Normec Robalab performs hundreds of analyses for Cosun

Anticipating legislation

Royal Cosun is an agricultural cooperative of more than 8,000 sugar beet growers, but it also includes Aviko and Sensus. Arjen Brak is project manager of the Groeikracht Cosun program, which focuses on future-proofing the cultivation of potatoes, sugar beet and chicory. N-mineral measurement and analysis is one of the projects under this program.

Arjen: "We started the N-mineral project in 2024 because we want to create insight and awareness among growers. On the one hand: how much nitrogen does the field contain and how can you adjust fertilization accordingly? On the other hand: how can we use that data towards the government?"

It is a well-known story that there is a lot of pressure on agriculture from politics, in the form of laws and regulations. Cosun wants to help growers take charge themselves and, in anticipation of legislation, collect data that can also improve the efficiency of cultivation.

Ever more efficient and flexible

Cosun looked for partners who can perform hundreds of samplings and analyses a year. One of those partners became Normec Robalab, says Arjen: "They do half of all the work. For the sampling, they brought in an external partner and my experience is that the process is very flexible and customer-oriented. If we have certain wishes, Normec Robalab always thinks along how they can support this and make any adjustments. Things started running more and more efficiently and smoothly."

It is possible to switch quickly with Normec Robalab, says Arjen: "If there is something, they also quickly look at how we can solve it together. We can also fine-tune things together in terms of communication. For example, if we want to add a card to the analysis report or include a text in e-mails. A lot is possible and the lines are short. That is especially important in agriculture."

Part of the project is that a spring measurement and an autumn measurement are carried out. The measurement in the spring is the basis and the resulting data serves as a handle to adjust fertilization. The measurement in the fall, between October and December, provides insight into how the grower has done.

Insight and awareness

In 2024, Normec Robalab sampled about 550 plots. In 2025 it will be about 1,750 plots. The results of the measurements give growers tools to optimize their fertilization. After all, they now know exactly what is in the soil at different depths. They can adjust their fertilization accordingly and see after harvest what the remaining amount of nitrogen is.

Arjen: "We see that until 2024 the N-mineral measurement was not very well known to our target group. This project has made them widely familiar with it. It has led to insight and awareness. The goal is to reduce emissions via leaching to groundwater. By understanding the mineral nitrogen in the soil, fertilization can be done even better, which can lead to cost savings. In the future, we hope that growers can use the results from the measurements to obtain exceptions to generic measures and thus become more self-directed. One positive result is that the government has initiated this change to 'target management' and will include N-mineral measurements in policy from 2026."

Cosun will offer N-mineral measurements only in the spring of 2026. Growers can use the results of these measurements to optimize fertilization. Growers can have fall measurements taken to qualify for exceptions to generic measures. These exceptions are defined in the 8th Action Program Nitrates Directive. The Ministry of LVVN plans to start an implementation program in 2026 where autumn measurements can be reimbursed. This will be worked out with sector parties including BO Akkerbouw. Through the Sector Approach to Nitrate, BO Akkerbouw is also focusing on the development of knowledge and insight, stimulating measuring and monitoring and, as arable farmers, jointly steering for reduced emissions.