Innovation is essential to strike a balance between the use and protection of the resources on our planet for the benefit of current and future generations. Therefore, SEGES Innovation works closely with partners in the agricultural industry, companies, and universities to ensure sustainable agriculture in the future – in Denmark and globally. Together, they are creating solutions for livestock management, the field, and the entire value chain, from farm to fork.
Interview with Ivar Ravn, Executive Director at SEGES Innovation.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
Ivar Ravn: We focus on applied R&D by using our extensive, professional knowledge, data, and the latest digital technologies to create innovation for sustainable food production. Our innovative software developers build systems for documentation, management, and decision support for farmers and companies in this industry.
For instance, we develop new production management systems that combine yield optimization with nature and the environment. We are testing new crops for a more plant-based diet. We research animal welfare. We look at how feed and new technology can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cows. Also, we look into how we can minimize greenhouse gasses from pigs’ manure.
E.E: What’s the news about new products?
I.R: The overall trend in our newest products is digitization, automation, and AI. A farmer’s job is very complex, and many aspects are out of their hands, such as regulations and the weather. We strive to make the work life of the farmer easier by offering software solutions that can assist him&her with precision farming, prognosis, forecasting, optimization, documentation, and automation.
E.E: What are the ranges of products?
I.R: We exist to provide farmers and the farming industry with the best tools possible, the latest knowledge, and the very best advisory service.
Our product range spans wide across the food value chain, covering almost all aspects of agriculture management. We cover the whole process from idea to reality by offering research, analysis, tests, statistics, education, events, communications, software tools, etc.
Our newest offers are:
- ESGreenTool, which helps the farmer improve the carbon footprint of his farm.
- TraceIT, which supports traceability across the food value chain.
- Life Cycle Assessments to evaluate the environmental sustainability of agriculture and food processing.
- Intercount, an intelligent accounting system.
- EasyCow, modern livestock management software.
E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?
I.R: From an international perspective, Danish farmers are technologically very advanced. However, the market is developing rapidly, and our customers and partners are facing increasing demands from customers, authorities, and suppliers. Consequently, complexity is significantly increasing both at the individual farm level and in society, leading to a marked rise in the need for digitizing agricultural processes. There is a requirement to work more vertically with data exchange across the entire food production value chain, not least to be able to document sustainability.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
I.R: There is a requirement to work more vertically with data exchange across the entire value chain from farm to fork, not least to be able to document sustainability. Let me provide an example: At SEGES Innovation, we collaborate with 9 other partners in a project to achieve the world’s first climate-neutral rye bread and oatmeal.
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?
I.R: We have developed several products that have gained widespread use and, as a result, are making a significant impact. For instance, FarmTracking and CropManager support precision farming by enabling precise dosing of resources on every square meter of the fields.
Our recently developed Irrigation Module also proved its value during the prolonged drought that Danish farmers experienced in the early summer of 2023. The module assists the farmer in assessing the most optimal areas to use water when it is a limited resource.
E.E: What estimations do you have for 2023?
I.R: SEGES Innovation is experiencing a very positive development with growth in 2023. The market rewards us for being at the forefront of the AI wave and working with machine learning, advanced data utilization, and sophisticated models for forecasting and decision support.
