August 8, 2020

ForFarmers uses intelligent apps for product and process improvement

ForFarmers is taking the next step in applying data analysis to improve the returns of livestock farmers, the Netherlands-based feed company said last month.

Data is collected on a new platform, and with the help of the latest applications, it is analysed in order to arrive at valuable information in the food production chain. The aim is not only to improve the farmer's returns as data analysis, algorithms and visualisations contribute to optimisation, further sustainability and cooperation in the food chain. ForFarmers has chosen Axians and Microsoft as its partners.

At the heart of ForFarmers' Total Feed approach, which focuses on providing complete feed solutions, is its targeted planning and analysis of results. Data from various internal and external sources play a key role in this. Axians supports ForFarmers in this, specifically with the implementation of a Microsoft Azure environment, data lake, machine learning, data analysis tools and low-code platform OutSystems for application development.

"ForFarmers specialises in animal feed and is not an IT company. At the same time, we see opportunities to intelligently integrate and analyse existing data sources, with which we can refine our decision-making," said Stijn Steendijk, strategy and organization director at ForFarmers.

"We see the potential of making optimal use of data for ourselves and our partners in the chain. Through algorithms and data-driven applications, the predictive value of data can be used for product and process improvement in the entire chain, and it can also contribute to reducing emissions in the chain. By sharing the insights via apps, we work closely with farmers and other chain partners. Together, we can further streamline the food chain. The result is better returns, healthier livestock and higher efficiency in our sector."

One of the components is the implementation of a data lake. This allows information from ForFarmers' business processes - from production data to feed composition - to be linked to other types of data, for example, from a livestock farmer. The analysis of this can lead to new insights on which the feed specialist and livestock farmer can steer.

"For example, we are working on combining information that our livestock farmers share with us with information about feed recipes. This information is brought together in an app that farmers and our employees can use," Steendijk explained.

"With the insights based on that data, we can, for example, determine the optimal feed curve for pigs and better predict the growth of the pigs. We can further optimise the composition of the feed in the various growth phases."

- ForFarmers