V.).
Fedde Jonker (Koninklijke Vezet), Elise Bomhof (Koninklijke Vezet), Anique Breijer (Albert Heijn) and Ingrid Lamme (GKZ Kramer Beheer B.V.).