Technology and Digitalization for Animal and Plant Production
Last changed: 29 April 2020
The subject area Technology and digitalization for animal and plant production includes research, innovation, teaching and collaboration regarding technical systems within both agriculture and horticulture. Above all, the interaction between animals, plants, environment and humans is studied in the context of environmental impacts and climate change in systems for a sustainable and economically competitive production.
Within the subject field, interdisciplinary research is carried out with a focus on technology development within:
- Systems analysis in order to improve production systems within agriculture and horticulture including post-harvest and energy conversion processes (energy balances, LCA, soil organic carbon modelling, systems dynamic modelling, nutrient balances, techno-economic assessments, GIS-based data and inventory).
- Digitalization for improved production systems using sensor technology, camera technology, artificial intelligence and data-driven decision support.
- Buildings and building technology for agricultural and horticultural production of food including animals, feed, raw materials for energy and industrial purposes, i.e. stables, storage, greenhouses and other production buildings.
- Machinery and machinery technology for plant production within agriculture and horticulture for reduction of inputs and losses, treatment of biomass for different purposes as well as improved harvest and logistical operations reduced energy consumption and improved economy.
Focus areas:
Systems analysis
The department carries out research and teaching with a focus on the interplay between energy, environment, technology, economy and the holistic view on the mentioned factors. Interactions between environment, energy, and economical issues are analysed in a regional, national and global perspective. Furthermore, agricultural production systems, post-harvest-, and energy processes are evaluated.
One research focus area is to analyse and evaluate environmental effects associated with the utilization of renewable resources and various types of energy carriers, with emphasis on crop nutrition, soil fertility and greenhouse gas emissions. A second focus is to evaluate energy systems, where the entire energy chain from natural resources to energy services is studied. A third area of focus is to investigate strategies for improving production systems with regards to their economic and environmental outcome.
Ongoing projects about system analysis
- BioBIGG
- Effective weed control and increased carbon sequestration through strip-till establishment of organic field crops in withered cover crops
- Influence of establishment date on summer cover crops on soil organic carbon contribution and weed controlling properties
- More ley in arable cropping systems for climate efficient primary production
- Milk production with extensively processed silage for increased forage intake and increased resource efficiency
- Proactive drought management
- Shoot and root biomass yield of intermediate crops at different nitrogen fertilization levels
- Turning catch crops into intermediate crops for higher productivity and reduced N and P losses
- Production of sustainable planting pods for growing horticultural and ornamental crops
Digitalization
Within this topic research and education are conducted with primary focus on digitalisation within agriculture (mainly animal and plant production). The expertise lays within the areas of digital infrastructure, Big Data and data-driven decision support as well as cross-disciplinary communication required for new Research and Development projects with many actors involved.
The conducted work aims at practical and end-user-oriented solutions which support competitive and sustainable production and effective leadership within different branches of agriculture.
- IoT [Internet of Things] solutions for animal and plant production: development and validation of new solutions, as well as increased usability of collected data (effective storage, processing, analysis and visualisation).
- Validation and applicability of new sensor technologies, as well as framework around responsible innovation.
- Competence development and education for future challenges related to digitalisation of agricultural sector and integration of new technology.
Building Technology
Within this topic research and education concerning buildings for the rural production of food are conducted, i.e. concerning animal houses, greenhouses and other production buildings. Activities aim on an environmental friendly and economically competitive agricultural and horticultural production.
- The topic includes building technology, materials and installations within the buildings and their harmonization to animals, humans, plants and environment.
- A good air quality within the buildings with minimum presence of gases, particles and infecting substances is included in the topic as well as limitation of emissions of ammonia, greenhouse gases, dust and odour to the surroundings.
- Safe building design, suitable floor design, environmental friendly building materials based on renewable source materials, design of rural buildings and their conformity to the landscape are parts of the activities
Machinery Technology
The department is responsible for basic level courses regarding crop production technology including post-harvest processes for foremost Lantmästare and Trädgårdsingenjörer. Our competence is applied in research projects that investigate crops and crop residues for different purposes. The focus is on finding methods, technology and logistical setups that enable long-term sustainable solutions.
Ongoing projects about machinery technology
Research Projects:
Ongoing
Ongoing projects about system analysis
- BioBIGG
- Effective weed control and increased carbon sequestration through strip-till establishment of organic field crops in withered cover crops
- Influence of establishment date on summer cover crops on soil organic carbon contribution and weed controlling properties
- More ley in arable cropping systems for climate efficient primary production
- Milk production with extensively processed silage for increased forage intake and increased resource efficiency
- Proactive drought management
- Shoot and root biomass yield of intermediate crops at different nitrogen fertilization levels
- Turning catch crops into intermediate crops for higher productivity and reduced N and P losses
- Production of sustainable planting pods for growing horticultural and ornamental crops
Ongoing projects about digitalization
Ongoing projects about building technology
Ongoing projects about machinery technology
Closed
Technology for Animal and Plant Production
- Biofuels from biomass from agricultural land - land use change in a Swedish perspective
- Design criteria for structural design of silage silo walls
- Energy survey and measure evaluation for commercial greenhouse companies based on new registration and simulation method
- Eurocodes impact on dimensioning of roof grids
- Fresh and stored crops - a new way to organize all-year substrate supply for a biogas plant
- How grass-clover ley and cereals can be used more efficiently as biogas substrates by optimizing harvesting dates and chopping length
- Grass-clover ley crops for biogas production
- Green Biogas
- Indirect land use change
- New energy supply system for greenhouses
- Performance of geotextile-gravel bed all-weather surfaces for horses
- Sustainability for ley as biogas crop – climate, land use and costs
- Summary – Todays greenhouse technology and research
- Wetlands as biomass producer
Contact
Page editor: andrus.kangro@slu.se
