Technology Enables Research

André Blok has been working at Schothorst Feed Research since 1990. He began as an animal caretaker, but after five years, a reorganization offered him the opportunity to transition to the technical department. To make this change, André had to retrain in technical skills, something he has never regretted. “My job is incredibly diverse,” he says with a smile. “From building and maintaining barns to managing feed and water dosing systems and much more, including the technical equipment in offices and laboratories. Sometimes the work can be unpredictable, and you have to be able to respond quickly to malfunctions, but that’s what makes it so enjoyable. When you can fix an issue, everyone’s happy!”

The maintenance service is an essential part of Schothorst. Well-functioning equipment is crucial for any agricultural business, but for a research company like Schothorst, it’s even more important. “If a feeding system breaks down, the cows, pigs, or chickens won’t be fed. Aside from the animals not receiving feed, experiments could be jeopardized,” André explains.

Over the years, many processes at Schothorst have been mechanized and automated. This has made the work less labor-intensive, more efficient, and reduced the risks of errors. As a result, the technical department has become even more important, with many different systems requiring maintenance and repairs. “For example, we monitor the feed and water intake per pen for laying hens and broilers, and we have a roughage robot for the cows. These systems need to keep running because, without these installations and machines, the research can’t continue,” says André.

Currently, we are setting up our young livestock barn for young stock research. Another recent innovation is measuring methane emissions from dairy cattle using a GreenFeed sensor. This device measures the air a cow exhales while eating concentrated feed and analyzes the methane emissions. “It’s a fascinating technology for researchers, especially with the current focus on climate change.”

Additionally, the technical department manages the energy supply for the entire research facility and maintains contacts with contractors, installers, and dealers.

What André values most about working at Schothorst is the open communication and good relationships with colleagues. “Everyone is involved and contributes their part to the process. We’re engaged from budget discussions to the delivery of the barn or installation, and together we ensure
thoughtful investments. That feels really good!”