Validating arable farming innovations under real open field conditions
WUR Open Field Crops Lelystad is a test and validation site within NXTGEN Handsfree Agrifood, focused on arable farming within Innovation Package 1 – Open Field Crops. In a large-scale, real-world environment, you test precision agriculture, digitalisation and autonomous systems under open field conditions. This shortens the time between concept and field validation and provides robust measurement data to refine technology and prepare it for broader implementation.
The site is relevant for technology companies seeking to test under real open field conditions, for partners aiming to connect development trajectories to practical field data, and for policymakers who want to base decisions on measurable results. Technologies tested here include precision agriculture, autonomous field systems and Digital Twins. WUR conducts independent measurements and guidance, ensuring results are comparable across seasons and field conditions.
Large-scale trial environment with variation in cropping systems
Located near Lelystad is one of the largest arable farms in the Netherlands, covering over 1,250 hectares of clay soil, including approximately 300 hectares of trial fields. These fields are used for practice-oriented research in both conventional and organic systems. Trials focus on cropping systems, soil and crop health and, within NXTGEN Hightech Agrifood, on data, digitalisation and autonomous technology.
Collaboration that sharpens test questions and makes results actionable
The site connects research organisations, technology companies, farmers and other partners around concrete testing challenges. Through independent measurements and guidance by WUR, results become comparable and open for discussion, across seasons, cropping systems and field situations. This makes it easier to refine solutions, integrate them into existing workflows and move forward towards broader and scalable application.
Three technology domains within Handsfree Agrifood that reduce manual labour and increase precision
Within Handsfree Agrifood, the test location is used for technologies that reduce repetitive tasks while increasing precision and efficiency.
Precision agriculture and data-driven optimisation
Using sensors, drones and analytical tools, real-time data is collected on soil, crops and environmental variables. These insights support decisions on fertilisation, irrigation and crop protection. This makes effects measurable and enables more targeted adjustments.
Automation and autonomous field systems
Autonomous machinery and robotic platforms are tested for tasks such as sowing, weeding and harvesting. The scale of the fields makes it possible to assess reliability and repeatability under practical conditions. This clarifies what is needed to align systems with real field operations.
Digital Twins and simulation
Digital models of cropping systems are used to simulate scenarios and test assumptions in advance. By feeding field data back into the models, decisions can be better substantiated before large-scale deployment. This reduces dependency on a single season or specific situation.
Infrastructure supporting measurement, integration and data sharing
The physical and digital infrastructure supports testing and validation trajectories through measurement, data integration and analysis. This includes clay-based trial fields, sensors and monitoring equipment, autonomous agricultural machinery and robotic platforms. In addition, data platforms and dashboards are available for integration, analysis and visualisation of research data, as well as software and Digital Twin models for simulation.
Combining field trials with laboratory and demonstration facilities
Where research requires it, field trials can be combined with laboratory facilities and demonstration spaces. Capabilities include analyses in nematology, microbiology, phytopathology, immunology and soil physics, as well as facilities for product quality assessment, seed technology and sorting techniques.
Want to know more about testing and validating Innovation Package 1?
Within NXTGEN Hightech Agrifood, innovations are tested and optimized to take the next step toward real-world application. Curious about the opportunities and how use cases are advancing their innovations? Our Innovation Package Lead, Natalie Hotrum, will be happy to tell you more.