Assessment

The cattle research barn at Raumberg-Gumpenstein is a state-of-the-art facility designed to meet international research standards for cattle experimentation. The barn supports real-time data acquisition through sensors and cameras, ensuring precise measurement and observation of animal welfare, behaviour, and productivity. With dedicated spaces for calving, separation pens, and a high standard of hygiene, the infrastructure enables both basic and applied research in animal science.

The Food Pilot helps companies, labs, and governments with their agri-food challenges: product development, process optimisation, or troubleshooting technical production problems. Within a co-creative process we bring solutions in the form of advice, lab analyses, and/or pilot trials performed on semi-industrial processing equipment. We work strictly confidentially. The Food Pilot is a collaboration between ILVO and Flanders' FOOD. More information is available on www.foodpilot.be/en/.

The ILVO Hyperspectral Technology Facility enables advanced applications in agri-food processing, such as quality control, defect detection, grading, and sorting of (raw) products. By comparing spectral and spatial data to reference measurements, we build chemometric models capable of estimating product parameters in real time. The facility hosts a range of hyperspectral and multispectral devices, including spectrometers with customisable probes, hyperspectral cameras, and FTNIRS systems suited for both solid and liquid samples.

ILVO’s fertiliser spreader calibration lab offers services to farmers, fertiliser spreader manufacturers, and fertiliser-producing companies. Two different approaches are used for assessing the performance of centrifugal and pendulum fertiliser spreaders for specific types of fertilisers: collection trays equipped with anti-reflection grids are used for determining spread patterns in field conditions.

The ILVO testing field is a small field with dry sandy loam soil. The testing field is conveniently located next to our workshop facility, allowing us to test and adapt a prototype in quick succession in a real-world setting. Depending on the intended tests, different crops are installed each growing season.

Located within a network of real-world testing and validation environments, this facility facilitates collaboration between technological SMEs and agricultural experts. It serves as a platform for developing cutting-edge solutions tailored to address specific challenges in the sector. The space supports businesses by bridging the gap with expert advice, specialist training, and networking opportunities, ensuring innovative ideas are rigorously tested and refined.

Located in Torrelameu, Spain, this farm is equipped with a wide range of precision feeding machines, environmental sensors, and camera systems to monitor and optimise various aspects of pig farming. These tools enable comprehensive data collection on temperature, humidity, CO₂, and ammonia levels, which are integrated into a proof of concept for the pig sector data space. The facility fosters collaboration among public and private entities, promoting advancements in intensive livestock management, animal welfare, and transport.

The lab offers a wide range of analytical services, including tests for soil pH, organic matter, nutrient content (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), and water retention capacity. It also provides water analysis for pH, electrical conductivity, nutrients, and chemical oxygen demand (COD). Additionally, the lab performs plant material analysis, such as total nitrogen and dry matter, and organic waste analysis for pH, organic matter, and ammonium content.

The lab offers expertise in quality parameter determination and physical-chemical analysis for oils and fats, antioxidant activity testing (ORAC, DPPH, ABTS,...), and analysis of fat profiles and phenolic compounds. It also provides services in the development of analytical techniques in food and advice on the design of sensory tests and consumer sensory evaluation studies.

Specialised in advanced molecular techniques for plant DNA and protein analysis. The lab provides services such as genomic DNA extraction, PCR-based genotyping, and electrophoresis for DNA and protein separation. It also offers DNA fragment analysis and varietal purity testing, with a focus on cereal crops. The lab is actively involved in biodiversity studies, molecular marker applications, and quality control assessments of seeds and plants, contributing to advancements in plant genomics research and crop improvement.