Catalogue of Infrastructures and Facilities

Wielkopolska Agricultural Advisory Center in Poznań (WODR)

Poland

72 ha of fields with various soil grades: III (25 ha), IV (37 ha), V (8 ha), and VI (2 ha). The fields can be used as a place for preparation for the test environment and in case of execution of physical testing, including establishing a particular plantation; tests on permanent green areas/ground paved with paving stones/sloped area/flat area; sowing with GPS; and collection of additional data from the drone—RGB, NDVI, thermo, crop photos, weather, etc.

Facility

WODR Bridge Sprinkler

Wielkopolska Agricultural Advisory Center in Poznań (WODR)

Poland

Bridge sprinkler with a working width of 250 m equipped with a VRI system, e.g., a system of variable irrigation doses. Independent control of each of the 63 sprinklers. The sprinkler can irrigate an area of up to 20 hectares at once. The water dose is controlled manually, but it is possible to retrofit it with an automatic system based on, e.g., satellite data or a weather station system. Systems used: GPS+RTK, VRI. Specification: width 250 m; can irrigate an area of up to 20 hectares at once; possibility of irrigating only selected sectors, e.g., out of all 63 sprinklers, only a part can work at the same time, e.g., half of them, to compare the effect with and without irrigation. It is used for: - Cooperation with the soil moisture monitoring service through the possibility of increasing soil moisture - Machine tests in any soil moisture conditions - Machine tests in controlled rain conditions - Tests of the correctness of shape files with irrigation application maps in field conditions, i.e., tests of correctness and compatibility with a sprinkler equipped with the VRA system

Infrastructure

WODR Physical Infrastructure

Poland

WODR is a public organisation running directly under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Its role is to improve the level of agricultural incomes and improve the market competitiveness of farms, to support the sustainable development in rural areas, as well as to raise the level of professional skills of farmers and other inhabitants in rural areas. WODR is also responsible for promoting and disseminating the innovative services in agriculture. WODR has a good experience in implementing projects related to the development of agriculture and digitalisation. It participates in many European projects (financed by RDP, Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe, and Digital Europe). WODR is also a leader of digitalisation of agriculture advisory in Poland. It’s a leader of a flagship ICT project called eDWIN, an established Polish advisory digital platform. WODR has its own test facility located in Sielinko (70 km from Poznań), where on the surface of over 70 ha of experimental fields, apiaries (beehives), and an animal and agricultural technology demonstration centre are situated. In particular, Sielinko is equipped with a control station for field and orchard sprayers, cold pressing of oil training and services, and collection of energy plants. There is also an area of approximately 3 ha where the latest varieties of crop plants, including those from the list of recommended varieties, are cultivated. Facilities used in the project: - WODR land facility in Sielinko - WODR bridge sprinkler

Facility

Mobility tracks

The Off-road vehicle and robot mobility tracks in Allier (France) feature advanced testing infrastructure developed by INRAE-TSCF-AGROTECHNOPÔLE for mobile machines and vehicles. The facility offers numerous accessories, including obstacles like mannequins and natural or artificial hedges. The cross-shaped track allows testing from various cardinal points and orientations relative to the sun. Additionally, the inclined profiles enable testing of agricultural machinery on different slope gradients. The facility supports the comprehensive evaluation and advancement of mobile equipment in diverse conditions, ensuring thorough performance assessment and development.

Facility

Experimental plots - Montoldre AgroTechnoPôle

The experimental plots for alternative weed control consist of a 4-hectare field, with additional areas available. Depending on the experimental needs, the site is equipped with advanced technology for data capture of soil and plants, an electric power supply using an electric generator for the computer units and charging for electric weeding solutions, as well as remote monitoring of crops and the environment via wireless sensors and a field meteorological station. This supports research on crops like maize and beans and weeds such as ryegrass, mustard, lamb’s quarter, and Matricaria chamomile. The site includes manoeuvring zones and buffer spaces between plots to allow machines or robots to move freely. INRAE-TSCF-AgroTechnoPôle ensures experiments' maintenance, protection, and organisation, offering an ideal environment for field trials and technology testing.

Facility

Machine-Soil interaction - Montoldre AgroTechnoPôle

The experimental plots to study machine-soil interaction offer advanced tools to study machine-soil interactions. The MONROE system measures the efficiency of agricultural tires and machines, assessing traction and soil compaction under various conditions, including tire type, pressure, and soil characteristics. It uses constant torque and traction force methods alongside additional measurements of effort, torque, angular velocity, and actual speed. The SoilXplorer tool provides electromagnetic response maps of soil, based on texture and moisture levels. Additionally, the facility features a FARO Focus 3D X130 laser scanner for precise 3D mapping of tire tracks and soil impressions.

Facility

CEMIB bench - Montoldre AgroTechnoPôle

The CEMIB rotating test bench, patented by INRAE, is a high-performance device for measuring the distribution of granular products (fertilisers). It enables quick, reliable, and cost-effective evaluation of spreading patterns. CEMIB scans the spread pattern, angular sector by angular sector, using around 90 sensors recorded at 10 Hz by a synchronous system. It provides precise, disturbance-free measurements of fertiliser distribution in grams/m² and reliable data on projection range and angles. The setup includes a rotating carrier for the spreader and a "sensitive" part with 50x50 cm trays and highly accurate weight sensors (0.02 grams), ensuring continuous, accurate assessments.

Facility

CEMOB bench - Montoldre AgroTechnoPôle

The CEMOB Bench is dedicated to enhancing the efficiency of spreading processes by optimising both machines and products, such as granules and compost. The CEMOB research bench accurately measures and characterises spreader sheets using traditional transverse measurement methods. The 3D measurements enable detailed analysis of spreading performance, including mapping ground distribution and assessing homogeneity. CEMOB also allows the evaluation of a product’s suitability for wide-area spreading and the impact of optimised spreading devices.

Infrastructure

Montoldre AgroTechnoPôle

Fundació Centre de Recerca en Agrotecnologia Agrotecnio

INRAE (National Institute for Agrarian, Food, and Environmental Research of France) is a leading research organisation dedicated to advancing sustainable agricultural and food systems. Through its work in research, innovation, and public policy support, INRAE seeks to provide solutions for life, humanity, and the Earth. INRAE's research, conducted across 18 research centres, 14 scientific departments, and nearly 300 research, service, and experimental units, is integrated into regional policies and actively engaged in international partnerships, making it a global effort in which you can participate. The Montoldre research and experimentation site is located in the scenic Allier Department within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. The site is dedicated to pioneering research into developing productive and environmentally friendly farming systems. The services offered under the AgrifoodTEF project on the Montoldre site are provided and implemented by the AgroTechnoPôle. This open innovation platform, supported by the INRAE-TSCF Unit, is not just dedicated to helping to develop technological solutions for tomorrow's agriculture but also to inspiring a new era of innovation in the industry. The AgroTechnoPôle brings together public and private expertise to accelerate the development of innovative agricultural tools, machinery, and services, inspiring all those involved to push the boundaries of what's possible in agriculture, making it more efficient, less energy-demanding, and environmentally friendly. Montoldre has various advanced machinery and infrastructure, making it a central hub for research and development in agricultural technology and robotics.

Facility

Food Processing Pilot Plant